Actually with your machine there is no "range" of PS. You get what you select. PS doesn't vary at all with your machine.Dallaslady51 wrote: Is it better to have a higher PS to give the machine more range?
PS doesn't affect the overall pressure ranges either unless someone is using a really high PS and they also are using maximum pressure settings such that the machine simply has no room to roam around. So it could actually limit pressure movement depending on the settings involved.
PS is nothing more than the difference between inhale and exhale. It's like EPR on the AutoSet...but with more customization available.
Now there are some people who have lung issues and the doctors will really elevate the PS in an effort to help with lung ventilation but those are separate issues and special circumstances and don't really pertain to you and your OSA issues. If you had lung issues of some sort you would already know about it and you would also most likely be on a different machine than what you have.
You were given this type of bilevel machine simply because it offered greater exhale relief (that what was available on the AutoSet) and since your pressure needs are relatively high they wanted to help you out with more exhale relief.
Unfortunately you used the AutoSet for so long that your body grew quite accustomed to the exhale relief you were using in the form of EPR and when they changed the exhale relief to more of a drop your body didn't like the change because it was new and different.
Most people would appreciate that larger drop available than what EPR offers...but your body and your mind didn't and in fact the change caused you stress and worry and all that stuff.
You need to quit worrying about which PS to use in terms of therapy and just use what is comfortable for you.
This bilevel device is nothing more than the AutoSet that you were using but it has more options available just in case you need them or want them.
It is a bit more customizable in terms of what can be offered to make your inhale/exhale experience comfortable to you. That's all it does.
Otherwise it works the same way except it can go higher than 20 cm which doesn't appear to be needed in your situation.
Just pretend that this machine is the AutoSet and EPR is replaced with PS.
EPAP minimum is nothing more than the minimum you used on the AutoSet. The minimum needs to be at sufficient levels where the machine can go higher if needed. Doesn't mean that it will go higher but it can...just like with the AutoSet.
PS is just added for comfort in your situation. It's like EPR was on your AutoSet.
Most commonly a PS of 4 or 5 is used when people are put on a bilevel machine for situations like yours...that's probably where they came up with the setting of 5 PS initially suggested. Most people do very well with it but you didn't because it was such a big change from what you were using.
The brain and body gets kinda funny about change....some people don't adapt well to any change and I think it sounds like you are one of those people.
The change was harder for your brain and body to adjust to than the breathing in and out against the higher pressures was.
The PS in your situation is simply a comfort setting...doesn't really impact the therapy itself because the machine is going to auto adjust the pressures as it thinks it needs to. Only the minimum EPAP needs to be worried about and I think you are probably good with the EPAP being 11 or so.
For the PS...just pick the one that is simply the most comfortable for you and your body and your mind to deal with.
Any of the PS settings offered will work well to treat your OSA...the only difference is your comfort.
You can get just as effective therapy with a PS of 1 as with a PS of 5 so it doesn't matter which you choose just as long as you are comfortable with it.