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+--- Thread: [CPAP] Wes' therapy optimization thread (/Thread-CPAP-Wes-therapy-optimization-thread)
Wes' therapy optimization thread - weswantstosleep - 11-12-2024
Hey folks, first off thanks greatly for all the advice found here-- been lurking for a long time and decided it was time for my own thread and to ask for advice.
In general my AHI, as reported by my DreamStation, tends to hover around 1 or 2, but I rarely feel completely rested and it's frustratingly inconsistent. Some days I feel great, others I'm barely functional and it's taken me a long time to try and eliminate variables and dial in the therapy. Over time I've tried various approaches.. less pressure, more pressure, CFLEX on/off, chin straps, cervical collar, etc etc. Having a consistent refreshing night's sleep still eludes me though. Most nights I wake up repeatedly and never actually sleep through the night. On days I feel good, I really feel GOOD-- clear head, focused.
I'm hoping someone can look at my OSCAR charts and give me some recommendations. I'm attaching an average night using nasal pillows and my cervical collar (but lately I've been trying the knightsbridge strap).
What I tend to notice is distorted inhales that look like flow limitations and frequent turbulence that look like unflagged arousals. The turbulent areas always have unusual exhalations but I'm not sure if those are relevant.
I also go through phases in the night where my breathing becomes erratic and has an ebb and flow. That's shown in the 3rd attachment. My assumption has been REM sleep but I've struggled to find other cases around here that look similar.
RE: Wes' therapy optimization thread - LaurenceShaw - 11-14-2024
I hope the Knightsbridge chin strap works well for you. (Please note that knightsbridgedualband.com is run by me, the inventor, and as I allege in US federal case 4:24-cv-05826-HSG dualbandchinstrap.com is the counterfeiting organization.)
RE: Wes' therapy optimization thread - weswantstosleep - 11-14-2024
(11-14-2024, 05:11 AM)LaurenceShaw Wrote: I hope the Knightsbridge chin strap works well for you. (Please note that knightsbridgedualband.com is run by me, the inventor, and as I allege in US federal case 4:24-cv-05826-HSG dualbandchinstrap.com is the counterfeiting organization.)
Thank you! Honestly, it's been very effective. The only real issue is that I find the mesh to be a little itchy on my scalp, but I'm bald so that might be a "me" problem
Super tired today. Attaching some screens of last night. My current setup is:
* Chin strap
* 15-20 pressure
* C-Flex 1
I want to experiment with opening up the pressure a little and adding the C-Flex to see if that helps to round out the breaths. Not sure if I have some flow limitation issues that my lousy DS machine isn't reporting.
Do ya'll think these OA events are positional in nature? Pretty sure I turned onto my stomach in the latter half of the night. I'm wondering if that's working against me. I'm gonna keep these settings a few more days to see how it goes.
RE: Wes' therapy optimization thread - LaurenceShaw - 11-14-2024
I'm pretty bald too. I know what you are talking about, though it doesn't bother me. But if the itchiness of the cap is a problem, you might try the Plus which is made of a single layer of organic Manta cotton.
RE: Wes' therapy optimization thread - weswantstosleep - 11-21-2024
Just wanted to bump my thread and ask if anybody has any thoughts regarding these charts. My nights are always characterized by phases of chaotic breathing, where it ebbs and flows, shallow to deep. Anything to be concerned about here?