My journey begins - First Oscar Data

[thomas berner]

Hey Folks,

after a series of frustrating doctors visits over the last few years and sleep tests with too ‘mild’ results (AHI not high enough to be treated), I decided to take action myself and start auto-CPAP therapy.

My main symptoms are: very loud snoring (my partner sent me to another room to sleep) as well as headaches and extreme drowsiness in the morning. I am also very irritable during the day.

I have started using an older CPAP machine which has given me some relief. Last week I switched to the ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset and here is the result of my first night with OSCAR (time and date are not correct yet - it looks like I slept during the day, but this is due to the wrong setting). I took the mask off during the night without realising it, so only just under 4 hours are recorded. 

What is your opinion ?

[attachment=67345][attachment=67347][attachment=67346]

[Deborah K.]

You have made a great start!  Your flow limits are pretty high though.  If you are not using EPR I suggest that you turn it on full-time, set at 3.  Four hours for your first night is actually pretty good.  Stick with it and you will sleep longer and longer.  If you find yourself removing the mask regularly without knowing it, you could try applying tape from your mask onto your cheeks.  This will pull and remind to to leave it on if you grab it in your sleep.

Best of luck with your journey to better sleep!  

[thomas berner]

Here are the results of my second night. This time I was able to sleep 5:30h with the mask on. This time in EPR 3 mode.  

I still don't feel fully rested in the morning and I'm not sure if my settings are optimal.

What do you think?

[HalfAsleep]

It can take several weeks for your body to adjust xPAP therapy. In the meantime, you could feel VERY tired. One day, though, you could be going about your day, and you’ll suddenly notice, “Oh, this sure feels different. I’ve never felt this way before!” That’s your brain on good sleep.

So, once your settings are adjusted, give it some time.

[Deborah K.]

I'm leaving on a trip very soon today. I see that you have positional apnea and that your flow limits are no better. I'm sure someone else will come along to help you today. Sorry, but I have to rush off.

[Narcil]

you nailed it here's the wiki about Positional Apnea: https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph...onal_Apnea

the PA seems to be causing the machine to increase the pressure quite a bit. i would leave EPR on but i would try to narrow down the APAP range a little. maybe something like min 9cm max 15cm epr 3.

[thomas berner]

So, here's a recording of my last night. I changed EPR back to 1 because it felt more comfortable for me when I went to sleep - but the results are worse, so I'll go back to 3 next time. 


However, what really shocks me is that even at a very high pressure of almost 20 cmH2O, there are flow limitations. So if you are right that my main problem is positional apnoea, even the highest pressure levels on APAP don't seem to help. Is this normal?

[OpalRose]

I don't see too much of a positional problem in this latest chart.  With positional apnea, you usually see clumps of apnea on the graph, but keep watch for that.  

I agree with narrowing the pressure range.  Flow Limitations are driving your pressure up to max.  And that can be very disruptive to sleep.  You are currently at 11cm minimum, so let's keep it there.  Set maximum to 15cm as Narcil suggests.  

Also, you really need to use EPR to help with the FL And Hypopnea.  If EPR 3 is uncomfortable, at least set it to 2.  Then when used to it, move it to 3 if need be.

When you repost, please leave the calendar off.  This frees up a lot of statistics on the left side bar.