WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Miss Emerita
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by Miss Emerita » Tue Dec 28, 2021 12:40 pm

Thanks for the zoomed view -- no CSR-type pattern. But keep pressing for an appointment with your sleep doctor. You are having too many CAs, and they need to be addressed. Let us know when you get an appointment so we can think about the points you want to make and the questions you want to ask.

Thanks to Pugsy, I've realized I misread what you wrote about your altitude. I thought you wrote "6000" but of course you wrote "600." Even adding in the 20 stories, that's not high enough to have anything to do with your CAs.

Next time you post a chart, could you do a little editing first? Please include only these six graphs:

Events
Flow rate
Pressure
Leaks
Snores
Flow limitations.

This will make it easier for us to spot the key information.
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

wheezyrider
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by wheezyrider » Wed Dec 29, 2021 8:53 am

Miss Emerita wrote:
Tue Dec 28, 2021 12:40 pm

Next time you post a chart, could you do a little editing first? Please include only these six graphs:

Events
Flow rate
Pressure
Leaks
Snores
Flow limitations.

This will make it easier for us to spot the key information.
I have a head cold and took off the mask last night after 4 hrs. But I will be sure to post the above graphs when I can actually sleep.

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wheezyrider
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by wheezyrider » Thu Dec 30, 2021 7:19 am

Here is last night's data from Oscar. Hope I got the charts right. EPR is still off.

Events
Flow rate
Pressure
Leaks
Snores
Flow limitations.



Other than the large leaks is this a good night? I don't feel bad, but it's been a while since I slept well with having the cold and didn't take any meds. 7hrs is standard for me too. Or does the large leak mess up the data? Let me know if I need to rearrange, zoom, etc.... Thanks for any feedback.

edit: Can leaks be from my mouth being open while using a nasal mask? I tried a chin strap but it doesn't work. It just pushes my jaw back. Wrong angle. Any suggestions for chin straps that have the correct angle?

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zonker
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by zonker » Thu Dec 30, 2021 12:13 pm

wheezyrider wrote:
Thu Dec 30, 2021 7:19 am

edit: Can leaks be from my mouth being open while using a nasal mask? I tried a chin strap but it doesn't work. It just pushes my jaw back. Wrong angle. Any suggestions for chin straps that have the correct angle?
rather than a chin strap, may i recommend a firm foam cervical collar? these can be found in the old peoples aisle (i can say that cuz i AM an old person!) where the bedpans and such are kept. s/b around 15 bucks or so.

please keep in mind that keeping your jaw from dropping won't do it all. your lips can still part and cause air to come in that way. i use a cervical collar in combination with scuncis. as explained here-

https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php? ... s#p1086296

this method really works and helped me lower my ahi by at least a full point. i did a bit of modification to the scunci methode buts it's basically the same as talked about in the link. i use nasal pillows/

good luck!
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Miss Emerita
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by Miss Emerita » Thu Dec 30, 2021 1:44 pm

That's certainly better; let's see whether it's the start of a trend. But I think the experts here would say an AHI between 1 and 2 is good and 0 and 1 is excellent. Your AHI, although better, is almost at the diagnostic point (5).

Zonker makes a great suggestion about leaks. Give it a try! Other options include tape on your mouth (ask for more information if that intrigues you) or a Knightsbridge Dual strap, which pulls up rather than back.

Do you think you could sleep longer if your schedule allowed? If yes, I would encourage you to give it a try. Seven hours isn't really long enough for a lot of people.
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

wheezyrider
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by wheezyrider » Thu Dec 30, 2021 5:01 pm

Miss Emerita wrote:
Thu Dec 30, 2021 1:44 pm
That's certainly better; let's see whether it's the start of a trend. But I think the experts here would say an AHI between 1 and 2 is good and 0 and 1 is excellent. Your AHI, although better, is almost at the diagnostic point (5).

Zonker makes a great suggestion about leaks. Give it a try! Other options include tape on your mouth (ask for more information if that intrigues you) or a Knightsbridge Dual strap, which pulls up rather than back.

