+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: My cpap journey (/Thread-My-cpap-journey--25089)
RE: My cpap journey - Sleeprider - 06-23-2019
Lee, your results are very good, but there is an anomaly in the reporting of the Inspiratory/Expiratory times that we might look into. Your machine is reporting inspiratory time as twice as long as expiratory time. This is inverse to what it most likely is, and I suspect that the Philips is doing its usual error in detecting the end of expiration and beginning of inspiration. This mis-timing is usually the result of flow limitation, but we would need to look closer at the flow rate (2-minute segment).
Clearly, you have come a long way, improving your CPAP therapy, and getting rid of the abundant obstructive apnea, snores and other problems that had you near 16 AHI when this thread started. The question is really, do you want to continue optimizing, even though your apnea and hypopnea are well treated now? You would without a doubt benefit from bilevel therapy or even the EPR from the Airsense 10, but it is also something that won't be covered by insurance given your current efficacy.
As far as reading and interpreting these charts, there is a lot of information in the links in my signature for Optimizing therapy and of course the Beginner's Guide. Please feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to help you find the answers.
RE: My cpap journey - OpalRose - 06-23-2019
(06-23-2019, 09:21 AM)Lee Rilea Wrote: Can someone explain to me how to read these charts?
Lee, this link may help you in understanding what you are seeing on your charts.
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=CPAP_Data_Interpretation
BTW, you seem to be doing very well.
RE: My cpap journey - Lee Rilea - 06-23-2019
Getting a new machine without insurance paying for it wont be happening lol. I'll look at the info links you guys have. Unless there is a big problem before then, I will be seeing the sleep doc in November. I can talk with her about bi level then. My big problem now seems to me I still have dry mouth, even with a chin strap and collar. It's not as bad as it was before but can still be bothersome.
RE: My cpap journey - ajack - 06-23-2019
You are still having the same issue of the machine maxing out your settings, now 17cm max. As I said on page 2, even at 20 the machine would probably bounce around it. It is more than likely positional and constricting the airway and needs postural changes, because there are some nights and periods that aren't too bad. Or see an ENT and see if there are structural issues. It may be time for a titration sleep study for bilevel, if your budget will allow, if you really do need these high pressures.
RE: My cpap journey - Lee Rilea - 06-24-2019
My budget allows for nothing lol. Paying off $15,000 of medical expenses from the last 2 years of heart issues. I am seeing quite a few nights since changing to the Wisp where it doesn't hit the 17 max. I don't know what else I can to change the position I am sleeping in. I am on my back, use a neck pillow that tilts my head back, use a cervical collar to keep my head back and a chin strap to keep my mouth closed.
I don't know what you mean by ENT and structural issues.
RE: My cpap journey - ajack - 06-24-2019
I wouldn't buy another machine till you work out if it is positional. The common Bilevel go to 25cm and I think you will max that out too. The specialist ones go up to 40cm and aren't much fun to use.
For diagnostic. Roll up a towel, under your neck and have an uncomfortable few hours sleep in this position with your head back and see if this help.
![[Image: Head-tilt-chin-lift.jpg]](https://cpr-test.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Head-tilt-chin-lift.jpg)
RE: My cpap journey - Lee Rilea - 06-24-2019
My head is pretty much like that now. The pillow I use tilts the head back, and the collar keeps it there. I look at the ceiling above the headboard lol.
RE: My cpap journey - OpalRose - 06-24-2019
(06-24-2019, 04:26 AM)Lee Rilea Wrote: My head is pretty much like that now. The pillow I use tilts the head back, and the collar keeps it there. I look at the ceiling above the headboard lol.
Lee, is there a reason you can’t sleep on your side? I didn’t look back through all your posts, and probably missed it if mentioned.
I think your results are good and you’ve come a long way.
We need to work with the beast machine you have. Believe me, I understand myself using a Respironics APAP for almost 5 years now. You can keep raising max pressure, and the machine will just keep riding that pressure in response to FL and RERAs, and Snores, without doing anything to clear those events.
As far as waking up, I think we all have those nights. Some are good, where I can sleep 6 to 7 hours straight through, other nights, I’ll wake up a couple times, usually after dreaming. Your issues are not unique.
Hang in there, comfort is important.
RE: My cpap journey - WhyMe - 06-24-2019
(06-24-2019, 03:32 AM)Lee Rilea Wrote: .
I don't know what you mean by ENT and structural issues.
ENT - ear nose throat specialist
Structural issues - genetically narrow airway, deviated septum, large tongue, that sort of thing - sometimes can be dealt with to some degree by surgery
RE: My cpap journey - Lee Rilea - 06-24-2019
Opal, I used to be a side sleeper, but a few years ago I had a bad bout with a folks and the only way I could sleep wad on my back with a elevated head. I don't need the head elevation is hut I can't get comfortable on my side. Back issues and other things.