[Treatment] Hyperventilation with AutoSense 10

[forThaBirds]

Hey folks, I'm new to this board.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea around 10 years ago, received a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset, and used it for a couple years. I stopped using it due to a surgery that affected my airway and have just recently (past couple weeks) been using it again as I recorded myself sleeping and definitely have apnea events.

The past couple nights I have been experiencing hyperventilating for long stretches, followed by waking up and turning off the CPAP. I'm worried that I'm doing something wrong here.

My setup is: Full face mask (silicone), mouth tape (3M micropore)
My settings are: EPR 3, Min/Max Pressure: 4-9

Attached is my OSCAR report from last night, that shows a concerning increase in raspatory rate throughout the night. This does wake me up and cause lack of sleep.

Any thoughts? Is this something that will just get better?

   

   

[SarcasticDave94]

Issue 1, large leaks 33% of your sleep session, and median leak rate of 18. You'll need to revisit how to adjust the mask. Some aspect isn't close to being right.

It's odd, because you say it's a full face mask, but the pattern seems to be a mouth leak. Then you're taping as well. Check the hose for holes, check the humidifier tub to be certain its seated fully, along with the humidifier tub donut seals, there's 2. Even if you're not using humidifier, it must be in place or alternately the optional blocker plate.

Second issue is your settings don't mix well. You start at 4 but try to get EPR 3 to work, and it cannot until your pressure rises to 7. I would go ahead and just set min pressure at 7, increase Max to 12.

EPR reduces pressure by its setting number, but it will not go below 4.

[forThaBirds]

Thanks for the response! I think my mouth tape does not fully seal airflow into my mouth. Do you recommend having a full seal on my mouth? I can breathe pretty well through my nose. 

I will try setting my pressure as you mentioned. I am currently using a silicone face mask, and ordered an Airfit so hoping the memory foam will help create a better seal.

I checked my hose and humidifiers for leaks by setting max pressure to 20 and APAP -> CPAP with no ramp time. Covered the end of the hose and didn't feel any air leaks.

[SarcasticDave94]

With a full face, tape might not be necessary. I've used a ResMed F20, also Fisher and Paykel Simplus and Vitera, all full face and didn't tape.