[CPAP] Analyzing OSCAR Data

[CPAPrime]

I have been an CPAP User for over a year now. Using the AirSense 10 with the Dreamwear Nasal Cradle right now and taping my mouth.
My main problem so far is that I sleep 3 to 5 hours every night, then I wake up and have a hard time going back to sleep with the mask so usually I continue to sleep without it - so most days I wake up with a tight neck and a bit of a headache but feeling a lot better than a year ago. 
When I started CPAP I had a full face mask and the range of 4 to 17. Did not work out at all. Seems like I need to be at least at 8 to breath normal. I tried a lot of different settings and ended up with a static pressure of 9 and EPR 2 or 3.
I will attach 2 images one of the whole night and then the zoomed in waves. I marked the areas that I think might be a problem.
Blue seems to be snoring and red seems to be a "Inspiratory flow limitation".
How do I change that? Pressure higher/lower? Should I go back to different settings?

[attachment=78978][attachment=78977]

[Deborah K.]

I think we could better help you if you go back to Apap mode and set a small range of pressure.  Please try 7 to 12 for now.  I believe a range of pressure is best for most people anyway, as our breathing needs change during the night, just as they do during the day.  The pressure range allows us to get what we need throughout the night.

Again, welcome, and best wishes for achieving great therapy and comfort!  

[srmackinnon]

Not expert, but it looks like a lot of those spikes might align with the leak line spikes. So don’t assume that CA is accurate. Or it’s a chicken-egg thing. 

Your sleep disruption sounds miserable. Same experiences on different mask types?

[CPAPrime]

More or less the same yes. With the full face I got 2-3 hours most of the time and with the nasal mask 3-5 hours so I stuck with those.
I will try APAP tonight, no EPR and post the charts tomorrow.

[CPAPrime]

Ok so here we are with APAP and 7 to 12, no EPR.


       

[Deborah K.]

You would do well to raise your starting pressure to 8 and turn EPR back on, set at 2. Your CAs will probably rise again, but you don't have enough to worry about, so ignore the AHI jump. Getting your flow limits down is more important.

[jdougc]

What's waking you up and then what is stopping you from putting and keeping the mask on?
You need  7 1/2 to 8 hours of cpap therapy not to protect your heart and health.
You may need to look at a different mask.
Pillow masks are very effective, the bleep eclipse is very comfortable.
Good luck?

[CPAPrime]

That is exactly why I am here. I don't know why I am waking up. Usually I keep continuing wearing the mask for an hour but just cannot fall asleep again. Without mask no problem. Tried different masks. Airfit N30i, Dreamwear Full Face and now using the Dreamwear Nasal Cradle.


Here is the 2nd night with APAP 8 to 12, EPR 2.

       

[jdougc]

Please post of copy of your sleep report with your info redacted.
Are you taking any medications that would impact your breathing or sleep?
Do have any health issues that would impact your breathing or sleep?
Do you sleep on your back or your side? Side sleeping is the best position for apnea if possible.
Do you have an O2 monitoring device or a heart rate monitor?

Taking the mask off and trying to sleep without it is very common and takes time to stop this.
Consider have paper and pen by your bedside to record what is happening as you wake up and try to fall back to sleep.
Are you feeling air-starved or anxious?
Consider gettin up for a few minutes instead of fighting the mask and do calm breathing  exercises and light stretches, maybe listen to brown noise or gentle relaxing rain or wave sounds. After relaxing, then put the masks on and try again. Make sure your room is dark and quiet. I use a single ear plug as I sleep on my side.
Getting into the habit of sleeping without the mask is not good.

Post  few zoomed in charts as you woke up to see what is happening then.
Also post a few charts showing the issues of falling back to sleep with the mask on. The flow rate charts may show something. Zoom in if you see anything interesting and post a few charts.
Good luck