10-08-2023, 09:37 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-08-2023, 09:39 AM by fcpappy.)
OSCAR review, 6 month user
Hello,
Diagnosed with mild sleep apnea many years ago, doctors not interested in treating it.
Decided to self medicate with ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset, morning migraines have almost disappeared. I feel much better, but not 100%
I had trouble during first few weeks, getting used to the device and figuring out what settings to use.
I think its time for a review of settings, since morning headaches are now returning if I stay in bed at the weekend.
I have an AutoSet machine, but have been using it on fixed pressure of 10cmH2O.
Please can anyone review my last weeks OSCAR data and recommend any settings I should try in order to lower my AHI?
If you need any further information, let me know.
Thanks in advance!
RE: OSCAR review, 6 month user
Welcome to the board. I assume you are using a static pressure of 10 because the machine kept raising the pressure to a very high level. The machine you are using, if in automatic mode, raises the pressure when it finds flow limits and continues to raise if it finds more. Your flow limits are very high so the pressure will continue to increase in auto mode until it reaches its max of 20...
Flow limits are apnea just like Oa and H events the difference is the length of time and severity of the apnea. You can look at the bottom of this post to my signature to see how apnea is classified. So we need to reduce your flow limits. On the resmed we do that by turning on the EPR (exhale pressure relief) to Full Time and set it on 3.
If you want to keep the same set up of a static pressure that is all you need to do. If you want to try the Auto feature we would need to set it to auto and a min 7 max 12 with EPR full time set to 3.
Either one you want but you do need to start using the EPR setting. Your flow limits are really high.
RE: OSCAR review, 6 month user
Thank you staceyburke. Yes you are correct, the device was automatically increasing the pressure to 20, which was somewhat unbearable. Although, that was during the first weeks of my use, where I could only tolerate the mask (no matter what the pressure) for a couple of hours. Now I am used to it, perhaps I can tolerate a higher pressure.
I will do as you say, set to auto mode and 7-12cm pressure, with EPR on Full Time with a setting of 3.
Will report back my findings. Thanks again!
RE: OSCAR review, 6 month user
first night with new settings, flow limits still seem high...
RE: OSCAR review, 6 month user
Not an expert, just a long time user. I would suggest that you change your minimum pressure to 10 and leave your EPR at 3 and see if it helps.
RE: OSCAR review, 6 month user
Yes your flow limits are still very high. Usually moving the EPR to full time and set to 3 reduces them quite a bit but it does not see to help you.. I think what old steve suggested would be the next thing to try. Leave the EPR full time set to 3 and move the min to 10.
10-10-2023, 07:50 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-10-2023, 07:53 AM by Jimmy Lotus.)
RE: OSCAR review, 6 month user
I'm also a newbie at CPAP therapy, but I concur 100% with what Old Steve and staceyburke have written.
It also appears to me that you're topping out quite a bit at the upper limit of 12cms. Maybe try 13 or 14, and see how that works for you?
Hope that helps.
RE: OSCAR review, 6 month user
I'd already gone to bed last night, without seeing the latest replies. Here's the data anyway:
Thank you OldSteve, staceyburke & Jimmy Lotus for your responses.
Tonight I will change the minimum pressure to 10, although I'll save the maximum increase for tomorrow night (It's probably best to go 1 change at a time?)
Will report back, thanks again!
RE: OSCAR review, 6 month user
OK here's last nights chart with an increase in minimum pressure to 10.
Still seems to be quite high flow limits. Is it now worth changing the maximum as Jimmy Lotus recommended?
RE: OSCAR review, 6 month user
Your Flow Limit issues are simultaneous with your Pressure graph "flat-topping" at 12cms and those are also the times where you're getting most of your apneas.
The pressure stat is maxed at 12cms at both the 99.5% and 95% measurement, and your median pressure is 11.38cms.
Were it me, I'd take the max up to 14. I'd also turn your ramp off. That's just me, though. Your Mileage May Vary, as they do say. 
While I'm not a medical professional, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.  (That's a joke from westward across "the pond" from you.)
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