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Sorry for the long time to respond...crazy week! I've attached some graphs, hopefully with the correct layout. Still haven't made it past 3 hours.
Went to the DME place on Wednesday and got a nasal mask. They didn't have the additional size nasal pillows that should have come with my mask the first time, so I've just ordered a medium sized one online (maybe here in a couple weeks). I tried the nasal mask a couple times, but hated it...definitely made me feel claustrophobic. So think I'm going to stick with the nasal pillows for now. Dr's office suggested a full mask since I usually breathe through mouth when I don't use the mouth tape, but I have a feeling I wouldn't do well with that mask either...
Good job on the screenshots. By the numbers, you are doing well, but of course you're not actually doing well yet.
Do you think it might be time for a reboot? What I have in mind is that for a week, even two, you stop trying to use the machine at night but commit to using it for several hours every evening, set up outside the bedroom, while you watch TV or read or do whatever you do on your devices. It sounds as though you are especially sensitive to the feeling of having the mask on your face, plus to the sound of your breathing. Acclimating yourself to both of those sensory inputs could be a help, especially if you're not under pressure to sleep.
It's good you're getting a medium nasal pillow. My technician started me with a small in the P10, which was quite uncomfortable. I went up to a medium, which was better, but it caused a wheeze/whine sound with each breath, which I heard in whichever ear was on the bed pillow. That drove me nuts. I could relieve it by pressing on the side of my nose, but then it would just start up again. Finally tried a large, and the wheeze/whine went away.
(Just to finish the saga, which may have zero relevance for you, I did have almost unceasing, mostly low-level leaks with the large, and I think they sometimes caused arousals. I switched to the Aloha, which for me is perfect.)
Definitely going to try using the machine outside of sleep time and see if that helps. I think my main issue might actually now be when I fall asleep, and then the pressure rises, the rising pressure seems to wake me up. I guess maybe I could mess with the pressures during the daytime trials and try to acclimate to the higher? I dunno...
That's good to know, panthek. Given how good your numbers are, I think it is worth experimenting with eliminating pressure changes. You might also like feeling the full benefit of your EPR of 3.
So I would suggest setting max = min = 7. I still think it's worth taking a little time off from night-time efforts at usage, though you might be curious to try the revised settings at night for one night just to see if they make a big change in the picture.
Machine: ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Resmed Airtouch F20 Humidifier: Resmed Airsense CPAP Pressure: APAP 11.8-16 CPAP Software: OSCAR
Other Comments: PAP use since September 2015--30.8 AHI untreated
My husband had problems saying asleep through the night. I think it is mainly his poor sleep architecture (too much food and alcohol after 8 p.m., too much TV before going to bed as the TV is not filtered for blue light like our computers are). He would usually have a bathroom break once and not be able to get back to sleep. Since he gets no support from the VA who provides his CPAP, I took him to my sleep doctor, an Internal medicine specialist. He recommended Doxepin 10mg, taking .2 to .5 ml in water before going to bed. You have to watch drug interactions with this Rx. It works--he usually sleeps through the night and when he does get up goes back to sleep quickly with less sleep/wake junk CA's which had plagued him.
I have been there. And I had a bone headed doctor say my AHI looked much better. I don't have apneas when I am awake.
You need the right mask/ pillow that is properly adjusted. Using the machine for an hour or two while watching TV or reading will help you get used to it and adjust it.
You need the right settings for the machine. This forum has a lot of information and people that can help. Make gradual adjustments.
Ambien helped me, but it should not be a long term solution.
Google "cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia" and "sleep hygiene". The book is better for before bed rather than in bed. It should be light, not exciting or deep.
