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New CPAP User - Looking for Advice - hawkeye.ia - 08-02-2019
Hello Everyone,
I was recently diagnosed with OSA on July 25th. I began CPAP therapy on Tuesday, which puts me three nights into therapy. Here is my setup:
Phillips DreamStation
Pressure Min/Max: 6/20
A-Flex 1
Humidifier/Heated Hose: 2/3
Opti-Start: On, Easy-Start: Off, Ramp: Offf
I have OSCAR installed on my computer, I realize an AHI below 5 is considered normal but would like to keep it below 3 and get it as low as possible without causing central apneas.
Night 1 AHI: 2.05, Night 2 AHI: 4.34, Night 3 AHI: 4.44. Not sure why night one was so much better than the second two.
I have attached OSCAR screenshots along with my sleep study results.
I would appreciate any input, feedback, or advise from the "sleep experts" on here! Thank you in advanced!
RE: New CPAP User - Looking for Advice - mesenteria - 08-02-2019
I'm seeing some clustering of events, and quite a bit of snoring. This suggests to me that you are closing off your airway at times, perhaps losing tone in your neck as you fall into successively deeper levels of sleep. At least, that's what you're TRYING to do....you don't often get there because your snore or experience something else that arouses you enough to turn over, move your head, or some other 'remedy' to help you to get back to sleep. This is a never-ending cycle. And, over time, it's about like having no PAP machine working for you at all.
Please wait for others to offer their interpretation. If they agree, even if only somewhat, we'd probably suggest that you acquire a foam cervical collar and wear it around your neck. That generally does a good job of keeping your chin tucked toward your chest, especially if you occasionally turn onto your back. Tucked chin = snoring and OSAs.
BTW, it would be really helpful if you would organize those screen shots some. We have an instruction here:
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=OSCAR_Help#OSCAR_Chart_Organization_and_Screen_Shot
RE: New CPAP User - Looking for Advice - Melman - 08-02-2019
Welcome,
I'm sure mesenteris meant to say the soft cervical collar does a good job of preventing your chin from tucking toward your chest. Chin tucking causes a restriction in your airway. Minimizing the calendar and deleting the pie chart per the instructions he linked will make more useful data available.