My treatment fun. Questions.

[robbob2112]

Hi all, 

Last night was probably the worst I've had since getting the machine.  I am groggy and can barley string 2 words together.

How is it that I had an AHI of 0.34 when I was up and down and tossing and finally woke at 4am and just couldn't go back to sleep?

I turned my humidity up to 7 but it only shows as 4 in Oscar which is funny as well.  I finally woke without a dry mouth this morning which is great.

Robert

[gainerfull]

What was your lowest sp02 for the night? It looks like you're spending significant portions of your sleep at unsafe blood oxygen levels.

[robbob2112]

I hit 82 for a couple of minutes just before I woke up.

I live at 9144ft altitude so I am generally happy with anything higher than 90 verse what lowlander would be happy with.

I think my O2 hose from the concentrator might have been loose it got jiggled loose when I got up once.

but you are probably right, my wacked O2 is probably the answer.

Begs the question of just what AHI is measuring.  I haven't looked at that part of the code to see yet.

Robert

[robbob2112]

So, 

I checked over the graphs once I had a few extra hours of O2 and my head cleared and I could think straight.  

It looks like my real issue was massive mask leaks almost all night.  This tracks with the tossing and turning.  Normally once I am asleep I hardly move at all.  And, it caused my low SPO2 readings.

I've never really found a concrete answer written on what an acceptable SPO2 at altitude is supposed to be.  All the dr's I've asked just say keep it above 90.  I know when I walk to the mailbox or exert myself at all my breathing increases and my SPO2 drops a bit.  Going up the stairs and I can hit as low as 80.  But it goes back to 90+ within a minute or two.

Robert

[Sleeprider]

When you have leaks with an oxygen bleed, the oxygen becomes nearly ambient, lowering your FiO2. If you rely on a higher FiO2 to maintain normal saturation, then leaks are definitely something to avoid. Why are you using ASV, and how did you arrive at PS 0.0-5.0?

[Sleepster]

It looks like my real issue was massive mask leaks almost all night.  This tracks with the tossing and turning. 

Looks like mouth-leaking. This will disturb your sleep and ruin your therapy. I recommend a full face mask. You can also try a chin strap (available from your equipment provider) or a soft cervical collar.

[robbob2112]

Hi, 

After a few more nights of fiddling with everything I have come to the same conclusion.  I am mostly a nose breather but sometimes I wake with my mouth very very dry on one side.  Also when I turn my head and the mask doesn't turn with me I end up with a leak at the bridge of the nose.

I called my DME to switch the N20 for a F20 and we will see what happens.  On my own I ordered a F&P nasal pillow + chin strap from vendor #1 so I will have an option.

Still within my first 30 days so free to swap.

Robert