What is PR Dreamstation trying to do?

[OpalRose]

Try the soft cervical collar as suggested. Also, set Flex setting to 1. And try not to concentrate so much on your breathing. Use some white noise in your room, like a fan.

[Gideon]

I understand the need to take it slow, The goal is to get there, not to get there fast. Think about how many years it took you to get this far.

[spacewrench]

And try not to concentrate so much on your breathing.

Easier said than done!  "Don't think of an elephant!"  Or for '80s kids:
   

[OpalRose]

How can you possibly have negative feelings for “popping fresh?”  

My elephant in the room was “Ronald McDonald.”  Still is!

”They say an elephant never forgets. What they don't tell you is, you never forget an elephant.“
Bill Murray


Ok...back on track...

It’s ok to try a lower pressure to help you acclimate to the pressure. It just takes some folk longer than others to get used to having something foreign on your face.

[spacewrench]

Cervical collar may have helped (screenshots are whole night, with collar and without collar):

           

AHI and pressure were both lower with the collar on.  And I had many more OAs without the collar.

I woke up hungry around 4:00 and took off the collar because it was hot.  For a good comparison, I'll have to try no collar at the beginning, and switch to the collar later on, since I usually have more problems with late-night/early-morning sleep.