Please help with treatment review

[DaveL]

Thanks for asking.
However, I've tried about 10. None were good. I'm claustrophobic. None lasted more than 2 hours....until I tried the ResMed F20? However, I had severe leakage problems. I never tried the alternative seal.
At that time I got a new mask every 6 months or so; there was no coverage for replacement seals.
Now benefits aren't being paid, even though they say I have benefit coverage on work insurance.

[DaveL]

I wish I could wear a full face mask.

This is with my nasal mask. N20 by ResMed. Cleary I mouth breath.
I didn't use a Dakota wedge, PapCap or chin strap.
I didn't sleep with a pillow. Reason: I am trying to see whether using a pillow closes my airway....I don't know what that is called.

Night before last I used my PapCap which has a chinstrap. I woke up and couldn't see. The 'cap had slipped down over my eyes. I couldn't see at all when I woke up. Scary!

[DaveL]

Arggghhh....rolled the wrong way and pulled my cpap off the night stand. Hurt my back trying to rescue it!
It's ok...
Rearranged the night stand so it won't (I hope!) happen again.
First time in over 30 years.

[Sleepster]

I wish I could wear a full face mask.

The cushion for the full face mask that I use (Simplus) is not much bigger than the nasal mask I used to wear. If it's been a while since you had that claustrophobia with the full face masks you might try it again. I know that you are a long time CPAPer but it is possible that you have adapted and can now tolerate what you formerly couldn't.

I'm not trying to push it on you or anything, but I had leak rate graphs that looked like yours when I wore a nasal mask. When I finally gave in and switched to a FFM I found I could tolerate it even though as a newbie I couldn't even tolerate a nasal mask and had to switch to pillows; but I also found that I was getting much better quality sleep.

I think the leaks not only compromised the therapy, they also kept waking me up.

[DaveL]

Good advice; I tried FFM's before my last sleep study. I shall try again.
I used a Breeze mask in the beginning of my therapy. Nasal pillows. I used to wake up to check for leaks. I always found some.so I woke up more.

[DaveL]

Someone used this as a title, and it really applies to me: "What I don't know I don't know"

Last night was a rough night. Early to bed...second pee break about 4:00 am. Then I couldn't sleep. My OSCAR download shows central apneas after that.

I don't know how central apneas are treated! Frankly, I don't know what they are.

My AHI was approximately 2.6 for last night. Information is at home, on my desktop there.

[Dormeo]

A central apnea event happens when there's no obstruction in your airway but you stop breathing anyhow. These can be a cause for concern when they happen regularly while you are asleep; they indicate that your neurologically governed regulation of respiration and CO2 levels in the blood is not working as it should.

But what you're describing sounds different. When we're awake, we breathe much less regularly than we do when we're asleep, and often we don't draw a breath for a bit, then start again. So if you were awake, or semi-awake, and showing CA flags, they can almost certainly be ignored. I get them when I'm half awake and turning over to resettle myself. I apparently hold my breath while I do this, even though I'm not entirely aware of it.

[Gideon]

simply put, centrals are treated in one of 3 ways, 
1. with a very advanced and expensive machine known as an Adaptive Servo Ventilator.  It works by responding during the event before the breath completes by applying as mush PS as it needs very rapidly.
2. with other machines, such as yours,  by literally avoiding the occurrence of central apneas by reducing pressure support, and or pressure.
3. by increasing the amount of CO2 that is rebreathed, such as with the EERS treatment.  (I think I got that right)

[DaveL]

A central apnea event happens when there's no obstruction in your airway but you stop breathing anyhow.  These can be a cause for concern when they happen regularly while you are asleep; they indicate that your neurologically governed regulation of respiration and CO2 levels in the blood is not working as it should.

But what you're describing sounds different.  When we're awake, we breathe much less regularly than we do when we're asleep, and often we don't draw a breath for a bit, then start again.  So if you were awake, or semi-awake, and showing CA flags, they can almost certainly be ignored.  I get them when I'm half awake and turning over to resettle myself.  I apparently hold my breath while I do this, even though I'm not entirely aware of it.

Thanks; helps a lot.
This morning was much better. I feel better rested.

I made sure:
* Took my meds (water pill) early in the morning. I had forgotten that day, and took it late afternoon. Lesson learned.
* Went to bed a more normal time. 10:30 or a little later
* Took better care of my mask. Washed the insert thoroughly. Better seal.
* Wore my best chinstrap. I can't buy them anymore, and this one is stretched. It could be better.

Result:
* one washroom break
* significant mouth breathing several times. I know; I'll try a full face mask again when I can arrange a loaner. Claustrophobic...
* Perfect score when I downloaded to OSCAR early this morning. 0.0 (screenshot is on my desktop)
* I feel more rested!

[DaveL]

simply put, centrals are treated in one of 3 ways, 
1. with a very advanced and expensive machine known as an Adaptive Servo Ventilator.  It works by responding during the event before the breath completes by applying as mush PS as it needs very rapidly.
2. with other machines, such as yours,  by literally avoiding the occurrence of central apneas by reducing pressure support, and or pressure.
3. by increasing the amount of CO2 that is rebreathed, such as with the EERS treatment.  (I think I got that right)

When I can't get back to sleep, my mind simply races. I can't stop thinking!

Question...
Lung capacity and breathing--is this age related? Is it compromised by using a cpap machine every day for over 30 years?

I know that I get into flight/fright mode often. Many years ago I watched a series of episodes by a guru named Eli Bay

I just searched for him and he has videos. He's still going strong. Less hair!  He had a show on tvOntario and I was so impressed with his knowledge and presentation. That was the Ontaro PBS of the time.

I had no issues with centrals last night!

Stress, and my inability to handle it/dissipate it is an issue for me.