[split] Crazy low Respiration Rates & high Centrals - sometimes...

[oqwif]

Hi Tim

I have similar periods during the night when I'm awake and my respiration rate drop low. I often wake up feeling groggy in the morning when this happens. 


Did you find a way to manage it?

Thanks
Jim

   

[Sleeprider]

oqwif, I don't think Tim (grubstake) has been on Apnea Board since March 2020, so we can continue this thread on your behalf or even split it to a new thread which may be the better approach.

You have a very similar issue with lower respiration rate but higher minute vent during the night. This represents slower but deeper breathing that should have no effect on your oxygen levels or health. The use of a minimum pressure of 5.0 is too low given your median of over 10 cm and the use of EPR at 3. I suspect your flow limits remain somewhat high and that is what drives pressure. The therapy looks pretty good overall, and does not have the same level of central apnea as in Grubstake's therapy data. http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...-sometimes?

[oqwif]

Thanks for your reply, Sleeprider. Happy to split the thread if it is a better approach.

I'm glad that the low respiratory rate / deeper breathing is not concerning. I'll increase the minimum pressure and monitor the results.

I'm feeling a lot better since starting therapy in September. I am much more alert than before, and according to Apple health data, my daytime VO2 max is increasing nicely.

Thank you for all the great info on this forum! It's a huge relief to find this level of information, and CPAP therapy feels less daunting now.

[Sleeprider]

I went ahead and split this thread so we can focus on your therapy and concerns. The fact your feel better since starting therapy in September is a very good sign, and as I mentioned before, I don't think the low respiration rate, offset by the higher minute vent is a big concern, and may be associated with sleep stage. This pattern is not too unusual, and is only apparent thanks to the detailed data available from your machine. I do think a minimum pressure of 7.0 is appropriate, assuming you find that tolerable.

[quiescence at last]

i just wonder if these periods are actually sleep or awake, usually the tidal volume is much greater when awake or awakening. Of course, being awake between 12:45 and 02:35 would likely have been recognized by you. If you can post a 10 minute wide from 01:45 to 01:55 then maybe we can tell more from the breathing during that period. You will have to add your "flow" info to show those breaths.

QAL

[smith22]

i just wonder if these periods are actually sleep or awake, usually the tidal volume is much greater when awake or awakening.  Of course, being awake between 12:45 and 02:35 would likely have been recognized by you.  If you can post a 10 minute wide from 01:45 to 01:55 then maybe we can tell more from the breathing during that period.  You will have to add your "flow" info to show those breaths.

QAL

It is also due to incomplete sleep or change in sleep patterns.  You can easily reduce your daytime sleepiness through the modafinil pill.

[Geer1]

I too question awake vs asleep because using the one example posted the machine was turned off during that period indicating OP was awake. Breathing was the same high volume, low rate before and after the period machine was turned off for.

As an aside your pressure is held up at 7-8 EPAP by what I assume is flow limitations due to an obstruction and that 7-8 cm is what is required to avoid that obstruction. The cluster of obstructive apnea at 2:30 until that pressure was reached again also supports this. You should try increasing your min pressure to 8 cm and see what affect that has.