What should I start off with on the first night?

crazybimmer · Post by **crazybimmer** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:22 am

Just got my Respironics M-Series Auto with C-Flex.

I want to leave it on Auto but i was confused by the settings. Also whats a good pressure rate to start it on? 4.0?

Tonight will be the first night I will use it, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:47 am

[quote="crazybimmer"]Just got my Respironics M-Series Auto with C-Flex.

I want to leave it on Auto but i was confused by the settings. Also whats a good pressure rate to start it on? 4.0?

Tonight will be the first night I will use it, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

crazybimmer · Post by **crazybimmer** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:25 pm

Yea I wasnt smart enough to even get a sleep study done.

I have a high deductible insurance so i took the matter in my own hands. Better than ignoring it...

mikester · Post by **mikester** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:47 pm

oceanpearl - Geez, no need to be so hard on the new guy. Not everyone can afford to pay for a study, and there's really nothing wrong with self-titrating using an APAP, as long as you know what you are doing.

http://www.foocus.com/pdfs/Articles/Mar ... rtelle.pdf

So, are we going to be jerks and drive away a new user, or are we going to help someone who needs it become compliant.

roster · Post by **roster** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:35 pm

What should I start off with on the first night?

1) A hearty romp between the sheets with a willing member of the opposite sex.

2) When my sleep lab sends an auto machine home with a patient to collect some data they always set the auto machine at 4 - 20. After two weeks you bring the machine back in, they read the card and then prescribe a narrower range.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:35 pm

Hey, Rooster!! You just starting out or is that new addition on the couch w/you just the latest addition/edition? Hmmmmm? Maybe that's WHY you are on the couch??

crazybimmer · Post by **crazybimmer** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:42 pm

rooster wrote:
What should I start off with on the first night?
1) A hearty romp between the sheets with a willing member of the opposite sex.

2) When my sleep lab sends an auto machine home with a patient to collect some data they always set the auto machine at 4 - 20. After two weeks you bring the machine back in, they read the card and then prescribe a narrower range.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:57 pm

I would start with my bottom pressure something higher than 4. Like at least 6 or 7. You could get a very suffocating feeling if it's too low.....and depending on your mask's exhaust rate, you could be re-breathing too much CO2 (for awhile, anyway). I wouldn't set a Ramp pressure or time as the pressure will/should move up as needed.
If you're using a nasal mask (as opposed to a full face mask), make sure you're not leaking or breathing air through your mouth.....that'll definitely affect the pressure.

Good luck,

Den

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:41 pm

If it were me, and I'm sure no doctor, I'd set the minimum pressure as Den suggested. On 6 or 7. I'd set the maximum pressure at 16 for that first night.

After I downloaded the results from the first night, if my AHI was under 5.0, I'd be happy.

If I saw that the max pressure was hitting 16 even briefly, I'd raise both pressures the next night, to use a range of 8 - 20.

The most important pressure setting to "get right", imho, is the minimum pressure. I think it needs to be up high enough to prevent most apneas and hypopneas while they're no more than just a glint in the eye of the machine.

For me the value of an autopap is in using it almost like a cpap, with the minimum pressure set high enough to prevent most events from the get-go, yet having considerable ceiling room up above (the max pressure setting) if needed. I want the machine to be able to use more if necessary without having to take forever to move up to the "more."

Good luck with your tweaks, bim!

darthlucy · Post by **darthlucy** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:50 pm

crazybimmer wrote:Yea I wasnt smart enough to even get a sleep study done.

I have a high deductible insurance so i took the matter in my own hands. Better than ignoring it...

May I ask, then, how do you know for certain you have sleep apnea?

roster · Post by **roster** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:14 pm

I trust Wulfman and Rested Gal more that my sleep lab.

crazybimmer · Post by **crazybimmer** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:18 pm

darthlucy wrote:
crazybimmer wrote:Yea I wasnt smart enough to even get a sleep study done.

I have a high deductible insurance so i took the matter in my own hands. Better than ignoring it...
May I ask, then, how do you know for certain you have sleep apnea?

Well had many who slept in the same room as me that i "choke" in my sleep. Also have...

* Loud snoring
* Periods of not breathing
* Awakening not rested in the morning
* Abnormal daytime sleepiness, including falling asleep at inappropriate times
* Recent weight gain
* Limited attention
* Memory loss
* Poor judgment
* Personality changes

I know some people here will not approve of this and im ok with that. But from all the reading that i have done, i dont see how this could be harmful for me if i monitor everything.

Will I harm myself?

roster · Post by **roster** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:21 pm

I vote "Go for it". Report your results here and let the patient experts comment.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:27 pm

crazybimmer wrote:Will I harm myself?

Nah......it's only AIR!

I think in hindsight lots of us (with plain OSA) would like to have done it that way......keeps the stigma and repercussions out of your medical files.

Good luck,

Den

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:55 am

If I knew then what I know now...I would have done it myself too. Just be sure to keep posting so we know how you're doing! I know I've gotten more help and support here than from any MD, DME, or RT.

Brenda

Mask

What should I start off with on the first night?

What should I start off with on the first night?

Re: What should I start off with on the first night?