Absolutely wrecked by OSA - need some morale

[pretysmitty]

So for some reason I’m aroused and THEN take the mask off.

So something is irritating me - but it’s not a leak?

[pretysmitty]

Yes, try a nasal mask instead of nasal pillows. It's whatever works best for you. However, you have to try that to know if it works better. You seem to have pressure going up as high as 18. The best mask at 11 might not be the bast mask at 18.

BTW, your SleepyHead report says that you have the autoset, but your profile says you have the fixed pressure CPAP. Since it's pretty obvious that SleepyHead is correct, please change your profile.

I tried nasal masks and got a lot of leakage around the nose. Going to try full face masks

Changed equipment.

There’s no option for the regular AirSense 10 Autoset I’m selecting the For Her model

[Pugsy]

There’s no option for the regular AirSense 10 Autoset I’m selecting the For Her model

Yes, there is an option for the AirSensipe 10 AutoSet but it's down in the Rs on the equipment list because the stuck ResMed in front of the AirSense instead of just sticking it in the As.

[Pugsy]

I can't see anything related to breathing that might cause the arousal.
But the time frame might mean REM stage sleep was ending and it's normal to wake up/have an arousal after a REM stage is completed.

Google "sleep stages" and look at the hypnograms and see the pattern for the various stages and that it's normal to have an arousal after REM...sometimes we have no memory of it because it is so brief but other times maybe we just wake up more and thus don't just roll over and go back to sleep.

It's possible. There no real way to know for sure though. Just tossing that out as a possible explanation for the arousal.

[Fetou]

So for some reason I’m aroused and THEN take the mask off.

So something is irritating me - but it’s not a leak?

Most likely explanation is it is just a reflex. Neither of us have been on the treatment long term, and I think there is a natural reaction to kind of get the thing off of your face before you really come to. Still happens to me, but I usually just turn the machine off and then back on to reset the pressure to minimum and make a break point in my data so I know to ignore any events/noise in the data that occurs right afterwards.

[pretysmitty]

Most likely explanation is it is just a reflex. Neither of us have been on the treatment long term, and I think there is a natural reaction to kind of get the thing off of your face before you really come to. Still happens to me, but I usually just turn the machine off and then back on to reset the pressure to minimum and make a break point in my data so I know to ignore any events/noise in the data that occurs right afterwards.

I've been on CPAP for around 3 months now and have had only 3 weeks of compliance... I feel like the adjustment period should be over.

I can't see anything related to breathing that might cause the arousal.
But the time frame might mean REM stage sleep was ending and it's normal to wake up/have an arousal after a REM stage is completed.

Google "sleep stages" and look at the hypnograms and see the pattern for the various stages and that it's normal to have an arousal after REM...sometimes we have no memory of it because it is so brief but other times maybe we just wake up more and thus don't just roll over and go back to sleep.

It's possible. There no real way to know for sure though. Just tossing that out as a possible explanation for the arousal.

Last week when everything went well, I do remember several times waking up and feeling the mask on my face without being alarmed. I definitely agree that the timing of my mask removal suggests entering/exiting REM or Sleep Cycle. Just not sure what changed between this week and last...

[pretysmitty]

I can't see anything related to breathing that might cause the arousal.
But the time frame might mean REM stage sleep was ending and it's normal to wake up/have an arousal after a REM stage is completed.

Google "sleep stages" and look at the hypnograms and see the pattern for the various stages and that it's normal to have an arousal after REM...sometimes we have no memory of it because it is so brief but other times maybe we just wake up more and thus don't just roll over and go back to sleep.

It's possible. There no real way to know for sure though. Just tossing that out as a possible explanation for the arousal.

I wonder if the schedule 1 sedatives/beta blockers/muscle relaxants will calm me down at night between sleep cycles. I'm kind of afraid to ask my doc haha


On second thought - most of these meds probably worsen apnea..

[Fetou]

Most likely explanation is it is just a reflex. Neither of us have been on the treatment long term, and I think there is a natural reaction to kind of get the thing off of your face before you really come to. Still happens to me, but I usually just turn the machine off and then back on to reset the pressure to minimum and make a break point in my data so I know to ignore any events/noise in the data that occurs right afterwards.

