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I have been successfully using the Vauto since March 2020, with low AHI's . It has been quite comfortable with a regular breathing rate.
Recently I have been getting short of breath, particularly when laying down in bed trying to sleep, and I have now been diagnosed with early stage heart failure which is the obvious cause. I am finding it hard to breath comfortably when trying to sleep , and have a feeling of gasping for air. This makes me breath faster trying to get more air, and eventually I have to take the mask off. Last night I increased PS from 4 to 6, and all this did was to increase my central apneas as I expected
My successful settings (before the onset of this shortness of breath) have been as follows
Epap min 8
Ipap max 20
PS 4
Ti Min 0.6
Ti Max 2.2
Trigger High
Cycle Low
Would anyone have suggestions for new settings that may help my breathing (particularly Ti min and max, Trigger and cycle, which I am finding quite confusing)
I would try to raise the min and cut back on the ps.
You said your settings were.
Epap min 8
Ipap max 20
PS 4 raised to 6
I would move the min 10 and leave the ps at 4. That would help with the amount of oxygen you are getting and the spread between the inhale and exhale would be the same.
I also have problem like yours - I was put on Oxygen at night at 4 lttrs. It helped me, has the Dr. said anything about supplemental Oxygen. Mine is paid for by medicare.
(07-05-2021, 11:29 PM)staceyburke Wrote: I would try to raise the min and cut back on the ps.
You said your settings were.
Epap min 8
Ipap max 20
PS 4 raised to 6
I would move the min 10 and leave the ps at 4. That would help with the amount of oxygen you are getting and the spread between the inhale and exhale would be the same.
I also have problem like yours - I was put on Oxygen at night at 4 lttrs. It helped me, has the Dr. said anything about supplemental Oxygen. Mine is paid for by medicare.
Thanks for the reply
I will try the increased Epap
I see you also have the Vauto. Can supplementary oxygen be fed into this machine?
Also would adjusting trigger, cycle and Ti min max help? Are you on similar settings for them?
I too feel air starved at lower pressures and I was going to say increase EPAP min to 10, keep PS at 4, at least for now.
Provide OSCAR charts please.
Also provide an additional 3 minute view of your normal breathing so we can see what your breath form looks like.
Trigger impacts how quickly the breathing cycle starts. We typically recommend high when CA events are a bit of an issue to initiate PS on a smaller signal.
Cycle works on the other end to extend the breath.
I need to review the TI settings.
Gideon - Project Manager and Lead Tester for OSCAR - Open Source CPAP Analysis Reporter
Yes they have a small piece of plastic that fits between the unit and the hose where the O2 is hooked up. If you are using a heated hose then you need to buy the hose that has an O2 post built into the hose. They cost the same as the regular heated hose.
[attachment=33548 Wrote:Gideon pid='402177' dateline='1625569684']I too feel air starved at lower pressures and I was going to say increase EPAP min to 10, keep PS at 4, at least for now.
Provide OSCAR charts please.
Also provide an additional 3 minute view of your normal breathing so we can see what your breath form looks like.
Trigger impacts how quickly the breathing cycle starts. We typically recommend high when CA events are a bit of an issue to initiate PS on a smaller signal.
Cycle works on the other end to extend the breath.
I need to review the TI settings.
Well I increased EPAP to 10 and PS to 4. and this is my best ever oscar result . Basically no AHI and slept quite well for me
My Ti is 0.6min and 2.2 max Trigger high Cycle LOw Do these need adjusting?
reports attached
Out of curiosity did your paradoxical breathing start showing up in data again (the strange waveform previously noticed that improved with vauto)?
A bit more pressure support might be helpful but I would increase it in small increments (4.2, 4.4, 4.6 etc) and try to find sweet spot that feels good but doesn't cause central issues.
Machine: Needing iVAPS but QUACKS refusing to help but they love testing Mask Type: Not using mask Mask Make & Model: F&P Vitera on shelf Humidifier: None/nada CPAP Pressure: 0-0 pressure set CPAP Software: Not using software
Other Comments: SCS PVC K9D** Untreated CA Asthma Dr. Donothings
FWIW here's Ti Min/Max info cut out of my copy of a clinical guide for a 9 series ST-A. Info should still apply regardless of device, as long as it has Ti settings.
Maybe this helps guide if or when these parameters need editing. Ti edits the IPAP timing. Default settings are mentioned.
[attachment=33550]
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