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+--- Thread: Newbie seeking CPAP tweak suggestions (/Thread-Newbie-seeking-CPAP-tweak-suggestions)
Newbie seeking CPAP tweak suggestions - crazednut - 01-20-2023
Hi All,
I've likely had OSA for years, but began CPAP therapy just four nights ago. The first two nights my AHI was less than 1. The last two, the index was 7+. The only adjustment made was to adjust the humidity. I've been experiencing daily headaches, brain fog and fatigue for the last year. These symptoms haven't abated since beginning CPAP. I understand that change doesn't occur quickly for many, and some go more than a year before any relief comes.
Attached are graphs from last night. If anyone has insight or general suggestions on how to tweak things to drive a better result, I'll be grateful. At about the 2:12 minute mark, my mask slipped off briefly. The total time in apnea was 5+ minutes; OA's seem to last 20-25 seconds, and most occurred during the last two hours of sleep.
Tentative Plan:
Based on what I've read on this site, tonight I thought I'd change the ramp setting to "none."
To mitigate the apneas and hypopneas, I thought I would bump up the CPAP a click and monitor that for several nights. If that isn't effective, I'd increase the pressure at least until the average AHI is below 5. But of course, I'm a complete layman when it comes to this, and welcome alternative thoughts from the many experts on this site.
Thank you,
Tom
RE: Newbie seeking CPAP tweak suggestions - Deborah K. - 01-20-2023
Your starting pressure is too low, and you probably feel air starved. If it were me I would switch from cpap mode to apap mode, set your bottom pressure at 8 or 9, and set your top pressure at 20. The machine won't go that high unless you need it. I would also turn off the ramp. It is set way too low, and you probably don't need it.
Others can tell you how to set up your OSCAR readings for us to see. What we see now is not enough information to offer much more help.
Also,
RE: Newbie seeking CPAP tweak suggestions - Gideon - 01-20-2023
To go into Auto mode right now WILL drive your pressure to the max. Why? Because your flow limitations are high and that alone will drive your pressures up to whatever max you set.
Try this tonight then repost the Standard charts
(View/reset graphics/Standard. These charts I clude events, flow rate, pressure, flow limits, and leaks.
Mode=Auto
Min Pressure=8
Max Pressure=12 just to limit an excursion to mx
EPR=3 Fulltime, this is key toanaging the flow limits
Ramp=Off