Deep Sleep

[rkashyap]

Hi Everyone,

I have both the fitbit and Samsung and have been tracking my sleep since starting with the CPAP. I am seeing on the Fitbit/Samsung reports that I am only averaging about 14-20 minutes of deep sleep which is much lower than when I was not on the CPAP. Fitbit/Samsung would report an hour to hour and twenty minutes of deep sleep earlier. I do not feel refreshed after a full night's sleep and typically by weekend I am usually taking a nap. The good thing is that earlier i would doze of for 2 to 2.5 hours on the weekends. After the CPAP is am napping for 20-40 minutes max.

I am wondering if the deep sleep is not happening due to some mental resistance or not being able to completely relax before sleeping. I am hoping that this will settle down as I get used to using the CPAP daily and my body/mind adapt to the new routine.

Best Regards,

Kashyap

[Melman]

It could be that your sleep may be disrupted because your machine settings aren't optimal. Please post an OSCAR daily chart following the instructions for posting and organizing data in the links below. We may something that is causing your problem.

[Geer1]

The biggest reason is probably inaccuracy of fitbit as they don't know what stage of sleep you are actually in and just guess based on movements, heart rate etc.

Focus more on how you feel. You say you don't have to nap as much as before which would indicate your sleep quality has already improved not become worse.

It does take weeks/months to fully adapt to CPAP (both mentally and physically) so I wouldn't worry about any of this.

[rkashyap]

@Melman - I am posting the screenshot for last night. Hopefully there is some indication on what the issue could be. While I am napping less I still feel quite lethargic and a lack of energy.

Best Regards,

Kashyap

[OpalRose]

rkashyap,
Have you ever used the EPR (exhale pressure relief)?  

You are experiencing high Flow Limitations and Hypopneas which could be causing arousals and disrupting sleep.
Using EPR could help. I would set it to 3 and see how it goes.

[rkashyap]

rkashyap,
Have you ever used the EPR (exhale pressure relief)?  

You are experiencing high Flow Limitations and Hypopneas which could be causing arousals and disrupting sleep.
Using EPR could help.  I would set it to 3 and see how it goes.

@OpalRose,

I was on a CPAP trial for 7 weeks before I got my prescription and purchased my Resmed. During the trial I was using EPR which was initially set at 3 and then reduced. The Doctor recommended that I should stop using EPR once I was comfortable using the CPAP so I did not set it up once I had my own machine. I will set the EPR tonight and see how that works. Since I have a fixed setting min-max pressure = 13 will having EPR lower the average pressure during the night?

On another note, I came across a Fitbit sleep study on Google Scholar and it states that Fitbit has a good prediction for Light sleep and waking up during sleep, fairly good correlation with REM but only average for N3 or deep sleep. As the technology improves this should get more accurate.

Best Regards,

Kashyap

[Crimson Nape]

EPR stands for, Expiratory Pressure Relief.  The EPR value (0-3) represents a reduction in cmH₂O of your inhale pressure during an exhale. If you have your pressure set to 13 cmH₂O, an EPR set to 3 will reduce your exhale pressure to 10 cmH₂O.   While this feature is listed by Resmed as for comfort,  it has been shown to be an aid in treating flow limitations.

[staceyburke]

Do you have a reason you are on a fixed rate?  Your flow limits are height and can cause sleep disturbances. You can help eliminate them with autoset and epr. 

If you have a reason for your settings fine but if not I think we can do better on the pressures.

[staceyburke]

The pressures I would suggest -

Autoset 
Max 15
Min 9
EPR 3

By doing this your pressure will be anywhere between 9 and 15 with the machine determining the pressure it needs to stop the apnea 

With EPR your exhale would be 6. Much easier to breathe and it will help with flow limits and H.

[rkashyap]

The pressures I would suggest -

Autoset 
Max 15
Min 9
EPR 3

By doing this your pressure will be anywhere between 9 and 15 with the machine determining the pressure it needs to stop the apnea 

With EPR your exhale would be 6. Much easier to breathe and it will help with flow limits and H.

I will try the setting and post the results.

Thank you all for the suggestions.

Best Regards,

Kashyap