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Central events can be a result of you pressure being too high, so it's not so surprising that when your pressure was effectively increased you developed some centrals. It sounds like you were steadily improving at 8 cmH2O, so sticking with that for a while may be a good bet. Be aware that it is not unusual for automatic machines to misinterpret central events as obstructive, increase the pressure in response and wind up making things worse. If things don't improve eventually, you may need to think about that second study.
What make and model of mask do you have? There are many different nasal masks (an a few different intranasal one now too).
Central onset events are not unusual - I see them all the time. Sometimes, as would seem to be your case, they can be worse than others. It can be a feature of normal sleep, but then so can pretty much anything. The question is more whether it is causing a problem and in your case it sounds like it is. Usually after a few months of using CPAP the onset events are less of a problem but that may not be happening for you. You said that your machine starts at 10? You may do well to start with a ramp from a lower pressure. Onset events can get worse as pressure increases, so this can usually be managed by using a ramp that starts your machine at 4 and steadily builds it up. This could reduce them impact of the onset events.
If this doesn't help then you may need ASV or even BiPAP. An in lab study may be very helpful in resolving this.
Rest assured you are not alone in this and it can be managed.
It sounds like you mask is very tight on your top lip. Try loosening the bottom straps a little. Exactly which mask do you have? An intranasal mask could bypass this problem.
Your problem sounds like the kind of thing that needs to be dealt with hands on. Is there someone you can see who can help with your mask fit. It's not possible to do much via a forum.
I would say that if leak is "important to my care and makes a noticeable difference to my daily functioning" then it is bothering you.
I just checked 10 online retailers and they all charged more for autos that fixed pressure. Also, I can tell you that, regardless of whatever price they are retailed at, the manufacturer charges more for an auto than a CPAP. If you can get one cheap and want to do so then go right ahead. Not everyone is in that position though and some people really need to save money wherever they can.
What you describe sounds very much like you are having onset events and is quite common. It could indeed be caused by OSA. I see it in many of my patients. Although the level your oxygen is dropping to is not that low (88%), the degree of drop (10% decrease) is significant and strongly suggestive that it could be causing you damage.
The best way to get definitive results is with an in lab study.
Restless leg syndrome is the most likely cause for what you describe.
