Howdy, and a little info.

[Iron Horse]

Hi folks, I have enjoyed lurking and learning from the wealth of information here.

Some Background:
62yo male, 5'9", 225#

I have snored loudly for 30+ years. My camping and hunting buddies call me "Train", and my DW of 20 years complains of listening to me stop breathing and wondering if I will start again. Classic OSA I suppose.

Discussions with two local sleep centers left me a little confused and with that feeling that I was just being "handled". Local medical providers weren't much better. I didn't have a prescription and was not interested in buying their over priced machines.

Last year I finally broke down and ordered a sleep test from rpmhst.com. I wore the device for two consecutive nights and here are the results:
Recording Time (min): 471.7
AHI : 29.4
ODI: 25.0
Mean Sp02: 92
Min. Sp02: 83
Mean HR: 60.1

Diagnosis: Moderate OSA (G47.33)

No surprise there.

I straddled the fence about spending the cash for a new machine until a relative with CPAP had their machine replaced by insurance and offered me the old one. I got the machine, 5 years old but in good shape, humidifier, new mask, tubing and supplies. I figured what the heck? How hard can it be?

Then I found this forum and started digging in. I reset the SD card on the machine, and set it to APAP 4-20, Humidity 1, Heat 1, and gave it a try this past Thursday night.
Initial Observations:
The minimum setting was too low at 4, I struggled to breathe against the machine the entire time. The ramp was too long, and I fought with the mask, again no surprise. The next day my chest ached, my airway was irritated, and I couldn't decide if I felt rested or tired. I guess what sleep I did get was better, but fighting with the mask kept me awake too much. AHI was still a little high but much better. Here's the screenshot for the night:

screenshot-20200201-125343.png (135.68 KiB) Viewed 308 times

The next night I changed the settings to 6-20, Humidity 2, Heat 3, Ramp 5 minutes, and hit the hay for the night.
Observations:
The struggle to breathe was better but still not easy, the increased humidity and heat felt good and I managed to declare a truce with the mask. In the morning I just "woke up", nothing happened to wake me, I was just finished sleeping. I felt more rested and alert. My chest was not sore but my airway is still irritated.
The AHI was better still, but other events were higher. Here's the screenshot:

screenshot-20200201-123636.png (135.47 KiB) Viewed 308 times

I figure I need to make a few more adjustments. I have probably been too conservative with the minimum pressure and some other things could probably increase the comfort level, thus why I am posting this. Any insight or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for providing such a great resource for DIY pap therapy.
Wishing you better sleep!

[slowriter]

I figure I need to make a few more adjustments. I have probably been too conservative with the minimum pressure and some other things could probably increase the comfort level, thus why I am posting this. Any insight or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I think you're right; you probably want 8 or 9, based on what you posted.

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Probably at least 8 cm minimum is going to be needed. You are really close to having things optimal though.