Question about IPAP settings on OSCAR

[Dreamless]

I have noticed recently, when checking my sleep data on OSCAR, that the IPAP pressure drops below the minimum setting.  I will attach a couple of screenshots from a couple of nights ago and hopefully those can help you see what I mean.  

My current settings are:  EPAP MIN/MAX:  7.0/9.0          
                                    IPAP MIN/MAX:  10.6/18.2             
                                    PS MIN/MAX:   3.6/9.2

So, it seems when looking at a couple of these graphs that the min IPAP is around 7.36.  I don't understand why this is dropping so low recently.  

Thank you so much! 

         

[SarcasticDave94]

I think it could be due to high leak rates. The first chart, median leaks was 12.0 L/Min, 95% was 31.2, 99.5% was 33.6. The second chart was even worse with median at 20.4, 95% at 30, and 99.5% at 40.8.

The higher the leaks, the lower the accuracy of therapy and reported data. With a chart that's not zoomed we can probably view the leak pattern and determine the leak source. ASV doesn't like leaks for good therapy. I've used one myself in the past. The leaks needs addressed soon.

[Jay51]

Very low median respiratory rate of 7 or 8.  Very, very, very high tidal volumes of 1,000 ml to 1,400 median.  You take very infrequent breaths, but they are massive.  

3 or 4 second inhale time and 7 or 8 second exhale time.  Wondering if these are accurate?  

Do you mind providing an OSCAR 3 minute zoom of a time when you know that you are asleep?  Just click the cursor on that spot and drag it to the right for 3 seconds.  And upload it here.  

How do you feel after a night's sleep?

Edit:  Dave is right.  The leaks could be the reason for these results.

[Dreamless]

Thank you both for your time.  I appreciate it.  I do have issues with leaks, some nights aren't as bad as others.  It is frustrating battling them and that doesn't help with my sleep.  

Sarcastic Dace - I will look at tonight's chart in the morning and see about uploading a new chart. One not zoomed in and the other with the 3 minute time.  

Jay51 - I have been feeling pretty rough this past 4 days this week.  The wife says I don't breathe right during the daylight hours, she has asked me several times if I'm holding my breath, so it is very possible that breathing you mentioned on the graph is accurate.  

Thank you again,  Dreamless

[Dreamless]

Okay, 

Here are two charts from last night.  The first is the entire night, which I'm happy to say that there were no leaks!  The second one is a 3 minute time frame around 3 am.  Going over the chart from last night, I still see that there are 3 or 4 times that the min Ipap is below the set pressure of 10.6, which leads me to ask, why.  Would it be wise to take this to a DME to have it calibrated?  I went back over the last month of graphs on OSCAR last night and it has been happening as far back as one month.  Any thoughts about this? 

         

I really appreciate the help that the forum has provided to me.  Thank you all for your time.  

- Dreamless

[Jay51]

Thank you for posting those OSCAR charts.  They look more normal with less leaks.  A 1,000 ml+ tidal volume median is still pretty high.  Your respiratory rate median is a bit low also (usually around 12 to 20 or so is average, but that can vary).  You may just be the type of person who takes infrequent, but very deep breaths when sleeping.  

You can show this to your Dr.'s and DME and see if they think it is ok (show them:  1.  Your respiratory rate median.  2.  Your tidal volume median.  and 3.  Both your inspiration and expiration median times (expiration time median is still 4 seconds+).  You have some evidence here about your breathing.

[Dreamless]

Jay51,

Ok, very good.  Thank you.  I'll make note of those things to mention to my doc.  

Dreamless