OSCAR data showing Clear Airway events. Normal or something to worry about?

Hi, I just started using a CPAP (ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet) and transferred data from the SD card to OSCAR out of curiosity. Are there Clear Airway events something to worry about? They occur regardless of using the CPAP or APAP mode. I got a bit worried seeing them since most of the Clear Airway events seem to last around 15-18 seconds each.

Imgur link to album with screenshots of OSCAR data.
https://imgur.com/a/XlTIPbX

I'm waiting for a sleep study and got a referral, but the waiting time is currently 5 months.

Would really appreciate any input or advice and I'm fully aware that it would be better to talk with a sleep specialist. But I figured it would be worth asking here since it takes many months before I can talk to one. Sorry for any language errors, English isn't my first language.

Just ask if you need more information or data and I'll do my best to provide it .

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum.

I don't think there are enough CAs there to worry about. I'm guessing (and could be corrected) that the little cluster you highlighted is transitional - ie you're in the process of waking up or dozing and your breath is getting a bit ragged. Also known as sleep-wake junk.

Respiratory drive is primarily derived by the intensity of signal output from respiratory centers located in the brain stem. The principle factors to stimulate the production of these signals is CO2 and blood PH.
If current blood CO2 level is below a threshold value, the brain will not signal the chest and diaphragm muscles , resulting in a apnea. But definitely not an obstructive apnea.

A CO2 level depression is often seen after a deep breath(s) (such as a sigh during sleep), or can occur with hyperventilation secondary to anxiousness or fright.

Assuming that your O2 saturation is maintained within normal limits, usually not something to worry about.

Respirator99 wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 9:25 am

Welcome to the forum.

I don't think there are enough CAs there to worry about. I'm guessing (and could be corrected) that the little cluster you highlighted is transitional - ie you're in the process of waking up or dozing and your breath is getting a bit ragged. Also known as sleep-wake junk.

Thank you! Yeah, they seem to appear before waking up so you're probably right about it being sleep-wake junk. I posted this on Reddit too and got about the same answer.

dataq1 wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 9:48 am

Respiratory drive is primarily derived by the intensity of signal output from respiratory centers located in the brain stem. The principle factors to stimulate the production of these signals is CO2 and blood PH.
If current blood CO2 level is below a threshold value, the brain will not signal the chest and diaphragm muscles , resulting in a apnea. But definitely not an obstructive apnea.

A CO2 level depression is often seen after a deep breath(s) (such as a sigh during sleep), or can occur with hyperventilation secondary to anxiousness or fright.

Assuming that your O2 saturation is maintained within normal limits, usually not something to worry about.

That's really interesting, thank you! Actually thinking about buying a pulse oximeter to check the blood oxygen. They don't seem to be too pricey either.

Oh, I forgot to ask this; am I breathing at all during the Clear Airway episodes? Maybe a stupid question but I have no idea how to read these graphs haha.

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 10:40 am

Oh, I forgot to ask this; am I breathing at all during the Clear Airway episodes? Maybe a stupid question but I have no idea how to read these graphs haha.

When your flow rate is on the zero line, you're not breathing in or out. In the close-up you provided, each CA is a long pause after exhalation before you take your next breath.

The body often adjusts its CO2 threshold on its own, and with more PAP experience, you'll probably start sleeping better, with fewer mini-arousals that might be followed by a CA. So time is on your side.

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 10:40 am

Oh, I forgot to ask this; am I breathing at all during the Clear Airway episodes? Maybe a stupid question but I have no idea how to read these graphs haha.

to follow up on what miss e. has said, hold your breath for 10 seconds.

that's a central apnea.

everyone has these when starting out. it's natural, because we hold our breath without even realizing it when we turn over in bed.

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 11:09 am

The body often adjusts its CO2 threshold on its own...

Can you elaborate on this (adjustment of threshold), perhaps with a citation?

zonker wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 11:36 am

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 10:40 am

Oh, I forgot to ask this; am I breathing at all during the Clear Airway episodes? Maybe a stupid question but I have no idea how to read these graphs haha.

to follow up on what miss e. has said, hold your breath for 10 seconds.

that's a central apnea.

everyone has these when starting out. it's natural, because we hold our breath without even realizing it when we turn over in bed.

That's comforting to know, thanks! I guess I'm practicing holding my breath a few times at night then haha. Hopefully it goes away or lessens with time as miss e. said.

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 11:58 am

That's comforting to know, thanks! I guess I'm practicing holding my breath a few times at night then haha. Hopefully it goes away or lessens with time as miss e. said.

yup, pretty sure it'll go away. mine did. and a lot of people come in with just this concern.

mind you there IS such a thing central apnea, bur it's rare and takes a different kind of machine.

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 8:15 am

screenshots of OSCAR data

In case you haven't noticed it yet, there is an Events tab on the left side of the OSCAR Daily View display. Click on it for a list of each event, the time and the length.

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 10:33 am

Actually thinking about buying a pulse oximeter to check the blood oxygen.

You want a recording type. Make sure to get one that is supported by OSCAR --> https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.p ... _Oximeters (Unless you have lung or heart disease, I consider them unnecessary. Control your events with CPAP, and you will not have oxygen desats.)

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 8:15 am

I'm fully aware that it would be better to talk with a sleep specialist.

A lot of us were titrated and advised poorly by the medical profession. We came here and got things optimized. I'm through with sleep professionals. At my annual physical, my GP renews my CPAP supplies prescription and verifies that I still use CPAP and benefit from it. Of course, you may want a sleep study for insurance purposes.

Since they are "giving" you 5 months to shake things out, it makes sense to keep a record.
At some point, you may notice less urgency to get professional help--for what it's worth.

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 8:15 am

I'm fully aware that it would be better to talk with a sleep specialist.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 14, 2023 2:15 pm

A lot of us were titrated and advised poorly by the medical profession. We came here and got things optimized. I'm through with sleep professionals. At my annual physical, my GP renews my CPAP supplies prescription and verifies that I still use CPAP and benefit from it. Of course, you may want a sleep study for insurance purposes.

Wow, that's sad haha. I watched a lot of Youtube videos prior to getting the machine and TheLankyLefty27 had some awesome advice. According to him, sleep specialists don't really look at the important data/analyze the graphs since it would take too much time doing that. Super sad to hear if that's the case since it seems very important for proper treatment. No wonder that so many people turn to the online communities.

But on the other hand; there is clearly tons of great people online willing to help and guide users. That's great and the free OSCAR program is really useful. The CPAP people have been so helpful and kind, both here on cpaptalk.com and on Reddit.

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 15, 2023 7:21 am

Wow, that's sad haha.

At first glance, it does seem sad.

However,

SlothInAMoth wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 15, 2023 7:21 am

But on the other hand; there is clearly tons of great people online willing to help and guide users. That's great and the free OSCAR program is really useful. The CPAP people have been so helpful and kind, both here on cpaptalk.com and on Reddit.

you are correct. People who are free can learn to create tools and develop a way for people to manage their own therapy. Each individual can spend more time optimizing their own therapy. The patient base could not afford to pay for the medical profession to spend this much time.