sleepyman95 - Therapy Thread

[sleepyman95]

Hi Everyone!
Burn lurking around for a bit now, finally decided to post. Was diagnosed with Moderate Sleep Apnea (AHI 19.9) back in December, was given a Luna G3 and didn't like it, fought with my DME to get a Resmed AS 11 which seems to be a great machine and I like it much better. However I am taking my mask off (subconsciously) in my sleep and awaking later in the morning with it off. I seem to be removing it at the same time every night (1.5-2 hours upon falling asleep). As far as masks I have tried the N20, N30i, F30i, and the P30i, all of them give me the same result. My "prescribed" pressure is 5-15, however I have played around and tolerate higher pressures, seems like I have gotten used to falling asleep with the mask just fine no matter what the pressure is.

I checked OSCAR and don't see much, thought it could be a leak waking me up; however looking at it, seems like the leak was just caused by me taking the mask off. I have attached screenshots to see if anyone can see anything differently. I appreciate any feedback.

   
   

[Sleeprider]

Removing the mask is kind of a bad habit that you need to break. It doesn't get fixed by changing settings, you have to modify your own behavior. Ideally you will wake up enough to put the mask back on. Nasal pillows like the P30i can just slip off your head, so if you have the autostart feature on, the machine will just shut-off and you won't notice. Turning off autostart will leave the machine blowing and that might rouse you to reset the mask.

Based on your chart you are using 5 to 15 pressure with EPR 3. You will need a minimum pressure of 7.0 to make the machine more responive. At a minimum pressure of 5 and EPR 3, your starting pressure is 5/4 and your exhale pressure does not go above 4.0 until the pressure exceeds 7/4 (inhale/exhale) pressure. That is why you're missing events earlier in the night.

[sleepyman95]

Thanks, I'm going to up it to 7; I actually had it at 9-20 w/ auto-stop off for a bit and it was very tolerable, so I don't mind upping it to 7 and turning off auto-stop again.
I heard someone say to tape it to my face to prevent the subconscious removal at night so I am going to try that. It's just frustrating that I'm removing it at night, it's been almost three months now that I have had my machine. I have no problems with the pressure or feeling on my face otherwise, I fall asleep just fine with it, I actually have grown to like falling asleep with it.

[sleepyman95]

Hi Everybody!

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea at an AHI of 20 back in December and have been using a CPAP since then, it's been a struggle to keep the mask on, until someone on here suggested I tape the mask on my head (Thank You!). That worked and I have been using the CPAP consistently for the last 2 months, I still have to tape it on or I will subconsciously pull it off a hour or two into the night, but at least I am wearing it.

Today, my struggle is even though I have been wearing it consistently and gotten a good AHI below 2 on average, I still feel tired and it's extremely hard to get up in the morning (somewhat worse actually). I have been using OSCAR and found that a minimum pressure of 10 does well for me at an EPR of 3, those settings have gotten me the lowest AHI.

I do see some stuff in OSCAR that seems odd and was seeing if anyone would be able to see what it maybe or have any suggestions, I appreciate the help!

Screenshot 1 - whole night
Screenshot 3 - some flagged events
Screenshot 4 - some oddities after those events

FYI, Ignore the humidity and temp level, I was cleaning the machine when I pulled my SD card, I usually keep at a level of 4 or Auto.

[Deborah K.]

Everything looks good, except that you have two substantial gaps in your therapy.  Since you're not pulling your mask off, why do you have those gaps?  Do you get up during those times?  Except when you need a quick bathroom break you should stay on your machine, even when awake.  If you can establish that as your sleep habit, I think you will adjust more fully to your therapy and overall sleep better.  Good luck!  

[sleepyman95]

Those two times I think I woke up and decided to go back to sleep (it was Friday and I could sleep in, and I did). But generally speaking even with the mask taped on, I still see occasional gaps of me pulling it off to the side in my sleep unknowingly.

[Crimson Nape]

sleepyman95 - Your threads have been merged, since they both are about your therapy. This allows viewing your history in one place. Please use this thread for all your therapy related posts. I have changed the thread title so it will be more inclusive. The new title is, sleepyman95 - Therapy Thread.
- Red

[OpalRose]

.... I still see occasional gaps of me pulling it off to the side in my sleep unknowingly.

If you're using the P30i and the mask is moving or slipping off, switch from a standard size frame to a small frame.  Unfortunately, the headgear itself is one size fits all.