+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Do you think I should increase my pressure based on this OSCAR data? (/Thread-Do-you-think-I-should-increase-my-pressure-based-on-this-OSCAR-data)
Do you think I should increase my pressure based on this OSCAR data? - mallowsweet - 02-09-2024
Hello!
I have heard really amazing things about this board. I've been directed to the Wiki numerous times and I have installed OSCAR. However after numerous read-throughs of the Wiki and watching Lefty on YouTube, I am still really struggling to understand my OSCAR data. I know of things to look for but I don't really feel like my charts match the pictures I've seen. I was wondering if someone would mind taking a look at my data and giving me their opinion on it.
A couple of background facts ...
- I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with OSA after a home sleep study showed an AHI of 7.4. So, mild OSA. It showed a mix of central and obstructive events. I got my ResMed a week later and have used it for 7-9 hours a night every night for two weeks.
- My machine is an APAP and I have been instructed not to fiddle with the settings. However I am not sure how "hard and fast" that rule is and I am willing to tweak the settings if someone here thinks it's appropriate!
- I have struggled for years with profound fatigue, brain fog, morning headaches, etc . I am a fifth grade teacher and obviously this severely limits my ability to do my job. My PCP and a few other specialists have been trying to help me find the cause for years until my PCP finally suggested a home sleep study recently. After a diagnosis of mild OSA, she and I were both hopeful that this was "it". I was hoping treatment for even mild OSA would help with even some of the symptoms, but it has not. I am more exhausted and foggy than ever.
- I am 29 years old, female and slender (though I would not describe myself as fit or active beyond my job).
- I did not like the smell, feel, or fit of the AirFit F20 silicone mask so I just started using the AirTouch with memory foam which I do prefer after calling the medical supply company and requesting a different mask. However, for whatever reason, my SD card doesn't have any data for last night and the night before I woke up several times due to unrelated reasons to the CPAP and didn't get a good night's sleep. So I am including data from the old mask several nights ago.
- I am a side sleeper and while I bought a wedge pillow to try positional therapy I cannot get comfortable on the wedge pillow so I haven't really used it. I am also a mouth breather at night and have been for years, hence the full face mask.
- I am being evaluated by a very well regarded local ENT in March. My doctor acknowledged my lack of success with the CPAP yesterday and told me at this point I need to wait to see the ENT for next steps. I was told the ENT could evaluate me to see if I should get a MouthGuard but I am unsure why a MouthGuard would help if a CPAP does not.
I hope this information is helpful. I feel really lost, alone, and confused. I have no experience with sleep apnea and feel like I am stumbling around in the dark. None of my friends have it and my PCP, while trying her best, doesn't seem to have too much insight except "wait for the ENT" and I am frustrated. I have heard so many stories online about people waking up the first night after using their CPAP and feeling amazing, life-changing. After 14 nights, I feel worse. If you need any more information and pictures please ask. I am so thankful for any help or advice you can provide.
RE: After 14 days of CPAP use after an OSA diagnosis, I feel worse not better - mallowsweet - 02-09-2024
Here is a little more of my OSCAR data included the Flow Limit.
RE: After 14 days of CPAP use after an OSA diagnosis, I feel worse not better - Sleeprider - 02-09-2024
Most of the events on this chart are CA. It would be helpful to know the breakdown of events from your diagnostic study if you have that. I think you may do better with minimum pressure 6.0, maximum pressure 10, and turn epr down from 3 to 2. This will reduce the pressure variations and should cut back the CA events.
RE: After 14 days of CPAP use after an OSA diagnosis, I feel worse not better - mallowsweet - 02-09-2024
Hi, thank you for your response! I will try changing those settings for tonight. Yes it does seem that I have more “CA” events than anything else each night.
My sleep study results read like this:
Obstructive Apnea Index: 0.4
Central Apnea Index: 1.8
Mixed Apnea Index: 0
Hypopnea Index: 5.4
AHI 3%: 7.6
AHI 4%: 3.4
Central Apneas/Hypopneas: 58
Lowest O2 Saturation: 83%
ODI #/hour: 4.5
Granted, this was from a home sleep study so I would assume results are somewhat limited in scope. Is this what you were interested in? Thanks so much for your response.
RE: After 14 days of CPAP use after an OSA diagnosis, I feel worse not better - mallowsweet - 02-09-2024
Hi again-
I can’t figure out how to adjust these settings on my ResMed Air Sense 10. It does say z”Autoset” on the body of the machine - are these settings unable to be changed?
Edit: Never mind. I just figured out “clinician settings.” I feel like I’m breaking the law! ?
RE: After 14 days of CPAP use after an OSA diagnosis, I feel worse not better - PeaceLoveAndPizza - 02-09-2024
You can find the manual (or request it if not publicly available) here: https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pressure/change-cpap-pressure-settings-adjusting-your-machine-with-a-clinician-setup-manual
RE: After 14 days of CPAP use after an OSA diagnosis, I feel worse not better - HalfAsleep - 02-09-2024
Hang in there! There's a lot of trial and error involved, in my experience, with masks, equipment, settings, pillows. Little by little, you get experience with what works for you and start to feel more rested.
IME CPAP takes a lot more getting used to than sleep doctors will have you believe. They make it sound like it's some kind of plug-and-go therapy. Actually, there are many factors that go into success.
Good luck.
RE: After 14 days of CPAP use after an OSA diagnosis, I feel worse not better - Dormeo - 02-09-2024
Yes, do hang in there. While some people have that magical first night, most of us don't. We find that it can take a while to get used to the novel experience of using a PAP machine and mask.
There's a lot of encouraging news in your post: you're sleeping with the machine, you've found a mask that seems to work for you, you're using Oscar, you've come to this forum, and you're ready to take charge of your own PAP therapy. It'll be good to see how things to with the setting Sleeprider has recommended.
When I started using my machine, I *thought* I didn't know anyone else using PAP. But boy was I wrong. Two neighbors on my block, two very old friends who had just never mentioned it, and three work friends. I've also made a game of spotting the ResMed carrying cases in airports; there's an awful lot of people toting them.
RE: After 14 days of CPAP use after an OSA diagnosis, I feel worse not better - Sleeprider - 02-09-2024
This is a quick picture tutorial on accessing the settings: https://www.apneaboard.com/resmed-airsense-10-aircurve-10-setup-info
RE: After 14 days of CPAP use after an OSA diagnosis, I feel worse not better - mallowsweet - 02-09-2024
Thank you to all of you! I was able to change my settings as advised and I’m so hopeful for tonight!
Thank you for your kindness! I tend to be a bit inflexible in my thinking when I’m nervous or stressed out. I feel like the CPAP has been a failure and hopefully it’s not. I have been really lucky that I’ve been able to wear the mask all night straight away. It’s been a challenge to wear a full face as a side sleeper, but the memory foam mask and a good CPAP pillow has helped too. I am unsure as of now if my sleep apnea is central, obstructive, both or neither and if the CA is “treatment emergent.” I am hopeful the ENT can provide some answers.