Lorrubdb Therapy Thread: Fine-tuning therapy with Oscar

[Sleeprider]

We can deal with obstructive apnea using pressure or preventing chin-tuck. Sleeping should feel natural, so just go with what is most comfortable.

[Lorrubdb]

Will do . What do you mean by using pressure to prevent obstructive apnea?  Thanks

[Lorrubdb]

Here last night's results after experimenting with sleeping on my back (with 3 pillows!)  for comfort instead of on my side. Expecting a lot of OA but to my surprise had NO obstructive apnea but more centrals.  Looks like they mostly occurred both when  I first was falling asleep and again when I was awake briefly and then back to sleep. I did turn on my side at some point, I think around that time to see the difference. But again episodes of FL increasing and pressure shooting up most of the night.  Starting around 5:45  my FL look significantly higher (to me) with minor leaks' at that time. Feel tired, like I was up a lot all night.

Please take a look and let me know what you think. Still positional and not important other than quality of sleep? 


Thanks,
Lorie




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[Sleeprider]

Not seeing much difference here from the previous night. The CA events in sleep transition are not an issue. It really does not seem to matter what position you sleep in.

[Lorrubdb]

I'm wondering what you think about my chart? Low AHI and some obstructives/RERA with I rarely have but no centrals I always have! But my concern is my pressure and the arousals,I raised the min pressure back to 9 from 8 because I felt I needed more air. But my pressure is episodically so erratic and  high and doesn't seem related to leaks-so what is causing it- maybe positional changes? I do move around a lot. Is it a problem or only is it effects my quality of sleep? I did wake up a lot but feel good so far today. Also my flow limits look high at times.

Thank you!
Lorie

   

[Lorrubdb]

A little alarmed seeing last night's chart-my flow limits spiked and a lot of hyoapneas which I don't usually have. Also some centrals which are normal for me.  The night before wasn't great but last night is even worse. I've been struggling with my min pressure, adjusting from 8 to 9. I always had it at 9 but started to get chest discomfort so decreased to 9, That was fine for awhile but ihen felt like I needed more air so raised back to 9.

Sleeprider usually helps me but seems like he's not around.  Can someone please take a look and advise me what to do. 

Thank you
















   

[Sleeprider]

I don't see the increase in minimum pressure as having improved anything. Flow limitation is in episodes and if you can figure out why it occurs, you can deal with it. I don't know if you're open to using a camera to observe your sleep position and trying to correlate it to these issues, but it might help isolate how the problem arises. Anyway, your median pressure was lower, and you had less fractured sleep with a minimum pressure of 8.0.

[Lorrubdb]

I have a good idea why the episodes of high flow limitations are happening. I’m a little reluctant to even tell you as I was doing so well before I started messing with it again. I keep feeling like I’m either getting too much air or not enough. But now I think it’s just anxiety and 8 is fine. So  I think leaning over every few hours and checking/readjusting the machine would correspond with my flow limit spikes? Tonight I will keep it at 8 and won’t look at it til morning-like you told me awhile back. Is that why you only check your results every few months 

Thank you
Lorie

[Sleeprider]

I still have not downloaded data since February 14. Not concerned at all.

[Lorrubdb]

Still trying  to get my head around you not downloading your data since Feb 14!! It's now May! Why and how aren't you concerned? Because you feel good so are confident it's ok?   But even so aren't you curious to see what's going on with your breathing? The very fist thing I do when I get up is download to Oscar! I mean after I get my coffee of course

So here's my chart from last night which kind of worries me and need your sensei words of wisdom.  I kept it at 8, didn't look at the machine at all and thought I slept really well.  So  was surprised to see my flow limits still pretty high and pressure all over the place. I did notice everything settled down around 3:30 and I think this is what happened. I started out sleeping on my side which was ok at first but it got very uncomfortable with my shoulder, low back and leg hurting. So finally I turned on my back with my head on 3 high pillows (which they say not to do) and was very comfortable and fell back asleep pretty fast which is unusual.  I had been getting good results when positioned on my side but not any more, Weird, how your body changes. I'm kind of thin so maybe cumulative pressure finally got too much on my bones,.  Also there were a lot of leaks which I was completely unaware of but seemed to coincide with the flow limits as well. You were so right to sleep how I want and deal with obstructives later. Even with three pillows, turns out I didn't even have any! And my shoulder, back  and leg doesn't hurt today! Also have some precious energy!   Anyway, please tell me your thoughts.



Thanks as always!
Lorie