New(ish) to Cpap, would like feedback

[jazzmann2]

Started my journey in late July.  Ive been tweaking my settings from 4-20 to what they are now at 9-18, however, im pretty terrible at interpreting Oscar data so hoping some of you folks can help make recommendations.  

Posting a couple screenshots from the past few nights if anyone could recommend adjustments. Overall my numbers say im doing well (and i feel much better then without cpap!!), but theres always room for improvement!  Still trying to figure out how to keep leaks down.

Thank you all in advance!

N30i is the mask i use for now

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

If you are comfy with your current mask, leave it alone for now.

For your settings, I suggest adding a bit of EPR to help with the flow limitations and pressure swings, and capping the max a bit more as it will likely not get reached.

Mode APAP
Min pressure 9
Max pressure 14
EPR 2 full-time
No ramp

Give that a go for a few days and let's see how it works out.

[jazzmann2]

Thank you very much for that!  I had EPR (and ramp) on while I got used to it, but then I watched some CPAP youtuber say that EPR could cause CA's, is that true?  I'll give it a go for a few nights either way.

[Deborah K.]

EPR does not cause CAs.  If you have a lot of CAs, some folks lower or drop EPR to have a lower AHI.  I think using EPR even in those cases is better, as EPR lowers flow limits, which are short, unreported apneas, which I think disrupt sleep more than the CAs.  You don't have enough CAs to worry about in any case.

[jazzmann2]

Here is day 1 after the change, will continue a few more days and post results

[Deborah K.]

Your median pressure is 10.48, so I suggest you change your start pressure to 11. You would have a smaller pressure range and I think you'd be more comfortable.

[jazzmann2]

Thank you so much for the insight.  Here is the first night on 11-14 per your recommendation

[Deborah K.]

Are you sleeping and feeling better since you made your changes?

[jazzmann2]

Hello,

I do not really feel any different after making the changes if im being honest!  Here are my Fri-Sun shots.  For some reason I woke up this morning with my mask on my forehead LOL so the data stopped at 0400.

From all of your expertise, do the new settings look like an improvement?

Thank you!

[Deborah K.]

Yes, things do look better.    Keep these settings for a while, then let us know if you still don't feel better, and we can decide if some different settings may help you.