MrIvanDrago - CPAP|Bi-PAP Therapy Journey
Hi All,
I'm new to the board, so it's great to meet everyone, virtually! I am 8 months into my CPAP journey, 6'4", 230lbs., athletic for reference. I was using CPAP for six months, doing okay (AHI was between 0.5-3), then I met with an independent sleep tech, and we looked at OSCAR and started some changes. I switched to a static pressure for about a month, then suggested I switch to a Bipap with pressure support of 4.0 (17.0/13.0), and have been using this setup since September 30th.
I know AHI is not the whole picture, but since 9/30, my AHI was under 0.5 with zero OA's. SO to my surprise, I woke up this morning to an AHI of 3.15 with quite a few OA's? I haven't changed anything, didn't adjust settings or change my sleep routine at all. The funny thing is, I felt like last night was one of my better nights of sleep???
I am posting the last five nights worth of OSCAR data, and since following this board, I have seen some brilliant people comment and help others. Was last night a fluke, or does something need to be tweaked? Thanks for all the learnings I have received from everyone on this board; appreciate it!
Bob
[attachment=55304] [attachment=55305] [attachment=55306]
RE: OSCAR Review - HELP Optimize Settings
Every night is different, so things are consistently inconsistent for many of us.
Do you have any specific complaints or concerns? Your overall numbers look great!
RE: OSCAR Review - HELP Optimize Settings
I was alarmed of the OA's that showed up from last night. Ever since switching to the Bipap, I had about 30+ days with zero OA's. It really threw me off looking this morning. I understand there will be 'off' days, but I have no idea how this happened last night, wasn't any different than any other night.
Reading all the threads and educating myself, I wanted to get an idea if there was anything I should 'tweak'. Thank you for responding.
RE: OSCAR Review - HELP Optimize Settings
The bursts look positional and chin tucking is the typical culprit, except for the burst of CA’s toward the end. A one-off is nothing to worry about. If it continues consider tying a soft cervical collar. For now, if it was me I would not change anything.
Check out the “optimizing therapy” link in my .sig for more info…
RE: OSCAR Review - HELP Optimize Settings
I would upgrade to the newest version of OSCAR, version 1.5.1. The newer version provides some extra machine configuration data. Your tidal volume looks a little excessive. . . unless you are one big dude.
Is there any reason that you are not using the "S" mode and not the Auto mode?
- Red
RE: OSCAR Review - HELP Optimize Settings
What is your trigger sensitivity set to?
In the third screenshot the clustered events suggest positional apnea - this is typically sleeping in a way that closes off your airway so you'll want to look into fixing that with a soft cervical collar, or sleeping in better positions.
RE: OSCAR Review - HELP Optimize Settings
Thank you for your input. Reading through your link on “optimizing therapy” and it is super helpful. Thanks again.
10-20-2023, 10:02 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-20-2023, 10:04 AM by MrIvanDrago.)
RE: OSCAR Review - HELP Optimize Settings
Trigger sensitivity is set to 'Medium'.
(10-20-2023, 09:48 AM)Crimson Nape Wrote: I would upgrade to the newest version of OSCAR, version 1.5.1. The newer version provides some extra machine configuration data. Your tidal volume looks a little excessive. . . unless you are one big dude.
Is there any reason that you are not using the "S" mode and not the Auto mode?
- Red
I am 6'4" 238lbs. The 'S' mode was recommended to me as when I was on APAP before it was causing arousals from the constant pressure changes. but I am all ears to thoughts on using the Auto mode.
10-20-2023, 10:31 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-20-2023, 10:32 AM by gainerfull.)
RE: OSCAR Review - HELP Optimize Settings
If you switch to vauto mode on your bilevel it will give you flow limit data which is another data / diagnostic source and you can set min epap to 13, max ipap to 17 and ps4 which effectively makes vauto mode bipap-s mode but with more data.
If you continue to see central apneas (purple) you can switch trigger sensitivity to "high" and they'll disappear but right now it looks like your biggest issue was sleeping in a weird position last night causing positional apnea.
RE: OSCAR Review - HELP Optimize Settings
(10-20-2023, 10:31 AM)gainerfull Wrote: If you switch to vauto mode on your bilevel it will give you flow limit data which is another data / diagnostic source and you can set min epap to 13, max ipap to 17 and ps4 which effectively makes vauto mode bipap-s mode but with more data.
If you continue to see central apneas (purple) you can switch trigger sensitivity to "high" and they'll disappear but right now it looks like your biggest issue was sleeping in a weird position last night causing positional apnea.
Thanks for the help. I'm guessing I was in a weird chin tucked position at those points last night because compared to historical data, I have not seen that. And I will set those settings, makes sense. Thank you.
