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Erratic flow rate preceding OA - weepingwillow - 09-06-2024
I've noticed that my flow rate is almost always erratic immediately before an obstructive apnea-- I've attached a few examples from last night. It looks a lot different than my husband's charts, which makes me wonder if something odd might be going on. Thoughts?
If you'd like to see my charts without zooming in, I've posted several in my thread here: https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-Leak-rate-question--46001
RE: Erratic flow rate preceding OA - Old Steve - 09-06-2024
It appears that you are having an arousal prior to your OA...nothing really unusual about it, looks just like mine do. I did notice that you are having a number of OA's and you are already using a fairly high minimum pressure. If you are a back sleeper it may be causing some of the apneas. You could try sleeping on your side, that is what I had to do. Otherwise raising you minimum pressure more may be the only answer, if you raise your min pressure I would change the EPR to 3 to help on your exhale
RE: Erratic flow rate preceding OA - weepingwillow - 09-06-2024
Thanks, Old Steve. I sleep on my side only, so unfortunately, position changes won't help.
Can you explain more about having an arousal prior to each OA? I can understand waking up after an OA, but I can't wrap my head around why waking up would seemingly cause OAs.
RE: Erratic flow rate preceding OA - Old Steve - 09-06-2024
The arousal is not causing the apnea. I think in this instance the arousal is just the beginning of the apnea. The OA is just starting and you are not into a full Obstructive Apnea just yet, but it is still just an arousal. Then your airway starts closing down and you will not be able to breath. After ten seconds the machine records it as an apnea. Anyway, I looked back on several of my apneas and they looked almost identical to yours.
Hopefully this makes some sense to you. If not I am sure there are more knowledgeable folks on the forum that could do a better job of answering your question.