Possible Liam Experiment?

Liam, I'm posting this versus PM'ing it because I think there are other patients in your shoes. I lost track of your CPAP compliance attempts when I left for vacation. However, based on one of your closing signatures, it sounds as if you're still at odds with CPAP comfort at least on some nights. I also caught an old post in which you considered buying a used AutoPAP.

My proposed experiment should be done with the approval of your doctor. It may or may not give you a hint as to whether the lower mean pressure yeilded by an AutoPAP would be more suitable for you than the higher pressure yielded by CPAP. This is not an experiment that I personally conjured up. Rather, this is a technique that some sleep doctors opt to try on patients struggling with compliance. The experiment is to temporarily run your CPAP machine at a lower pressure to see if you achieve greater comfort. I have read of some patients achieving compliance this way. The basis of this strategy goes as follow: using CPAP at lower pressure is better than using no CPAP at all----as many of your obstructive sleep events will be prevented.

Your CPAP discomfort may not be pressure related, however.---in which case this experiment might not pan out. If that lower CPAP pressure yields greater comfort, you may gradually acclimate to higher pressure, or use the results of your experiment to justify AutoPAP with its lower mean pressure. If this lower experimental pressure yields vast numbers of unaddressed apneas, however, then that resultant (apnea-related) discomfort will be at odds with the potential comfort that can be achieved from AutoPAP. Again, some pressure is more beneficial than no pressure.

Opinions???

Actually, that sounds like it makes a lot of sense.

True, at a lower pressure I may not be treating all of my apneas and hypopneas, but when I get tired of not sleeping and take my mask off, I'm not treating ANY of them.

I've tried, for the last week, coming home and putting on my mask and setting the blower on, just to get used to it, and truth be told, I'm even getting to like having it on... when I'm not lying down.

As soon as I lie down, it just gets... frustrating. I don't know how else to put it.

I don't think it's the pressure, to be honest, but as I say, anything's worth a try. I'm certainly no worse off running with a pressure of 5 or 6 instead of my titrated 9 for a few days, to see if I can slowly get used to the idea.

Thanks for the thought, SWS! I'll try it now.

Liam, resetting his CPAP almost as we speak.

I have severe OSA. My sleep study revealed ZERO minutes of REM sleep with 272 abnormal Respirtory events within a total sleep time of 198 minutes. Hummmmm about three and a half hours of sleep (or whatever it was)
My original pressure was set at 18/14 (Bipap). I battled that sucker for 6 long months...........My doctor said...."Let's drop it down to 14/10...some compliance is better than none"
So...it worked for me. I just could not handle 18/14. Now...I'm compliant and feel better. We moved the pressure up a bit to 15/11. Still OK by me.

Your pressure is at 9? How nice! They started me out at 20 - RAMP starting at 7 with a 45 minute time! Tonight will be my 3rd night. I'm having a very hard time adjusting. My MASK is so darn uncomfortable!

Texas Girl,

Order the Breeze nasal pillows, they are much easier to use. I started with a mask and after trying for 3 nights to get it to seal with setting it so tight I was miserable, I ordered the Breeze nasal pillows. Have been wearing them for almost 3 weeks now and have not taken my them off at night once. I am on a bilevel with pressure set at 18/14 and that is hard to get used to. Are you on a bilevel, if not tell your doctor you want an autopap with c/flex. I am getting one as soon as I can convience my doctor that I need one.


Gilda

mommaw wrote:Have been wearing them for almost 3 weeks now and have not taken them off at night once.

AT NIGHT once? Now *THAT'S* why my co-workers have been looking at me funny, since getting my Swift several weeks ago, I haven't taken it off once.

Now that you say it, perhaps it's OK to take them off during the day.

Liam, needing a SWIFT kick in the shorts.

Liam, if I hadn't been married for 42 years, I would ask you to marry me. You crack me up!


Gilda

mommaw wrote:Liam, if I hadn't been married for 42 years, I would ask you to marry me. You crack me up!


Gilda

Gilda, when I work the math and logic, Liam just missed that marriage proposal by not more than a year!