We use cookies and other tools to enhance your experience on our website and to analyze our web traffic.
For more information about these cookies and the data collected, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Irregular breathing causes transitional sleep apnea?

3 posts
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
wetwilly +0 points · 11 months ago Original Poster

I'm experiencing the same symptoms described on this thread. Basically, my breathing becomes shallower and more labored as I'm falling asleep. Eventually when I doze off, my breathing stops completely. Immediately my body wakes me up with the need to "manually" take a breath.

Last night I hooked up my CPAP and I tried to document what I was feeling with real data.

This is my "awake" breathing, while I'm comfy settled in bed.

And this is my breathing a few minutes later, as it becomes more labored. You can even see the pauses that wake me up:

Does anybody have any idea what this could be? Is my diaphragm or some nerves damaged?

3,161 posts
bio
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
Sierra +0 points · 11 months ago Sleep Patron

What kind of CPAP do you have? Are you using EPR (ResMed) or Flex (DreamStation)? The pressure seems to be on the low side. You might find some benefit in a higher pressure and using EPR if you are not already.

3 posts
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
wetwilly +0 points · 11 months ago Original Poster

This is from a ResMed Airsense with EPR. I think between EPAP: 4 and IPAP: 8. How much higher do you think it should go? Thanks!

3,161 posts
bio
Was this reply useful? Learn more...
   
[-]
Sierra +0 points · 11 months ago Sleep Patron

It would be helpful to see your mask pressure chart as well. I would try setting Your minimum pressure at 8 cm, with a ramp start pressure of 8 cm also. I like to use the Ramp Time set to Auto. And set the EPR to 3 cm (that is the max) and also to Full Time. That will start you out with an IPAP of 8 cm, and EPAP of 5 cm. When the machine detects you are asleep it will switch to auto and increase pressure as needed above 8 cm.

Please be advised that these posts may contain sensitive material or unsolicited medical advice. MyApnea does not endorse the content of these posts. The information provided on this site is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for advice from a health care professional who has evaluated you.