I've been on CPAP for around 3 months now and have had only 3 weeks of compliance... I feel like the adjustment period should be over.

Out of curiosity, what constitutes compliance? A certain number of hours per night? Like, if you wear the mask for every minute of your sleep in a night, but you only sleep 4 hours, does that count as complying?

[pretysmitty]

Out of curiosity, what constitutes compliance? A certain number of hours per night? Like, if you wear the mask for every minute of your sleep in a night, but you only sleep 4 hours, does that count as complying?

No, it does not. Insurance/doctors say the bare minimum is 4+ hrs but I feel a significant difference between 5 and 7 hrs. So it really should be 7+ hrs

[palerider]

Out of curiosity, what constitutes compliance? A certain number of hours per night? Like, if you wear the mask for every minute of your sleep in a night, but you only sleep 4 hours, does that count as complying?

Wearing the mask, since it's hard to tell if you're actually asleep... Though one can get a pretty good idea with practice... But not be certain.

[Fetou]

Out of curiosity, what constitutes compliance? A certain number of hours per night? Like, if you wear the mask for every minute of your sleep in a night, but you only sleep 4 hours, does that count as complying?

No, it does not. Insurance/doctors say the bare minimum is 4+ hrs but I feel a significant difference between 5 and 7 hrs. So it really should be 7+ hrs

I feel pretty good off of 5 hours with the PAP. Anything less than that and I feel the drag. I actually feel worse sleeping 5 hours with the PAP and a few accidental hours without the mask on than if I just slept 4 hours without any untreated sleep.

Anything more than six or so just doesn't work for me. I wake up and am alert.

As long as you keep trying and don't choose to sleep without the mask, than I think you are on the right path. Choosing not to use the machine to me is always a sub-optimal strategy. If I'm having a rough time and know I'm not going to be able to get it to work that night, I'll salvage at least a few hours with a sleep aid of some sort.

[chunkyfrog]

Unconscious mask removal might be a habit you could break.
Wearing the mask (under pressure) while watching TV or reading could help get you adapted.
Otherwise, some have taped the straps to the face--so "band aid" pain could wake them up,
and put it back on.

[pretysmitty]

After chatting with a registered Sleep Tech I was told that I should steer clear of EPR, and that it looks like the APAP algorithm is unnecessarily adding pressure after misinterpreting arousals/non-disturbances. He suggested that I try the 6-9, no higher than 10cm, range.

Last night I tried 8cm and noticed that I had an arousal (I think?) which led to a leak, which lead to another arousal that led to me shedding my mask. Attached is the end of my night data.

Is this a mouth leak --> arousal --> mask removal? Or was my mask initially dislodged by the first arousal so mask leak --> arousal --> mask removal?

Thanks!

[D.H.]

The good news is that you were doing OK, so you know that relief is possible.

Aside from all the pressure and leaking issues, you might be having an allergic reaction to the mask materials. I find that soaking the face piece for three hours on the first (or next) use in 50% vinegar solution helps me.

[palerider]

After chatting with a registered Sleep Tech I was told that I should steer clear of EPR, and that it looks like the APAP algorithm is unnecessarily adding pressure after misinterpreting arousals/non-disturbances.

You're not posting helpful screenshots. You're posting redundant information (pressure and mask pressure) and leaving out other charts that cause pressure to go up (flow limitations and snores). Review this and redo your chart:
https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize

The APAP raises pressure due to four things, flow limitations, snores, hypopneas and apneas. You're having one, or more of those which is causing the pressure to go up. That means that your pressure is too low.

However, that's immaterial, since you're set at fixed pressure.

He suggested that I try the 6-9, no higher than 10cm, range.

Sounds like bad advice.

Last night I tried 8cm and noticed that I had an arousal (I think?) which led to a leak, which lead to another arousal that led to me shedding my mask. Attached is the end of my night data.

Is this a mouth leak --> arousal --> mask removal? Or was my mask initially dislodged by the first arousal so mask leak --> arousal --> mask removal?

Thanks!

Can't tell at that zoom level.