Just have to share this!

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:45 pm

D.H. wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:45 pm
I personally find EPR annoying, and have it off (or set to zero). Of course, I've been using CPAP since 1999, so I got got used to it without (for the most part, that didn't exist back then). Perhaps new users are accustomed to it, so if you like it, that's fine too.

We find a few things annoying, but unfortunately unlike exhale relief which I use, I can't turn the other annoying things off. Jim

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:51 pm

A number of things annoy Goofproof, but most are not germane to cpap.
LOL.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 3:17 pm

SarahB wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:24 pm
I'm discovering that a low AHI score doesn't mean I won't feel tired!

Ahh...you have discovered that getting nice low numbers doesn't guarantee feeling the miracle.
Low numbers are relatively easy to get....now feeling them ...that's whole different ball game.

freetimecreations · Post by **freetimecreations** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 3:19 pm

Re: Just have to share this!

by SarahB » Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:24 pm
I'm discovering that a low AHI score doesn't mean I won't feel tired!

Give it some time for your body to recover. Don't overthink it, your chart looks great.

Yet, I've discovered I can have a high AHI (2+) and be refreshed. Depends on how long I sleep, not just have my machine and mask on. Creepy as this sounds, I'm guessing that on Feb 22 you were not asleep from 11:30-12:30. (Look at your "Flow Rate") For me it also depends on if I have 4 or more hours of low AHI (see "AHI Graph") somewhere during that night.

SarahB · Post by **SarahB** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:02 pm

Yes, that was before I fell asleep. See the mask pressure shoot up after that time.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:30 pm

For me hours of sleep is the number one thing for how I might feel the next day no matter how good (or bad) any numbers might look.
It's a battle I will fight forever most likely. I have other issues besides sleep apnea that mess with my sleep and it's just an on going battle. Some nights I win and some nights I lose.

I don't always have the most optimal sleep hygiene either. Like lately with the Olympics being on so late I end up staying up later than normal but the dogs and cats won't let me sleep later.

They seem to be accustomed to having their meals at a regular time. Imagine that. Anyway, it's short lived and I accept it because I like watching it.

SarahB · Post by **SarahB** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:08 am

I tried the EPR last night. It seems to take that little bit longer to get back to pressure when breathing in so I switched it off. I feel that it's a bit of an effort to breathe through my nose anyway and that made it slightly more difficult without particularly making a difference when breathing out. I suspect I have some kind of obstruction with nasal breathing when I lie down, and will discuss it with the consultant in a few days.

On the positive side, last night is the first night I've been able to lie down comfortably although when I lay on my side the mask tended to move and leak slightly. Still, I feel a lot better for that. I'd managed good results sitting upright but it's not the same.

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:55 am

Prior to having a badly deviated septum corrected several years ago, my nose would stop up every time I laid down. Correcting the deviated septum stopped that problem. Due to other medical conditions I sleep with my head and feet raised slightly, similar to sleeping in a recliner.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:04 pm

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:51 pm
A number of things annoy Goofproof, but most are not germane to cpap.
LOL.

True, XPAP, I've made Peace with!

Jim

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:21 pm

SarahB wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:08 am
I tried the EPR last night. It seems to take that little bit longer to get back to pressure when breathing in so I switched it off. I feel that it's a bit of an effort to breathe through my nose anyway and that made it slightly more difficult without particularly making a difference when breathing out. I suspect I have some kind of obstruction with nasal breathing when I lie down, and will discuss it with the consultant in a few days.

On the positive side, last night is the first night I've been able to lie down comfortably although when I lay on my side the mask tended to move and leak slightly. Still, I feel a lot better for that. I'd managed good results sitting upright but it's not the same.

For side sleeping, I use the pillow under my head, my head on the edge of the pillow with the mask hanging off the pillow. I also put my hand under the pillow, under my head, to hold the bowling ball head in place. Jim

HoseCrusher · Post by **HoseCrusher** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 8:27 pm

Jim, I am trying to get a clear picture of this...

Do you put your fingers in your eyes and your thumb in your mouth to hold the bowling ball in place?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:12 pm

HoseCrusher wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 24, 2018 8:27 pm
Jim, I am trying to get a clear picture of this...

Do you put your fingers in your eyes and your thumb in your mouth to hold the bowling ball in place?

You have been watching me bowl! Anything to stay out of the Gutter!

Jim

Twenty years ago a fellow worker told my boss, my head had worn out two bodies.

SarahB · Post by **SarahB** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 2:47 am

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 23, 2018 11:44 am
Good job. Looking great.

Be careful though.....seems like the aliens like to mess with us when we brag and they come and visit you during the night and mess with things and you have a "bad" night. They do that to me often.

The aliens are still keeping away!

My AHI has been below 1 for the past four nights so I'm feeling rather pleased.

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 7:54 am

SarahB wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:24 pm
I'm discovering that a low AHI score doesn't mean I won't feel tired!

Sarah,

It does mean that you've reduced the risks associated with Sleep Apnea considerably, if not completely. Remember, that you are chronically sleep deprived, as you have a significant sleep deficit from the BC (before CPAP) years. Also, there are other reasons why you might be tired.

SarahB · Post by **SarahB** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 8:29 am

D.H. wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 04, 2018 7:54 am

SarahB wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:24 pm
I'm discovering that a low AHI score doesn't mean I won't feel tired!
Sarah,

It does mean that you've reduced the risks associated with Sleep Apnea considerably, if not completely. Remember, that you are chronically sleep deprived, as you have a significant sleep deficit from the BC (before CPAP) years. Also, there are other reasons why you might be tired.

Thanks DH. I'm actually starting to feel the benefits now. There were some disturbed nights at the beginning when I was getting used to the equipment but I've definitely noticed a difference over the past few days. A huge tension seems to have gone and I'm feeling more relaxed. I'm also not stopping for rests or nodding off during the day like I used to. I'm not bouncing with energy yet but certainly feel better. As you say, there's a lot of missed sleep to catch up on.

I had a variety of blood tests when I first went to the doctor so I know that a few other possible causes have been ruled out.

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max