Linc
If a patient has data then why wouldn't they adjust back down? That is the whole idea isn't it? Intelligent action upon reading data. Just like Mom is capable of reading a meter and dailing her insulin.

Data plus simplistic human thought and some minor education = good therapy.

No data + no education = big profits and lousy therapy

BlackSpinner wrote

Data plus simplistic human thought and some minor education = good therapy.

No data + no education = big profits and lousy therapy

You are really good at Math. Thanks for reducing screens and screens of recent postings (including mine) down to something that is simple and easy to understand.

cinco777 wrote:Thanks for reducing screens and screens of recent postings (including mine) down to something that is simple and easy to understand.

Thanks
I do this for a living (analysis) and with my successful therapy it makes it much easier.

Words push emotional buttons, create smoke screens and confuse.

BlackSpinner wrote:Words push emotional buttons, create smoke screens and confuse.

Have you read some of the posting here lately?

It's like there is an overflow of hormones and newbies who are looking for a place to fight. Everyone wants to be right about something.

And if you want to blame Gumby - just get in line. Remember the Vietnam War? That was my fault too.

tillymarigold wrote:If I'd set my CPAP myself to 14 or 16 or 20, I could have done myself some serious damage.

Mowgli wrote: What would this hypothetical damage be and what would hypothetically cause it?

Blackspinner--

Just answering the above question. No more, no less. The primary risk of pressure too high is central apneas, from what I've been told.

Believe it or don't. Set your pressure anywhere you want to for any reason--or no reason. Cinco can drive, walk or stay on the porch. I couldn't care less.

Don't shoot the messenger.

I had no central apneas during my sleep studies.

LinkC wrote: The primary risk of pressure too high is central apneas, from what I've been told.

Believe it or don't. Set your pressure anywhere you want to for any reason--or no reason.

Someone explain to me - how and why a central is sooo much worse than an obstructive apnea?

When/if I stop breathing is one worse than the other?

So if I turn it too low then what?

I'm embarrassed I don't remember this for sure, but I believe that cpap and apap machines do not respond to central apneas. Is that right? If that's correct, couldn't you have a central and keep having it until, and if, your body decided to wake you up? Centrals are from the brain, not an actual obstruction, so an cpap/apap can't get rid of it. If your pressure is set correctly, for obstructive events, it either stops them from happening (cpap) or waits until you start to have one and then adjusts the pressure within a set range to stop it (apap).

Please correct me if I'm wrong. My memory's shot lately.

BlackSpinner wrote:
Words push emotional buttons, create smoke screens and confuse.

Not all words do, read carbonmans words and verse. They make people feel warm and fuzzy inside ...

As for my DME I love the place to bits, mainly because of the staff, Lisa is one fine lady and i love having her help me adjust my equipment

I can understand the thinking that the 'professional' (whomever and in whatever field) is the expert. I'm of a generation and upbringing which respects this viewpoint. Doesn't make it right. Just perpetuates the myth in the 'professional' 's mind that they are a god, and in the lay person's mind the same.

The fact is, some people are far better off taking responsiblity for themselves and their therapy.

I agree with Slinky and some others that this forum has people who - despite perhaps their good intentions - are counter-productive to many people, and in turn cause these people to turn away from our forum, which is a pity since it denies them of real and valid assistance. I can ignore these, since there are others I can heed. Not everyone is so thick-skinned or insensitive to barbs.

I also agree with blackspinner, I can add 2 and 2, and not get 22. How hard can it be that we cannot be allowed to monitor our AHI and tweak to more effective numbers? It is a sham perpetuated by many, and forums such as this, perhaps unintentionally, debunk it. Sure, some people probably do need the 'experts' to monitor and assist them, and let's face it, they're not here. The ones on this forum are for the most part capable and in the long run become cpap-educated.

In my own case, I'd NEVER go back to (Australia's version of) the DME or the sleep doctor. Condescending, rude, closed and unhelpful in the case of the doctor, and downright ignorant ability-wise in the case of the DME. Like Dori, if I have a problem, it is solved here, and far more efficiently. Attitude I could do without, same as with some of the closed minds, but again that's my choice to ignore and take the good.

The pity of it all is that some of the negative posters in this forum have such wonderful senses of humour, and add so much value from that viewpoint.

millich wrote:

leejgbt wrote: But, do you know any of the negative consequences of too much pressure...?

Tell us more about this, please.

I guess I should have been more specific. I'm well aware of the theoretical increased risk of central apneas if we recklessly raise our pressure too high. I believe that's why the advice given here is - and has been since I came on the scene - to raise your pressure s-l-o-w-l-y while carefully monitering the results on a data capable machine.

leejgbt made it sound like there were more possible negative consequences. I was asking HIM what those are. Sorry I wasn't clearer.

Mowgli wrote:Count me in as an expatriate of the U.S. for nearly 30 years preparing to retire back to the U.S. soon. Wondering if some person(s) there will try to stop me from managing my therapy in the way I have become accustomed (and become successful)?

Believe me, I will bring back several machines and multiple copies of Respironics and ResMed software.

What seems to be going on there is even unsettling to the citizens here who always looked to the U.S. as a leader in protecting the freedom of the individual. I hope we have wrong impressions.

I think you do have the wrong impression, Mowgli. There is no law that forbids you from managing your therapy. You may need a prescription to buy a CPAP machine, but there's nothing to stop you from twiddling the dials afterwards. I need a prescription to buy Lipitor, but if I want to drink it down with a big glass of grapefruit juice no one can stop me, regardless of what the professionals advise. Of course, since it's a free country, any idiot is free to tell you that it is illegal for you to adjust the pressure on your CPAP machine, but they're wrong.

Two points to make:

I will attempt to have a "guest" RT give the risks of changing pressures without the advice of a sleep doc. Some of the negative outcomes, etc.

It is against FDA regulations for DME companies to change settings without an order. It is ill advised for the patient to do the same, but not illegal. The people here that change their settings I hope are doing this in conjunction with a sleep physician. Would you change your blood pressure med dosage without getting your doc's opinion? Would you know all the risks? If you feel better afterwards does it make you right or just lucky?

How many people on this forum have had problems associated with adjusting their own pressures????/ I am just curious.

I think it's illegal for a DME, RT or sleep professional to even bother with a "User Forum". Esp. w/o ever providing any proof of credentials. I know one claims to be a CEO and another gave the impression he was some licensed RT but now appears he was a driver. Neither willing to let us contact their wonderful companies.

I know If I read it on the Internet - it MUST be true.

There just seems to be a real increase in the "new guys" here who seem to think they can fix the world and paint it with a broad brush.

I don't know just how we managed for so long with out them. Some come across as complete control freaks. Trying to control someone they have never met and never will.

We have many regular professionals here who seem to tolerate US just fine. It is just a recent influx of the control freaks that has caused all this uproar.

JMMO - Just My Meaningless Opinion
Gumby - who is a 44DD on the internet
but is willing to turn her machine back until the sleep doc wakes up.