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So, I've been starting to create my own sleep lab, kind of. And now I probably know why sleep bad. I got a Viatom SpO2 ring and it shows 255 drops, maximum down to 78% SpO2. The device vibrated all night like crazy. I think that's not that good.
The soft cervical collar did nothing unfortunately. Turning the pressure down to 8-11 from 8-13 fixed the aerophagia at least.
Camera should arrive tomorrow, but maybe its not a position thing but a kind of a central apnea? The problems start as soon as the pressure increases and sometimes while falling asleep I feel like my breathing gets "stuck" because I can't breathe out completely. Also it is always roughly at the same time of the night. I get an irregular pattern while falling asleep, then everything is perfectly fine for about 60-90 minutes and then hell breaks lose. So maybe it is central apnea but only during REM? Does this make any sense? Is this a thing?
Regarding the allergist: I already got a dust mite allergy diagnosed and I started Acarizax (desensitization therapy), but it does not seem to help yet. Antihistamines did nothing at all.
Machine: Lowenstein Luisa Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Resmed Quattro FX Humidifier: separate F&P humidifier CPAP Pressure: Epap 4-20 PS 4-20; "auto" rate CPAP Software: Not using software
Other Comments: Using 45 degree angle upper body wedge (36"x36") and 4.5"soft cervical collar; 500 assured tidal vol
Usually with flow limitations, pressure support helps inhalation to be easier and kind of "bust through" the flow limitations. You still have a lot of H's as well.
Is the maximum amount of pressure support that you can use on your machine 3? If it can go higher, try higher than this.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Machine: Lowenstein Luisa Mask Type: Full face mask Mask Make & Model: Resmed Quattro FX Humidifier: separate F&P humidifier CPAP Pressure: Epap 4-20 PS 4-20; "auto" rate CPAP Software: Not using software
Other Comments: Using 45 degree angle upper body wedge (36"x36") and 4.5"soft cervical collar; 500 assured tidal vol
That is only a difference of about 1 to 1.5 This is your pressure support.
Most machines go to at least 3 pressure support. With all the flow limitations that you are having, I don't see why your machine is not ramping up pressure support more to help stop these.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Furchtbar, I've asked another forum member to swing by and take a look at your zoomed-in snippets, which I find hard to interpret. Meanwhile, I agree with Jay 51 about increasing the delta between inhalation and exhalation to the extent your machine will allow.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
03-05-2025, 01:09 PM (This post was last modified: 03-05-2025, 01:10 PM by Furchtbar.)
RE: 2 month in and still tired
Thanks for looking at it.
My machine supports SoftPAP 1 and SoftPAP 2. When I get the data correctly, SoftPAP 1 has a PS of 1.3 (displayed as "SoftPAP Mode Slight" in OSCAR) and SoftPAP 2 gives a PS of 2.5 (displayed as "SoftPAP Mode Standard") at my settings. I've tested both and they give about the same result.
SoftPAP 3 is only available on the Prisma 20A, which I don't have. I made an appointment with my sleep doctor to discuss these issues, the earliest he is available is in 5 weeks. Maybe I can get a better machine.
I find the Prisma CPAP seems to achieve results similar to the Philips machines. It is a CPAP that does a good job of supporting the airway and stopping most obstructive apnea, then promptly falls on its face as it fails to deal with flow limitation, hypopnea and other issues because it lacks an effective bilevel capability. The Resmed Airsense CPAP and Aircurve bilevel are far superior machines, and the reason they succeed is because they target flow limitation and effectively increase pressure as inspiration proceeds. This mechanical assistance during inspiration offsets airway resistance and obliterates flow limits, hypopnea, snores and respiratory effort related arousals. It is very difficult to coach people that are held back because they are stuck with an inferior device. You might want to check out prices on CPAPspecials. They specialize in shipping discount Resmed CPAPs and BiPAPs to overseas customers.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
