[CPAP] Help with Interpreting OSCAR Data

[chillzap21]

Attaching my charts for the last 5 nights. My AHI has suddenly increased in the past two nights, from below 1 to 3 and 4.9. Any particular reasons why this might be happening? I must add that I am not feeling any worse though. 


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[chillzap21]

Unable to understand why the AHI has increased. As I said, I am not feeling any worse, but I don't get why the AHI is jumping like that.


   

   

   

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[SarcasticDave94]

The only thing I saw in these last 3 was low level Hypopnea and Obstructive Apnea and then the last chart has some CA/Central Apnea. We aren't trying for zero events but consistent below 5, whatever level you're comfortable at. But again zero isn't needed, if you get zeros in some events that's fine.

Since you say you're feeling fine, I'd probably not worry over it.

[staceyburke]

Your last couple of nights show positional apnea. Positional apnea is when you are sleeping in a position that cuts off your airway. Having your chin drops down to your sternum.  Sleeping on your back or to high pillow can cause it. 

No pressure changes can help you hard to find a way to stop getting into that position. If it is not easy to fix (like changing pillow) you will need a collar. 

Please check the link in my signature at the bottom of the post. It shows people without and the same people with a collar. High difference.

[SarcasticDave94]

Upon second look, Flow Limits still are showing the shaggy grass look. Maybe this is something that may need attention. Since your EPR is 3 already, min pressure increases would need considered if it's a source of disturbances.

[quiescence at last]

it does not look like your flow limitations are at the root of the increased OA. it does look like those OA occurrences are in nights that the pressure is already being vaulted quite a bit by the reaction to the flow limitations. it this were my chart, i would consider doing two things --
(1) studying the EPAP Median for the 6 nights and shape of the peaks, I would conclude that I need a greater start EPAP, of about 8.5 to 9.0. (this would mean at EPR 3 my Pressure min would be 11.5 to 12.0).
(2) as a temporary measure to see if it helps on rougher nights, I would bump my maximum pressure up by something small like 15.5 or 16.0.

The positional apnea theory about a tucked chin may have it's merits, so just consider if there is something you have that you can tuck between the chin and the chest to reduce the constriction. [I use a u shaped travel pillow, turned 180 degrees, so the space is at the pillow, and the back or side of the travel pillow is under the chin.]

above all (which is why I put this at the bottom) comfort and impression of good sleep take center stage unless the AHI gets awfully rambunctious (say OA + H > 5 per hour) and I wouldn't count CA unless it is prevalent (CA > 3 per hour).

Good luck and quality sleeping.

QAL

ps. yep, that means I wouldn't be upset if my worse nights were clocking up to 8.0 per hour as long as obstructive cases were under 5.