need help adjusting settings CPAP
Hello everyone,
I have been using CPAP for approximately 2 months now. I was diagnosed with mild OSA with AHI of 5.7 about 2 years ago... I now know from meeting with a respiratory therapist that my real AHI is much higher and that the number recorded in my machine is not accurate. Anyways, I am sticking with it for the long haul now as my blood pressure has started to creep up and I want to be as healthy as I can be. also, the fatigue/brain fog is severe and some relief from this would also be welcomed.
When i started, i was on pressure setting of 8-15 APAP and was not able to stay asleep. My RT mentioned that CPAP would likely suit me better rather than APAP so I switched to ranges anywhere from 6-8cm CPAP with EPR setting to 3 initially. I was able to fall asleep comfortably and stay asleep for longer than before, but i was still fatigued and felt like i was not rested the next morning. My RT then looked at the data and surmised that my pressure was not high enough and I was having obstructive events over and over again that lead to many arousals throughout the night. he suggested i try pressures anywhere from 10-12cm, also to turn EPR off as this could be contributing to my collapsed airway/loss of pressure support and report back. he also suggested that since i mouth tape to turn off humidity. the last few nights i have been doing so but have still been waking up throughout the night and feel like i got 2 hours of sleep even though i got 6-8. I will post some photos of a couple nights with lower pressure and EPR ON as well as the most recent nights with higher pressures and EPR OFF.
My question is basically where i should go from here with the settings and pressure? I would absolutely KILL for a night without interruptions but that is seeming to feel almost impossible at this point. I will press on but i do need some help from other more experienced users. thanks to everyone in advance and please let me know if you need any further information.
PLEASE NOTE-every one of these mornings I felt similar fatigue, restlessness and as though I was asleep for 2 hours total. thanks again.
I have been using CPAP for approximately 2 months now. I was diagnosed with mild OSA with AHI of 5.7 about 2 years ago... I now know from meeting with a respiratory therapist that my real AHI is much higher and that the number recorded in my machine is not accurate. Anyways, I am sticking with it for the long haul now as my blood pressure has started to creep up and I want to be as healthy as I can be. also, the fatigue/brain fog is severe and some relief from this would also be welcomed.
When i started, i was on pressure setting of 8-15 APAP and was not able to stay asleep. My RT mentioned that CPAP would likely suit me better rather than APAP so I switched to ranges anywhere from 6-8cm CPAP with EPR setting to 3 initially. I was able to fall asleep comfortably and stay asleep for longer than before, but i was still fatigued and felt like i was not rested the next morning. My RT then looked at the data and surmised that my pressure was not high enough and I was having obstructive events over and over again that lead to many arousals throughout the night. he suggested i try pressures anywhere from 10-12cm, also to turn EPR off as this could be contributing to my collapsed airway/loss of pressure support and report back. he also suggested that since i mouth tape to turn off humidity. the last few nights i have been doing so but have still been waking up throughout the night and feel like i got 2 hours of sleep even though i got 6-8. I will post some photos of a couple nights with lower pressure and EPR ON as well as the most recent nights with higher pressures and EPR OFF.
My question is basically where i should go from here with the settings and pressure? I would absolutely KILL for a night without interruptions but that is seeming to feel almost impossible at this point. I will press on but i do need some help from other more experienced users. thanks to everyone in advance and please let me know if you need any further information.
PLEASE NOTE-every one of these mornings I felt similar fatigue, restlessness and as though I was asleep for 2 hours total. thanks again.
