Just starting out...looking for input

Hello,

I was recently diagnosed with severe apnea (65-AHI).

Long story short, I was referred out of network to a sleep specialist by my primary care doc (ouch). Never actually met the sleep doc but a sleep test was ordered. I barely registered enough usable data (couldn't sleep in the lab) and after my study, I was sent home with an APAP set to 4min -16max.

I began therapy about a month ago and immersed myself into this forum -- lurking and learning as I went. It was apparent from the beginning that my min pressure was too low. I decided to self-titrate but I let it ride for 3 weeks and tracked the results with Oscar. Over the past week or so, I've gradually increased my min pressure to 12.

Overall, I'm feeling pretty tired during the day. Although I do feel that I'm getting more comfortable wearing the equipment. And I think the more narrow pressure range has produced slightly better sleep with slightly better results - first 3 week average AHI was 6.1 and the past week or so was 5.6. For the most part, my leaks seemed to be under control. Haven't really experienced any air swallowing other than just a couple of times. I DO notice that I'm bumping into my max pressure numerous times most nights.

My question(s) is should I continue to raise my min pressure to narrow my range even further? Should I tweak the max pressure a bit? Or consider other ideas?

I won't see the sleep doc again since he's out of network (I'm requesting a copy of my sleep report though), but I do plan on following-up with my primary doc real soon.

Attached are my 3 most recent nights. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum.

Increase your maximum first...then see how things go and what the results are once the machine can actually go where it obviously needs to go and wants to go.
You may or may not need more minimum. Won't know until we see where the machine goes and how well it reduces the events when it can go higher.

Yes, lowering the max pressure serves no purpose other than to prevent an auto machine from doing it's job.

It should only be done if there is a good *reason* to do so, like trying to reduce or prevent air swallowing (aerophagia).

Appreciate the input. I will raise the max and track some time. Thanks!

As Pugs and Pale said to increase the max pressure.... max the machine out. Your pressure settings are too narrow. To me... you are having way too many apneas for a person who is wearing the mask. Every little mark on the top graph is an apnea event. The medical community says that an AHI of 5 or less is acceptable. I have always thought that a AHI around a 5 was way too much. In your case, it is much better than a 60+. We are all different, and for some folks, no matter what they do, they can't seem to get a low AHI. My gut tells me your minimum pressure is too high, but there are some people that require a higher minimum pressures. Lets see what happens when you max your upper pressure out. Keep us informed.

Sheriff