grizwilson - Therapy Thread

[grizwilson]

    ok with the help of Ratchick think I may have what Sleeprider suggested???

[Sleeprider]

That is about 45 seconds of the flow rate and a preferred view is 2 to 4 minutes, but not bad. This brief view shows an abnormal pattern so it isn't very useful.  The first breath, is an inhale and a breath-hold with nearly zero flow from 04:02:56 until just after 04:03:02 when exhale resumes. Inhale begins at 04:03:03 during a large leak and ends at 04:03:05, followed by exhale to 04:03:08.  Inhale time is roughly 2-seconds, and exhale roughly 3-seconds in the following breaths which is a normal I:E ratio with no apparent flow limitation.


While a 3-minute zoom would be more useful for analysis, this brief glimpse shows normal breathing. Going back to my original comment, your AHI is good, and this close-up view somewhat refutes the idea your I:E ratio reflects some flow limitation. So good therapy, normal breathing.  I think we can put this zoom exercise behind us and focus on your ongoing therapy and how you feel.

[grizwilson]

    Thanks Sleeprider, Still suffering afternoon/evening lag, as noted with naps on 12/31 and 1/2 snaps.  Bit concerned that my AHI went from zero to 1.66 when I wore the collar.... felt I slept less deeply, maybe due to just the different feel??? Thanks again....

[Sleeprider]

Good job on the graph. Normal respiration with cardiogenic oscillations http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...cillations acceptable flow limitation and very low AHI. You have 7 hours of therapy through the night, and another 1-hour nap during the day. I don't know what is typical for you, but more continuous sleep might help in avoiding that need for an afternoon nap. You don't get to bed here until after midnight. I hate to draw conclusions based on one example on New Year's eve.

[grizwilson]

Thank you again Sleeprider.  My normal bed times are 10-11 pm, rise 5-7  and often up an hour or more during the night, depending on pain levels .  Still often need naps, try to skip then not functional after supper, incapable of reading or even watching Monday night football.  Sure that some of my issues are related to pain in ankle that is a mess, I can walk on it pretty good, but is like a tooth ache in the night at times, therapy injections surgery have not helped, like someone wacks me with a bat.  

I am trying to address leak issues, have tried the dream wear off and on, but .... mixed results.  Will change filters more often as someone suggested.  Open to any ideas and thoughts.  Thanks

[Ratchick]

The broken sleep because of pain certainly isn't going to help (I'm also a chronic pain sufferer so this I know for sure LOL). I found sleep hygiene was important - especially as I'm not able to work right now, so I don't have to get up at a specific time. So setting those routines for me and sticking to them was a big help. That said, I do like a quick nap, too! Hopefully that, and finding a way to reduce those leaks will result in you feeling better rested.

I wouldn't worry about one night of slight increases - one night is just one night. If it becomes a pattern of worsening nights, that's when you might need to tweak something.

[grizwilson]

    Thanks Ratchick and Sleeprider
Since Sleeprider guided me toward OSCAR cannot help myself testing things, last night I tried the respironics DreamWear nasal mask.  Not sure if I have the machine on the proper mask setting have it on pillows maybe should be nasal? Attached is my snapshot, pretty good AHI, debating if I try the collar with it next????? Thoughts?? My time is off actually went to bed at 2239 not 2339, got up at 520, pain, stretched took a pain pill, put wood on the fire went back to bed and thankfully asleep. Thoughts?

[Ratchick]

It looks like you might have some mask leaks as the pressure increases - maybe try using the mask fit option and adjust your mask while lying in your sleep position just to make sure you minimise as many as possible. Otherwise your figures look pretty great.

I would say, you really need to leave it a few days between changes to really get a good idea of what's going on. Your mask should really be on Nasal, not pillows, but it won't vastly alter the results, it just allows the machine to adjust for the different amount of free space in different mask types. I'd correct it for tonight though.

[grizwilson]

Thanks, will see if I can figure out the mask fit option..... you all are pushing my feeble minds limits..... Will switch to nasal tonight and try to stay put a few days.

[grizwilson]

Got the green smiley face, changed to nasal setting, slept good, other than the snow and cold outside all is better.