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+--- Thread: [Treatment] How am I doing? (/Thread-Treatment-How-am-I-doing)
How am I doing? - JethroE7 - 10-19-2024
So I have a Resvent iBreeze, and love what the machine can do. I had a sleep study done and had 27 abnormalities per hour (Suprine AHI 43, REM AHI 62), with abnormal oxygenation desaturations (4% during sleep to 87%). Nasal patency probably isn't great.
The sleep clinic where I was at, I paid them a consultation to set the machine up right, and they were of the opinion, well, do it from 4-20 and then we will review after a month. I wasn't very happy as they just explained what the features on the machine do and didn't really do too much else.
It was nuts, had some awful nights, work up like I was being blown up. Chest hurt, panic (using the F30i at the time).
I watched "CPAP Pressure! Too Low, Too High, Just Right. How To Adjust Your CPAP Pressure Levels" and adjusted the pressure so the AHI was below 5 and comfortable, and the n95 ended up being about 6-7, so I adjusted it to 8 - slept great good AHI. The clinic wasn't happy when I told them (said they need more data, which I guess the do), and wanted me to set it higher (which I did, put it to 12).
The full face mask that came with the machine doesn't seal the pressure that great, when high pressure is being put in, it leaks a bit, and then the machine adds even more pressure and then I wake up (at least that is how it feels).
I like the ramp feature, as I just want to breathe like I am used to when I sleep. I have set up the machine so it is easier to breathe out (IPR3 - that feature is a 'lifesaver').
I bought an extra mask at the time (AirFit F30i Full Face) but I felt like I couldn't breathe, draw enough in due to that nose latex that is there, even with it removed (I cut it away), I just couldn't do that mask). I'm swapping it for the F20 Airfit, so hopefully that will hold pressure better (and also allow me to disconnect more easily!). Using the defaullt face mask that came with the machine which is a bit of a pain to strap on, but works much better and doesn't whistle like the F30i did. I also couldn't bear how that mask interfered with my trying to draw a breath.
My Doctor has no idea about cpap's really, apart from how to ventilate someone (at least he was honest enough to say so) and the sleep therapy place is run by two young lass's with Cert IV's, so not feeling confident.
P.S. I wish I didn't drool.
Questions
How are my settings?
RE: How am I doing? - OpalRose - 10-19-2024
JethroE7,
I believe your minimum pressure is too low. Let's move it to 7 or 8 minimum, whichever you're comfortable with.
Leave your maximum setting at 12. Also, continue using IPR set at 3.
This should help lower the flow limitation which is high. This should also help lower the Obstructives.
Try to stay with this for a few days and repost another chart.
RE: How am I doing? - JethroE7 - 10-19-2024
Thank you for taking the time to give me that suggestion. Just had a nap with those settings 7/12, and will post some more data in a few days.
RE: How am I doing? - JethroE7 - 10-21-2024
Well, here is my latest result with the new settings (went 7-12), no other changes.
A lot of air is being pumped into my stomach again, burping a fair bit last night.
When there is higher pressure, air escapes from the mask sometimes. I am getting a better mask soon (F20)
A,B,C is from last night, and also attaching day before
RE: How am I doing? - JethroE7 - 10-26-2024
Well, I have been on 7-12 for some time, seem to wake up a lot about 1pm. I go back to bed about 2 hours later.
My apnea is worst in Supine (43.4 originally) and REM (51.8)...
Do you think my machine settings look right at the moment?
Also getting a new mask, maybe that will allow a better fit, it can be uncomfortable.
RE: How am I doing? - OpalRose - 10-27-2024
The increase in apnea looks to be in relation to the position you are sleeping. Notice the clumps of Obstructives? This is due to allowing your chin to tuck into your chest area, thus cutting off your air. Can occur from back or side sleeping.
Also happens when your pillow(s) are too tall and causing your head to tilt forward.
Try taking steps to correcting this.
https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Optimizing_therapy#Positional_Apnea
RE: How am I doing? - JethroE7 - 10-28-2024
Wonderful, thank you for your thoughtful reply. I am getting a 3M soft cervical collar, tried it with a cheapy last night. Only one wakeup, so felt I slept well, but I can still see a lot of events that might have come from me "tucking anyway" (in fairness, I think the collar is too large and didn't quite do the job?).
I have a new mask coming today (F20) instead of the default resvent, so will see what that does. Attaching last night's overview and the first and second event highlight.