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I've been using the cpap for 3 months. I am much more fatigued than before. I changed the pressure to 6-20 a few weeks ago and just changed it again to 8-20 but haven't sleep with it yet.
I was doing well and my fatigue was improving, but my nasal pillow broke and I had to use the wrong size for 2 weeks while I waited for the replacement. I got the replacement 1.5 months ago and I haven't seen any improvement in energy since then.
I have a followup appt with my doctor, but it's in a month and I can't wait until then to start improving my sleep.
I know it will probably take time to catch up on sleep debt and get back to sleeping restfully, but I feel worse than when I started.
The summary info didn't reveal much negative, unfortunately. Would you post 2 recent OSCAR daily detail charts? Include from top down Events, Flow Rate, Pressure, Leaks, Flow Limit.
There may be a standard default in the menu somewhere. Sorry I'm vague, I've not used OSCAR charts for a bit.
Get that chart up, then on Windows PC push F12 or on Mac fn + F12 to capture the screenshot. That then can be attached just like this other chart you posted as a new attachment.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Yes, let's see some Oscars if you can provide them, I think most on the forum won't be able to tell much without flow rate graphs etc.
I went through something similar, was getting through the night, under 2 AHI but feeling a "weird" sense of being tired. Something was up with my settings that, while sleeping through the night, was holding me back on my REM and Deep sleep. Basically I was getting a whole lot of light sleep and feeling like hot garbage. I went to a much narrower window for the APAP to the point where I went to fixed settings. I am on Bi Level now and am still experimenting but I found, for me personally, that too much range/swing in the automatic pressures through the night was not good for me. I think the LankyLefty on you tube has something to say on that matter.
Since I am on Bilevel I have more options for pressure relief, so I run an Ipap of around 12 and and Epap of 8 or 9.
What type of machine do you have? What is your trigger and cycle set to? Does your machine have an EPR setting (pressure relief basically)?
I'm a year in and still figuring it out, but it is worth it.
02-16-2025, 03:02 AM (This post was last modified: 02-16-2025, 03:06 AM by SarcasticDave94.)
RE: More fatigued than when I started
OK that works on the chart to get you started.
I would try this to see about getting this going the right direction. Try both of these changes.
1. Increase minimum pressure to 7. We have to give the other suggestion EPR 3 room to function
2. Increase EPR to 3 and make it full time. EPR is Exhale Pressure Relief, in full time action it will act the same as the more expensive VAuto bilevel with a differential of 3 max by way of this EPR.
These edits will result in the following: this edit to 7 minimum is your minimum inhale, while EPR reduces that 7 by its own setting 3 to overall minimum 4 (7 - EPR 3 = 4), the machine absolute minimum. As events occur this overall minimum EPR reduced and actual set pressure will rise to combat events. It's intentional to reduce the events, so it's a normal action.
To edit settings: tap the touch screen then tap and hold both blue and purple squares about 5 seconds. Your in the clinical menu and can scroll to pressure to plug in 7 minimum, then over to EPR to set 3 and full time. Last is exit.
You may want to experiment with standard response vs the current for her to see which is more comfortable too.
Last is notice your leaks. They are a bit high. Please use my signature link on mask leaks. You may need to try a different method of adjustment for the straps, another cushion size, maybe a different type of mask, another brand and model even. This is the hard one to get right for a lot, but it's vital for success. Too much leaks forces the CPAP to run high pressure unnecessarily attempting to compensate. Reducing the leaks increases comfort and therapy effectiveness.
PS you just have EPR, since this isn't a VAuto you won't have Trigger and Cycle.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
02-16-2025, 03:49 AM (This post was last modified: 02-16-2025, 03:52 AM by vgetchell.)
RE: More fatigued than when I started
Thank you. I will try both of those tonight.
The leak issue is a bit difficult for me. I noticed it was a bit high and have tried some things to reduce it but it wasn’t effective. I use nasal pillows because I move around a lot and sleep on my stomach, side, and back. I push my face into the pillow sometimes and the full face mask was too uncomfortable to do that.
I have mouth tape, I didn’t notice any difference when I was using it and I don’t think I open my mouth at night (when I have the correct size, which I do now again) but willing to try again. I have tried both loosening and tightening the back of the mask but that led to audible leaks before I fell asleep or sore spots on my nose. It seems to change every day what the best tightness is depending on my position. I wash my mask every couple of days.
I have noticed my already dry eyes have increased, but not every night.
I replace my equipment following my insurance recommendation.
I have a silk liner due to hair breakage.
Is there anything else I could be doing to help with leaks?
Sorry to answer questions with questions... Did this feel more comfortable? If it's acceptable, I'd run the same another night.
Leaks are not terrible, but probably enough to disrupt sleeping on this chart.
Some members still trust their ResMed P10 mask. I hadn't tried those, mostly I have used full face.
Things that affect the mask interaction, cushion size, strap adjustment method and tension if applicable, brand and model will also.
Some use a hose holder to take hose weight off the mask onto the holder instead. Pulling is much less, and it can also anchor the hose to allow it to travel uphill to the holder then down to your mask, reducing rainout effects.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
It didn’t feel any more or less comfortable than any other night. I feel roughly the same during the day as I have every other day. I did notice my AHI doubled which was surprising, but probably just a coincidence/one time thing.
The other thing very likely affecting my fatigue is the amount of sleep I’m getting. I average 6-7 hours a night. No amount of lifestyle changes have influenced that. I also think I may not be getting enough deep sleep. But I am using an Apple Watch to track duration and sleep stages, which is probably not accurate.
I will look into the hose holder, think it might help.
Hopefully my sleep appt will address my insomnia/waking up too early, which may be caused by other things.
