Maybe not needed?

[MrsBrando]

Edit: just saw your latest chart. You had lots of events at the start during ramp.

The strangest part is, I was still awake for the whole ramp time last night. Maybe my apnea isn't just sleep apnea. Is it possible to have it all the time?
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[OpalRose]

The strangest part is, I was still awake for the whole ramp time last night. Maybe my apnea isn't just sleep apnea. Is it possible to have it all the time?
Save

Im not sure what you mean by "my apnea isn't just sleep apnea."  

Mild sleep apnea is still apnea and any untreated apnea will affect your health in the long run.  And most folks with "untreated" mild apnea develop severe Sleep Apnea over time.

Also, AHI numbers can and will vary night to night, some nights better than others, but you still have SA.

I think once you can get your mask issues ironed out, you will start to feel more comfortable with your therapy.

You last graph indicates you are being "strangled" at least 6 times an hour.

[MrsBrando]

I forget to breathe when I'm awake sometimes. I'll notice I haven't inhaled for a bit, and consciously breathe. I also have times where I have what is referred to as "periodic breathing" when I'm awake, and I end up hyperventilated. It took years of being labeled an "anxious female" before someone thought to check my blood gases, and said it's from improper breathing and sighing often. When I periodic breathe when I'm awake, I go through a breathing exercise a pulmonologist taught me, of doing timed belly breathing. That's why I said maybe it's more than just sleep apnea.

[OpalRose]

I've read about some of these breathing excercises and they appear be very helpfull.  As a matter of fact, I used to practice some when first starting cpap because I experienced alot of anxiety.  Just curious, is your Pulmonologist also your Sleep doctor?  

If you practice these right before bed, it may help to calm down.  Also, even with your mask on, and you are still awake, you can concentrate on breathing in and out slowly.  

I'm no doctor, but I can relate to anxiety and learning to control it.

[MrsBrando]

I've had breathing issues ever since I quit smoking.

My sleep specialist is a neurologist.

I was able to get an appointment with him in April, so we'll see what he says. I'm sure he won't be happy I've been changing settings myself, but c'est la vie.

[OpalRose]

He will get over it.  Just tell him you are trying to improve your therapy and ask him for advice.  Sometimes you have to stoke their egos.  

[Newbee2016]

Forgetting to breath will show up as an event. I remembered an incident when I held my breath for a bit and it showed up. There was also another time when I was awaken around 4.30am and had terrible wakes and stressful sleep over the next hour - the charts were in a real mess compared to the rest of the night (like AHI of 1 vs 11). 

Getting used to the machine, mask and hose layout and being comfy helps. Now I don't even think about where my hose is at all. It takes time and the body needs time to get used to the setting too.

[MrsBrando]

I'll never be comfortable. It's always either blowing into my eyes, or too tight and cutting into my face, or last night, I had fluid buildup around the edges that I had to keep waking up to wipe off my face. I'm not sure if that was from humidifier (though it's not usually a problem) or maybe I was drooling in my sleep.

[jacl]

[Hydrangea]

I'll never be comfortable. It's always either blowing into my eyes, or too tight and cutting into my face, or last night, I had fluid buildup around the edges that I had to keep waking up to wipe off my face. I'm not sure if that was from humidifier (though it's not usually a problem) or maybe I was drooling in my sleep.

Have you considered trying the Amara View?  I think it could be a good fit for you.