[CPAP] Trouble with central apneas and weird symptoms

[Kevin Scholz]

Hello everyone, im new to this board and also new to CPAP,

ive been struggling with "mild" sleep apnea for 3 years now. It took me a while to convince a doctor to order a sleep study. Ive got 2 done and was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, although i have to say i didnt sleep much during both of them. I got prescribed a splint to keep my jaw forward, which didnt help much. Some time later i got my first CPAP, with Pressure set to 9 fixed and no EPR. The doctor told me to try out EPR if needed. 

Still getting used to the device i didnt manage to yet keep it on all night, but in the times i used it OSCAR and the Airsense showed some amounts of Central Events, RERAS occasionaly and i wonder if thats TESCAS or real central events. I would appreciate anyone whos down to "analyze" my oscar data, since im new to CPAP and OSCAR and my next appointment with the doctor is in 3 Months (its kinda full schedule here in germany). Im getting some weird symptoms lately for a couple of months, but also started before using CPAP like extensive Air Hunger where i cant get a deep breath and some weird variations in my heart Rate. 


i uploaded some zoomed in reports of the centrals and one RERA, cant upload more than 3 files i think and not allowed to post links for the big "Report" pictures. Let me know if you need anything else. Im not sure if im able to ask this kind of question here, but would appreciate any help! thank you!

Greetings from germany 

[SarcasticDave94]

To me, your higher pressure 9 looked better than the 5. You seem to be sensitive to CA, which will likely diminish with more usage.

I would consider trying pressure 7 and EPR 1 full time. Try it and see how it feels, and also what the chart shows.

[Deborah K.]

Good job at setting up and using Oscar.  It's a great tool.  We would be better able to help you if you posted a full Oscar chart, instead of just the zoomed in views.  Also, we need to see to the very bottom of the Flow Limits chart.

I think you would benefit from using Apap mode and setting a narrow range of pressure, at least for now.  In doing so we could see what pressure or pressures you actually need.  I suggest you set it at 7-12.  

Best of luck with achieving better therapy and comfort!  

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

When you post charts, please post the entire night first and then any zoomed areas you want someone to review. It is difficult to get the feel for the overall night without seeing the entire chart.

Ignoring the first and third chart as you may not have been asleep, the second chart is not bad. 

How did you end up with a fixed pressure of 9? If it was not through titration give that a go and let's see where your 95% pressure ends up.

Try it with the following:

Mode APAP
Min pressure 8
Max pressure 15
EPR 3 full-time
No ramp

Give that a few nights and let us know how things look. We can help figure out what is best to try next after reviewing.

[Kevin Scholz]

Thanks for your answers, i will try out ur suggestions. Also gotta note that i switched from a Full Face Mask to Nasal Cushion because it just feels more comfortable with it.

Heres some bigger Pictures from the 2 previous posted ones and also another from another night.

[SarcasticDave94]

OK thanks, see the shaggy grass flow limits chart in the two with low pressure, 6 then 5. Two things to help this, more min pressure and EPR. It'll possibly be both that's needed.

Settings from the others above will be perfectly fine. Likely no minimum under 8, and EPR full time up to 3.

[Kevin Scholz]

Hello!

ive changed the settings to APAP min Pressure 7 and max Pressure 13 with EPR on 3. It seems to be improved, also felt a little better sleeping longer with it. But still have some SpO2 Drops in the first part of the night. Any ideas? Also realized when i put it on the second time that my tounge is actually falling back, creating "Leaks" or airflow because i have a nasal mask. I Have a FFM lying around also got a splint. you think using splint and nasal mask would work? could this explain the SpO2 drop in the first half of the night?

[Kevin Scholz]

Update from yesterdays sleep, still got same APAP Settings but i also used my mandibular advancement splint together with the nasal mask. And it seemd to improved, got big leaks at the end, which is probably the reason i took the mask off while sleeping.

[Deborah K.]

I love nasal masks and now Bleep, but I for sure need to tape my mouth.  Maybe that's what you need.  I thought it would be weird and uncomfortable, but once the tape is on I barely feel it.  Some of the favorite tapes here are Cover Roll Stretch tape and Hypafix tape.  They both work well.  I prefer Theraband Kinesiology tape as I find it more comfortable.  I need 2-inch wide tape cut to about 5-1/2 inches long, or I still leak. I'm sure that is an individual thing, but I thought I'd mention it in case you are like me.    

With tape, I don't think you would need your splint, plus I have read they can cause jaw pain and dental problems.

[Kevin Scholz]

Good suggestion the thing actually caused some dislocations and problems with my jaw. 

But does taping prevent the tounge from falling back?