Do you think you could sleep longer if your schedule allowed? If yes, I would encourage you to give it a try. Seven hours isn't really long enough for a lot of people.
My numbers haven't been consistent for over a month. I was under 4 prior to November. I finally was able to make an appointment for later in January.

I will look at Zonker's suggestions.

I pretty routinely wake up at about 5-5:30am. I keep forgetting my eye shade. That may help if it is light I'm reacting too.

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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by Miss Emerita » Thu Dec 30, 2021 8:55 pm

New Year’s resolution: eyeshade!
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by wheezyrider » Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:11 am

I really messed up yesterday by misplacing the water tank gasket after cleaning it. I couldn't find until this morning. I slept without the machine for the first time since beginning CPAP therapy. My throat is still sore, I'm foggy and need a nap already and it's not even noon. I was probably snoring all night and my events were probably over 50, which was my sleep study result. I feel awful and not looking forward to staying up to greet the new year. Taking a pass and going to sleep early with earplugs and definitely wearing eye shades.

Happy New Year everyone! Good Luck and Sleep Well, All Year Long.

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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by wheezyrider » Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:13 am

Miss Emerita wrote:
Thu Dec 30, 2021 8:55 pm
New Year’s resolution: eyeshade!
Is that for me or for you? Mine is get a tray for my CPAP gear so I don't misplace them. :lol:

Happy New Year!

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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by Miss Emerita » Fri Dec 31, 2021 1:09 pm

For you, so you can sleep longer!
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

wheezyrider
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by wheezyrider » Sun Jan 02, 2022 10:48 am

Here are my last 2 nights. Last night was better but it just seems random as far as how to repeat a good night, or maybe I was just so tired that it is easier to sleep. I woke up however, and that's always frustrating getting back to sleep. I felt like I did wake up multiple times after a bathroom break, but was able to fall asleep. I did wear my eye shades last night but woke up at 5:45. It snowed and was pretty bright when I woke, even with shades. That's a good time for me to wake up to get ready to go to work during the week. Waking up without an alarm is my preference.
I will order some mouth tape that was highly recommended in another thread and also get a collar recommended by zonker, to try to eliminate the leaks. Any other suggestions or observations are much appreciated.

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Miss Emerita
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by Miss Emerita » Sun Jan 02, 2022 12:45 pm

I'm puzzled by the great variation in your CAs from one night to the next. Could you do another 15-minute zoom in the second green zone during the night of 12/31? Pick a place with a lot of CAs.

If you like your wake-up time, maybe try going to bed a little earlier?
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

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zonker
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by zonker » Sun Jan 02, 2022 12:54 pm

wheezyrider wrote:
Sun Jan 02, 2022 10:48 am
Here are my last 2 nights. Last night was better but it just seems random as far as how to repeat a good night, or maybe I was just so tired that it is easier to sleep.
if it's any consolation, i went through the same randomization when i first started. and it drove me nuts. it DID settle down for me.

what helps, as you go along, is to look for patterns or trends. you don't have enough hours under your belt yet to see those trends, but you'll get there. this will smooth out eventually, though.

and i too will still sleep MUCH better the night after a horrible night of sleep. :wink:

hang in there!
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by wheezyrider » Sun Jan 02, 2022 8:25 pm

Miss Emerita wrote:
Sun Jan 02, 2022 12:45 pm
I'm puzzled by the great variation in your CAs from one night to the next. Could you do another 15-minute zoom in the second green zone during the night of 12/31? Pick a place with a lot of CAs.

If you like your wake-up time, maybe try going to bed a little earlier?
Me too. Is the zoom correct section?

I'm shooting for an early bedtime tonight.

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Re: WheezyRider's CPAP therapy

Post by wheezyrider » Sun Jan 02, 2022 8:34 pm

zonker wrote:
Sun Jan 02, 2022 12:54 pm

hang in there!
It's been a net positive. I see better mental clarity and concentration. Longer time on task and I rarely get sleepy or tired during the day. Lately though it's taking a toll with not having consistent sleep and I notice the gains slipping. That's why I'm here. I let this go too long before starting therapy. Now that I know the benefits I'm definitely hanging in. I know it works. Just not in a straight line.

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