RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
Jdoughc,
Thanks for reaching out. I have a decent amount of OSCAR knowledge, but not enough to know whether or not I need a bi-level or could benefit from one.
I dont exactly know what arousals caused by FL's look like, but I imagine it is something like the attached pics (these are scattered all across my flow rate chart).
I assume Flow limitations arent something that get better over time? I can deal with being patient but I am trying to avoid getting 6 months in then realizing I have the wrong machine or wrong settings and something seems very very "off".
03-15-2025, 10:10 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-15-2025, 10:17 AM by jdougc.)
RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
Those are definitely Flow Limitations with the flatten tops, but I was hoping to see a zoomed in of what woke you up.
[attachment=76724]
Also look for a gasp and then junk, ragged breathing for an arousal.
I sent you a PM, hope you don't mind.
RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
Oh my bad, here are three different zoomed in pics of what woke me up (usually in the middle of the night).
And no I do not mind at all it is greatly apreciated. I will take a look thanks.
RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
Can you change the Y-axis of the Flow rate graph from default to over ride and change the values to -60 and 60? Right click on the right side of the graph to get that menu. That would show more detail.
[attachment=76733]
That 1st chart has some rough breathing and a short event that wouldn't be counted and the Flow limitation that doesn't get picked up that I struggle with all night.
The 2nd chart has events also that were too short and only 1 Flow limit counted!
The 3rd chart has events also that were too short.
Pressure increase would help there, but might cause more CAs for awhile until you body acclimates to the pressure change
RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
Yeah I could click on any random part of the flow rate zoomed in and there are 4-9 second events as well as flow limitations.
The events that are too short to be flagged, those could be CA's right?
Did you want a zoomed in or full night after the axis change? I added a full night
RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
No that looks fine. You don't have the good breathing though, maybe someone can offer advice.
Even though my sleep is fragmented, see the good breathing sections? By changing the Y-axis on the Flow Rate it really stands out.
[attachment=76736]
Maybe a higher minimum can help, but more experience people can help here
RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
Yeah your flow rate looks much better than mine! I havent exactly used a very scientific explanation, but I keep saying "my breathing is an absolute mess in the flow chart" lol.
Is there a way to get one of the more experienced members of this forum to read this thread and offer help? Im pretty new to this forum.
RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
Just doing this will get someone involved.
My breathing had this type of flow limitation most nights, all night long.
This is rare for me now.
[attachment=76740]
RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
I still think you would do better with your start pressure set to 10.
Your sleep study shows that your CAs are treatment-emergent and will lessen on their own as time passes. You do not need a different machine. Your AirSense AutoSet 10 will meet your needs.
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I did some research on your assertion that flow limits can only be properly assessed through reading the flow rate. This is not so. Here's a response:
"Trying to determine flow limitations from the flow rate chart alone is a bit like trying to diagnose a complex condition by just looking at a single symptom—it doesn’t tell the whole story. ResMed's algorithm is specifically designed for this task, and it's far more reliable than subjective human interpretation of raw flow rate graphs."
03-15-2025, 05:07 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-15-2025, 05:09 PM by justaguy26. Edited 1 time in total.)
RE: 3rd attempt at CPAP, Told I need a Bi-Level?
@jdougc: That one you just sent doesn't look too bad? Once were asleep, isnt our breathing supposed to look like those little chairs?
These two pics are the epitome of what my flow chart looks like all night long. Events that arent long enough to be flagged, flow limitations not picked up by the machine.
Just an absolute cluster f#ck the entire night. Something has to be off, this cant be anywhere near whatever "normal" is. And its driving me nuts!
