03-13-2025, 03:29 PM
pzins1 - Therapy Thread
So I have been on CPAP for about 1 month. My AHIs haven't gone below 5. I have tried about 10 types of masks and sizes. I need to wear it at least 4 hours a night to be compliant with Medicare. I average about 6 hours. I have tried to get guidance from my "sleep coach"... not so much. I told my doctor and all she says is to be patient. If I am doing something for a month and not seeing any results, I think I may need another solution. I feel just as tired as ever and my oxygen levels are very low. What's that saying? The definition of madness is to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results!
I am all ears...
BTW, I justnow got an SD card for my Resmed 11 I haven't recorded anything yet
RE: What do you think?
CPAP Pressure: 4-11 will not work for an adult. 4 is way too low.
CPAP Pressure: 7-11 is a starting point.
There are YouTube videos that show how to change your pressures in a ResMed 11.
Change ramp to 5 or 10 minutes at most, with a starting pressure of 7.
Good luck!
RE: pzins1 - Therapy Thread
pzins1 - 2 of your threads were related to your therapy. For this reason, I have merged them. This provides the reader a history of your past settings and results. Having the ability to see past attempts and their results will help to form better recommendations. Additionally, it eliminates cross posting. Please use this thread for all your therapy related posts. I have changed the thread title to, pzins1 - Therapy Thread to be more inclusive.
- Red
RE: pzins1 - Therapy Thread
pzins1, your first order of business is to figure out how to reduce your leaks. You're spending about half the night with leaks so high that your machine can't compensate. That means you're not getting the treatment you need.
Do you breathe through your mouth during the day? Have you tried any nasal pillow masks or nasal masks? I ask these questions because it's easier to get a good seal with non-FFMs if you can use them.
I agree with jdougc that your minimum needs to be higher. I'd actually suggest you try a minimum of 8. Your median pressure for the night is 8.5, so this should feel pretty comfortable for you. Please turn off the ramp if you possibly can. You're not getting any therapeutic pressure during the ramp period.
Your OAs are a little bit clustered. This might indicate that your sleep position is making it easier for OAs to occur, by slightly kinking your airway. Do you tend to sleep on your back? What kind of pillow(s) do you use? Do you like to curl into a ball with your head tucked toward your chest?
03-14-2025, 01:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-14-2025, 01:59 PM by jdougc. Edited 1 time in total.)
RE: pzins1 - Therapy Thread
One thing about the mask leaks is counterintuitive, by cranking the mask tighter and tighter the leaks are worse. Depending on your mask, it should be just a little snug and when the CPAP machine is turned on, it can "fill" up the mask tighter.
Look for reviews on YouTube of the mask you are wearing and follow the guidelines for adjusting the straps. And ask the many users here for instructions.
Even when you have a good fit, depending how your face drives into the pillow, you can have massive leaks. Try to sleep on the edge of a low pillow, with the mask hanging off the edge or try a CPAP pillow.
The struggle is real for mask leaks. See one of my 1st nights with Oscar and a new machine.
RE: pzins1 - Therapy Thread
pzins1 - You must have missed my prior post about your posts that are therapy questions belong in the Main forum and go in your therapy thread (this one). I have merged your last post because it is not a software question and is therapy related. Please use this thread for all your therapy related posts.
- Red
RE: pzins1 - Therapy Thread
(03-15-2025, 08:26 AM)Crimson Nape Wrote: pzins1 - You must have missed my prior post about your posts that are therapy questions belong in the Main forum and go in your therapy thread (this one). I have merged your last post because it is not a software question and is therapy related. Please use this thread for all your therapy related posts.
- Red
oh, OK. Thanks
RE: pzins1 - Therapy Thread
(03-14-2025, 12:52 PM)Dormeo Wrote: pzins1, your first order of business is to figure out how to reduce your leaks. You're spending about half the night with leaks so high that your machine can't compensate. That means you're not getting the treatment you need.
Do you breathe through your mouth during the day? Have you tried any nasal pillow masks or nasal masks? I ask these questions because it's easier to get a good seal with non-FFMs if you can use them.
I agree with jdougc that your minimum needs to be higher. I'd actually suggest you try a minimum of 8. Your median pressure for the night is 8.5, so this should feel pretty comfortable for you. Please turn off the ramp if you possibly can. You're not getting any therapeutic pressure during the ramp period.
Your OAs are a little bit clustered. This might indicate that your sleep position is making it easier for OAs to occur, by slightly kinking your airway. Do you tend to sleep on your back? What kind of pillow(s) do you use? Do you like to curl into a ball with your head tucked toward your chest?
Thanks for your response. I will answer your questions in order:
Yes I breathe through my mouth during the day.
I have not tried nasal pillows or mask. I am using Dreamwear hybrid.
My doctor set the machine so I cannot change settings.
Yes, I mostly sleep on my back.
I have a normal pillow.. a bit dense.
No I don't do the curl into ball.
