Beginner at CPAP therapy with questions

[sleepy742]

Hi all, I am just starting CPAP therapy have been on it for about 2 weeks now.  I am having some issues and concerns and hoping others with experience could help. I'm including a couple OSCAR screenshots to give context to my questions.

OSCAR Daily report
   

Detailed/zoomed report on CA Events
   


1. Waking up feeling like unable to breathe. So far I have only been able to sleep 1-4 hours at most with CPAP, averaging around 2 hours, with a few nights where I just can't fall asleep with the mask.  When I wake up in the middle of the night while using CPAP, I feel like I can't breathe.  Then I struggle for the next hour to get comfortable and go back to sleep, which results in me taking the mask off and falling asleep without it.  If I wake up again, sometimes I'll try putting the mask back on, but it's hit or miss.  What could cause this? Anything in the report that could explain it, or anything which needs to be adjusted?

2. Nose blockage and breathing. I saw an ENT a couple years ago for something unrelated to sleep. ENT noticed that I had a deviated septum, and asked if I had trouble breathing.  It wasn't an issue at the time, so he said we didn't have to do anything if it wasn't bothering me. I am now wondering if this needs to be addressed.  Since I started using CPAP, the pressure has made me very aware of the blockage in one of my nostrils. I am using a full face mask so that I can breathe through my mouth if needed.  But I still feel very uncomfortable when trying to fall asleep with the blockage in my nose and I am wondering if this is why I am waking up feeling like I can't breathe when using CPAP. Would this type of nasal issue affect CPAP and my ability to use it correctly? Is there any indication of this in the report?

3. CA events. I'm seeing a lot of CA events in succession for a long period. For clarity I've included a second screenshot that is zoomed in on a few of the CA events. What could be causing that?

4. Cheyne-Stokes breathing. The report shows a Cheyne-Stokes breathing event for about an hour. None of my other reports from the past couple weeks have this. Is this something to be concerned about?

5. Misc. Anything else notable in the report that you think is important?  Anything that should change with CPAP settings based on issues mentioned above (e.g. waking out of breath, CA events, nose blockage, etc.).

Thank you!

[Nightynite]

I also have a deviated septum and Fluticasone Propionate does wonders for me. I buy the Amazon basic 3 pack, 1 spray in each nostril. I also went to a ENT for always being clogged up, allergies and the deviated septum were the culprit. I tried the nose spray, and the results were so good I can live without the surgery.

[Gideon]

That's some welcome, but welcome to the forum.

step 1, let's see if we can knock down those centrals. Set EPR to off. Big step, and we may well turn it back on, but f\or now that could be (not is) the largest contributor.

Repost and show us what happened.

Because of the number of centrals id like to see your diagnostic sleep study. including the charts and tables in addition to the narrative.

[clownbell]

Given the low minimum, it's no wonder OP feels air starved.

[Sleepster]

1. Waking up feeling like unable to breathe. So far I have only been able to sleep 1-4 hours at most with CPAP, averaging around 2 hours, with a few nights where I just can't fall asleep with the mask.  When I wake up in the middle of the night while using CPAP, I feel like I can't breathe.  Then I struggle for the next hour to get comfortable and go back to sleep, which results in me taking the mask off and falling asleep without it. 

A lot of these issues will go away as you adapt to the CPAP therapy. Just be patient with yourself. Everyone adapts at their own pace. I encourage you to do some reading about sleep hygiene.

When you can't sleep, get out of bed and read with the lowest light possible. Then go back to bed. Never sleep without the CPAP machine.

[sunsaffron]

I'd say the minimum pressure is too low, coupled with EPR 3, that might explain the "unable to breathe" part.