[Treatment] Cholraj's CPAP Therapy Thread + Oscar data review

[Jay51]

Hello again Cholraj.  Your therapy looks great IMO.  The only possible thing I see is a little lower than normal tidal volume, but everything else looks great.  Your AHI is good.  

1. and 2.  You say you are waking up to adjust your mask.  You may need a different size mask or possibly a different kind in the future (if the mask is the only thing waking you up.  I simple fix would be to purchase some mask straps one size smaller than you have so you don't have to wake up and tighten them to avoid leaks.  Somel suppliers in the suppliers list here give a 30 day mask trial period if you choose to try another mask in the future.  Supplier #1 is one of them.  

3.  Your results look very good.  You could possibly be suffering from a separate medical condition that is draining your energy.  

4.  Your therapy looks great.  I would not adjust anything personally.  You can if you want to though.  Your choice.  

Uploading your OSCAR data here lets everyone who reads your post see the charts.  This is best IMO.  Anyone who sees anything that can help you can post if they want.  

Let your Dr. or Sleep Dr. know that even though everything looks good as far as your PAP therapy is concerned, you still don't feel that well.   Maybe mention it to your PCP also.

[Jay51]

If you can Choraj, try to look at your sleep study.  Look at your SPO2 levels (% of oxygen in your blood).  If they are normal, that is good.  Normal is usually around 95 or so average for the entire night.  Some dips into the low 90's are acceptable.  When dips start falling below 90, they are more concerning and may need further treatment.  If they were low during your sleep study, you might want to purchase an oximeter to check your blood oxygen levels during sleep.  There have been a few members here who have good PAP therapy, but have low SPO2 levels (which can cause fatigue).  You can even get a copy of your sleep study, redact all personal information, and upload it here for everyone to look.

[aktmdn]

1. and 2.  You say you are waking up to adjust your mask.  You may need a different size mask or possibly a different kind in the future (if the mask is the only thing waking you up.  I simple fix would be to purchase some mask straps one size smaller than you have so you don't have to wake up and tighten them to avoid leaks.  Somel suppliers in the suppliers list here give a 30 day mask trial period if you choose to try another mask in the future.  Supplier #1 is one of them.  

Thank you Jay, I tightened my mask further and the lead issue got resolved. I guess I need to keep tightening it to ensure good seal. Let me speak to my doctor regarding this, Thanks again.

[aktmdn]

If you can Choraj, try to look at your sleep study.  Look at your SPO2 levels (% of oxygen in your blood).  If they are normal, that is good.  Normal is usually around 95 or so average for the entire night.  Some dips into the low 90's are acceptable.  When dips start falling below 90, they are more concerning and may need further treatment.  If they were low during your sleep study, you might want to purchase an oximeter to check your blood oxygen levels during sleep.  There have been a few members here who have good PAP therapy, but have low SPO2 levels (which can cause fatigue).  You can even get a copy of your sleep study, redact all personal information, and upload it here for everyone to look.

For Sleep study, mine is a bit dated - ard 12 months old. Will that help? 

For SPO2 - I can wear my apple watch and gain insights. I dont have an SPO2 monitor, will that be ok?

[Jay51]

That would be fine Cholraj.  The sleep study will show how well your SPO2 levels were during the polysomnography.  You can try your Apple Watch to record a night's data.  If your SPO2 levels are normal - 1.  they average around 95 or so for the entire night's sleep; and 2.  don't have any dips below 90; then that is probably ok.

[aktmdn]

Firstly. thank you to this forum for guiding me, specially Jay51

Wanted to post my progress and How am I doing? 

1. Reached 1yr mark using CPAP everyday, there is a definite uptick in my life and energy. 
   
2. Do I need to get my machine serviced? Can I do this at home? The technician, at the time of delivery mentioned to get it serviced annually, and that we 'caliberate' the machine during service. I am guess they would measure actual and on screen pressure and do some setting to match it? 
   
3. I noticed that when I protrude my Jaw, I can breath freely, I think my tongue and some tissues behind are the obstructing culprits. ENT has not been able to diagnose this and I also did not bother to find other specialist ENTs but is this something I can probe and find a permanent solution? 
   
4. I am still trying to loose weight, have gained +15KG, the journey is hard. 
   

   

[Jay51]

Congratulations Cholraj on one year!  Your yearly summary data looks pretty good IMO.  Your leaks are decreased and your 95% flow limitations are decreased.  

Probably the best thing to do regarding checking your machine would be to contact the technician again and ask if/where to get your machine checked out.  Most people simply use the machine as long as possible and get it checked out or repaired if any problems occur.  

I purchased a device called, "VitalSleep Anti-Snoring mouthpiece" on Amazon before.  It has 2 small screws in the back of it that can push your lower jaw forward some and you can adjust how much.  I have used it (with a chinstrap) when I took a nap and didn't use my ventilator or S9 Adapt ASV.  That combination seemed to stop my snoring/snorting.  Check it out to see if it might help keep your jaw farther forward and help you.  The negative to using it is sore teeth.  My teeth feel sore after using it for a long period of time (overnight).  The pressure on the top and bottom teeth could possibly shift the teeth in the mouth over a long period of time though.  

If you want to, you can post another OSCAR daily chart also.

[aktmdn]

Congratulations Cholraj on one year!  Your yearly summary data looks pretty good IMO.  Your leaks are decreased and your 95% flow limitations are decreased.  

Probably the best thing to do regarding checking your machine would be to contact the technician again and ask if/where to get your machine checked out.  Most people simply use the machine as long as possible and get it checked out or repaired if any problems occur.  

I purchased a device called, "VitalSleep Anti-Snoring mouthpiece" on Amazon before.  It has 2 small screws in the back of it that can push your lower jaw forward some and you can adjust how much.  I have used it (with a chinstrap) when I took a nap and didn't use my ventilator or S9 Adapt ASV.  That combination seemed to stop my snoring/snorting.  Check it out to see if it might help keep your jaw farther forward and help you.  The negative to using it is sore teeth.  My teeth feel sore after using it for a long period of time (overnight).  The pressure on the top and bottom teeth could possibly shift the teeth in the mouth over a long period of time though.  

If you want to, you can post another OSCAR daily chart also.

I got a MAD device made for myself, used it for 3 days but felt very uncomfortable. On researching more, I leaned that using a device like this seriously affects the teeth, bite and jawbone. It may also be irreversible. That made me stop using the device and get a CPAP. 

Any tips on weight gain? I read that CPAP makes you gain weight since there is extra energy stored

[Jay51]

Thank you for that Colraj.  I have seen a lot of literature that states that losing weight can help decrease obstructive sleep apnea (and possibly help decrease hypoventilation if that is a problem also.   If you want to give it a try, feel free to do so.  It couldn't hurt.  

I have not heard that using cpap can make a person gain weight.  I don't think any extra energy will be stored (as adipose tissue).  It seems like the extra energy could be used to speed up the metabolism and possibly aid weight loss.  

Even if a person was severely sleep deprived, getting more quality sleep would only benefit the body IMO.  

Congratulations again on your successful year of using pap!