Help interpreting "Clear Airway" waveforms

[freemandyson]

Hello, I'm new to the board and a little over a month into trying a CPAP (ResMed AirSense 10, pressure from 14-17 cm). Analyzing my waveforms in Oscar, I see that my flow rate often flat lines, with little oscillations riding on top. Most of the time this is identified as a "Clear Airway," but sometimes it's labeled an "Obstructive Apnea," and sometimes it's not labeled at all:

   
   

From reading the board, it seems the most obvious explanation is that air is coming out my mouth, but that is not the case here because with my setup I have a full face mask (Evora) and I tape my mouth. (I use the full face mask despite not breathing through my mouth because it helps with chipmunk cheeks). I *think* I have some idea of what is going on based on a Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy I got back in January, but I thought I'd get the board's unbiased opinion before offering my own speculation.

Thank you for the help!

[Crimson Nape]

Hi freemandyson!  -  
In order to get a better picture of your therapy, we need to see the complete Daily screen.  While in OSCAR, please use the F12 key or Fn+F12 for a Mac to take the screenshot.  This will collapse all unnecessary items, such as the right side menu and the calendar.  The default graph listing is in the order of significance.  Also, since you are using an A10 Autoset, please keep the view set to the Standard view.  Some think that the Advanced view provides more information.  In reality, this means for advanced machines like ASV and ST-A models and changes the order of some graphs.

Looking at the image you posted, your AHI seems low.  How you feel at this point is more important.

- Red

[freemandyson]

Thank you for helping me figure out the best way to portray my data. I used F12 as you said to get these images:

   
   

I'm not sure whether this is in Standard or Advanced view...when I clicked on the "View" menu in Oscar, it did not give me the option to choose either. If I'm currently using the Advanced view, please instruct as to how to switch to Standard.

And yes, my AHI is low, which makes it feel like I am tantalizingly close to getting CPAP to work for me. However, every night I wake up around 3 or 4am, usually preceded by the aforementioned waveforms. At that point my tongue feels huge, and my breathing is much more labored. I find myself continually *almost* falling asleep and then getting kicked out of sleep.

[Crimson Nape]

By default, it is the Standard screen, and you are using it. You will find this setting located in the View > Reset Graphs option.

- Red