Posted a while back, still haven't slept

[crashdavis]

A ton of variables in my story, so I will bullet point for efficiency.

Did home sleep study.
ENT prescribed APAP  (Auto adjusting CPAP with settings of 4-20)
I did not buy from a supplier.
I was gifted a Resmed 10 Autosense by a relative who received a newer one from the VA, so no monitoring service either.
For months (3 plus) I have tried different nasal pillows, mask adjustments, ramp, no ramp, the ESP (Is that right?) that you can change from 1 to 3 I think, that did not work. 
Called my ENT and was informed not to use someone else's machine, go buy your own. So they are hands off.
Any CPAP supplier I call for help declines unless I buy from them, I get that, but I'm out of options.

Essentially, I cannot wear the mask all night. I don't think it's an issue of comfort, it's difficulty exhaling. Inhaling is tough too, but I can find a sweet spot sometimes, but it also gets tougher as the night wears on. I end up ditching the thing after a few hours.
I have a vague grasp of CPAP, BiPAP etc, but I am guessing my machine doesn't do whatever the doc says needs to happen.
Resmed 10 Autosense with nasal pillows. I believe the mask is the Resmed N30i. Might be the P30i, I am not sure.
Please let me know what info I can provide to help you help me, because otherwise, I'm just going to be exhausted forever apparently. Or at least until I summon $1000 to buy from a company.

Sincerest TIA

[super7pilot]

First, Do you have the OSCAR program so you can post up some charts? Secondly, Are you still at 4-20cm. If so that is likely a part of the problem.

We do need to see those charts. As you may know, OSCAR is free.

[Deborah K.]

There's no need to get a new version of the same machine.  They just want you to get one from them.  Operating a used one is fine.

To help you, we need you to download Oscar, our free apnea reporting program.  It produces wonderful charts that give us a lot of information about each night's sleep.  You can download and learn about it in the Oscar section at the top of each page in the black ribbon.

Best wishes for achieving great therapy and comfort!  

[jdougc]

it's an issue of comfort, it's difficulty exhaling and Inhaling is tough too. Yes, it is comfort .
Enough pressure , minimize leaks, the right mask and so on.
You can learn a lot from YouTube videos.
Start with Leftylanky 27 and uncle nicko


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JgCf-a-bVA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEBNkKc9DeA

[crashdavis]

It is back at 4-20 now but I did have it set differently for a while, although I cannot recall where I obtained the setting I tried or what it was.
Yes, I do have the data, or should. I will research what exactly and how to post the info you need by tomorrow evening if not sooner.
In the meantime, I will watch the videos.
Thank you all

[jdougc]

4-20 is what lazy uncaring doctors used.
7cm of pressure is the minimum for an adult.
7-11 may make a better starting point.
Try EPR 2 Full time
Ramp 5 minutes
Ramp 7cm pressure

[crashdavis]

Here are charts from recent days. I don't know how many I should supply, so let me know if you want to see others.
A few things to  note: 
I don't know how to read these charts, but some times, I will take the mask off and not turn the machine off. So I guess if you see a lot of no activity. that was probably the case. It dioesn't happen often that I dont  turn off the machine but it does on occasion.

Last night, I made some changes as suggested in this thread. I hope I adjusted the correct categories.
Also, I changed from Autoset to CPAP last night. Whether it was that, or a combination of the other changes, it was certainly better and I wore the mask all night, sans bathroom visit.

A reminder that my doc said I was to use APAP 4-20, whatever that is lol
thank you all and let me know if I can provide any further information.

[jdougc]

Better is music to everyone's ears.
You did a great job with the setting changes
Your flow limits are a bit high and EPR is used to remedy that.
Try EPR 3 Full time, but pump the pressure to 8 cm.  
You may see a small increase in CAs, but they are so inconsistent you might not.
Watching YouTube videos about Oscar can help you .
I found out that my bathroom runs were not necessary if I  controlled my apnea and minimized my arousals.

[Deborah K.]

Since your median pressures are all just over 7, you should stay at 7 for your start pressure.

As your flow limits are low, you don't need to use EPR 3. Stay as 2.

[jdougc]

I suggest the increase in pressure as the EPR was going to be increased.
On March 26th the flow limits were high .06