Bipap and Cpap Need advice.

[Nole27]

Yeah I'm pretty big 6 ft 1 around 280. I don't think I'm a back sleeper when I fall asleep it's on my side I've never paid attention to what position I'm in when I wake up. So I take it this is bad?

[Pugsy]

Machine is set in straight BiPap. It is not set in Auto. I am certain. I can show you what an auto report looks like if you want to see one.
Your AHI was 0.38.. Excellent
You had several times where you woke up and turned the machine off and then back on.

This report is excellent. I wouldn't change a thing. Leak bouncing around a bit but at these pressures and being first night...they are more than acceptable.

Any idea what woke you so many times? Anything we need to work on or just give it time so you can adjust to all this.

Things to look for.
AHI and the other terms in the colored graphs? Do you understand what those mean. The clinician manual has definitions.
and leak line for now. Stay below 60 and you are fine. 60 to 70 needs work.. over 70 really needs work.
Occasional short term spikes into those higher leak numbers is not the end of the world..we just don't want long periods of time there.

Other stuff on the reports...let's pick that up later as you get more used to all this.

This report? Absolutely fabulous report.
I wouldn't even worry about back sleeping at this point.

[Nole27]

I woke up with a charlie horse once. The others were actually due to the mask leaking. So I would shut the machine off and try to readjust. Any idea how I can cut those down? And again thank you guys for all your help. Especially you pugsy. One thousand thank you's

[jamiswolf]

Nole,
EDIT: Bad eyes...I misread your apnea number. Yours is perfect.

I mentioned central apnea as a possible explanation. that's when the brain simply doesn't send out the "breathe" message. But your data doesn't show that as a problem.

Some things for you to consider and work on...

Try to sleep on your side. For many people supine is the worst for OSA. If nothing else, you may be able to reduce pressures.

Lose weight. It may help but no guarantees. But even if it doesn't help your apnea, you will be healthier and feel better.

Consider vit D3 supplements. May help. this was new info to me. search and study.

Do things to strengthen throat. sing, talk, play Didgeridoo (my favorite)

Read Mars' thread on positional apnea...he has improved his night breathing to where he doesn't use cpap anymore.

Keep up cpap therapy...
Cheers,
Jamis

[Pugsy]

Could you please add your equipment to your Profile. I don't know which mask you are using.
Having equipment permanently stuck in Profile means I don't have to ask all the time. I am lazy.
Here's how. Please use text. We can't see machine models with images.
wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

When looking at the machine drop down menu....Look for PR System One Remstar BiPap Auto with BiFlex. that is what you have
Humidifier is PR System one heated humidifier assuming you are using one.

Leaky mask....the hardest part to all this therapy and especially hard at higher pressures.
Once I know your mask.. I might have some ideas.

[Nole27]

Mirage Quattro. Pretty comfy aside from the leaks.

[Pugsy]

Any mask at your pressures is going to be a bit of a challenge.
Take a look here at Janknitz thoughts on fitting the mask.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/

There are also liners and anti leak straps.
http://www.padacheek.com/

You can make your own liner out of an old T shirt.
The liners do help at the higher pressures. Discussed often here. I don't have links handy though.
Perhaps someone who has made their own can offer how they do it. I use nasal pillows so I am zero help with how to make liners.

You might also like the Quattro FX better. Did you buy the Quattro yourself or do you have a DME?
There is a mask trial program which lets you use a mask for a week to see if it would work.
$14...pays for mailing $7 each way.
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html