[Treatment] Advice on Possible Improvements

[BeardedHotDog]

Hi Everyone, 

I appreciate any advice and insights this group can provide. I am excited to improve my therapy and reap the benefits of quality sleep. 

Can experienced people view the OSCAR results from the past three nights and provide some recommendations to adjust my settings and improve my experience?

Thank you in advance. . . 

               

My story about how I came to CPAP therapy follows if context is needed, 

I am about 3 months into my treatment. My daytime sleepiness has improved along with my ability to regulate my emotions. My focus and motivation are returning. I attribute all of this to my Apnea treatment.

My road to treatment was long. My first diagnosis was from my Primary Care Provider when I visited him for disruptive snoring. He had me perform an at-home single-night study, revealing I had an AHI of just above 5 (mild). He noticed I had a "crowded airway" and recommended me to an ENT practice.

The ENT practice confirmed I had a "crowded airway" and recommended "cutting it all out." He suggested I receive a septoplasty, turbinate reduction, tonsillectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and an adenoidectomy. I sought a second opinion. 

The second ENT practice confirmed I had a "crowded airway" but based on the scans he reviewed was not convinced that surgery would correct my disruptive snoring or sleep apnea.

I learned that disruptive snoring is occasionally remedied by strengthening the tongue and jaw muscles. I consulted an orofacial myofunctional therapist who said that my airway was too crowded for her therapy to make a difference. She referred me back to an ENT. 

The third ENT recommended only a septoplasty and a turbinate reduction. He also suggested that we perform a Drug Induces Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) to identify the cause of my apnea and snoring. I agreed and had the procedures done.

After the procedures, he had me perform another at-home sleep study, this one occurred over three consecutive nights. This test revealed I had an AHI of 15.7(ish).

I received my Airsense 11 and mask and have been on therapy since.

[Deborah K.]

I see a few changes that should help.  

1.  Turn off ramp.  You have been on therapy long enough that you don't need it now.

2.  Raise your starting pressure to 7.  Four is way too low for an adult.

3.  Turn EPR up to 3.  That should reduce your flow limits, which is always a good thing to do.

After you do those things, we can better assess whether more changes will be beneficial.

Again, welcome, and good luck with your therapy and comfort!  

[BeardedHotDog]

Thank you very much!