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Don't really need the snore graph because snores are easily seen on the Events graph but no need to redo this one.

Continue increasing that minimum as you can tolerate and let's see what things look like when you get up to 10 minimum or so.

I've been making slow adjustments, and I think I'm getting there. Here is last night. I feel quite good today .



Going over all my data from the past few weeks, an EPAP of 17 seems to prevent almost all my OAs. I'm not sure whether to just stick with that or use automatic mode starting with a lower EPAP like I did last night.

Also not sure what PS to use. If I go straight CPAP 17 with EPR off, I can breath comfortably, and I don't have many events at all. Adding PS to an EPAP of 17 in BPAP mode increases TV but has no apparent effect on rate of events in my case, and I don't need it for comfort.

I've been using a PS of 4 most nights because the guidelines suggest BPAP when EPAP is over 15 and suggest a min PS of 4, but I don't know what I'm getting out of that.

Any idea how you did on your big exam?
At some point, when/if you are ready to take an in-lab sleep test,
you might want to watch one of the online videos about the sleep lab experience.
There are also discussions here about sleep tests, so you will be "good and ready".

AMESS wrote:Think since you are a doc you would want the study. You probably know someone in the field too. Just sayin'. The good news with the study-you know exactly what you have and how good or bad it is before you start with any equipment. Many folks here self treat. I do not But I look forward to other people's problems, comments and solutions, and hopefully I gain good info myself.

I agree with AMESS, the sleep study does make things much easier. I knew right away that I had a serious problem (my AHI turned out to be 71 events per hour!) and my technician figured out the optimal pressures for me (I am averaging an AHI of between 1 and 3 nightly with my BiPAP machine. )

The support group at the sleep center did a good job fitting me with a comfortable, effective mask and will take care of reordering any parts as they wear out.

I appreciate this forum, and I've learned a lot, but I'm very glad I saw a specialist and did the study.

chunkyfrog wrote:Any idea how you did on your big exam?

Not yet. It takes about 3 months. My wife says they wait that long because it lowers the suicide rate for those who don't pass (not joking).

chunkyfrog wrote:At some point, when/if you are ready to take an in-lab sleep test,
you might want to watch one of the online videos about the sleep lab experience.
There are also discussions here about sleep tests, so you will be "good and ready".

What would be the reasons to do it? Is it possible that I don't have OSA? From what I've read, there is considerable day to day variability in PSG results, so I'm not sure it's worth the $$ to go do it. I was thinking about doing one of these: http://axgsleepdiagnostics.com/product/ ... nattended/

MrsRinPDX wrote:I agree with AMESS, the sleep study does make things much easier. I knew right away that I had a serious problem (my AHI turned out to be 71 events per hour!) and my technician figured out the optimal pressures for me (I am averaging an AHI of between 1 and 3 nightly with my BiPAP machine.

Thanks, I'm definitely considering it!

Please do. I feel much better and I've only been using my BiPAP for three weeks. My only difficulty has been getting the right mask, but I'm learning here that good is good enough.

Pugsy wrote:

FrederickRose wrote:This may be a dumb question, but is there any chance - based on the graphs I showed - that I'm wrong about having OSA?

Not a snowball's chance in hell of you not having OSA. IMHO

If you want to get an idea of just how much stuff the machine is preventing...set the machine to 4 minimum and 4 maximum (or the least amount you are comfortable with) and see how many flags you end up seeing.

I finally did my sleep study: https://imgur.com/a/kZqoh

Thanks for getting me on the right track, Pugsy. I've got my AHI mostly under 5 now .

Welcome to the club.
I looked at your SH chart a few posts up. Personally I don't like seeing all those leaking spikes since the noise they make maybe disturbing your sleep.
I see you are using pillows. How are you trying to control mouth leaking? Have you tried taping just to see what it is like not to have mouth leaking?
I have been successfully using the Ultimate Chinstrap for 7 years.

Poor snowball. It didn't stand a chance. Some of the reports from some people are sometimes a bit iffy and I have to straddle the fence a bit about the diagnosis but I wasn't sitting on the fence about yours. No doubt in my mind about that one.

So now you know just how bad it is though. No more "what if I don't have it" questions.

TedVPAP wrote:Welcome to the club.
I looked at your SH chart a few posts up. Personally I don't like seeing all those leaking spikes since the noise they make maybe disturbing your sleep.
I see you are using pillows. How are you trying to control mouth leaking? Have you tried taping just to see what it is like not to have mouth leaking?
I have been successfully using the Ultimate Chinstrap for 7 years.

I have been taping lately, but I still have some problems with mask leaks. Does the Ultimate Chinstrap work as well as mouth taping + regular chinstrap?

Pugsy wrote:Poor snowball. It didn't stand a chance. Some of the reports from some people are sometimes a bit iffy and I have to straddle the fence a bit about the diagnosis but I wasn't sitting on the fence about yours. No doubt in my mind about that one.

So now you know just how bad it is though. No more "what if I don't have it" questions.

It was worth it to me to remove that tiny bit of doubt. Also, if I go to a sleep specialist with questions, I'll have something to reference that they will accept.

FrederickRose wrote:

TedVPAP wrote:Welcome to the club.
I looked at your SH chart a few posts up. Personally I don't like seeing all those leaking spikes since the noise they make maybe disturbing your sleep.
I see you are using pillows. How are you trying to control mouth leaking? Have you tried taping just to see what it is like not to have mouth leaking?
I have been successfully using the Ultimate Chinstrap for 7 years.

I have been taping lately, but I still have some problems with mask leaks. Does the Ultimate Chinstrap work as well as mouth taping + regular chinstrap?

Pugsy wrote:Poor snowball. It didn't stand a chance. Some of the reports from some people are sometimes a bit iffy and I have to straddle the fence a bit about the diagnosis but I wasn't sitting on the fence about yours. No doubt in my mind about that one.

So now you know just how bad it is though. No more "what if I don't have it" questions.

It was worth it to me to remove that tiny bit of doubt. Also, if I go to a sleep specialist with questions, I'll have something to reference that they will accept.

You said problems with mask leaks. I never have problems with mask leaking using the P10. I use the Ultimate Chinstrap to control mouth leaking. Posting last night's data which is typical. Note that it is not zero, but it is well controlled. I line it with a folded sock to keep the strap clean.

Thanks, Ted. I'm definitely considering the Ultimate Chinstrap. I just wasn't sure if it would work as well as taping for controlling my mouth leaks.

As far as mask leaks go, I've mostly got that under control by changing to the N20 nasal mask. Now I just need to find a way to keep my skin from breaking down. I need fairly tight straps for >20 cm H2O pressure and minimal leaking as I toss and turn. Thinking about ordering some Remzzzs.

FrederickRose wrote: I'm definitely considering the Ultimate Chinstrap. I just wasn't sure if it would work as well as taping for controlling my mouth leaks.

It's unlikely to work as well as taping for most people. But, you may find it less uncomfortable and more convenient.

Good luck in getting this worked out.