Help interpreting OSCAR Flow Rate Data w/ UARS
Hey all,
Long post, but I've seen some incredibly thorough and helpful responses from this board and wanted to share as much detail as possible.
I'd greatly appreciate any insight or direction that can be offered!
Background
Earlier this year I was diagnosed with UARS after an at-home sleep study (1.8 AHI, 13.3 RDI, w/ severe brain fog, fatigue, and head-aches).
I was prescribed CPAP and received an AirSense 10 (set to APAP) w/ Nasal Pillows.
My ENT also confirmed a deviated septum and crowded upper airway. I experience nasal congestion in one nostril every night, but still maintain nasal breathing all night (and day) and now sleep with mouth tape to prevent air leakage.
Subjective Experience
I use the machine religiously and initially saw good results. However, recently, my sleep has been MUCH less restorative (although, still better than pre-CPAP) with less headaches and mental fog, but still experiencing extreme, debilitating fatigue. I've also been spending much longer stretches in bed than before.
I'm waking constantly throughout the night, and often experience a racing heart beat when waking. After I've finished my period of deep sleep, when waking and trying to go back to sleep, I'm often jolted awake within minutes by what I can best describe as a shot of adrenaline/cortisol.
OSCAR
Unfortunately, I only recently loaded an SD card to the machine and have only the last few nights of Daily OSCAR data to reference.
I see my Flow Rate spikes all night in roughly 10 minute intervals. I believe these are RERAs but have no EEG data to verify that they're causing arousals. However, the frequency and severity seem concerning, and I believe this is what's causing my current symptoms.
I also sleep with an OURA ring, and although the data isn't perfect, it does show that my sleep is very restless and my heart rate spikes frequently throughout the night.
Happy to share anything else of value.
Thank you!
Long post, but I've seen some incredibly thorough and helpful responses from this board and wanted to share as much detail as possible.
I'd greatly appreciate any insight or direction that can be offered!
Background
Earlier this year I was diagnosed with UARS after an at-home sleep study (1.8 AHI, 13.3 RDI, w/ severe brain fog, fatigue, and head-aches).
I was prescribed CPAP and received an AirSense 10 (set to APAP) w/ Nasal Pillows.
My ENT also confirmed a deviated septum and crowded upper airway. I experience nasal congestion in one nostril every night, but still maintain nasal breathing all night (and day) and now sleep with mouth tape to prevent air leakage.
Subjective Experience
I use the machine religiously and initially saw good results. However, recently, my sleep has been MUCH less restorative (although, still better than pre-CPAP) with less headaches and mental fog, but still experiencing extreme, debilitating fatigue. I've also been spending much longer stretches in bed than before.
I'm waking constantly throughout the night, and often experience a racing heart beat when waking. After I've finished my period of deep sleep, when waking and trying to go back to sleep, I'm often jolted awake within minutes by what I can best describe as a shot of adrenaline/cortisol.
OSCAR
Unfortunately, I only recently loaded an SD card to the machine and have only the last few nights of Daily OSCAR data to reference.
I see my Flow Rate spikes all night in roughly 10 minute intervals. I believe these are RERAs but have no EEG data to verify that they're causing arousals. However, the frequency and severity seem concerning, and I believe this is what's causing my current symptoms.
I also sleep with an OURA ring, and although the data isn't perfect, it does show that my sleep is very restless and my heart rate spikes frequently throughout the night.
- What other OSCAR data should I review along with the Flow Rate to help determine what's causing these spikes?
- Are there any adjustments to the machine's settings that might be recommended based on the data shared?
Happy to share anything else of value.
Thank you!
