Help for my first week please (includes OSCARs)

[thegoobs]

Hi all, a couple of weeks ago I was finally sent an APEX Auto XT  by my DME supplier. I could not tolerate it more than 2-3 hours of use for a few days , due to feeling like I could not expel enough air. Well I found this board and realized I needed to advocate for myself. DME is working on getting me an Airsense 10 Autoset. This is the unit that I tested during the second half of my sleep study with great results. I felt so refreshed after the study, that I knew CPAP was going to change my life. Unfortunately, the DME sent me a cheap unit that wouldn't even interface with OSCAR.

I am lucky to have found a friend that had an unsused Airsense 10 Autoset. I am now borrowing it while the DME finds one for me. The first 2 nights (Sep 30 and Oct 1 OSCAR reports attaced) were just like the sleep study night- excellent! I woke up about 2 hours earlier than usual and felt absolutely great. The great feeling went on throughout the day (no more fogginess, no headache, no mid day crash, just pure happiness and productivity). However, the next few nights went back to problems. I mainly found that I was waking up very often for the first couple of hours. I even questioned if I had actually fallen asleep of not. I finally decided to pull off the mask and fall sleep without it (Oct 2 and Oct 7 OSCAR reports attached).

So I spent the day yesterday trying to figure out settings and OSCAR. I read up on threads and decided to try the Autoset mode with pressure settings 4-10 (I was prescribed CPAP with pressure at 9). I also set EPR to 3 and Auto Ramp at 4. Unfortunately, I actually had more problems last night with these settings (Oct 8 OSCAR report attached). Again I felt like I wasn't sure if I ever actually fell alseep. After about 3 hours in, I started feeling like I was gettin enough air, as well as feeling like my exhales were labored. At this point, I abandoned the mask at remained awak for about 3 hours, feeling like I couldn't catch my breath easily. 

I know I'm throwing a lot out here for a beginner with only 1 week into therpay, but I'm hoping someone can help me by looking at the OSCARs. I'm desparate to make this work, and I know its possible (based on my sleed study night and the Sep 30 and Oct 1 nights). I need to feel alive again   

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Here are the other 2 OSCARs that wouldn't fit on the first post...

[Brazen]

I'm not an expert, so can't speak to all your settings. 

But... your machine can't go lower than 4cmw, so with your minimum pressure at 4cmw your EPR is not functioning at all.

That could make your exhales feel labored.

Your minimum pressure needs to be at least 7cmw to get the benefit of EPR 3.

[Dormeo]

Brazen is absolutely right: you don't get the benefits of EPR with a pressure of 4, and a lot of people feel air-starved at 4. Definitely use EPR of 3, and definitely don't set a minimum lower than 7. While you're at it, I'd suggest turning off the ramp.

October 2nd you had some obstructive apneas, which can't have helped you sleep, and on the 8th you were dealing with pressure swings and those low pressures.

We all have good nights and bad nights of sleep. You did very well with that fixed 9, so try going back to that. Stick with it for at least three more nights; one night does not a trend make.

A few other remarks. It's GREAT that you're insisting on a ResMed machine -- stick to your guns! And it's also great that you've come here, are using Oscar, and are educating yourself. I think you'll soon have all this licked; you're off to an excellent start.