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09-16-2023, 06:53 PM (This post was last modified: 09-16-2023, 06:58 PM by tuumi2000.)
First week CPAP. Had such high hopes...advice
Hi,
Have had trouble sleeping and being rested and finally got a sleep test. Really didn't think I'd have apnea as this has been as issue for awhile but the doctor never thought to suggest a sleep test. Normal weight and my wife says I only occasionally snore. It's strange I was kinda happy that I have apena as it is a recognition that something is wrong and I'm not going crazy. Felt like such a wimp complaining about being tired all the time.
So I got the CPAP not too long ago and I had such high hopes. Thought I would finally be able to sleep through the night. No more just being sad/depressed. I get sooo damn hungry when I'm tired too. Nonstop hunger pangs. I was excited for that to stop. My life is perfect other than this sleep stuff.
Needless to say....I don't feel better at all. Maybe it's a slow grind to better. But I want to make sure these graphs look normal. Anything stand out? Suggestions for change?
Machine: Lowenstein Luisa Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Resmed Quattro FX Humidifier: separate F&P humidifier CPAP Pressure: Epap 4-20 PS 4-20; "auto" rate CPAP Software: Not using software
Other Comments: Using 45 degree angle upper body wedge (36"x36") and 4.5"soft cervical collar; 500 assured tidal vol
Welcome to ApneaBoard tuumi2000. I see a few problems in your charts.
1. You have some clustering of OA's. This could be caused by chin tucking (positional). You can try lowering your pillow height, switching sleeping position (ex: from on back to on side), and getting a soft cervical collar if the first two things don't work in reducing the clusters.
2. You have some high flow limitations in one of the graphs. You have EPR at 3 full time though. That is good.
3. You might try raising your pressure a little bit. You can go in increments of 0.2 or even go straight from 11 to 12 if you want. You know yourself best. You have some variability of results between the 3 charts. We will try to get your therapy optimized so that the most of nightly charts look good (a trend starts).
It is rare for someone to immediately feel better after starting pap therapy. It takes time usually to start seeing some results. And there are a few who never seem to see results. I am basing this on reading many threads and posts here.
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Thanks for looking at this. I'm a stomach sleeper so I'm not sure if that effects OA.
I'll try to slowly raise pressure. Is that something I can do simply on the Resmed? I'll put some more time in and post in a few weeks.