High flow limit, erratic breathing and resp rates

[jclarke131000]

Just a week on CPAP for me, but I've noticed breathing and resp rates are very iratic ( sometimes going up to 50/min ) and that the flowrate is quite high some times.  

Last night was not a particularly good sleep, woke up with a banging headache and have been incredibly tired all day - https://sleephq.com/public/a90d42a3-f8fb...028848d07c 

Was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions to help make my sleep a little better! Thanks.

[Deborah K.]

I can see that your flow limits are high.  To correct that you need to turn EPR on full-time, set at 3.  If it's at all possible it would be great if you could turn ramp off, or at least turn it down to five minutes.  You don't get any real therapy during ramp.  Also, where you now have the setting 'standard' change it to 'essentials plus'.

I don't read Sleephq nearly as well as Oscar.  It would help most of us if you download Oscar, a free reporting system that will enable you to post a way better chart of your night's sleep.

[jclarke131000]

Okay thanks for the advice! I have oscar, I just ironically find it a little more clunky than sleephq! haha.

Is there a way for me to share it on oscar? Won't allow me to share a link here yet

[Deborah K.]

I don't know enough about the delay in posting links to advise you.

But I think I made a mistake in my answer before.  I now use a ResMed Vauto, and the Response is Essentials or Essentials Plus.  It is not the same for the ResMed Autoset.  I know there is Standard, and I assume there is another option but I don't remember it.  If there is something that sounds better, select that.

Now reply to me about the Standard/whatever issue, and maybe you will be able to post the Oscar report. Or we can chat more or you can post anywhere else until you have enough posts to be able to post an Oscar report.  Then I or someone else can offer you more advice if needed.

[OpalRose]

jclarke131000,

First, Organize your chart according to the link below.  
Set your display to Standard view.  
(View > Reset Graphs > Standard)

Take a screenshot of your Daily screen.
   * For Windows or Linux: Use the F12 key
   * For a Mac: Use Fn+F12  

You will need to use the Attachment Feature to post an OSCAR Screenshot of the Daily Page.

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

https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph...pnea_Board

[BigWing]

I now use a ResMed Vauto, and the Response is Essentials or Essentials Plus.  It is not the same for the ResMed Autoset.  I know there is Standard, and I assume there is another option but I don't remember it.  If there is something that sounds better, select that.

"AutoSet mode (AirSense 10 AutoSet and AutoSet for Her devices only). 
 
For patients who are sensitive to faster changes in pressure during therapy, AutoSet Response can be set to either Standard or Soft. If set to soft, patients will receive gentler pressure rises during therapy. "

[jclarke131000]

Okay so I used the setting I sent last night and the flow limit did not change. Still 95 0.17~ and 99.5 0.35 

Breathing seemed to be alot more consistent however, as opposed to the previous nights sleep.

Here is a screenshot from the 14th and the 15th, the 15th being the night with the changes made you suggested.

[Sleeprider]

Your EPR is off. To get some benefits of bilevel therapy with lower exhale pressure and higher inhale pressure EPR must be turn ON FULL-TIME, and at Setting 3. With EPR your starting pressure will be 10.0/7.0 (inhale/exhale), and you will feel a noticeable improvement in comfort and flow limits. My best guess on flow limits with EPR is they will drop from 0.15 to 0.05 or less. Our wiki article on flow limitation may be useful https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph...limitation

Good job on posting the graph attachments!

[jclarke131000]

Sorry, EPR is on, no? Is that not what the red and green trace are on the flow rate graph? Inhale and exhale pressure.

---

Double checked and it definitely says EPR on full time 3cm

[Deborah K.]

I can see that your EPR setting was off on the 14th and on for the 15th but, unfortunately, your flow limitations are still very high.  Sleeprider will be able to advise you on what to do next.