Positional Apnea and going for CPAP

[Snooks]

If you can choose two masks to trial at first I would probably trial a Nasal Mask and a Full Face Mask. That way if you find that you are a mouth breather you have a FFM to trial. If you got 2 Nasal Masks and you mouth breathe you have few options other than returning them or using chin straps or mouth taping etc.

Just my opinion.

[Crimson Nape]

Jonah - I checked out your link, physio exercises for OSA , and didn't find any mention of that subject.  Are you just trying to promote this group?

- Red

[EddyDee]

Well I was supposed to go for a trial of the machine tomorrow, but I got a positive COVID-19 test and am now isolating...

So far no major symptoms thankfully.

Assuming I'm back in circulation next week, is it OK to go ahead with the trial then? Or could recovering from COVID interfere with the results, whether subjective or objective? If so, how long should I wait?

[tmoody]

I think once you're on CPAP therapy you can sleep in any position you want. My pre-CPAP total AHI was 30 with my supine at 58. Now my total AHI is almost always less than one.

I wouldn't count on this. In my own case, supine position results in high AHI even with ASV. These machines can only blow so hard.

[clownbell]

As I understand it, the sleeping positions recommended are as follows:
#1 - sleep on the right side.
#2 - sleep on the left side.
$3 - sleep on the back. This is the least preferred choice.

[EddyDee]

I started my trial of the Resmed AS10, and I have a couple of questions. (These traces are from the seond night, the first night included futzing with the headgear and figuring out how to cough. Also F12 in OSCAR doesn't work for me, it gives only the top left segment of the screen).
 
I am trying to figure out whether I need CPAP at all, so I want to make sure I'm doing this trial right.

In this trace, the pressure went up from 4 to nearly 7, but I can't see the reason for the increase. There are no events in the trace around 00:52 when the pressure started rising, but there is some leak and tidal volume changes (sighing?).

Are the centrals towards the end anything of concern?

Thanks a lot!

[Sleeprider]

With your current settings with minimum pressure of 4, maximum 12 and EPR 3, the EPAP pressure never get above 4. You would be better off with a minimum pressure of 6.0 and EPR 2 maximum pressure 8.0 The CA events are morning arousals and not an indication of a problem. Therapy looks good, and the suggested settings above will stabilize pressure and should be more comfortable for you.

[EddyDee]

@Sleeprider thanks so much for your comment.

I'm new to all this so I'd like to understand better.

I think you are saying to raise the min level to 6 because most of the time the machine is raising it above 5 anyway? If I then set EPR to 2, that means the EPAP pressure can go down to 4? And with IPAP at 6 and EPAP at 4, I would be more comfortable than with both of them at 4? Why is that?

Thanks!

[Gideon]

Two reasons.

You are more effectively treating a number of obstructive issues, including the stuff your RT is talking about.

With the difference in pressure it is easier to breathe.

[EddyDee]

I finished my trial of the AS10 (last night's data attached).
I adapted just fine to the nasal pillows, and didn't really experience any difficulties with having the machine going thru the night. But although the numbers look very good, I don't feel any different.
So I'm still feeling hesitant about whether I really need to make this significant life change and take on a lifetime of CPAP use.

I asked for the full data of my original sleep study, let's see what they come back with. I'm wondering what the details really show. Like if my super-high AHI was when I was awake lying on my back, then it doesn't mean anything does it?