Low AHI after CPAP but still tired
Hi All,
I am new to the forum and have been on CPAP for the last six months. While the AHI is fairly low I still feel quite fatigued. I am using a Resmed Airsense 11 with Resmed full face f20 mask. I have attached my OSCAR chart from last night and a two random spots where the flow rate graph appeared unusual (to my untrained eye).
Would appreciate any insights!
RE: Low AHI after CPAP but still tired
Welcome to the forum,
How did you feel during the day?
Try not to chase numbers, but how you feel.
Can you post a copy of your sleep report with your personal info redacted?
Your flow limits are too high, you need EPR to fight that, use a setting of EPR of 3.
Your obstructive events are well controlled, but your flow limitations are causing the pressure spikes throughout the night.
Flow Limitation Is Associated with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Individuals without Moderate or Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38530665/
RE: Low AHI after CPAP but still tired
Just to add to Doug's post. For most folks, big pressure changes will wake them up.
And that will create unrestful sleep despite no or very few apneas.
06-07-2025, 03:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-07-2025, 03:22 PM by ejbpesca. Edited 2 times in total.)
RE: Low AHI after CPAP but still tired
Have you considered raising your minimum pressure? I see your median pressure is 12.7. If your minimum pressure were raised to 12 cm (close to the median pressure) it could prevent the erratic pressure changes and allow the maximum of 17 to remain without being hit.
I prefer to raise min pressure gradually over a few nights. Others go right for it.
What were the pressure settings prescribed by your Sleep Study? They may not always be correct. Over time looking at the OSCAR Med Pressure gives a good idea of where to set Minimum pressure.
Leak Rate looks okay. No Large Leaks.
EPR is something some find to help with Flow Limitations. I see you have EPR on level 1. Level 2 or 3 may lower your Flow Limitations but can also cause CAs to appear on OSCAR
Getting your pressure line graph to settle down could help get better sleep.
Side note on F20 mask:
I used F20 for many years. I was very grateful for the introduction of the F40 hybrid minimal coverage full face mask. These masks are light weight and are more flexible. F40 may be worth a try. There is a thread here about them in the products section and plenty of video demos online.
I only give suggestions from experience as a fellow CPAP user, not professional advice.
