Therapy change from Cpap to Apap

[kdiverson]

I had my machine exhanged for a new one last thursday, when i was able to convince the DME that my unit was broken ( different thread ). while i was there, the Dr had faxed over a new order for the settings on my Cpap.

previous prescription had been for 11cm Cpap. new prescription was for Apap settings at 5cm & 15cm. settling is set at 5, and EPR at 3. I seam to fall asleep ok for about 2 hours, then it seams that i wake up almost every 1/2 hour after that the rest of the night. Even if i take an ambien, i still cant stay asleep.

I was doing much better on CPAP, sleeping at least 4 hours, then waking up every couple of hours. my AHI is about the same6.3 to 8.7, Pressure is 9.5 at 95th percentile, with 12.5 averaging as the max. i wake up rested, but have needed afternoon naps almost every day, which i didn't need on CPAP. I have my first Drs apointment on november 10th, and am thinking i will ask to switch back to CPAP.

Is this typical for a switch between CPAP to APAP, will i get used to it? i really want to be able to sleep, and not need naps.

[elg5cats]

previous prescription had been for 11cm Cpap. new prescription was for Apap settings at 5cm & 15cm. settling is set at 5, and EPR at 3. I was doing much better on CPAP, Is this typical for a switch between CPAP to APAP, will i get used to it? i really want to be able to sleep, and not need naps.

In essence you went from a 11cm pressure to a 5cm pressure to chase apneas. You are likley to do better if your lower range Auto setting is closer to your orginal 11cm. Also some people do better with less to no EPR. YOu might want to adjust the EPR as well.

elg5cats

[rested gal]

I have my first Drs apointment on november 10th, and am thinking i will ask to switch back to CPAP.

I'd suggest that you not ask to swap your autopap for a CPAP machine. Instead, ask that your autopap be set for CPAP mode at your old pressure of 11 cm H2O.

I'd hang onto that autopap machine, even if I decided to always use it in CPAP mode.

If you feel comfortable changing the settings yourself, that's easy to do. Check your Private Messages.

[kdiverson]

The DME only uses the Resmed Autoset II, so the change in machine was only because it was broken ( not recording data, usage, and EPR didn't work either ).

Last night I noticed that when i was awake, waiting to fall to sleep, the mask made no noise when exhailing ( thru the vent holes in mask where the hose connects ), bun when i inhaled it whistled, which makes me think that APAP is not supplying enough air, and it is drawing some air in thru those holes designed to bleed off a certian amount of air when i am inhaling at low pressure.

I am going to call the RT and get permision to raise the lower end of APAP Setting to at least 9cm and see if that helps. I did manage to get 4 hours of constant sleep before waking, but that required a ambian to accouplish. I do feel better rested this morning, so perhaps i can get used to this.

I did turn of the settling last night, and am considering reducing the EPR to see if that helps.