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

Erratic flow rate preceding OA
#1
Erratic flow rate preceding OA
I've noticed that my flow rate is almost always erratic immediately before an obstructive apnea-- I've attached a few examples from last night. It looks a lot different than my husband's charts, which makes me wonder if something odd might be going on. Thoughts?

If you'd like to see my charts without zooming in, I've posted several in my thread here: https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...ion--46001


Attached Files Thumbnail(s)
           
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Erratic flow rate preceding OA
It appears that you are having an arousal prior to your OA...nothing really unusual about it, looks just like mine do.  I did notice that you are having a number of OA's and you are already using a fairly high minimum pressure.   If you are a back sleeper it may be causing some of the apneas.  You could try sleeping on your side, that is what I had to do.  Otherwise raising you minimum pressure more may be the only answer, if you raise your min pressure I would change the EPR to 3 to help on your exhale
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Erratic flow rate preceding OA
Thanks, Old Steve. I sleep on my side only, so unfortunately, position changes won't help.

Can you explain more about having an arousal prior to each OA? I can understand waking up after an OA, but I can't wrap my head around why waking up would seemingly cause OAs.
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Erratic flow rate preceding OA
The arousal is not causing the apnea.  I think in this instance the arousal is just the beginning of the apnea.  The OA is just starting and you are not into a full Obstructive Apnea just yet, but it is still just an arousal.  Then your airway starts closing down and you will not be able to breath.  After ten seconds the machine records it as an apnea.  Anyway, I looked back on several of my apneas and they looked almost identical to yours.

Hopefully this makes some sense to you.  If not I am sure there are more knowledgeable folks on the forum that could do a better job of answering your question. 
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Flow Rate wave form has sharp peaks dloomis 19 664 10 hours ago
Last Post: Sleeprider
Question Help interpreting OSCAR Flow Rate Data w/ UARS Primarysecondary465 2 270 01-11-2025, 02:24 PM
Last Post: Primarysecondary465
  New CPAP User; high flow limit and event cluster sleepymarie 5 215 01-11-2025, 02:09 PM
Last Post: Dormeo
  Trying to control the flow rate but AHI is up teddytheanimal 3 154 01-11-2025, 01:49 PM
Last Post: Deborah K.
  [Pressure] OA without Flow Limitation? lessgroggy 17 509 01-09-2025, 07:21 AM
Last Post: SeePak
  Trying to learn about flow limitations/flow rate...can I get some help? gohoos1998 2 228 01-08-2025, 06:46 PM
Last Post: gohoos1998
  Ovmeadows Therapy Thread: Flow Rate, Flow Limit and Other Issues ovmeadows 54 5,467 01-08-2025, 01:31 PM
Last Post: Sleeprider


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

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