[CPAP] Waking up during treatment

[pjurson]

Hello everyone!

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in mid January 2022 with 43/AHI. After one month of try-outs, I have chosen nasal mask (the least annoying one) with Resmed autoset 10 CPAP machine.

I have been using CPAP machine for almost 2 month. Unfortunately, I have noticed 0 positive aspects of therapy during the day, I'm still exhausted, fatigued, irritated and sleepy from the minute I wake up in the morning. The problem is (and im no expert), that I cannot get continuous amount of sleep.

Without the mask and machine I will wake up after 2-3h to pee, than I sleep for 4-5h till I wake up. With the mask and machine on, I will also wake up after 2-3h to make a toilet visit, than sleep for 2-3h more, wake up and cannot fall asleep with the mask on, so I will take it off and take last part of sleep for 1-2h.

I have no idea why im constantly waking up, and my Oscar data is not telling me much. I don't feel like there is any particular reason for me waking up during the treatment. My sleep doctor is also wondering what is the case. Is there any hope for a guy like me, or I'm doomed?

[staceyburke]

Welcome!  You have two problems that I see. 

1. Positional apnea is when you get into a position where you cut off your own airway. No pressure changes will help, you have to find away to stay out of that position. 

It is also called chin tucking because when your chin drops down to your sternum it cuts off your airway. You can chin tuck in any sleep position but back sleeping is the worst position.  Another problem is sleeping on to high of pillows or pillow. 

If those changes don’t help a collar is used to stop chin tucking. I have a link on collars in my signature. Please take a look at the link. 

2nd problem is your min pressure you have it set at 5. You also have your EPR at 3. EPR is exhale pressure relief. It gives you a lower exhale pressure to make it easier to exhale but it also helps with H events and flow limits. 

To get EPR to work I would set your machine to

Min7
EPR 3 FULL TIME

[pjurson]

Thank you!
I am making changes to my machine right now, and also ordering some collar online. I will post the result here! 

[pjurson]

@staceyburke

Hey, I've listened to your advice and cranked up my minimal pressure in the machine aswell as wearing Collar during the sleeptime. However, nothing has changed after this one night. I'm still fatigued, sleepy and had woken up 3 times during the night. I'm posting all of my OSCAR data in the attachments for better insight into my issue. 

If anyone got some tips I would be glad to hear them. Maybe some additional info about me:
32 male
5.11"
175 lbs
non smoker
non drinker
exercising every other day
eating healthy (most of the time  )

Cheers!