Daytime sleepy, need to adjust ResMed Machine

[suzesers]

What should I adjust and how? I have a ResMed S9 machine with humidifier. Downloaded sleepyhead software, but not sure why I should be looking at.

[Julie]

We really would like to help, but more information would help us to do that. Can you be really specific about your model # (bottom of your machine - but don't tip it over til you remove the humidifier), what mask you use + whether it's nasal or full face, what your pressures are set at now, how long you've been on Cpap, and how many hours you sleep? Did you mean you're unsure of what to look for on the computer after setting up the software, or did you really mean 'why' you should look at it?

PS - has anyone ever mentioned that you might - once asleep - open your mouth, possibly losing the Cpap air that way so it never makes it to your airway?

[Pugsy]

The S9 machines have model names clearly on the top of the machine up by the on/off button.

If you have SleepyHead and wonder what you are looking at take a look here
viewtopic/t88983/Pugsys-PointersSleepyH ... nding.html
If you still have questions it would help us to help you understand what you are seeing easier if we could see what you are seeing on the reports. How to post images of your reports is also explained in that thread.

[suzesers]

See next post.

[suzesers]

I have a ResMed Elite EPR machine with the humidifier. I've been using it since May of 2012. I have the nasal mask and use the machine every night. My AHI is between 1 & 2 every night, but when I awake, most days I don't feel totally rested. I sleep 7.5 to 9 hrs/night. Pressure is set at 15 and my mouth is closed all night (so my husband says). This is the first time I've used Sleepyhead and not really sure what all the numbers mean. Sorry I wrote why instead of what I'm looking at. I'm using an old PC with Windows XP and can't seem to do a screen print. I can do a copy & paste of the report, here it is:

CPAP Statistics as of Saturday, October 12, 2013
24 days of CPAP Data, between 9/19/2013 and 10/12/2013
Details Most Recent Last 7 Days Last 30 Days Last 6 months Last Year
AHI 1.09 1.10 0.89 0.89 0.89
Hours per Night 10:05 08:25 08:30 08:30 08:30
Pressure 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00
Average Leaks 6.11 5.76 5.91 5.91 5.91
95% Leaks 20.40 20.40 25.20 25.20 25.20

Changes to Prescription Settings
First Last Days AHI FL Machine Mode Pr. Rel. Pressure
9/19/2013 10/12/2013 24 0.89 0.00 ResMed CPAP EPR x2 15.00
The above has a threshold which excludes day counts less than 5 from the best/worst highlighting

Machine Information
Brand Model Serial First Use Last Use
ResMed S9 Elite 22121200005 9/19/2013 10/12/2013

[Pugsy]

Try Screen Hunter free screen shot software. I hear several members here talking about it. The basic trial version will do what you need. No need to purchase it.

If you look at the leak numbers the 95% numbers are pushing 24 L/min but the averages aren't bad.
95% leak means you were at OR BELOW that number and based on the averages you don't seem to be spending much time over the 24 L/min line. You can look at the leak line graphs to see for sure.
I doubt leaks are impacting therapy but they may be impacting sleep quality.

Is your sleep fragmented by a lot of wake ups for any reason?
Do you take any meds even OTC? If so, what..dosage and when?

Often it is not all about the AHI that determines how we feel. Often there are other factors that impact how we feel that might not be related to OSA or the therapy so sometimes we have to widen our search.

[suzesers]

My mask is pretty tight, but sometimes as I move from back to side the mask moves a little and the loud leak noise wakes me up. I try to stay on my back most of the night so I don't get the leak, but that doesn't always happen, otherwise I don't usually wake during the night. I am taking a blood pressure med at night, 100 mg of Losartin and 30 mg of Paxil in the morning. I take a multi-vitamin in the am also, that's it on a regular basis.

The pressure doesn't seem high enough some nights. I also have indoor & outdoor allergies year round, lucky girl that I am. Most nights I'm congestion free thanks to the shots I get and if I keep my dogs off the bed. The nights I feel congested I take an OTC Decongestant like Zyrtec D, but that's maybe 1 night/week.

Any suggestions??

[jweeks]

Suzesers,

Have you tried a nasal pillow mask? I used to be congested nearly all the time. When I started using a nasal pillow mask, it was like a miracle cure. The airflow through my nose kept my sinuses clear. I would wake up able to breathe freely though my nose, and stay that way most of the day. After a few months, I stopped getting congested on all but a few days a year (generally only after the leaves drop in the fall). I have no idea if it will help you, but it might be worth a try.

-john-

[Pugsy]

Research your meds thoroughly for possible side effects.
Paxil... these type of meds are notorious for daytime side effects.
these side effects stand out and there are others
drowsiness,
sleep problems (insomnia)
somnolence is a state of near-sleep, a strong desire for sleep, or sleeping for unusually long periods
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paroxetine

Losartan
fatigue is a known side effect but not common.

Talk to your doctor about your meds and how they might be impacting how you feel during the day especially the Paxil.
Are the meds the whole story? Probably not but it might be a contributing factor and sometimes it helps to know that even if we can't do anything at the moment about them.

[suzesers]

I'll try the pillows, maybe that will help.

On the meds, I've been on them quite a while and haven't had the daytime sleepiness with them before. Not sure what you meant by "Are the meds the whole story." Those are the only ones I'm on, nothing else but the Zyrtec D on occasion.

Thanks!

[Pugsy]

Not sure what you meant by "Are the meds the whole story."

I only meant that I wouldn't automatically put all the blame on the meds. I just meant that they might be a factor to be considered.
I realize you probably had been taking them for a while.
Are you saying that the daytime sleepiness is totally new since starting cpap therapy? Most people complain of this issue prior to cpap therapy since it is a common side effect for OSA so that was what I was thinking. That the daytime sleepiness wasn't a new issue.
If it is a new issue then obviously meds are unlikely to be a factor.
We just always try to look at all possible factors for any unwanted symptoms. Meds are just something we automatically look at just in case they are maybe a factor. Sometimes they are a big factor...sometimes they aren't.