Do I Really Need APAP?

[ChrisB1212]

I've been using APAP for about 2 weeks now. Consistently log less than 1 event per hour, regardless of whether I set min/max to 6/20 or 6/6. Is a constant pressure of 6 sufficient to stop events? Following my at-home sleep test, I was diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA (8 events per hour night 1, 20 events per hour night 2). For my at-home test, I'm sure I was mouth-breathing. I've been mouth taping with APAP. Thoughts? Recommendations?

[D.H.]

If you own an APAP, you can use it in CPAP mode. This seems more sensible than changing the machine, in the event that CPAP is more appropriate for you.

Also, if somehow you find that you do want an APAP, you already have one!

[Dog Slobber]

Post charts.

[ChicagoGranny]

Consistently log less than 1 event per hour, regardless of whether I set min/max to 6/20 or 6/6.

I also would like to see some charts.

With some exceptions, we recommend the max pressure to be set to 20 for some simple reasons. For one, the machine will not take the pressure any higher than it senses it needs to be. For two, by example, CPAP 6.0 might have been working fine for you. But, what if one night you have some congestion? Or, you had too many alcoholic beverages? Or, you rolled to a sleeping position that is not normal for you? Your pressure needs might be higher than usual to the point that 6.0 is not delivering good therapy. With APAP 6/20, you are covered.

[ChrisB1212]

I guess my real question is, do I need to be on ANY machine at all, if there are so few events at such a low pressure (6)? I wonder what my at-home sleep study results would have been, had I used mouth tape. Maybe mouth taping is all I really need, and no machine. I will post chart with the 6/6 setting...

[Pugsy]

So.....what symptoms did you have that caused you to get the home sleep study test done?
Have any of those symptoms eased up or abated?

And yes....people can have really severe OSA with AHI a LOT higher than yours and they only need 4 to 5 cm pressure to resolve the issue. Conversely there are people with very mild OSA and an AHI like yours but they might need 15 to 20 cm pressure to resolve the issue.

[ChrisB1212]

Thank you. It's counterintuitive. I'm learning.

I asked for test after CAD diagnosis. And, have been a loud snorer forever. I'm 59.

[ChrisB1212]

A couple charts:

[Pugsy]

Are you experiencing much, if any, nasal congestion?

[ChrisB1212]

Correction: Setting was actually 5/5 (not 6/6) on Dec.1

[ChrisB1212]

No nasal congestion. I do use breathe-right nose strips. Seems my mouth tape partially fails during the night, & I then have some mouth leakage (& flow restriction?).