[Treatment] Data Interpretation of OSCAR

[interestedsleepoptimizer]

Would like an interpretation of OSCAR data. I've been trying CPAP for roughly a week now. I also notice when I wake up it's usually with a dry mouth and I mouth breathe when I fall asleep. I also adjusted EPR to 3 when it was initially off; not much of a difference in the AHI values but I found it easier to adhere to CPAP since it felt suffocating/difficult to exhale. Attached is a typical session of CPAP, with the numbers on my initial diagnosis through an at home sleep test.

Using an Airsense 10 Elite with AirFit F40 ResMed.

[Dave Williams]

Hello, I am as well new to CPAP by a couple months. And I will say that I am, by no means, an expert or trained in this CPAP stuff!!! I just know by my own changes to settings, but mainly to the abundance or info and resources out there!

That being said, by first glance it appears more pressure is needed. You have pressure of 8 with EPR at 3, so when you exhale the pressure drops to 5 (8-3=5). Personally, for myself, I would try pressure of 11 and EPR 3. So basically your current max set pressure becomes your minimum while exhaling, but new max set to 11. Or to play is safe, go smaller of changes. Being so new, have you considered the ramp setting? Something to look into?
Have you considered, setting to Auto-CPAP? I am not a fan of this setting myself, however, it does get you going in the right direction, let me explain with my own experience...

Using this setting, the machine uses your preset settings, a min and max pressure. The algorithm in the CPAP will not drop below or go higher than these pressure settings. It is not the best program, but it can be helpful with a few nights or a weeks worth of use gathering information to help you look towards a more directed choice. It will give you a 95% average of pressure, meaning 95% of the time you needed X pressure. This can be a base line for you new minimum. Lets say you put your auto settings to 8 min and 11 max, but after a few days or so, the 95% didn't reach 11. Do you see what I mean? Its a matter of, over time, bringing those two values closer together, then can make a better choice to eventually go back to a fixed pressure.

Look, this is no means any medical advice, as I have previously mentioned. If it was my own data, that is what I would be comfortable with myself to change, however, I would at least talk with someone with more experience and education in the matter. 

I have severe OSA, my test came back 56+ AHI per hour. With my own research and (somewhat) educated choices to change my pressures and settings, I have been getting 5 or less AHI. 13.6 pressure with EPR 2, nose pillows and mouth tape. I still would like to improve my breathing pattern, but this is a work in progress.

Every person is different, and each night is different, as long as the therapy is working 

[interestedsleepoptimizer]

Thanks for the reply! I don't have auto setting on this machine, but I can increase the pressure and go from there- I haven't used the ramp setting, but I'm not sure if it will make much of a difference in my case.

[Dave Williams]

Thanks for the reply! I don't have auto setting on this machine, but I can increase the pressure and go from there- I haven't used the ramp setting, but I'm not sure if it will make much of a difference in my case.

Silly me, after reading your reply, I realized I missed the elite part of your airsense 10, I just assumed it was auto   
As for the ramping, its mainly for new users to get comfortable with the pressures while going to sleep, I no longer use this as I didn't find much of a difference either.
You mentioned having difficulty exhaling, so good for you to use the EPR. I read somewhere, having a full face mask also my require higher pressure than a nasal pillow, wich is what I use, because of the volume of space to fill with air in the full face is larger that the space in the nose pillows, I can't imagine much however. But anyway....
Small changes, and time to evaluate said changes is the way to go.

Cheers!