New User - Getting Discouraged

[Idub88]

Hello, I started using my APAP about 3 weeks ago. It's been a rough few weeks. I have gotten help from the folks at a DME-owned forum .com and they've been great but I wanted to join here because I can use all the help I can get. I don't have OSCAR yet but I can get it later today. I have SleepHQ. https://sleephq.com/public/teams/share_l...d63f1b5266

Basically, my issues are as follows: 

-I can finally fall asleep with the mask on but it's extremely difficult to stay asleep and I toss and turn a lot. Although, my AHI is below 1 every night. I even hit a total 0 once. 

-I feel so tired and foggy during the day that it's hard to get through the day at work.

-my emotional regulation is out of control with several episodes of sobbing breaking out through the day. (I also recently switched depression meds so this may very well be a contributing factor) 

-I am a pretty heavy mouth breather so I need a full face mask. The mask isn't extremely comfortable but I don't have many other options. The reason for this is that my wife uses an insulin pump so I can't use a mask with magnetic clips and the most comfortable ones have, you guessed it, magnetic clips.

-the doctors have not been helpful. I asked to see a sleep doctor to just sit down and go over stuff with but they said I just need to be patient and it's too early to see me. 

I really want to succeed at this because my ahi was over 59 during my sleep test and I was so out of it during the day. I am just very discouraged about how it's going and am worried things will never feel normal again. Any advice, even basic encouragement is welcome. Thank you.

[HalfAsleep]

Posting your Oscars is a big step #1 in getting your night sorted. Very often, there are settings reasons for disrupted sleep. It will also help for analyzing mask issues, sleep positions, etc.

My first 6 weeks on BiPAP, I was absolutely stuporous. Like, falling asleep on my feet. I even asked my doc to write it in her notes to bookmark the degree. And, yes, wailing and a helpless feeling would go along with daily stupor.

After a while, though, I started to notice I was more alert during the day. A very subtle shift. I have no idea where or when this began. I also noticed from Oscar that I wasn’t getting up in the night: major shock! I no longer feel exhausted all the time. I can complete my sentences.

What I’m trying to convey is that your body may still be adjusting, and changes may be on the horizon. Just not there yet.

So, let’s at least get you headed in the right direction going forward. Step #1: Oscars.

FWIW the Simplus mask I don’t believe has magnets, but a F&P mask user can chime in on pros and cons. Some people are also able to train themselves not to breathe through their mouths. For others, there are medical reasons why they can’t breathe entirely through their noses. So, don’t close the door yet on mask options.

[Idub88]

Great, thank you. I will download OSCAR this afternoon.

[SarcasticDave94]

Fisher and Paykel Simplus, had used it a bit. No magnets.

[Idub88]

How do I share my OSCAR stuff with you guys?

[Crimson Nape]

Please read the links in my signature.
- Red

[Idub88]

Thank you.  Is this correct?

   
   
   

[Nightynite]

Look at the first chart in this link.


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

[staceyburke]

You high high flow limits.  We reduce flow limits by using EPR. You are using EPR but ramp only. Change that to full time. 

When you change the EPR mine your min down by 3. 

Post tomorrow and let’s see how much improvement that makes.

[Idub88]

Look at the first chart in this link.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong but I can't get it to fit everything in one screenshot.

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You high high flow limits.  We reduce flow limits by using EPR. You are using EPR but ramp only. Change that to full time. 

When you change the EPR mine your min down by 3. 

Post tomorrow and let’s see how much improvement that makes.

My doctor recommended I change it to ramp only but I thought that was causing problems.  The other day I switched from CPAP mode at 10.4.  My flow limits still weren't great.  Below are my flow limits from 7/15