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03-12-2025, 12:42 AM (This post was last modified: 03-12-2025, 12:51 AM by csullj.
Edit Reason: Added another attachment
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Help Needed to Understand Oscar Data - still tired
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Hello everyone,
I am hoping for some assistance to understand why am I still so tired even after starting CPAP therapy. I started therapy in November last year. I have attached my OSCAR data and would like to know if there's something obvious that I'm missing. I've only just started using OSCAR so definitely need to become more familiar with it. In the meantime though, I'm desperate for any suggestions that might help me get a decent night's sleep. I mostly sleep on my side. It takes months to see a sleep technician here to get any help so that's not an option that can help just now. I have a Lowenstein Prisma Smart.
Kind regards
Julie
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
RE: Help Needed to Understand Oscar Data - still tired
Lowenstein patients usually try either softpap 1, softpap2, or best, softpap 3 to help decrease flow limitations. This will increase pressure support on your inhale in order to lower flow limitations.
Here is some reading from our Wiki about the Lowenstein machines:
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.
RE: Help Needed to Understand Oscar Data - still tired
I see your machine is set for 4cm min. pressure and 10cm max. 4 min. is the lowest the APAP machine can be set. 8 cm min. pressure is a commonly advised setting for adults. Your AHI is higher than it should be. Have you tried a higher min. pressure setting?
I am no expert at PAP therapy but I've read advice many times that 4 cm is too low a min. setting for an adult. Perhaps another will take a look at your settings and concur.
I only give suggestions from experience as a fellow CPAP user, not professional advice.
03-12-2025, 08:58 PM (This post was last modified: 03-12-2025, 09:02 PM by csullj.)
RE: Help Needed to Understand Oscar Data - still tired
Thank you for this information. I changed my settings back to APAP with pressure set between 8 and 20. I think the problem may be evident in the flow rate where there are over 400 events. Just researching that now. I appreciate your taking the time to respond.
Sweet dreams...
Thank you for taking the time to respond and for the link. More reading to do...
RE: Help Needed to Understand Oscar Data - still tired
Your machine lists Flow Limitations as events that make up the bulk of your total events. Other machines show flow limitations as a graph with peaks and valleys of levels of how much the flow is limited. If flow limitations are severe a look a UARS syndrome may be helpful.
Increasing my minimum pressure decreases my Flow Limitations but unfortunately, my mask will leak when I raise the pressure high enough to reduce them to a lower level so for my situation I accept that I have a higher-than-average level of Flow Limitations, others have an extremely low level of them.
I only give suggestions from experience as a fellow CPAP user, not professional advice.
RE: Help Needed to Understand Oscar Data - still tired
Thank you for repsonding. I tried a neck support for a couple of nights but it made no difference. I'll investigate your suggestion re UARS syndrome
Many thanks,
Julie
Hello everyone,
