Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

[CPAP] Wes' therapy optimization thread
#1
Wes' therapy optimization thread
Hey folks, first off thanks greatly for all the advice found here-- been lurking for a long time and decided it was time for my own thread and to ask for advice.

In general my AHI, as reported by my DreamStation, tends to hover around 1 or 2, but I rarely feel completely rested and it's frustratingly inconsistent.  Some days I feel great, others I'm barely functional and it's taken me a long time to try and eliminate variables and dial in the therapy.  Over time I've tried various approaches.. less pressure, more pressure, CFLEX on/off, chin straps, cervical collar, etc etc.  Having a consistent refreshing night's sleep still eludes me though.  Most nights I wake up repeatedly and never actually sleep through the night.  On days I feel good, I really feel GOOD-- clear head, focused.

I'm hoping someone can look at my OSCAR charts and give me some recommendations.  I'm attaching an average night using nasal pillows and my cervical collar (but lately I've been trying the knightsbridge strap).

What I tend to notice is distorted inhales that look like flow limitations and frequent turbulence that look like unflagged arousals.  The turbulent areas always have unusual exhalations but I'm not sure if those are relevant.

I also go through phases in the night where my breathing becomes erratic and has an ebb and flow.  That's shown in the 3rd attachment.  My assumption has been REM sleep but I've struggled to find other cases around here that look similar.


Attached Files Thumbnail(s)
           
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Wes' therapy optimization thread
I hope the Knightsbridge chin strap works well for you.  (Please note that knightsbridgedualband.com is run by me, the inventor, and as I allege in US federal case 4:24-cv-05826-HSG dualbandchinstrap.com is the counterfeiting organization.)
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Wes' therapy optimization thread
(11-14-2024, 05:11 AM)LaurenceShaw Wrote: I hope the Knightsbridge chin strap works well for you.  (Please note that knightsbridgedualband.com is run by me, the inventor, and as I allege in US federal case 4:24-cv-05826-HSG dualbandchinstrap.com is the counterfeiting organization.)

Thank you!  Honestly, it's been very effective.  The only real issue is that I find the mesh to be a little itchy on my scalp, but I'm bald so that might be a "me" problem  Big Grin



Super tired today.  Attaching some screens of last night.  My current setup is:

* Chin strap
* 15-20 pressure
* C-Flex 1

I want to experiment with opening up the pressure a little and adding the C-Flex to see if that helps to round out the breaths.  Not sure if I have some flow limitation issues that my lousy DS machine isn't reporting.

Do ya'll think these OA events are positional in nature?  Pretty sure I turned onto my stomach in the latter half of the night.  I'm wondering if that's working against me.  I'm gonna keep these settings a few more days to see how it goes.


Attached Files Thumbnail(s)
       
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Wes' therapy optimization thread
I'm pretty bald too.  I know what you are talking about, though it doesn't bother me.  But if the itchiness of the cap is a problem, you might try the Plus which is made of a single layer of organic Manta cotton.
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: Wes' therapy optimization thread
Just wanted to bump my thread and ask if anybody has any thoughts regarding these charts.  My nights are always characterized by phases of chaotic breathing, where it ebbs and flows, shallow to deep.  Anything to be concerned about here?


Attached Files Thumbnail(s)
           
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  [CPAP] xirokx - Therapy Thread xirokx 163 6,583 16 minutes ago
Last Post: G. Szabo
  [CPAP] alieser - Therapy Thread (new user) alieser 0 69 Yesterday, 06:37 AM
Last Post: alieser
  Abdulfakih - Therapy Thread Abdulfakih 277 12,933 12-16-2024, 10:11 AM
Last Post: SarcasticDave94
  abzcpap24 - Therapy Thread abzcpap24 16 742 12-16-2024, 02:40 AM
Last Post: Expat31
  [Treatment] The Client's Treatment Request Thread theclient1437 4 164 12-14-2024, 10:55 PM
Last Post: theclient1437
  Epark - Therapy Thread Epark617 8 382 12-13-2024, 07:36 PM
Last Post: Deborah K.
  Apex45 - Therapy Thread Apex45 50 1,659 12-13-2024, 12:45 PM
Last Post: Apex45


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.