CPAP flow rate question

cisne0224 · Post by **cisne0224** » Mon Oct 22, 2018 7:27 pm

Hi All,
I wanted to get your input on my Flow rate graph below. This is a typical flow rate graph for me and so far after 3 years of CPAP use I am unsuccessful in getting a good nights rest. Specifically, does anyone know what the flat lining is which happens after each exhalation? Are those normal? They last about 4 seconds and happen with each breath. Is it an airway collapse that causes me an arousal to open it back up on my own during sleep?

My AHI is always under 5 with CPAP no matter if I place the pressure level at 12 or 6 in CPAP mode; but I am sleepy and tired all day.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:01 pm

cisne0224 wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 22, 2018 7:27 pm
Hi All,
I wanted to get your input on my Flow rate graph below. This is a typical flow rate graph for me and so far after 3 years of CPAP use I am unsuccessful in getting a good nights rest. Specifically, does anyone know what the flat lining is which happens after each exhalation? Are those normal?

Pauses after exhalation are normal during sleep.

cisne0224 · Post by **cisne0224** » Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:17 pm

Thanks Palerider,
Ive thought the same, that pauses in breathing are normal after exhalation. However, for some reason i think that im subconsciously fighting my cpap machine all night. I seem to push back agsints the cpap pressure after exhalation with a vacuum in my chest and throat. To me it feels weird to not do this (fight back) againts the pressure. Wondering if this contant battle is creating arousals. Today i put on my cpap mask and turned on the machine to try an force myslef to give in to the cpap pressure and bot fight it after each exhalation.

Im worried that im not doing this right and my sleep technicians have never really guided me on this.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Mon Oct 22, 2018 11:05 pm

cisne0224 wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:17 pm
Thanks Palerider,
Ive thought the same, that pauses in breathing are normal after exhalation. However, for some reason i think that im subconsciously fighting my cpap machine all night. I seem to push back agsints the cpap pressure after exhalation with a vacuum in my chest and throat. To me it feels weird to not do this (fight back) againts the pressure. Wondering if this contant battle is creating arousals. Today i put on my cpap mask and turned on the machine to try an force myslef to give in to the cpap pressure and bot fight it after each exhalation.

Im worried that im not doing this right and my sleep technicians have never really guided me on this.

The "right" way to do it is to just put the mask on, and breathe... don't worry about it, don't think about it, don't try to do anything strange... just ... breathe, however you want to... ignore the machine.

CPAP flow rate question

CPAP flow rate question

Re: CPAP flow rate question

Re: CPAP flow rate question

Re: CPAP flow rate question