Can't even take a nap

[Thefrogshateme]

I have a question about my sleep and wonder if anyone could help me. I got a machine in January.
Sleepmapper REMSTAR Auto A flex. Set at 17.

The reason I got a sleep study is because I kept busting out of my sleep the instant I go to sleep gasping for air. It just keeps on and on and on the moment I enter sleep. It's doing it now that I have a cpap machine also. I am drained and off from a hard days work just trying to take a nap with my wife. Trying to sleep 18 minutes with a ahi of 18. What could the problem be?

I have a SD card and put it in the computer but I don't know how to read it. I called Classic Sleep care LLC 8887072454 and they were no help at all. Just told me all they can read sent from the machine is the compliance and monthly ahi.

[ChicagoGranny]

I have a SD card and put it in the computer but I don't know how to read it.

Download and use Sleepyhead software - https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead

You can get plenty of help in this thread with using the software.

I got a machine in January.
Sleepmapper REMSTAR Auto A flex.

Look on the bottom of the machine and tell us the model number. They may have given you a discontinued machine. (Before you turn the machine over, make sure the humidifier tank is empty.)

[Thefrogshateme]

Okay I updated my model number in my signature. I have sleepyhead on the computer in the living room. Which area would I screen shot and post?

[ChicagoGranny]

Which area would I screen shot and post?

There are some examples on this page - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=111910&view=unread#unread

P1302925705CC

I could be wrong, but that looks more like a serial number. Check for the model number.

[Pugsy]

That is a serial number...model numbers are usually 3 digit numbers with DS in front or behind the 3 digits
except for the new DreamStation machines which I think have 4 numbers but if it says Remstar on it then it isn't the new DreamStaton. Most likely either a 50 or 60 series PR System One Auto CPAP.

Remstar with AFlex and a SD card...it's going to be either 550/551 or 560/561.

[Thefrogshateme]

It just said this as I logged in now I'm scared I'm gonna die "The last time you used your Philips Respironics RemStar Auto with A-Flex...
was 0 days ago (on Wednesday, June 08, 2016)
You had an AHI of 17.18, which is considered horrible, please consult your doctor
You only had the mask on for 0 hours, 17 minutes and 28 seconds.
You had no major mask leaks (maximum was 6.00 L/min).
Your CPAP machine blasted you with a constant 15cmH2O of air"

[Thefrogshateme]

[ChicagoGranny]

You only had the mask on for 0 hours, 17 minutes and 28 seconds.

Post the previous night's chart.

[palerider]

Okay I updated my model number in my signature. I have sleepyhead on the computer in the living room. Which area would I screen shot and post?

put the REF number in your signature, i'll have something like 560 in there.

[zoocrewphoto]

Welcome to the forum. You have come to a good place for help.

It will help if we can see the flow limitation and snore graphs. My first impression is that you appear to be using ramp, and starting from 4. As your machine ramps up, it does not respond to flow limitations, so it can only prevent an event if the pressure happens to be high enough. And it isn't. During your 17 minutes, the ramp appears to make it to 11.

I would start by having the ramp start higher, and if you are comfortable with it, shorten it. You might want to experiment with it while awake and see what pressures you are comfortable with. Some people struggle with 7 or 8 while some of us start at 10 or even 18 without the ramp. I start at 11 without ramp, and that prevents most of my events, so I get treatment right away. I would not be comfortable starting at 15 even though my pressure spikes to 17 sometimes without waking me.

If you have trouble with start pressures more than 7 or, start with what you can, and over time, raise the minimum. The earlier your machine can get to a useful pressure, the earlier you can get treatment and not be jerked out of sleep. You may need to practice during the day while reading or watching tv.

[Pugsy]

Short naps don't count.

Pick a night with several hours of real sleep and share the detailed report for that night.

[zoocrewphoto]

I got the impression that he can't sleep with the machine as he keeps waking up gasping. I don't think he has any full nights of data. He's probably not making it past the ramp time.

[Pugsy]

I got the impression that he can't sleep with the machine as he keeps waking up gasping. I don't think he has any full nights of data. He's probably not making it past the ramp time.

It would still be better to see a more prolonged attempt at sleep. Impossible to tell anything with 17 minutes and nap at that which is notorious for flagging all sorts of crap that isn't real.

So to OP....do you have anything where you actually may have went to sleep?

[RogerSC]

I agree, the first thing that I'd do is to either get rid of the ramp, or move up the starting ramp pressure. In my opinion (and experience) you're starting your ramp at too low of a pressure. When I started, I first moved my ramp up to start at 6cm, 4cm left me feeling like I wasn't getting enough air, then turned it off entirely. I had my range set to 8-10cm at that point, so turning off the ramp wasn't really difficult *smile*. In fact, it was nice to get that extra air, after being starved for it at 4cm.

So that's something to try, move the ramp starting pressure higher. And maybe shorten the ramp time as well after that, if you're comfortable with doing that. That moves your pressure higher faster. But you don't have to go any faster than you're comfortable with. My main impression is that you're starting out with a lot less air than you need, and your cpap is just the thing to give you more air to get past that initial suffocation feeling that wakes you right up *smile*.

Once you get past the initial "lack of air" problem, and you can keep your mask on for a while, you can look at your data and see what's up over a long enough period of sleeping to figure out what comes next *smile*.

[ChicagoGranny]

REMSTAR Auto A flex. Set at 17.

According to your chart, it is set at 15. And yes, the others are correct about the ramp being set waaay too low. It's no wonder:

gasping for air

You just aren't getting enough.

Since your prescription is 15, I would set the ramp beginning pressure to 10. Let's get you some air!