Numbers getting worse, any advice would be appreciated

[Walla Walla]

Using the collar for the leaks makes sense.

[ajack]

If you have a ffm, that may help too, It takes out mouth breathing, one of the variables.

[kiwii]

Has anyone answered the question about the 20 lb weight loss?

Is it possible that he no longer needs the settings that he used to have, and is now getting centrals because the settings are too high?

(sorry if this has already been addressed; I'm not seeing it, which isn't too surprising at the moment)

[Hojo]

Has anyone answered the question about the 20 lb weight loss?

Is it possible that he no longer needs the settings that he used to have, and is now getting centrals because the settings are too high?

(sorry if this has already been addressed; I'm not seeing it, which isn't too surprising at the moment)

I lost 40+ pounds and no, it didn't stop my centrals.

[Walla Walla]

kiwii, Usually when I come to the point of needing to drop my pressure it's because I'm getting no obstructive events except a couple of CA's will start showing up.

Nothing like what we see here.

[HalfAsleep]

I am only seeing breathing issues as an allergic reaction to hydroxychloroquine, not as a side effect.  If you found/saw something else, I would love to see it as I am not finding anything like that.

Try the website for canoe and Plaquenil side effects. I picked that site because it’s easy to read, but there are other sites with the same points. If you look at the side effects, you’ll see that several refer to allergic reactions like hives, but several others refer to alterations in brain and behavior. Extrapolate a little about where each of those symptoms comes from if this is difficult to pinpoint.

I take central apnea to be in the category of brain and behavior. (Allergy is presumably also a messed up chemical reaction in the brain.)

Once I figured out you were talking about Plaquenil, I can tell you from a family event that it causes changes to the brain that change behavior. They were reversible.

However, this is not for me to decide. I just wanted you not to rule out the medication as a cause for the apneas.

It still may be the perfect medication for your situation! But that’s for your doctor to help you with.

I’m bailing from this topic now ‘cos I’m not a doctor.

[Sleeprider]

  I think you should make your doctor aware that a change has occurred in the type and frequency of apnea, and put him on notice you may need some follow-up if it continues.

Sleeprider,

How long would you allow these patterns to continue before you felt it needed some followup?

Thanks!

The change is significant, and it may take some time to get an appointment anyway.  I would call and let him decide the urgency of the situation.  Like any other health issue, a significant change is reason enough to touch base. You may or may not control this with the reduction in pressure and changes to EPR, but it's important to realize you have gone from treating obstructive sleep apnea to a central apnea problem.  That doesn't happen very often. Whether the CA issue is important or not by itself, you need to look at possible underlying causes.

[Fixit50]

Thanks to everyone, again.

I will lower pressure again tonight and post some more charts tomorrow.

I don't' have a collar, but will see what I can come up with today.

I bought a DMI Soft Foam Cervical Collar Neck Support, 3-Inch Width from Amazon and have used it for two nights with positive results.  if you have Prime, you can get it in 2-days and use it tomorrow night.  I've had no comfort difficulties.  There are others to choose from as well. 
Here is an article that deals with the subject.
https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/reduced-apneahypopnea-index-in-patients-with-severe-sleep-apnea-syndromeas-determined-by-cervical-collar-and-mandibular-advancemen-2167-0277-1000252.php?aid=80801&view=mobile

[kiwii]

kiwii,  Usually when I come to the point of needing to drop my pressure it's because I'm getting no obstructive events except a couple of CA's will start showing up.

Nothing like what we see here.

What I am thinking is that KCFLY has had CA's suddenly show up, after a long time of excellent treatment, and one of the new factors in the very same time period happens to be that he's lost 20 lbs.

Isn't it possible that he has gone below some tipping point, unique to his own physiology, that may be coming into play?

Because, coming at it from the other direction, new users are told that OA's respond to higher pressure, but too high and you get CA's.

I hope that is somewhat coherent. It's the best I can do.

[paulag1955]

What you're saying makes logical sense to me, Kiwii.