The first week, starting to get used to 'this thing'

As with all newbies, I'm trying to get used to feeling like a party balloon.

Last night I wanted to reduce the times I woke up in panic. I raised my min pressure to 8 (with EPR - 3) and lowered the top pressure to 13.8. I picked the top pressure based on what I saw the APAP chose to solve the OA's. I still show CA's. They seem to be associated with leaks. I think I am letting air leak out of my lips (caught myself doing that on a couple of arousal's.) I may be relaxing my jaw a bit making it hard for the tongue to block the back of the mouth. Not sure, but I know I also get chipmunk cheeks sometimes when I awake. I took the mask off again last night I knew I should have gotten out of bed or at least sat up before I did that. Someday I'll learn that lesson. I also had ramp on for 5 mins, but changed the min ramp pressure from 4 to 6. The lower setting had me 'searching for air.' Overall, I felt comfortable with the min pressure of 8. It's hard to compare with the rest of the week, since it's only been a few days and I think I may be coming down with a cold or something, had congestion yesterday, and sneezing. And last night before bed my throat was dry and beginning to feel sore. I took a 'Tylenol nighttime' cold remedy, and some honey for my sore throat. That helped.

I am posting my SH results if the 'experts' want to chime in. I'm comfortable with leaving the settings about the same for tonight.

Looks a lot better, and there is nothing to change since we don't chase CA with pressure. Things are definitely going in the right direction for you.

What humidity setting are you using?
While those symptoms you are experiencing could just be the common cold, it could also be a product off the nasal mucosa's reaction to humidity. You may need more or less humidity.
So if it doesn't end up like the common cold...just be aware it might be humidity related. Google "cpap rhinitis" for more information.

Humidity needs are highly individualized and when the nasal mucosa gets unhappy they start acting like they do when we have a cold or allergy attack.
Some people need more and some need less and it is just something you have to sort through on your own as your nasal mucosa may not be like the next person.

Still concentrate on just sleeping with the mask and machine.
SleepRider is correct....even if those centrals were real we don't treat them with pressure and some of them could easily be awake/semi awake breathing irregularities getting flagged.

Interesting comment about the 'cpap rhinitis'. I looked and believe this may be the case. I was sneezing during the day, which is unlikely for me, even for most colds. Runny nose is unusual too,since I have a deviated septum, it usually prevents the nose from running (forward.) I currently set the humidifier to 5, I'll try to bump it up a bit tonight. It does feel dry to me at 5. I will get my heated hose next week, hoping that will help too.

You're in a naturally humid area relative to e.g. Arizona or Colo, and I believe that lowering your humidity would be more useful... but of course you'll find out on your own. I also wonder about your confusing ramp settings with pressure settings - you can (if you want to) even turn the ramp off altogether, especially as your pressure settings are low - most of us don't use ramp at all after starting out - but it's your (lower) pressure setting that's all important. I'm not sure there was a need to lower the high pressure setting as some just leave it 'open' even to 20, but it shouldn't make too much difference.

Julie wrote:You're in a naturally humid area relative to e.g. Arizona or Colo, and I believe that lowering your humidity would be more useful... b.

But not in the winter! Heating will turn a house in even the most swampy area drier then the Gobi desert.

That's right, we have forced air heat. And it's been colder than usual in our area so the heater has been working overtime. Normally I have a few humidifiers running at this time of year, but due to 'busyness' my wife nor I have been able to spend the few extra minutes to manage the humidifiers.

Pugsy is right (as always!) , humidity is a big variable here. I also tried several nasal pillows before I found the P10 which - I find - actually help to wedge my nose open and force air through congestion (by drying it out as I use just passover humidity year round now). I thought I had colds and allergies too but most of the time it's just mucous "balancing".

My pressure is slightly higher than yours at 11-20 APAP and I do get a bout 2% leakage when I turn over and one nostril sometimes blocks and I mouth breathe for a minute or too. My guess is that if you use high humidity at lower pressures you could be fueling the congestion. I have my S9 set to manual control of temp and humidity and they are set at 65 and 0 in winter, 0 and 0 in summer. I'm in Austin TX.

You are doing very well though but hopefully you can get more comfort - which is the REAL secret. Not just using the best but getting so it's second nature.

I finally made it through the night without taking off the mask or stopping!

I may try reducing EPR from 3 to 2 tonight, see how I tolerate that. Heated hose should come this week, hope so. I did end my sleep with a 'thwack' of rain out. Can't miss that!