[CPAP] eok361 - Therapy Thread

[dean406]

disclaimer: Not an expert... just another CPAP user.   Now that I got that out-of-the-way...

Looks like your starting with ~7 cmH2O of pressure - using a ramp, or a range where the lowest pressure = not enough therapy.  My guess is that you didn't fall asleep until around 16:12. The pressure remained excessively constant until then.  That's when things start to change.  The first thing that occurred is some mild loss of pressure.  My guess... you relaxed and have your face into a pillow where some weight is on one side of the mask - enabling some mild leaking. The machine starts raising pressure.  As pressure increases, the leaks begin to increase.  Seems like you did okay around 10 cmH2O and worse when it went up above 10.  Not sure of these were caused by central apnea from too much pressure or leaking preventing therapy.  Seems to me your starting pressure should be ~9.5 instead of in the 7 range.  I love APAPs and they are a life saver when you have congestion such as a cold/flu.  If you do not have any nasal congestion, sometimes a straight single pressure works better than variation. 

Now if you did fall asleep before 16:12, then the therapy before that time-frame looked good and when pressure started increasing - you did worse.  If this is the case, maybe the max # is too high.  Others who can read these charts better than me may chime in with better info.

Hang in there...  you will win this fight w/persistence and patience.

[SarcasticDave94]

If I recall, I would have to adjust the Vitera straps somewhat loose to allow Rollfit seal to do its thing. There's a certain order to strap tightening that worked better. I think it was bottom set then top set. Always adjust when lying back and xPAP running. Awkward, yes, but you can't simulate the adjustment and seal needed for therapy without being in therapy mode IMO.

The recent Oscar chart seems to indicate in that messy area near the session end that pressures went up and caused leaks. From there the wheels kinda fell off the CPAP.

[Gfuchs]

I've struggled with leaks (with nasal masks) for a long time until I recently figured out:

1. When using mouth tape, you have to start out with 0 humidity use as this can loosen up the glue used in the tape and consequently leads to mouth leaks during the night. 
2.  The best tape I found is this here:   Cover-Roll Stretch - 2" x 10 Yards - Hypoallergenic (2 Pack)   search Amazon
--- > no residual tape and perfect seal with low humidity settings
3.  The tape should cover the full mouth entirely 

I also use the Bleep since the mask seal is near perfect when using it properly (which in itself is a learning curve).
Once I figured out the above, I essentially have 0 leaks.

Hope this helps.

[eok361]

i use that exact tape when I tape my mouth.

So last night, I went back to the N20, with a chinstrap I had found on Amazon (in lieu of the soft collar).

The results were much better. 

I will have to eventually figure out the ff mask, but I need to sleep for now.

thanks for all the help.

[Kathy14225]

I've just started with the Bleep and my graph looks similar to the one posted. Small leaks and then large ones at the end. Also centrals at the end. Everything seems good and tight in the am. Do you use tape? I'm trying to avoid that and use a sturdy cervical collar with tape just in the middle of my lips. I'm very sensitive to anything on my face. That's why I thought the Bleep would be the answer. I even lowered my pressure.

[eok361]

I've just started with the Bleep and my graph looks similar to the one posted. 

hi,

i don't use the bleep. someone else in the thread says they use it. maybe they will respond.

good luck.

[Kathy14225]

Sorry, I'm new to the message board and thought I was replying to the person that used the Bleep.

[eok361]

Hi,

I've posted a few random evening's worth of data in the last few months.

I'm really trying to get this therapy thing as dialed in as possible. 

Me: 62 yo male, 6'-0" 198 lbs (down from 230 4 months ago).

I had a sleep analysis done years ago, but haven't seen a sleep Dr in over 15 years. For the last few years I had been using a Philips System one 60 machine. I would only occasionally look at the data, and just saw low AHI numbers and assumed all was well; even though plenty of days I was getting tired mid-day. I just chalked that up to getting older. 

Since June, I have switched to an Airsense 10 and have been experimenting with differnt settings, masks and tape/collars, mouth guards, etc, to see if I can get consistently good results.

Suffice to say that hasn't been the case. 

I've decided to use last night's data as a baseline and humbly come before this forum and ask for advice. At this point, I'm just in an infinite loop of confusion. 

These screenshots are just overviews of the main data markers, from the entire light's therapy. If anything else needs to be posted, please let me know. 


Most of the OSCAR data to me is a mystery. I know there are many folks in here who are knowledgeable in what they all mean, and how they tie together.

Thanks in advance for any input. 

Last night's gear:
AS10, CPAP, pressure set to 8.8
N20 mask (Medium  cushion)
V-com (at machine)
A chin strap I got off amazon, in lieu of cover roll stretch tape I had been using. This seems to work better for me.

[Gideon]

Start with adding

EPR=3, Fulltime

That's all. You may need a pressure adjustment but post your first chart and we will see.

[eok361]

Start with adding

EPR=3, Fulltime

i'll try that tonight. wouldn't that be counterintuitive, since I have the v-com? I'm just curious. 

thanks