Help reading OSCAR data

[JenniferJuniper]

I haven't been here in ages because I've been sleeping well overall for a while. Over the last several months, I just don't feel well-rested in the mornings. I'm wondering if there is anything you see from my Oscar that I should adjust in my settings. Thank you! 

   

   

[OpalRose]

Have you tried the AutoSet mode instead of the For Her mode? If you're willing change to the AutoSet mode for a night or two. Let's see if it does a better job at clearing the flow limitation.

Looks like you're moving a lot. It could be the Flow Limitation causing arousals.

Also, you may need a slightly higher minimum pressure, possibly up to 10cm, but I wouldn't make more than one change at a time. Hold off on this until we see if changing modes makes a difference.

[JenniferJuniper]

Thank you so much! I will try the first suggestion tonight and take it from there.

I do feel like I'm waking/moving around all night long, and this is making it hard for my husband beside me to get a decent night's sleep.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Could you by chance post a night or two from a time that you considered getting a good nights rest? It would be helpful to compare a good night to a bad night. I think OpalRose is spot on with the flow limitations causing arousals, but being able to compare a few charts would help narrow it down to a few things.

One more question, have you ever been diagnosed with UARS or felt excessively tired during the day even after a good nights sleep with low AHI? Just trying to rule out a few things.

Regarding your husbands sleep, as my wife once told me it only takes one appropriately placed pillow to end snoring forever, so I better keep working at fine-tuning my CPAP settings before she uses it. So far, so good.

[JenniferJuniper]

I have not been diagnosed with UARS, but knowing me, I probably have it. 

I'd share a chart from a night of restful sleep, but I can't remember when I last had one. I'll be sure to make note if/when that happens again. 

lol re: your wife's cure for a snoring spouse!!

[JenniferJuniper]

I switched from For Her to Autoset for the past two nights but didn't make any other changes. I think things were worse, although Flow Limitation improved (I think?). I woke up multiple times last night and checked the clock. At 1:15 am my mouth was so dry I almost couldn't swallow. 

   

   

[JenniferJuniper]

I switched to Autoset for two night (see charts in previous post), but wasn't sure that did much. I then adjusted my minimum pressure to 10. That definitely seems more comfortable than the previous setting. Here are my last two nights. What do you think?

   

   

[OpalRose]

The increase in minimum pressure evened out the pressure swings. How do you feel with that? Eventually, you might want to migrate to a minimum pressure of 10.6 or 11.

Flow limitation is still higher than we like to see.  But that may be due to the leaks.
Although the leaks aren't high... they can contribute to many arousals and disruptive sleep.

The spikes on the leak rate graph is usually mask movement. The flat areas usually point to mouth breathing. How do you feel the pillow mask fits? Have you tried different size cushions?

[JenniferJuniper]

I feel quite a bit better with the higher minimum pressure and will likely go for your suggested 10.6 or 11 to see if that's even better.

I do struggle with knowing how tight to wear the headgear/pillows. I used to have the headgear pretty snug, but loosened it up a bit a few months ago when I was trying to make adjustments for a better night's sleep. I'll try it a bit tighter tonight. I'm currently using the standard-size headgear with medium pillows. I also have a small-size headgear and other pillow sizes that I've tried. Should I try smaller pillows...or larger? Small headgear...or standard? I have a full face mask too, but I've never been able to use it comfortably--it just doesn't stay put. 

One of my major issues is that I clench my jaw when I sleep. This is actually how I was found to have sleep apnea to begin with--the oral surgeon who was doing implants after I cracked two molars right out of my head asked if I'd ever had a sleep study. So now I have the CPAP and a bite guard, but I still manage to wake myself up with the clenching, and I still manage to damage my teeth. It's awful. 

Thank you so much for your help--it is truly appreciated!!

[OpalRose]

You'll have to experiment with the different size nasal pillows.  They shouldn't be inserted too far into the nostril, but sort of sit under the nares.  

Once you mask up and turn the air on, try pulling it slightly away from your nose and back.  It should seal nicely.

Something I use to help prevent any nasal irritation and it also helps seal the pillows is Ayr Nasal Gel.  You can find it almost anywhere.  

You might get some tips from this article:

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ask_Primer