RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
I had a follow-up appointment yesterday and in regards to my asthma question, they asked if my asthma was triggered by cold, which it is. I have a heated humidifier, but apparently the air cools down as it travels through the tubing. I didn't even consider the flow of cool air as a possible trigger. They gave me heated tubing to try. I tried it last night and woke up this morning feeling great. No wheezing or lung irritation. So that is great. All in all this has been a much smoother start than I anticipated and I'm already feeling more rested in the morning and alert during the day. The mask is making my nose a bit sore right at the corners, so I might try another one when I meet with them again next week.
11-18-2018, 03:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-18-2018, 03:43 PM by Sleeprider.)
RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
I don't think ozonated water is a great idea. Ozone is a purification method, but the gas is a respiratory irritant. Use tap water,or distilled, and you will be fine.
With asthma, you may feel more resistance in breathing, and the aexhale Pressure Relief feature on your machine is gong to make breathing easier and more comfortable. Once you post a chart, we will be able to see if EPR is on. I really recommend you try it at a setting of 2. Your AHI is excellent for just starting. It would really help to know what median and 90% pressure it is delivering. This information is available in sleepyhead and on screen by switching Essentials from On to Plus in the clinical settings.
11-18-2018, 04:23 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-18-2018, 04:36 PM by JenWith1N.)
RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
(11-18-2018, 03:43 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: It would really help to know what median and 90% pressure it is delivering. This information is available in sleepyhead and on screen by switching Essentials from On to Plus in the clinical settings.
The EPR is set to 3. I can't find median pressure, but the mean pressure is 7.36, 90% pressure is 10.40. (Post edited because the numbers I posted initially turned out to be just for one night.)
RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
That is excellent information. With EPR at 3, your starting pressure is 5/4 inhale/exhale. The inhale pressure has to increase to 7.0before the exhale pressure even begins to respond. If your starting pressure was changed to 7.0, then starting pressure will be 7/4 which isn't much different, but the machine will be instantly more responsive, and you will get consistent EPR. I think that will work out better. Whoever setup your machine gave you the maximum EPR, and I think that makes a positive difference for you, considering your description of the sleep study. If you want to try a minimum pressure of 7.0 I think that will probably be close to optimal. Please be sure you get a Resmed machine after the loaner. Philips does not provide EPR.
11-18-2018, 05:05 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-18-2018, 05:08 PM by JenWith1N.)
RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
I think I may try turning off the ramp feature as well. I find that the machine always increases the pressure just as I'm dozing off, which wakes me up. Maybe I'll get used to it with time, but at the moment I'd say it takes me two or three hours to actually fall soundly asleep versus just dozing and tossing and turning and waking up. Once I'm asleep though, I'm fine. If I wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, it doesn't seem to go into the ramp feature and I'm able to go right back to sleep. I think maybe if I turned the ramp feature off, or turned the pressure up as you said, I'd fall asleep more easily without having it suddenly adjusting as I doze off. But I have three more follow up appointments with them, so I'm going to wait and see what they advise before doing anything with the settings I'm not supposed to touch (the ramp I can turn off myself since it's in the normal menu). So far I have been extremely happy with the care I've received. Seems a stark contrast to so much of what I am reading here! I'm going to tell them I want this exact machine when I (hopefully) get insurance approval.
RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
They will likely come to the same conclusion on pressure. No problem.
RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
What AHI do people aim for? They told me under 5, and based on the five nights so far, my AHI is 0.6. (Mind you, the first night was 0.0 because I didn’t sleep at all.)
RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
Not sleeping doesn't count. We aim for comfort and good sleep. AHI less than 2 is fine, and many people find that a more comfortable goal than 2. AHI of 5 is unsatisfactory. It can take some time to feel the benefits.
RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
I wish there was a way to exclude the time I’m not sleeping from the equation. I think this week might be pretty skewed as I’m getting used to things. It’ll be interesting to how my AHI changes as I sleep more.
RE: Newbie with lots of random questions
(11-18-2018, 05:05 PM)JenWith1N Wrote: I think I may try turning off the ramp feature as well. I find that the machine always increases the pressure just as I'm dozing off, which wakes me up. Maybe I'll get used to it with time, but at the moment I'd say it takes me two or three hours to actually fall soundly asleep versus just dozing and tossing and turning and waking up. Once I'm asleep though, I'm fine. If I wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, it doesn't seem to go into the ramp feature and I'm able to go right back to sleep. I think maybe if I turned the ramp feature off, or turned the pressure up as you said, I'd fall asleep more easily without having it suddenly adjusting as I doze off. But I have three more follow up appointments with them, so I'm going to wait and see what they advise before doing anything with the settings I'm not supposed to touch (the ramp I can turn off myself since it's in the normal menu). So far I have been extremely happy with the care I've received. Seems a stark contrast to so much of what I am reading here! I'm going to tell them I want this exact machine when I (hopefully) get insurance approval.
Glad to hear you're being taken care of as deserved. Keep up on great progress. For me, Ramp was an evil thing that was tried 1 night then I turned it OFF permanently. And FWIW when someone would tell me "settings I'm not supposed to touch", guaranteed I will IF it benefits my therapy. But I only have done so with knowledge, either from what I myself possess or members here on AB have imparted. Soon enough, even with the excellent support you have at this time, you will know lots more about your own therapy than they likely ever will. Best to near and lasting success.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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