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I see you are using OSCAR. Why not import the O2Ring's binary file to see how it matches up with the information your CPAP is providing? That would provide a more complete picture.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Apologies for bringing this back to life, but I find it fascinating that you can tell what's going on, at least in part, by looking at the flow rate waveform.
@sleeprider I had a read through the paper you shared on inspiratory flow limitations. Again, fascinating.
Another apology, I don't have a machine compatible with OSCAR, but am MORE than happy to spend the money on a Resmed if I can see some positive change from PAP therapy.
From looking at my flow rate data on the software I am able to use with my Luna 2, it's pretty clear there's an inspiratory flattened top, which also seems to oscillate (is this snoring or reverberations in the upper airway?). These breaths commonly seem to be followed up with recovery breaths.
I am a beginner to this so any assistance would be massively appreciated. I have my settings on auto at 6-14cmH20 with EPR 3. I am assuming that the minimum pressure of 6 isn't enough to keep my airway open, but the problem I keep running into is, if I increase the minimum pressure above 6 I experience quite bad aerophagia. Enough to make me rip the mask off and curse the world.
Last night I kept the mask on for a couple of hours but experienced frequent arousals/wake ups.
Sharing some screenshots of the flow rate data that seems to run through the time I have the mask on.
Your charts show samples of flow limitation ranging from moderate to acute, so bilevel pressure would be tremendously helpful. A seller that has proven to be very economical is CPAPspecials. The claim an office in the U.S. but the vendor is strictly a drop-shipper that has reliably delivered Resmed bilevel machines to international members in Canada, AU, Asia and Africa. They are not on our supplier list because they will not ship within the U.S. because they are not really a DME, don't require prescriptions, etc. It may be worth checking if their prices are better than what you can obtain locally.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
@sleeprider Thank you SO much for taking the time to look at my charts, and respond!! I have been reading lots of your responses to others.
May I ask, what is it about bilevel that works differently to EPR setting? Apologies if this is explained elsewhere. Any links to other threads would ve greatly appreciated.
I keep seeing the same things on my flow rate and it seems like the pressure isn't sufficient to keep my airway open and avoid the IFLs.
Yesterday at lunchtime I put the machine on a minimum of 7.5 pressure and laid down for a nap (usually easy for me as i'm so tired) but experienced constant burping, like every minute or so. I was consciously breating through my nose, with my tongue in the roof oy mouth to create a seal. I had EPR set to 3.
Am I ever going to be able to tolerate enough pressure to actually provide real breathing assistance without the burping, bloating etc.
I really want this to work, but just can't get past this aerophagia thing.
Normally I view a chart with 7 examples of Classes of inspiratory flow shapes. Then the cited chart shows 47 Classes of inspiratory flow shapes but I don't know the source. When you live in the hinterland somewhat remote from proper or competent professionals you try to understand your own problem. Thought someone might point me in the right direction to find the source of the 47 Classes of inspiratory flow shapes. Thanks
Hoping for better results or improvement of results by switching to s-mode. So far not promising. Flow waves very confusing to me. attaching last night chart.
Machine: Remediated Dreamstation APAP-CPAP Mode Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Airfit F20 Humidifier: Built In CPAP Pressure: CPAP 15cmH2O CPAP Software: OSCAR
