Sorry to start new thread but need nap

[Morgannon]

Dammit now I'm scared - my frigging tidal volumes are enormous :.  I know I have big lungs but cripes

[Morgannon]

Bump so Sleeprider and or Gideon and or others can see this.

Also question:  how does the BIPAP know the difference between an obstructive and a central apnea if there is no chest sensor to measure breathing effort?  Just puzzling to me...

I'm assuming that I'm going to need to bump my pressure up since it's not resolving my apneas?

[OpalRose]

How do I cut out most of that data and leave the part where I was sleeping?

You can't. The machine doesn't know if you are awake or sleep, and you can't remove part of the data.

Most of the Apneas look somewhat positional. Meaning that you were laying in a way that was obstructing your airflow.

How do you sleep, on your side or back? How many pillows do you use? Thinner, less firm, one pillow instead of two works best. You have to watch that however you sleep, your head is not tucking into your chest. This will effectively cut your air off, sort of like kinking a hose.

Bumping pressure up if it's positional won't help.

Is there a reason you're not using the VAuto mode?

Hopefully, others will respond.

[Morgannon]

Opal hello!  

I'm not using the VAuto because I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and prescribed BIPAP mode.  My sleep doctor while nice hasn't really prioritized my comfort.  I've been doing this on my own for a while now.  And I'm going to listen to everything you guys all say.

Should I try the Vauto mode?  And if so what settings should I put it on?

Thank you!

Morgannon

[OpalRose]

I was just taking some time to review your prior threads.  With the "possible" diagnosis of COPD, ALS, Asthma..... I'm not exactly sure how to advise you.  

I wish you would have stuck to one thread when Sleeprider was advising you.  

Until he swings around again, If it were me, I would set the VAuto for comfort.  Don't worry over the apneas right now.

Try VAuto Mode

Max Ipap 18 (It won't go there unless it needs to)
Min Epap 8
Ps 4
T1 Max 2.0 s
T1 Min 0.3s
Trigger  High (To help with centrals)
Cycle  Med (Default setting for now)

Be sure to watch how you sleep, so you don't end up with positional apnea.

[Morgannon]

Thank you Opal!  I have an update to my condition.  I still don't have a diagnosis yet but ruled out are:

Return of childhood asthma
COPD
ALS

Most likely Dx is multiple sclerosis or another disease that is preferentially weakening exhalation muscles.

So I'm in a bit of a sticky wicket because I normally could handle high epap but I can't now. I'm hoping with time and treatment I can regain lost exhalatory muscle strength.  

Morg

[Morgannon]

I will work on sleeping on my right side.  Thank you again Opal!

Also I did all of your settings but the min t1 because I've noticed I like a slower inhale.  I had it at four seconds.  Can I keep this setting or maybe change it to 3.0?

[OpalRose]

If you feel you need longer to inhale, then set it to 3.

Also, if you feel that Epap 8 is too high, take it down to 6. See what feels best.

[cmpman1974]

Dammit now I'm scared - my frigging tidal volumes are enormous :.  I know I have big lungs but cripes

Your tidal volumes are the same as mine so not enormous. lol.  I promise you I don't have big lungs or any substantial lung capacity others don't.  I'm very confused how you would get so much volume in if docs think you have a possible nueromuscular issue.  Doesn't make sense.  The opposite is usually true.  Well I did read studies about IVAPS for NMD patients with low EPAP settings to lessen effort of exhalation. Any spirometry tests done to affirm a diagnosis of weakened lung muscles? Lumbar puncture with diagnostic testing?   It seems like the doctors are literally jumping all over, but they know a heck of a lot more than I ever will!  I do have a lot of familiarity with NMDs though as years back I went through a ton of testing all the way up to multiple muscle biopsies. This is a sleep apnea forum though so I won't get outside the boundaries. I'm sure they are many groups that can offer much better insight.

[Jay51]

Congratulations Daniel on finally getting some sleep with your machine and posting OSCAR chart!  Huge progress.  Pat yourself on the back.