NEED HELP WITH AUTO CPAP RESULTS

I hope this is not too long of a message, but I am trying to sort out my software results. Orig I was titrated to 10. So when I got my Auto cpap I set it to 12 and 8. But most of my time at night was at 8. So I set the bottom number to 6 and then I was spending most of my night at 6. Then I changed it to 4 on the bottom and 12 on the top. The software (DEREK'S) says that I am spending most of my time at 4. However, at night I wake up frequently like I did before having a machine. And last night I woke my self up with a snore. So the bottom line is that I feel better at a hight pressure and sleep better, but the auto cpap is keeping me at the pressure of 4 for most of the night. CAN ANYONE HELP ME OUT HERE TO FIGURE OUT MY BEST PRESSURE? I will be happy to upload my software results if it will help.

Thanks,
Gary [/img]

Gary, is "Ramp" time set for "0" (zero)?

If "Ramp" is set on "0" (which it should be, if you are using the Remstar auto in auto mode or auto with c-flex (afle mode), then I'd set the pressure range for 8 - 15. I'm not a doctor...that's just what I'd do, if I were seeing what you described.

I know most people want an autopap so they can set the lower pressure considerably below their previously prescribed single pressure. Setting the low pressure as low as is comfortable to breathe works fine for many people.

But, there are also many (I'm one) who find they get better treatment if they set the lower pressure on an autopap up very close to, or even at, their prescribed pressure. That doesn't mean they can't enjoy other important benefits of having an autopap.

By setting the low pressure at or almost at the prescribed pressure and putting the high pressure a few notches above it, they still can enjoy the assurance of having a machine that can automatically use more pressure, if needed.

With a margin "above", you don't have to worry about things like:

"I've put on weight the past several months...wonder if this pressure is still enough?"

"I wonder if the pressure the sleep study found for me is enough?"

"If I have a few drinks with dinner or party hard, will the pressure be enough?"

"If I have to take or change meds that have drowsiness as a usual side effect, will the prescribed pressure be enough?"

"Wonder if I need to go back and have another sleep study to see if this is still the single pressure I need?"

Even if it turns out that you do best on a single pressure, the autopap can always be set to run as a cpap delivering just one pressure. Yet, you'll still have a machine that you can switch to Auto mode if you ever want to check to see if the single pressure is still "right". Might save the trouble of going back for another sleep study titration if conditions and pressure needs change over time.

Having the software for an autopap is essential, imho, to get a good idea of what's going on.

garyml:

I agree with what RESTED GAL just advised you to do! I believe you can go to the bank with what SHE says also! the tight range around your titrated pressure seems to work much better for me as well as most others with an auto! Try it for a few nights (not just one) and see how you do.

my best to you,

steve,
ufo13

Something else to consider is the higher number. How high is your highest reading at night, nevermind that it might be only once a night. Is it going up to 12 (your highest set number)? Or is it staying below that consistently. If you have events that are hitting 12 more than once a night, you might want to set the higher number 1 or 2 higher. You have to leave room for those times when you need more because of weight gain, drinking, meds. I was titrated at 9 but found out since starting a sleep medication that I need to have it open to at least 14 for treatment. If I had been put on straight CPAP I wouldn't have known this and wouldn't have been receiving sufficient therapy while I slept.

Garyml. You sound exactly like what is going on with my wife. The lower numbers will not go high enough to correct her apnea. she needs 9. I can set any number for her bottom number even 8 to whatever and it does not work for her, You set it at 9 and her AHI is less than 1. I am in the process of looking for a different auto(420E) for my wife hoping it will work for her. But I have a feeling Rested Gal is going to be right and no auto will work for my wife...............oh well, maybe she(RG) might get that 420E she has been looking for

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): 420E, AHI, auto

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): 420E, AHI, auto

[color=green]I have my AUTO machine, as of last night, set at 7 to 12. According to the software I spent 5.25 hours at 7cm, 1.75 hours at 8cm, and .75 hours at 9cm. No time was spent above 8cm. However, when I set it for 4 to 12, most of my night is at 4cm.

Gary[/color]

rested gal wrote:But, there are also many (I'm one) who find they get better treatment if they set the lower pressure on an autopap up very close to, or even at, their prescribed pressure. That doesn't mean they can't enjoy other important benefits of having an autopap.

I'd be willing to bet real money (if we could figure out some way to prove it) that those like you and I who get better treatment close to or at their titrated pressure got a better lab reading. Maybe we had a more experienced tech.

If I set me pressure too low I get more snores that will eventually wake me up (not to mention my loving wife!). If I allow the pressure to go too high I have more central apneas. A tight range around my titrated pressure allows for much of my night to be at a comfortable lower pressure that still give me good treatment but let the machine respond to my changing conditions, including many different sleep positions every night.

By setting the low pressure at or almost at the prescribed pressure and putting the high pressure a few notches above it, they still can enjoy the assurance of having a machine that can automatically use more pressure, if needed.

With a margin "above", you don't have to worry about things like:

"If I have a few drinks with dinner or party hard, will the pressure be enough?"

I can read the results in SilverLining and almost tell you how many drinks I've had! (Usually the answer is "zero", but sometimes ... ).