New User - Getting Discouraged

[Idub88]

Do you have a smart watch that tracks SPo2 and sleep stages? It may help shine a light on things.

From your OSCAR chart, the flow rate is rather spiky, which is typical of arousal breaths and possibly UARS. Your current machine is a bit limited in what you can do, but one thing is increasing the pressure to see if it smooths things out. It would also help to see the respiration rate graph on the same chart to see how things line up.

Consider increasing the min and max pressure by 0.02 or so every few nights, at least until things smooth out or go totally off the rails. Sometimes a wee bit of pressure can make all the difference.

I don't have a smart watch or anything like that. I suppose I could look into getting one. 

And sounds good on upping the min and max. I am not at home right now but will post the respiration graph when I get there.

[Idub88]

From your OSCAR chart, the flow rate is rather spiky, which is typical of arousal breaths and possibly UARS. 

Also, is it possible to have UARS and OSA? I definitely have OSA. My sleep study indicated 59 AHI.

[Idub88]

Here's the chart including the respiratory rate.

   

[Idub88]

       

Last night I definitely woke up more than I would have liked.  I'm considering giving up.  Not to sound dramatic or anything, I just can't be this tired every day anymore.  Here are last night's charts if anyone has any ideas.  I did wake up from leaks which is weird because I didn't mess with the mask at all and had like to no leaks the night before.  Anyways, any help is appreciated.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

How tired were you before using CPAP? Enough to get you to use a CPAP I imagine. It’s your therapy. If you choose to use it or not, you will still be tired. 

Being tired is not just a CPAP issue, it is a sleep issue. You may be addressing the breathing issues with CPAP, but the sleep issues remains.

Your charts are fine from an AHI perspective, it is all fine-tuning from here. Whether you stay with it or not it is your choice.

[Idub88]

How tired were you before using CPAP? Enough to get you to use a CPAP I imagine. It’s your therapy. If you choose to use it or not, you will still be tired.

I was tired before but I was more functional. It's hard to get through work right now. Deep down, I know that I can't give up but it's been really frustrating.

[Jay51]

As another word or encouragement, there are numerous other possibilities both healthwise and non- healthwise that could be contributing to your exhaustion.  You probably don't have much spare energy to start exploring these, but if your energy increases, this might be a good investment.  

It can take some time to feel better and get more energy from sleep apnea therapy.  I tried to give up I would guess maybe around 50 times or more, but I am glad that I didn't.  

Keeping coming here to ApneaBoard to learn more about sleep apnea and for encouragement and inspiration from the posts of other members.

[Idub88]

It can take some time to feel better and get more energy from sleep apnea therapy.  I tried to give up I would guess maybe around 50 times or more, but I am glad that I didn't.  

Keeping coming here to ApneaBoard to learn more about sleep apnea and for encouragement and inspiration from the posts of other members.

Thank you. Sometimes it just helps to know that I'm not alone in this.

[Idub88]

So I switched to the P10 nasal pillows and taping my mouth with cover roll stretch tape. It is much more comfortable than the FFM but I woke up last night and felt like my mouth was full of air and I was somehow pushing it out of my mouth. It's hard to explain. The tape didn't come off but I was pushing air through a tiny space between my lips. It didn't show up as a leak or anything.

Should this concern me?

[Jay51]

Congratulations on the success with your new P10.  I use a Full face mask personally right now.  I have used a nasal pillows and nasal cradle mask before though.  If you are feeling good in the morning, that is a positive sign.  If anyone who uses a nasal mask has tips, please post.