ResMed 10 - SandBlasting Chest

[Sleeprider]

As I understand it you reduced your maximum pressure from 16 to 9 to try to address the distress you felt in your chest related to high pressure. Your current settings are 5-9 with EPR at 2. The Autoset is responding to flow limitations indicated in the graph by increasing rapidly to the maximum setting. It appears that even though you are limiting maximum pressure, you have having no apnea events, but a few RERA. Those are excellent results, especially if you are sleeping undisturbed with the lower maximum pressure. I disagree with previous advise and suggest you leave these settings in place for at least a few nights and decide if you are comfortable and sleeping well.

We have seen people in the forum that display flow limitation regardless of pressure, and who are adversely affected by high pressure. For these individuals, and apparently you, limiting the automatic pressure increases by setting a lower maximum pressure is the best way to get good therapy and avoiding a "run-away" machine. If you feel you need more air, I'm sure you know what you can do, but if you're comfortable, I'd stay with these settings which are working very well for you.

[justMongo]

Which ResMed nasal pillow mask? Do you keep the vent diffuser clean?
What I'm thinking is a restricted vent might cause CO₂ retention.

Just a thought.

[Melman]

Your flow limitations may be positional. Do you sleep on your back or side. Back sleeping can result in more flow limitations. Is it possible you are tucking your chin to your chest? This will cause significant flow limitations. use of a soft cervical collar and/or a different pillow may help. I use the buckwheat flax CPAPfit pillow available from Amazon. It is very comfortable and eliminated most of my flow limitations. A good soft cervical collar is also available from Amazon. I recommend the OTC cervical collar because it comes in a good choice of sizes and has a good sizing chart.

Resolving positional issues is as important as getting the right pressures.

[OpalRose]

You have a lot of good advice.

Clearly you are not sleeping well with your current settings, and one thing I've learned is that a low AHI doesn't necessarily mean all is well.
Your RERA index is 2.3 and that can be addressed with an increase in minimum pressure.

I would tend to agree with leave settings alone at .58 AHI if you were comfortable in your sleep, but you clearly are not.

One more thing you can try is to lower the humidity setting. Sometimes, it's not helpful when you have allergies and coughing.

[ottcpap]

Couple of responses:
1. Humidity is higher because I found it helped with nasal dryness but will try lowering.
2. I "mostly" sleep on back as pillows tend to wander on side. I may be tucking chin but haven't noticed. Will consult on collar.
3. I clean my entire system weekly including hose, nasal pads. I have not done the reservoir as much and tend to rinse rather than wash based on previous advice. I found water bubbles/soap on bottom inside plastic when submerging and didn't like that.

I will review all this advice and get back to you. Thank you very much for the input as still no response from doctors office.

[trish6hundred]

Hi ottcpap,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you with CPAP therapy, and getting it dialed in to better meet your needs.
Keep us posted on your progress.

[ottcpap]

Quick update:

Well the garbage in my throat, allergies/bug..who knows.. was the right track it appears. I took Afrin yesterday to stop the post nasal drip that I should have realized was out of control in the first place. Suspect I was "drowning" in mucus... I did not wake last night after some initial jumping (likely paranoia) My lungs/pressure seem better and cranked max. pressure back to 14 for starters. Taking other meds today to keep drip under control.

Thanks to all clearly indicating it was NOT pressure killing me but likely something to do with the cold/allergies.   These events were incredibly scary. I did feel like I was stroking out or was having some seizure when woken abruptly.  See how it goes over next few days...

FYI. Donated to the cause as of today. This board is worth it.