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Bipap Noob Questions
#1
Sad 
Pressure Help
Hi All,

I have been trying to dial in pressure because I wake up feeling cloudy, exhausted, sometimes cant even think. My O2 monitor says I have hardly no desaturations below 95% but I just cannot seem to get the right settings. I even tried to sleep without my cpap for the first time in years and I actually woke up feeling better.

Had a sleep study almost 2 years ago and static 8 kept my sleep under control.

Attached is a chart with static vs apap and my sleep study. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I cant remember the last time I woke up and felt refreshed.


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#2
RE: Pressure Help
I'm curious: what was your AHI when you were first diagnosed?

By the numbers, you're doing well, but obviously you're not feeling right. The main thing that jumps out at me is that you have a relatively active flow-limitation graph. FLs may in fact not be disturbing your sleep at all, but in case they are, you might try using EPR of 3. Because you have no problems with OAs or Hs, I see no need for you to raise your minimum pressure to compensate.

Your pressure goes up and down a lot in response to the FLs. Higher pressure doesn't do much to control FLs, so I'd suggest you use the static pressure of 9, in case pressure changes disturb your sleep.

It's possible your feeling of daytime exhaustion have nothing to do with your airway during sleep. Have you discussed this with your doctor? Would you say you feel sleepy during the day (e.g., would nap if you could) or fatigued? It can be helpful to the doctor to get that information from you.

Are you taking any medications that have fatigue, brain fog, or sleepiness as a possible side effect?
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#3
RE: Pressure Help
(09-27-2022, 12:38 PM)Dormeo Wrote: I'm curious: what was your AHI when you were first diagnosed?

By the numbers, you're doing well, but obviously you're not feeling right.  The main thing that jumps out at me is that you have a relatively active flow-limitation graph.  FLs may in fact not be disturbing your sleep at all, but in case they are, you might try using EPR of 3.  Because you have no problems with OAs or Hs, I see no need for you to raise your minimum pressure to compensate.

Your pressure goes up and down a lot in response to the FLs.  Higher pressure doesn't do much to control FLs, so I'd suggest you use the static pressure of 9, in case pressure changes disturb your sleep.

It's possible your feeling of daytime exhaustion have nothing to do with your airway during sleep.  Have you discussed this with your doctor?  Would you say you feel sleepy during the day (e.g., would nap if you could) or fatigued?  It can be helpful to the doctor to get that information from you.

Are you taking any medications that have fatigue, brain fog, or sleepiness as a possible side effect?

No Medications, I recently started talking low dose melatonin and magnesium before bed. I actually have another study next week where we will try bi level and no cpap at all.

I had a home study years ago, but I dont have that data. Was told it was mild though I dont have the number.


So you would suggest a pressure of 9 with an EPR of 3?
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#4
RE: Pressure Help
(09-27-2022, 12:48 PM)supyasieve Wrote: No Medications, I recently started talking low dose melatonin and magnesium before bed. I actually have another study next week where we will try bi level and no cpap at all.

I had a home study years ago, but I dont have that data. Was told it was mild though I dont have the number.


So you would suggest a pressure of 9 with an EPR of 3?

Also want to add I feel fatigued not sleepy. Just super cloudy almost like im in a fog. Had full blood labs done, came back fantastic. Saw cardiologist, everything looks great. Sleep study #2 is my next venture. I am just sick of being tired and not waking up refreshed. I almost feel better end of the day than when I wake up.
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#5
RE: Pressure Help
I second Dormeo's suggestion - try EPR3. It can't hurt, it's free, and it may help. The machine responds to flow limitations and also flow limitations may be disturbing your sleep.
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#6
RE: Pressure Help
Yes, static pressure of 9 and EPR of 3.

Just curious: did the labs include any blood tests for autoimmune disease? I'm going to guess they included thyroid and testosterone - is that correct? Any chance you're experiencing long Covid?
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#7
RE: Pressure Help
(09-28-2022, 10:16 AM)Dormeo Wrote: Yes, static pressure of 9 and EPR of 3.  

Just curious: did the labs include any blood tests for autoimmune disease?  I'm going to guess they included thyroid and testosterone  - is that correct?  Any chance you're experiencing long Covid?

Not sure about autoimmune, yes on the other two.

No clue on the covid side. havent had it for months and symptoms started getting worse. last month
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#8
RE: Pressure Help
Your name is visible and is mentioned at the bottom.
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#9
Bipap Noob Questions
This is day 3 of Bipap. I had a sleep study that said I have an AHI of just over 5, but 42 micro arousal per hour. 

Once I was on Bipap of 9/5 that dropped to 10. 

My question is, does it take time for your body to adjust to the bipap breathing and if so how long?

I know the goal is to have flat breathing pattern, but mine looks a bit choppy. Since I am new to it, I do not yet want to mess with it, but rather curious if there is an adjustment period to my breathing that will flatten out the chart?

Let me know your thoughts!


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#10
RE: Bipap Noob Questions
Sorry, I can't answer your questions.  Though I do expect you need to give it more than three nights.
Three nights are not enough to see your response to treatment.

Some people adopt to xpap after night one and never look back. Others...  longer. Significantly longer.

Micro arousals earned you a bilevel?? No fight with insurance?
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