Altitude question

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Moogy
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Altitude question

Post by Moogy » Thu Sep 03, 2015 3:00 pm

The only posts I can find on this issue are rather old.
I am ordering a new machine through my insurance and a local DME. The DME seems to know little about altitude issues. I live at a low altitude, but since retiring, I want to travel. I know some of my destinations will be higher than the limits listed for auto-compensation by the machines. I have always uses Respironics, but they list 7500 ft. as their max. ResMed show 8500 ft. max.
What experiences have others had with exceeding the max. altitude listed?
If I get an auto BiPap, will it minimize the problem?
Other issues/comments?
I do not have software currently, but I am planning to get Sleepyhead for my new machine. I used software with my first machine, and it helped a lot. Current settings are 16 minimum exhale, 20 maximum inhale.

Thanks for any advice,
Moogy
Moogy
started bipap therapy 3/8/2006
pre-treatment AHI 102.5;
Now on my third auto bipap machine, pressures 16-20.5

lindalrc
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Re: Altitude question

Post by lindalrc » Thu Sep 03, 2015 3:43 pm

Good question - I DID misread and thought you were looking for an attitude adjustment
Hope someone reads better and helps.

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Wulfman...
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Re: Altitude question

Post by Wulfman... » Thu Sep 03, 2015 3:54 pm

Moogy wrote:The only posts I can find on this issue are rather old.
I am ordering a new machine through my insurance and a local DME. The DME seems to know little about altitude issues. I live at a low altitude, but since retiring, I want to travel. I know some of my destinations will be higher than the limits listed for auto-compensation by the machines. I have always uses Respironics, but they list 7500 ft. as their max. ResMed show 8500 ft. max.
What experiences have others had with exceeding the max. altitude listed?
If I get an auto BiPap, will it minimize the problem?
Other issues/comments?
I do not have software currently, but I am planning to get Sleepyhead for my new machine. I used software with my first machine, and it helped a lot. Current settings are 16 minimum exhale, 20 maximum inhale.

Thanks for any advice,
Moogy
Hi Moogy!
How are you? So good to see you here again.

Well, some people are getting the ResMed machines for the reasons you mentioned, but from past discussions, I seem to remember that by increasing the pressures about 1 cm. for each extra 1000 ft. of altitude should work.


Den

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archangle
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Re: Altitude question

Post by archangle » Thu Sep 03, 2015 4:22 pm

In practice, altitude doesn't seem to be a problem for the machines. If you have an auto machine, it should adjust your therapy to keep your apnea down, even if its pressure measurements aren't 100% correct.

However, there is another concern. At higher altitude, the regulatory part of your respiratory and nervous system are affected and your apnea may change even if your apnea is still "mechanically" fixed. If you have increased apnea problems at altitude, it may be you, not the machine. Central apnea is particularly affected.

It's not something to be too worried about, but realize your symptoms may change a bit at altitude.

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McSleepy
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Re: Altitude question

Post by McSleepy » Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:13 am

I live at 5000ft and I have slept at locations around 8500ft with my ResMed S9 and have not noticed any issues. While it might be true that the machine could have some trouble maintaining the exact configured pressure at high elevations (low barometric pressures), it is also true that it has the same difficulties doing so at any elevation, especially for bi-level CPAPs. Air is highly compressible and its pressure changes vastly when it is moving (such as when you breathe). The pressure sensor used for regulation is in the machine itself but it aims to maintain a certain pressure(s) in your larynx, which are separated by a long hose, an unknown mask, and the completely arbitrary morphology of your mouth vestibule, oral cavity (or nasal cavity, in the case of nasal masks) and larynx. While the first two seem to have some settings in the machine to attempt to account for, the latter is impossible to control, and can even change in the middle of the night (e.g., depending on tongue position). Luckily, you don't need your pressure to be quite so exact for it to be effective. In fact, even without going anywhere, you need to be continuously following your therapy and adjusting, accordingly. You may need to do some tweaks if you spent any prolonged time at a vastly different altitude, but I wouldn't worry too much about it.

McSleepy

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Pugsy
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Re: Altitude question

Post by Pugsy » Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:38 am

Last summer I got a chance to camp at altitude in the mountains of Utah. We were just a little bit the other side of the top of the mountain which was I think around 12,000 feet or so...can't remember exactly what it said but it was quite high and got down to 32 degrees at night in the middle of July.
I used my PR S1 BiPap Auto and used auto mode like I normally do and slept well and from looking at the reports no real change in pressures beyond what I normally saw and no increase in centrals either.

If you have an auto adjusting machine just let it do its thing and you should do quite well.
For me it was a non issue and I actually never thought about it until afterwards. Slept great in the cool mountain air.

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SewTired
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Re: Altitude question

Post by SewTired » Sat Sep 05, 2015 12:40 pm

The machines will not provide the correct pressure at altitudes above their limits. You can use it, but the auto feature will not work properly and using a straight pressure may be inadequate. HOWEVER, that said, provided you take a computer and Sleepyhead with you (in the assumption you will be there for days or weeks), you can adjust your straight pressure by looking at your data from the night before. The newer machines probably accommodate a higher altitude, but since they don't guarantee it, you have to be prepared to make adjustments.

My family member had a cpap years ago and many observatories are at high elevations. She had to guess in those days to determine how much higher to do her pressure when above the limits of the machine. She went up 0.5 cm per night until she slept well and wrote down what was needed and kept it taped to the back of her machine for future.

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Moogy
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Re: Altitude question

Post by Moogy » Wed Sep 09, 2015 12:24 pm

Thanks for the advice, friends.
Wulfman, I am surprised you remember me. It has been a long time since I was a regular on this board.
Moogy
started bipap therapy 3/8/2006
pre-treatment AHI 102.5;
Now on my third auto bipap machine, pressures 16-20.5

nanwilson
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Re: Altitude question

Post by nanwilson » Wed Sep 09, 2015 12:33 pm

I live in the foothills of the Rockies and spend lots of time at much higher elevations camping. I have not had any kind of problem using my PR machine or my F&P at higher elevations. As a matter of fact I don't see any difference.
Started cpap in 2010.. still at it with great results.

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kteague
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Re: Altitude question

Post by kteague » Wed Sep 09, 2015 1:07 pm

Moogy wrote:Wulfman, I am surprised you remember me. It has been a long time since I was a regular on this board.
You've gotta admit Moogy is a unique user name. Good to see you around.

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Wulfman...
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Re: Altitude question

Post by Wulfman... » Wed Sep 09, 2015 4:06 pm

Moogy wrote:Thanks for the advice, friends.
Wulfman, I am surprised you remember me. It has been a long time since I was a regular on this board.
Of course I remember you, Moogy.
And, this thread of helpful hints........

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14746

I don't know how much would still be usable by new users, but for those who ARE new to this therapy, you might want to browse through it and see if you can find some ideas to help your therapy.

Take care, be well and stop in at the forum as much as you can.


Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05