[split] msavarese (Therapy Thread)

[Sleeprider]

We prefer any reports be redacted, and that you just use your forum name as the Oscar user-name. I suspect we will be here when you're ready.

[msavarese]

Hi Sleeprider,

Here are my Oscar charts. Hoping this is what you want.

Thanks, Mike


   

   

[Sleeprider]

Thanks for the charts, well done! Your charts from March 1 show you are getting very good efficacy from the lowest pressure possible on your Vauto with EPAP 3, IPAP 4 (PS 1). Therapy appears to provide for normal respiratory volume and rate of respiration with few apparent arousals or events. Therapy is moderately fragmented into 5 sessions over 8 hours. There is no flow limit being recorded, and I don't know if that is a function of the very low pressure or accurately represents inspiratory flow limits as indicated by a lack of flattening of the inspiratory wave.

Your main complaints of continued aerophagia and lack of air present a conflicting pair of requests for less pressure to aggravate aerophagia, and more pressure support to support inspiration. To get more air without increasing pressure, I recommend you up-size your nasal pillows to the next larger size. I don't have information on your mask or nasal pillow size, but a larger nasal pillow flows more air. You could try increasing pressure support by increasing IPAP in 0.2 cm increments at the risk of making aerophagia worse. I wish I had more, but you are at the lowest pressure possible and apparently getting very good results.

[msavarese]

Hi Sleeprider,

I sincerely appreciate your assessment! FYI: I'm not having issues with lack of air any more. It's been amazing how my body adjusted to the lower pressure over time and then I lowered it some more, which is how I got it this low. Last year, at this time, I couldn't breath if the IPAP pressure was below 6.0 cmH2O. I read an article or 2 that suggested to reduce the pressure a little at a time and let your body adjust, which is what I did every time my AHI was below 3 for a period of time.

Again, Thanks for your assessment! Mike