Help optimizing CPAP machine settings

[VikingFan2408]

Hi everyone, 

I've been on CPAP for about 2 months now, overall, it has been helpful in getting better sleep, but I do still feel tired most days. My at-home sleep test revealed an AHI of 16, which has reduced down to OSCAR averages of 2.08 in October and 2.01 in November. 

I was hoping that someone here might be able to help me make sense of my OSCAR data on a good night vs a higher AHI night and help me understand what's happening + how I can optimize my settings to get closer to or under 1 AHI consistently, as that's when I tend to feel the best (although still somewhat tired). 

Summary, Lower AHI and Higher AHI nights are attached as images. 


Context: 

• Struggled with aerophagia issues, and in response, my doctor recommended turning EPR on to 3 and exploring a switch from a full face mask (F40) to a nasal mask (P10), which did help quite a bit from a comfort perspective. Not sure if this messes with my therapy efficacy though. 
  
• I do use mouth tape every night to prevent mouth breathing. 
  
• Based on my physical and bloodwork last month, I do not have any other health issues and I am not taking any medications besides Allegra once per day for allergies. 
  
• I also take a daily multivitamin, magnesium (400mg) and CoQ10 (400mg). 
  

Happy to provide any more information that is required or try any settings recommended. Greatly appreciate the help!

[staceyburke]

Only thing you need is to move the min to 7 - leave everything else where it is.

[G. Szabo]

I suggest setting it to standard response, turning the ramp off,  and setting the minimum pressure to 6 cm.

I just realized Staceyburke's comment above—7 cm is also ok.

[VikingFan2408]

Thank you both very much! I've upped the minimum pressure to 7, changed the response to standard and will report back tomorrow.

[Deborah K.]

Since you have been using your machine for a while, you don't need ramp anymore. Please turn it off. You get virtually no therapy using ramp and if you remove your mask then start again, ramp begins again, robbing you of needed therapy.

[VikingFan2408]

Here is the OSCAR screenshot from last night with the following changes:
- Ramp Off
- Response moved to standard
- Minimum pressure at 7


I ended up getting home a little late from a family event and had some air leak problems with my Nova Micro in the middle of the night, so the amount of sleep was a little low vs usual, but overall, I feel fairly decent. 

I'll probably move back to the P10 permanently, the Nova Micro just doesn't seem to work well for me.

[G. Szabo]

You can have a more peaceful night with fewer pressure adjustments and reduced obstructions with a minimum pressure of 7.6-8.0 cm.

[VikingFan2408]

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve moved the pressure minimum up to 7.6, and will report back tomorrow!