Old CPAPer New Member hello & questions

[ChicagoGranny]

I've been using CPAP therapy for about 6 years now, with terrific success. Honestly, I took to it immediately and had a great night's sleep first night with it, never any issues, knock wood.

You started the thread with those two statements.

I'm a little bit afraid that, as you become well-educated, things will go badly awry.

[lazarus]

badly awry

Voltaire (and others) have had some good lines about that sort of thing, but none of them have been perfect.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_i ... my_of_good

[JOinPA]

Well, I think I have all my questions answered, and will let this thread drift off the front page. My sleep doc appointment is tomorrow, and I should have a new prescription so I can get that AS10 machine I have reserved, I'm so happy I got one before they are unavailable. I've learned a ton since I joined here.

1. Apparently, they nailed my pressure prescription of 10-14 when I started 6 years ago. I raised the top to 15 but typically the 99.5% does not go above 13.5.

2. I started using EPR = 1. I had it set to off because LankyLefty doesn't like it for some reason, but it improved my Flow Limitations, which now run around 95% at 0.10 or less, they were at 0.15 prior.

3. I discovered the joys of mouth taping! No more tongue glued to the roof of my mouth in the morning.

4. I splurged and got a ClimateLineAir tubing, I had never changed from the original SlimLine version. I like it!

5. I got into a simple cleaning routine without any special products which has eliminated the allergies I believe the machine was giving me with less careful maintenance.

5. Sleep is still great, but I never had issues since starting CPAP therapy. I think moving the EPR setting from 0 to 1 helped a little, but it is so slight I can't tell if it did or if I just think it did.

Most of my Oscar charts look like this one from last night, My AHI reading is normally below 1.0, but it has been for a long time in the MyAir app. I feel more in control and confident using Oscar. And more knowledgeable because of you fine people!




I will continue to hang out and learn. If anyone wants to suggest any tweaks, please do, Like I said I never considered the EPR before coming here. I ordered a couple of brands of sleep tape and will post a review of them later. Currently using Comfort Stretch tape.

Thank you all !!!!

Cheers,

John

[ElusiveSleep]

3. Has anyone used the sleep consulting services at AXG sleep diagnostics?

I had Jason (LankyLefty) from AXG analyze my OSCAR data two years ago. He had me change from adjustable to fixed pressure, and recommended to use a Brevida mask. My treatment was pretty good after switching to fixed pressure, however, AHIs started to increase after about one year, so I switched back to APAP. I did try the Brevida mask, and although the nose piece is comfortable the headstrap is not stable and moved too much.

Not sure doing a direct consult with him is more helpful than what you can get in his YouTube videos or help from this board.

[JOinPA]

Thanks, ElusiveSleep! I'm not looking for any consults, have no sleep complaints, really. Just getting smarter (I hope) and experimenting a bit.

Love your flower avatar. I used to post a lot of those on photo forums when I was more active on them. Pretty!

[palerider]

3. Has anyone used the sleep consulting services at AXG sleep diagnostics?

I had Jason (LankyLefty) from AXG analyze my OSCAR data two years ago. He had me change from adjustable to fixed pressure, and recommended to use a Brevida mask. My treatment was pretty good after switching to fixed pressure, however, AHIs started to increase after about one year, so I switched back to APAP.

Fixed pressure can work for some people, but they need to monitor the effectiveness more regularly, I'd say weekly at least, and make adjustments.

I went from fixed to auto after starting to feel bad, tired, etc, I went and looked at my data and my AHI's had been steadily climbing for a month, I got an auto machine and never looked back.

Fixed machines just cannot respond to your changing needs, and your needs DO change.