[Treatment] Wife just started CPAP!

[JamesW]

       
Hello all, as the subject line says my wife is just starting out on her CPAP journey. I have been a successful CPAP user for five years now. She has accepted that she must use the machine but is struggling a bit, like many others.
Her sleep study AHI was:
Calculated Variables: Total AHI: 20.2/hr Total RDI: 20.4/hr
NREM AHI:13.5/hr  NREM RDI: 13.8/hr
REM AHI: 54.5/hr   REM RDI: 54.5/hr 
Minimum oxygen saturation = 85%
Longest apnoea (sec) = 22.5
Longest hypopnoea (sec) = 45.
Arousal index (lhr of sleep) = 22.1
Periodic limb movement index (/hr of sleep) =

She is trialing a Resmed Autoset 10, same as my machine. Her initial suggested pressure was 6-18 on Autoset. In an attempt to make her first night comfortable I set the pressure at 6-14 , and I think that was a mistake on my part. She has an appointment to follow up on her progress in five weeks. So we have a little time to call on the forum brains trust to settle her in. She is currently using a Resmed F30i mask but she has a Resmed F10 full face mask to trial as well. Oscar will not allow me to take an F12 screenshot for some reason.

[staceyburke]

You have 2 very different nights. I would increase both the top and bottom number. Low number between 8 or 9 and the top 20. She did not have a problem with the top pressure the first night but the second night she topped out and needed mor support but I’m don’t know how high she needed so moved it up to 20. There are a lot of flow limits and that is why an increase in the lower number. 

Maybe Bonjour or sleeprider will stop by both are great with advice.

[Melman]

From the clustering of obstructive events it appears she is experiencing positional apnea most commonly caused by tucking the chin to the chest. An increase in pressure will not overcome the restriction caused by positional apnea. Chin tucking can be eliminated by the use of  a soft cervical collar. See the link in my signature to learn more and also go to the link included in the article to an article on positional apnea. I hope this is helpful. I and many others have had success using soft cervical collars.

[staceyburke]

Thank you for jumping in melman.  You nailed it.