[Symptoms] Attempting To Try CPAP Treatment Again. Please Help. Fatigued Has Stolen My Life

[allistairt]

Hello! I am 30M. 5'11"(180cm) 155lbs(70kg). I have been suffering from fatigue since I believe 2018 when I started noticing feeling unwell and unrested. 
https://imgur.com/a/63xYgTc
I went to several general doctors & had many blood tests taken. Last testing done late 2020. (Blood tests for anyone interested https://imgur.com/a/XR9ws6a).
My doctor says I am depressed and should try out various anti-depressants. I have tried a few with no luck. I asked him to refer me to an ENT/Sleep Specialist. They did a nasal endoscopy and noticed it was very difficult to go up my right nostril, left was cramped as well. Was only told to try Flonase. (I never did, afraid of side effects.)

Here is where I did my 1st home sleep study, the Resmed ApneaLink Air. (results: https://imgur.com/a/ac8s5TH.)
I didn't believe this test & believed I wasted my money as the ENT wouldn't let me do any more sleep studies after my perfect AHI 1 result. I decided to go online and find another home study. I found Lofta had the WatchPAT ONE home study so I tried it. Here are my results: https://imgur.com/a/63xYgTc. It would seem I do suffer from sleep apnea to an extent. I was then prescribed a CPAP machine, but insurance refused to help since I went with an online website. 

My father who has sleep apnea and a CPAP machine but doesn't treat it said I can use his Philips Dreamstation along with his full face mask by Resmed. I was able to get some nights of sleep with the face mask and a random pressure setting.  https://imgur.com/a/QoUHvtn
I then found out about the foam issue. I went on Amazon and found a chamber that didn't have any foam and replaced it with the original with the bad foam. Then I bought a Resmed P10 nasal pillow mask since I move around so often. 

My current pressure settings are 8-15 using no humidifier. Size 15 basic hose. I can't seem to fall asleep anymore with either face mask on, it feels too stimulating and I feel like I have to MANUALLY BREATHE! Also, on the rare occasions I do fall asleep with the mask on I TAKE IT OFF IN MY SLEEP AN HOUR LATER!

My insurance is crap, and an in-lab would cost me $750, not counting appointments, all just to get a better picture of my issue. 

my daily symptoms: I don't wake up refreshed, I have dull headaches, fatigue, malaise, depression, anxiety, dark circles under eyes, congested sinuses.

My questions are: What would be a better pressure setting?
 Is my CPAP machine safe since I removed the foam chamber with a non-foam chamber?
 Can I effectively use the humidity setting with my basic hose? 
Why does the mask feel so stimulating and makes me feel like I am having trouble breathing?
Should I instead use my dad's NEW Philips Dreamstation 2?
Is it safe to assume sleep apnea is what is causing my unfreshing sleep and daily fatigue?
Any other advice you'd give to a man struggling with all this?

[allistairt]

Why do I have 0 replies?

[pholynyk]

Maybe 'cause it's a long holiday weekend in two countries?
It's a fairly long post so it will take a while to digest it
Also your chart has the useless right column and is missing the left column which has your settings and statistics... use the F12 key to take your screenshot, it will eliminate unnecessary stuff.

We're all volunteers here, and sometimes a long summer weekend is too good to pass up

[allistairt]

I am stupid. I typed out that reply because I made this same post on CPAP talk forum and I had several replies. But I accidently went to this forum and noticed I had 0 and I thought all my replies got deleted, lol.
I appreciate your advice, thank you!

[suzpigott]

have you tried taking an over the counter sleep medication?  That helped me

[speed3914]

Well my first piece of advice is to start trusting your Dr's. What's the point of going if you won't follow their advice? Flonase is very safe in my experience. Have been taking it for years and love it. Also went the full face mask? Try a nasal mask like the P10 . I felt starved for air in the beginning but someone suggested I up the size of my nasal pillow (to large) even though I have a medium nose at best, and upped my pressure a bit. No longer did I feel starved for air. 7 seems pretty low at least by my standards. Maybe try 9 or so to get started. Once I got mine dialled in I've grown to love it. Usually my AHI is below 1 now so can't do better than that. Formerly it was 50-60 untreated. Best of luck to you. Don't be afraid to play around a bit and see what feels best. Choice of mask is super important though. The minimal that works for you the best.

[robfromknoxville]

Have you ever tried Netti-pot? Use the humidifier. ? start low and work up to a higher setting. If you have a plain hose and a cold room you may get rainout but just undo the mask and dump the water and reconnect. Reduce humidity one stop or buy a cheap zip-on hose cover.

The Aussie bloke on YouTube has a good video on working with PAP settings. I'd try his ideas and methods.

Talk to the sleep doc or his/her assistant about mask fit. Write down questions and have someone go with you.

If you use the Ramp you may feel starved for air at first. Experiment with settings. Get a nasal pillow in a larger size than you think you should wear. Always adjust the nasal pillow after the air comes on. Do you have Afib? Do you exercise during the day? Do you have Reflux?

I've been at it for 10 years and I still have EDS, bags under my eyes. Also, take the allergy nasal spray and the steroid nasal spray. Try going to a University medical canter ENT.

[SideSleeper]

If your dad isn't using his NEW Dreamstation 2 I would say yes, use it! It might eliminate some of the problems you are having. I believe it recently has been able to report on OSCAR.

[Gideon]

The DS2 does integrate well with OSCAR. All thanks goes to the OSCAR development team members that worked on this.