Change for the worse - sleep incidences

[aussienana]

   
   
   

Hi,

I had excellent advice from board members last year to get my settings dialled in and sleep incidences low - at one point I even managed an AHI of 0.0.

However since the New Year my AHI numbers have been increasing (still <5) and I'm feeling quite tired in the afternoon through to bedtime.  I'm sleeping 8-9 hours/night with one bathroom break per night. My SP02 drops are ranging from 4-16 most nights and I'm wondering if this is why I'm feeling like this.

I did try increasing my max pressure to 18 for 8 days but was getting a lot more incidences so dialled back to my previous pressure.  I sleep with a really flat memory foam pillow and a collar.

Could members check out my charts for the last 5 days and see if there is anything I can do to improve these numbers?  Do I need to change my machine to a bi-level?

[aussienana]

   
   

[SarcasticDave94]

At this frequent higher pressure, yes a bilevel like ResMed AirCurve 10 VAuto or I think the international equal includes Lumis in the naming. It may be more comfortable.

As for currently, the numbers seem reasonable, with the flow limits occasionally going up. It looks like your EPR is probably already at 3, so that's maxed.

[aussienana]

Thanks for replying SarcasticDave94

I've already asked my Dr, who is clueless about sleep apnea and keeps telling me to talk to the suppliers of my CPAP machine, to refer me to a sleep specialist as I've read that you need a prescription to get a bi-level machine.  Not sure how long before I get the referral, also not quite sure what questions to ask the specialist or what, if any, "proof" I need to take with me.

Is there anything I can be doing in the meantime or just keep going as I have?


Thanks

[SarcasticDave94]

You may want to gather a few sample charts from their likely preferred MyAir. This can be used to show them you need high pressures frequently.

They may or may not understand that you may be wanting higher pressure support than the similar EPR 3. With a bilevel VAuto you will have available what is I'm thinking up to 10 PS, not that you'll need that, but it's certainly more than 3. Kind of ironic that the experts don't understand what makes for good therapy.

Higher pressures and needing higher PS with a potential for added comfort is why we'd suggest the swap to the VAuto.

[aussienana]

Thanks SarcasticDave94

The sleep specialist my Dr is referring me to is not affiliated with Resmed but I will get some MyAir reports printed out to take with me. I'll also add some print outs from Oscar too. Fingers crossed I don't have to wait too long.

[staceyburke]

As Dave mentioned a couple of time Make sure your EPR is set for full time and EPR 3.  Those setting as hidden to us and I would rather you check it to make sure it is set correctly,,

[aussienana]

   
   
   


staceyburke and SarcasticDave94


My EPR has been set to 3 and full time since members helped me back in August last year.  That has never changed.

Also attached are my statistics if they are of interest?

Thanks,

[SarcasticDave94]

You may have to try increasing the max pressure, the limit for these CPAP machines will be 20. You should see the occasional pressure tap 17 as is now. As is, your CPAP is nearly maxed, so this is about all there is left to change.

This also can be another data point to tell the doctor, etc. regarding needing bilevel VAuto. Your CPAP is maxed out.

If you're up to trying this, increase as you see fit. You can change pressures via 0.2 cmH20 steps if needed.

[Deborah K.]

I needed to switch from autoset to bilevel a while ago.  Sleeprider, and others, helped me figure out how to talk to my regular doctor to obtain a prescription for a ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto.  In case you want to check it out here's a link to the very long thread about it:

https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...ts+bilevel