CPAP machine hit or miss....?

[Pugsy]

Also, I have my machine set to *auto* but it looks like the pressure ramps from 4 to 5.8 over 2 minutes, where I thought it was supposed to detect when you fall asleep and then start ramping it up.

You are mistaken on how the auto ramp functions....it starts the ramp time as soon as you start the machine and it goes to full pressure either when it thinks you are asleep or after 30 minutes.
So whichever comes first....sleep or the 30 minutes of ramp time.
It does NOT wait forever to you fall asleep and then start slowly increasing the pressure.

[cook675]

No I'm not sure. I was set at 4 before which is what the doctor suggested at the onset. Then I set it to ~6 two days ago after I have been having non-stop problems the past couple weeks

[cook675]

You are mistaken on how the auto ramp functions....it starts the ramp time as soon as you start the machine and it goes to full pressure either when it thinks you are asleep or after 30 minutes.
So whichever comes first....sleep or the 30 minutes of ramp time.
It does NOT wait forever to you fall asleep and then start slowly increasing the pressure.

I see. We'll it seems to think I always fall asleep within 2 minutes of starting the machine for some reason. I think I'll set it to 30 or 45 minutes (?)

[Julie]

Hi - I wrote this to another poster, but I think it might apply to you -

You may be confusing the Ramp feature with pressure settings... many, if not most don't use the ramp at all - it's got it's own timing settings, etc. and is meant to be used with e.g. high prescribed min. settings (above 10 or 15) that make it hard for some to 'take' the initial blast when starting out... so at increases to your min. setting slowly, but as I said most don't otherwise bother setting it at all, but the scripted pressure (e.g. 7 or 9) is still set properly and you 'go' to it immediately when putting on the mask... the max. setting (often left at 20 altogether) is not involved at all. So while your 'regular' min. pressure starts out at e.g. 7, you don't 'ramp up' to it as such UNless you HAVE enabled the Ramp feature to do that.

[cook675]

maybe i've missed this, but is there a reason why you are set at a fixed pressure?

What's the other option besides fixed pressure?


does the data from last night suggest anything???

[zonker]

maybe i've missed this, but is there a reason why you are set at a fixed pressure?

What's the other option besides fixed pressure?


does the data from last night suggest anything???

sorry, i'm not technically minded enough to even guess what last night's data suggests. as to the alternative to fixed pressure is pressure that waxes and wanes throughout the night, working to try to vanquish each event. this is called "auto mode" and for the majority of us, it works better because it can respond appropriately.

there will be times when your pressure needs to increase. but if you have it at a fixed pressure(yours is 5.8 i think in your screen grab), it can't go any higher when it needs to. therefor, it's not doing the best that it can do to help.

does that make sense?

[palerider]

maybe i've missed this, but is there a reason why you are set at a fixed pressure?

What's the other option besides fixed pressure?


does the data from last night suggest anything???

Auto mode (Autoset), where the machine can respond to your changing needs.

The data suggests you'd do a little better in auto mode.

[cook675]

Ok thanks guys. I changed it to 5—>15 for tonight.

Round 2 coming up!!!

[zonker]

Ok thanks guys. I changed it to 5—>15 for tonight.

Round 2 coming up!!!

that's a start. don't be surprised if you end up going even higher than that. but please be sure to take another screen shot and post it here in the morning.

good luck!

[cook675]

Today I feel great. Fresh, awake, alert etc.. Except for some soreness from my lower back which I think is just from being in bed too much on my side. It still took me awhile to fall asleep. I tried going to bed at 11 but didn't fall asleep until around 1 I think.

sleep data 030419.png (218.95 KiB) Viewed 1236 times

[Thumper68]

If that was my chart, I would raise the minimum pressure to 7. Leave the max at 15 if you want. A lot of just set the max pressure at 20 and leave it there.

[cook675]

Ok thanks Ill try this tonight. Hopefully this pressure fix is the magic pill ive been looking for

[cook675]

Ok last night was better than the average of the last two weeks, but not nearly as good as the previous night. I remember multiple times waking up to a leak and having to either take my mask of and restart or resituating it again.

Are there any suggestions to prevent this leak and wake me up once the pressure starts to jump? Or any other suggestions? Should I tighten the mask?

sleep data 030519.png (219.6 KiB) Viewed 1195 times

[ChicagoGranny]

Are there any suggestions to prevent this leak

Here are some suggestions:

To reduce unintentional mask leak -

- Make sure the mask is fitted properly. (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure the headgear is adjusted properly (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- If you use a low ramp pressure or a low minimum pressure, you should fit and adjust your mask at the higher pressures it is operating at for most of the night. You would temporarily change the machine pressure settings while you do the fitting and adjusting. It's best to do this well before bedtime before you are tired and ready for sleep. Don't forget to change your settings back to the ones you prefer.

- Make sure to use good hose management - the hose should not pull on the mask. Notice how your hose is positioned between machine and mask. It should be positioned to minimize any pull on the mask. Hose management is an individual practice. How it is done depends on the mask, the position of the machine, your sleeping position and other factors specific to the individual.

- If you still have problems, learn from the forum what mask liners are available.

- Start a thread in cpaptalk asking for help. Subject: Need Help with Mask xxxxxx

- If your mask still has excessive leak, try other masks. Many people report trying several masks before they find one that works well for them.

Note: Links to just some of the mask manufacturers' instructional videos can be found on the forum host's website - https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php and https://www.youtube.com/

- CG

[Pugsy]

Are you still using the Liberty as shown in your profile?

If so...you might look here, if you haven't already, and see if there is an idea there that might help with the leaks.
wiki/index.php/Hybrid_Mask_Modifications

Maybe one of the other hybrid type of masks would suit you better...
The Innomed/RespCare or even the Respironics DreamWear full face mask...it's sort of a hybrid.