[CPAP] Waxing and waning respiration / OSCAR charts library?

[Kobayashim4ru]

Hello everybody,

I noticed that there is often a waning / waxing pattern with my respiration at night.

Is this something I should worry about?

Also, is there a kind of « Library / book » of OSCAR charts where one could find all the data / most common questions / problems that were shared to this day with the explanation of what it means? 

I ask this because I was able to find a lot of information (Wiki, individual threads, etc.) about the notorious PAP events, like CSR, central apneas etc, but not much about other events.

I could be wrong, but it seems that people often have similar questions about their PAP therapy, and I believe it could also possibly help the admins since they often have to answer recurring questions.

Thank you again, you guys rock!

[Sleeprider]

We often see this kind of oscillation in the respiratory rate of CPAP users, and it tends to be more common when central apnea events are prevalent in the results. This oscillation is actually a feedback loop alternating between hyperventilation and hypoventilation in response to increases and decreases in CO2 levels in the bloodstream. As CO2 rises, the drive to breathe becomes greater and can move towards hyperventilation, which reduces CO2. Individuals with this pattern seem to have a lag-time that is longer than "normal" individuals

You can consider reducing minimum CPAP pressure from 9.0 and/or reducing EPR from 1 to 0. Either of these changes will reduce the ventilation per breath (tidal volume) that tends to lead to this kind of variable breathing. My suggestion would be to lower minimum pressure to 7.0 and leave EPR at 1 for no, and observe the results. You don't have any apparent obstructive issues at 9.0, and it could be that your pressure needs are simply lower. The CPAP will increase pressure if it detects flow limitation leading to obstruction or hypopnea, so this is a safe approach to better titrate your needs. No need for now to make any other changes.

[Kobayashim4ru]

That's excellent, thank you very much for sharing your expertise with me.

Regards