richardknapp47 Therapy and Analysis Thread

[richardknapp47]

Hi,

I'm hoping for help with analyzing my APAP data for the past few days. I'm a 77 year old male using a F40 mask with short facial hair and have been using a CPAP since 2012. I am working on lowering my mask leaks and paying attention to my AHI events, using OSCAR and Sleep HQ for data analysis. 

Sleep HQ Link (delete space) https:// sleephq.com/public/teams/share_links/9626b26b-3c7f-4fcd-b1d3-9aabb990fde9


I am concerned about the comparatively high number of CA events which seem to be in clusters. My OA events are much lower than my CA events. I've attached three nights of OSCAR data from the last few days.

1) Do I need to be concerned about my CAs? 
2) Is there a way to reduce CAs?
3) Would you recommend an ASV or BiPAP machine? 
4) Do you have any other suggestions regarding adjustments to try (min/max pressure, ramp, EPR)? I have not ever made adjustments to my machine but have a follow up appointment at the Sleep Center on Tuesday 7/1 to review my recent data and would appreciate any insights or advice. 

Device Settings
Mode                       APAP
Pressure Min            7.00 cmH2O
Pressure Max         15.00 cmH2O
Antibacterial Filter   No
Climate Control       Auto
EPR                        Full Time
EPR Level              3 cmH2O
Humidifier Status   On
Humidity Level       3 
Mask                      Full Face
Patient View          Off
Ramp                     Auto
Ramp Pressure     4 cmH2O
Response             Soft
Smart Start           On
Temperature         27 ºC
Temperature Enable    Auto



Thank you!

[Jay51]

It is fairly common to have some CA's when starting out in therapy because you are exhaling more CO2 - which means the brain slow down breathing to compensate.  This is treatment emergent and usually goes away in a couple of weeks or a month or so.  

Lowering EPR from 3 (which you have it) to 2 or 1 or even turning it off would probably decrease your CA's.  

Did you have a lot of CA's on your sleep study?  

Please upload Some OSCAR charts in order to get the best suggestions for your therapy.  If you need help, just click on the highlighted links below this post in my signature.  

You do have a lot of leaks that could be contributing to your CA's.  Here are some tips from our ApneaBoard Wiki that may help:

• 1Mask Primer
  

[richardknapp47]

           

Thanks for your response. I have used an APAP since 2012 but only recently started looking at my data.

My last sleep study in August 2023 showed (untreated) Diagnostic AHI 57.5/hour; 4%, and later says from 1:13-5:14 am with treatment, my events were 100% central. 

Here are 3 recent nights of OSCAR data. Thanks for your help!

[Jay51]

Thank you for the information about your sleep study and the OSCAR charts.  

100% CA's on your sleep study.  The best thing to do with your current machine would be to turn down EPR to 2 and try that.  You might have a few more flow limitations, etc., but your CA's should decrease.  We can see what happens and go from there.  If you have too many flow limitations, you can go back to EPR 3.  If your CA's decrease a lot, you may even want to try EPR 1 and possibly even EPR off just to experiment.