Nearly 4 weeks on apap and still feel like crap

I started on a resmed autoset back on Sept 25th and to date still feel no better than prior to my OSA dx. The machine is set at min/max of 5/15 and I have been 100% compliant from day 1. I wear the mask every night & all night and really have been lucky compared to some of the troubles others endure at the start. I did have a few mask issues in the beginning but have been able to settle in on the resmed swift LT. Unfortunately, I am still waking up with a headache, could easily go back to bed by 10am and sleep for hrs, still fight the urge to nap after work in the afternoon, and still struggle to concentrate on even the most mundane task. About the only improvement so far has been that the wife tells me I seem to be sleeping much more soundly and that my personality/disposition has improved.

I have an appt with sleep dr next week to discuss all this, but in the mean time am wondering if anyone might have an idea why things are not going as well as I would have hoped. Below are the my stats for the last 2 weeks. To be honest, I don't think the numbers are all that bad, though I am certain they could be better.

Pressure - 7.5 (median), 10.3 (95th percentile) and 11.9 (max)

Leak (L/sec) - 0.0 (median), 0.0 (95th percentile) and 0.3 (max)

AHI - 6.0
AI - 0.8
HI - 5.3
% time in apnea - 0.3

Used days - 14
% Used days - 100%
median daily usage - 10:02
ave daily useage - 10:21

According to the detailed graphs available from rescan, I tend to average between 6 and 10 apneas per night and they last anywhere from 10 to 30 sec.

I don't see any leak data in the numbers you listed.
If you're leaking air out your mouth, that would contribute to it. Also, your minimum pressure is probably too low to be really effective.
Do you have the Autoset II or the Vantage? (Profile shows the Vantage)

Den

I have the older vantage and the leak data is listed above but easy to miss. Median leak is 0, 95th percentile is 0 and daily max ranges from 0.2 to 0.4. Basically my leak graph is a flat line and only spikes when I turn the machine off and/or remove my mask. I did have lip leaks in the very beginning and tried a few ffm because of them but finally decided to go back to a nasal pillow and "will" myself to keep my lips sealed. Not really sure why, but the 2nd time around, I seem to be able to keep the lips sealed.

sleepyangler wrote:I have the older vantage and the leak data is listed above but easy to miss. Median leak is 0, 95th percentile is 0 and daily max ranges from 0.2 to 0.4. Basically my leak graph is a flat line and only spikes when I turn the machine off and/or remove my mask. I did have lip leaks in the very beginning and tried a few ffm because of them but finally decided to go back to a nasal pillow and "will" myself to keep my lips sealed. Not really sure why, but the 2nd time around, I seem to be able to keep the lips sealed.

OK.....I see it now. Thanks.
Then, I would suggest moving your minimum pressure to about (or much closer to) what your 95% pressure is.
Also, keep in mind that pressure changes can disturb some people's sleep.......so, at some point, you may want to try CPAP mode, too.

Den

Thanks for the suggestions!

I agree with Den's suggestions.

I'd set the range at 10 - 15.

Or...

I'd set it for straight cpap at 10 or 11.

I'm not a doctor. That's just what I'd do, given the data you're getting. You're very lucky to have such a wonderfully low leak percentage.