new user advice/comments

[pugster]

   
Hi all ,new user here hoping to get some comments - ive had bad sleep for probably most of my life and only recently did a sleep study that gave a result of 52 events per hr , 2 weeks ago i was given a CPAP and its taking some getting used too (im averaging 4.5 hrs a night using it before ive had enough of it , hopefully i'll get used to it soon and can wear it all the time im in bed ).
 my sleeping has alway been very fragmented , i move about alot and wake up probably 3/4 times an hr and move about- i rarely dream  , since using the CPAP my sleep seems to be worse not better though imputting this down to not being used to the machine.
 i was told by the nurse at the clinic that i have a mixture of obstructive and central apnea ,looking at the data from OSCAR its seems im still getting quite a few central apnea events so i would like some advise frm some experienced members who are better versed in using OSCAR.

[Crimson Nape]

Hi pugster -
The first thing I'd try is to turn off the EPR.  It may be causing a lot of your CA's.  The OA's appear to be positional and are probably caused by chin tucking.  I would try one thing at a time, so go without using the EPR option and then we can go from there.  In the meantime, please review the links below on OSCAR chart organization.

Good luck!

[Sleeprider]

Your obstructive events are happening in clusters which is often a sign that you are tucking your chin and cutting off the airway. This wiki article discusses the problem and solutions, and you may find it looks familiar to your own charts http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...onal_Apnea Also read the section on Complex or Mixed apnea http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php..._.2F_CA.29

I agree with the previous comment regarding EPR, and that it can increase central events in individuals that are prone to a mix of obstruction and centrals. You are currently using EPR at 3 so there is a 3-cm pressure reduction on each exhale. This tends to increase the venting of CO2 and is the primary reason centrals are happening. Try an EPR setting off or no more than 1-cm.

Finally, you are using a 30 minute ramp with a starting pressure of 4.0. That is very low pressure and you might find a ramp pressure of 6 or higher is more comfortable. Most of us do not use ramp once we are comfortable with the therapy, and I would also suggest you use the auto setting on ramp rather than a fixed time. Looking at the ramp period, you will see that there is no EPR and no apnea during that time...that is a clue for your EPR setting.