How long???

vfont · Post by **vfont** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 4:49 am

Yes, I know eveyone is different and everyone's experiences and results will vary according to the person. That being said, I'd like to know what others experienced with their CPAP therapy specifically in how long it took for their AHI to start dropping.

Okay, I know this is only my second night. The first night I used an Activa mask and had leak problems. I woke up several times and had to get up each of those times to use the facility or get water, etc. My AHI on the Activa was 6.5 and average pressure was 10.8.

Last night I used the Optilife. Boy, what a difference! I felt like I slept better, got a full 8 hours and didn't get up at all. I woke up briefly to readjust the mast twice, but fell right back to slepp. Even though I feel I did better with the Optilife, my AHI was higher at 8.1 and average pressure was 13.5. Any insights?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:11 am

What pressure range are you using on APAP? Are you taping, if not are you sure you aren't mouthleaking? Jim

vfont · Post by **vfont** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:23 am

The APAP came set from CPAP.COM for a 4-20 range. I noticed that the apneas are 0 from 5-9. When the pressure hits 10, I am seeing apneas develop. So the question is...Are the apneas developing because the pressure is higher or is the pressure going higher because of the apneas?

No, my mouth isn't breaking. I'm fortunate that my mouth stays shut all night.

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:43 am

Could you post a detailed night report from Encore that you think shows a typical night?

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 6:35 am

Vfont, you must now embark on what is potentially the most frustrating part of xPAP for many. Your assumption that AHI will come down of its own accord as you get comfortable with your equipment is erroneous.

The good news is that many have found optimizing treatment is not all that difficult really. The bad news - which is not really all that bad - is that optimizing xPAP therapy is a trial-and-error process taking a few days at least, and possibly weeks and months.

I agree with Blarg. If you can post your hourly charts of overnight data, that would let folks here compare your experience with their own. They can then tell you what changes worked for them. A lot of folks here simply limit their pressure range around their titration value though, say plus 2 cm and minus 2 cm from the titration value, and find that works well for them.

Regards,
Bill

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:05 am

So many questions.....so many variables......

Did you leave your machine set to 4 - 20? I would suggest moving the bottom number up to about 9 and drop the upper pressure to about 12 and see what happens over the next week. (and don't use the Ramp feature)

My numbers started to drop right away and continually declined over the next several months......but then, I was on a fixed pressure of 10.

What do your snore indexes look like? Some machines tend to chase snores.

Sorry, I can't give you any advice on the masks.....other than to use the one that's the most comfortable to you. My Comfortfull 2 gave me good numbers for the 3 nights I could stand to wear it....... Go for comfort and fit.

Best wishes,

Den

vfont · Post by **vfont** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 3:08 pm

Here are my stats from last night. Maybe someone can tell me what this all means.

http://www.fontlife.com/cpap/results.htm

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 4:18 pm

Vfont, since a lot of your apneas seem to occur when your machine is at lower pressure levels, it seems to me that you'd likely reduce your AHI simply by raising your lower pressure limit up to 14 cm or 15 cm. Of course, doing that's probably gonna make it harder to get to sleep until you get accustomed to the higher pressure.

Regards,
Bill

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 4:23 pm

Even raising the low pressure up to 12 would help alot. You would get rid of most of the snores, and alot of the AHIs.

And that's a pretty high pressure you have. Remember if you start having problems, a Bi-Pap might be a better option for you.

And what was your titrated pressure?

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 4:30 pm

Okay, I answered my own question. You were titrated at 9+. That's a big difference in what you reached last night.

Maybe some of the more knowledable people here can chime in on why your pressure went up so high (maybe leaks, or chasing apneas?).

I don't think I would want my pressure range so wide open if I was titrated at 9 to 10.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:00 pm

Kinda early to make many conclusions.....a night or two doesn't give much of a picture.
If you're going to leave it in Auto mode with a range of pressures, my thoughts would be to bring the bottom pressure up to about 10 and limit the top pressure to 15.......then watch it for about a week.

If you find the changing pressures disturbing to your sleep, then I'd suggest starting at a fixed pressure of 10 and see how that goes.....and whether you need to work up from there.

Best wishes,

Den

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:18 pm

Linda3032 wrote:Maybe some of the more knowledable people here can chime in on why your pressure went up so high (maybe leaks, or chasing apneas?).

Could be snores too.

I'd chime in with what everyone else is saying and say bump up your min pressure, adjust for a week and then post another night.