Lanners - Therapy Help

[Lanners]

I began therapy mid January and my results seem less than ideal. Could use help.

The data- i don't have a sim card in my resmed 10 and hesitate to buy one because I suspect the dr may change to bipap or ??? when I see him on the 27th. So here is what I can tell you:
I have used 26 days ave of 6.6 hours.
Ave Pressure 12.5, range 9 to 15
Ave leak is 11.11, range is 0 to 18, mostly around 10. on day I tried skipping chin strap was 34.8
Ave event is 8.96, range since pressure settings were adjusted is 2.9 to 13.2, day without chin strap which was 18. Prior to moving pressure up my ahi with cpap was 17, 18, 32. I have had has 6 nights under 5 and 2 nights under 3.
Machine shows central events are 6.6 per night. Central apneas and unidentified apneas were on my original sleep study, but hypopneas were more obstructive.

I am very claustrophobic but have adjusted to sleeping with nasal pillows. The chin straps are more challenging to accept, but I have used them every day but last night.
The new one I got can keep my mouth shut so I get zero leaks, but it is so tight I have face marks for several hours after waking, and it is rough and makes my face itch.
Fri night I felt like I was getting a cold with lots of stiffled coughing, so last night I tried sleeping without chin strap and sitting almost straight up in my adjustable bed. Had to take off after 4.5 hours because mouth leaks kept waking me. I shared data above.

Do you have advice about:
Chin strap and colds?

Do you have thoughts about my numbers?
 I am still falling asleep on sofa any time I sit to watch TV and my headaches after sleep are increasing. But my fit bit oxygen levels are up and I am not waking with gasping, choking events.

[TechieHippie]

I think you can get an SD card and it will switch over to the bipap if the machine is switched. But if you have only been using it 20 days and haven't refined things with Oscar yet, it's most likely way too early to go switching machines. An SD card will be much cheaper than changing other things!

There are lots of issues and settings that others on this forum can help with the machine you have.

Try mouth tape instead of or along with the chin strap. There are different brands, I use Buteyko because I can cut it to fit and the adhesive doesn't bother me, haven't tried other kinds since I'm sensitive to adhesive. 3m makes some that are good.

Read about collars in the wiki.

Hang in there. This isn't easy but it's worth it. It does take time, but you aren't being treated well now and you need to know why. SD card and OSCAR is the way to go ASAP.

[Lanners]

Trying smaller nasal pillows and they feel great... but have no idea if I am chosing correctly.
Will I be able to tell from data in the morning if this is correct fit? What should I look for?

[CPAPfriend]

I think as long as there aren't leaks or an uptick in events / flow limit, you should be ok!    Post some OSCAR screenshots in the morning and we can make sure!

[Lanners]

Hmm
got up in middle of night to use bathroom and events were at 24, even thought I felt no leaks.
So I switched back.

[OpalRose]

Be sure the small size pillows are not inserted into the nostrils. They should sit/seal just under the nares. If they sit inside the nostril, you can get some irritation, and that's not fun!

We try to keep the leak rate as low as possible, so that your sleep is not interrupted.

Always post a chart. We can usually tell if there is any connection to increased events.

[PaulaO2]

24 events? is that an AHI?

AHI is apnea events (obstructive and central) plus hypopnea events divided by time. So number of events don't mean much without that time factor.

[Lanners]

24 events? is that an AHI?

AHI is apnea events (obstructive and central) plus hypopnea events divided by time. So number of events don't mean much without that time factor.

Sorry, that is average of  24 per hour.

[Lanners]

Thanks. I am waiting for sd card to arrive and then hoping oscar data will help answer some of these issues.

Currently results are poor and I am exhausted. Almost to day 30 so hanging in.

I will just wait to ask more questions until I can share data.

[Lanners]

Last night was my 34th night but first night with OSCAR data.  Hoping I can get some help with settings or things to do that might reduce event numbers.
I am posting the first 3 screen shots, but have 5 total. Let me know if there is something else you need to see.

Thank you so much in advance.