CPAP results better than Auto

Bamafanatic56 · Post by **Bamafanatic56** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:39 pm

Anyone have a theory why my AHI numbers are consistantly better at a CPAP setting of 10 vs. auto of 8-15?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:46 pm

If you don't mind the extra leaks and pressure of CPAP use it. It's all about options. I'm willing to put up with AHI of 0.2 more for the ease. APAP AHI is 0.7....

Part of your problem may be how you use APAP, I run a narrow range 3 to 4 CM, between high and low, so the machine has a chanch to react quicker and isn't chasing it's tail. Jim

Bamafanatic56 · Post by **Bamafanatic56** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:53 pm

Does the wider range create lag time?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:05 pm

Event can happen before the machine can correct them, and you usually end up with leaks and all bets are off. Jim

So I keep the old dog on a tight leash. At Aa pressure higher than I need my AHI climbs out of my sweet spot, Fast.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:17 pm

I do better on CPAP than APAP and have a lower AHI and lower leaks then with APAP, so it's all relative I guess. In my case the pressure variations were waking me up, even in a tight range of 2cm. My Rx pressure is 12 FWIW.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:47 am

Ditto what JeffH said!

Brenda

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:05 am

I also echo what Jeff and Brenda said.
There's a tendency to set the Auto's range too wide or the bottom pressure lower than what is needed.....supposedly for "comfort"......which allows more events to happen before the pressure can get to where it needs to be. Many of us sleep better when the pressure is constant.

Constant pressure doesn't necessarily mean HIGHER pressure or more leaks. Also, with a pressure range, you need to tighten the mask tension to be able to stand the highest pressure you may reach......which may then be more uncomfortable at the lower pressure settings.

Den

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:38 am

Bamafanatic56 wrote:Anyone have a theory why my AHI numbers are consistantly better at a CPAP setting of 10 vs. auto of 8-15?

For curiosity's sake, I'd try auto mode at 10 - 20 for a few days.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:49 am

ditto and echo what Rg said

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:13 am

Bamafanatic56 wrote:Anyone have a theory why my AHI numbers are consistantly better at a CPAP setting of 10 vs. auto of 8-15?

Re-reading your initial post and then looking at your "Additional Comments", I'm wondering something.....

Additional Comments: pressure is 11 using CPAP mode, AHI is 2.6

Are you getting better results at 10 cm than 11 cm?

If you've found your "ideal" pressure at 10 cm, and your pressure wasn't going anywhere near 15 cm.......why set your upper pressure higher?

If a pressure of 10 is working best for you, I'd leave it there.

Den

Bamafanatic56 · Post by **Bamafanatic56** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:42 am

When I first got the auto which was also my first machine I titrated myself and found I was spending most of my time at 10 but my AHI was always over 5. I couldn't get it below 5 no matter what I did...different masks, mouth taping etc... So I changed to CPAP and pressure of 10 and AHI is in the 2-3.6 range constantly. BTW my sleep DR gave me a scrip for a pressure of 6! That certainly was money well spent...what a quack.

glfredrick · Post by **glfredrick** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:49 am

I originally had set my auto range 8-16. AHI was 1.8. The doc prescribed 16.

On a return trip to the doc, he gave me all sorts of hell and prescribed 13 as my new setting. I've since set the auto from 10-16 and my AHI has dropped to .4. I'm gonna try bumping one level of pressure for a week at at time to find the dropping-off point.

In my case, raising the lower pressure threshold helped my apnea.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:02 am

My pressure has been set 5-20 since I've been on it. I have mine in auto mode, and I range anywhere between 9 and 11. Most of the time, my pressures are 10.2. My AHI ranges from 2-4 most nights. Lately it has been more like 3.7. I know it is acceptable, but I know I could feel better. One night when I was at my sister's house, I got an AHI of .1! I felt like a million bucks!!! I want to get that again.

What would you guys suggest I set my machine for if I change it to cpap mode?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:08 am

Treesap wrote:My pressure has been set 5-20 since I've been on it. I have mine in auto mode, and I range anywhere between 9 and 11. Most of the time, my pressures are 10.2. My AHI ranges from 2-4 most nights. Lately it has been more like 3.7. I know it is acceptable, but I know I could feel better. One night when I was at my sister's house, I got an AHI of .1! I felt like a million bucks!!! I want to get that again.

What would you guys suggest I set my machine for if I change it to cpap mode?

If you wish to keep it in Auto mode, I'd suggest a bottom pressure of about 10 cm. If you want to try it in CPAP mode (and be able to use EPR), I'd suggest a single pressure of 10 cm......until you see how you're doing at that.

Den

Bamafanatic56 · Post by **Bamafanatic56** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:10 am

I may try setting mine to 10-14 for a couple of nights and see what happens I know I have some mask leakage but I roll around at night and I don't think this can be helped, anyway if my numbers stay below 5 I should be happy correct?

CPAP results better than Auto

CPAP results better than Auto

Re: CPAP results better than Auto

Re: CPAP results better than Auto

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Also using Aussie heated hose, pressure is 11 using CPAP mode, AHI is 2.6

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i