Could rise in CPAP pressure effect sleep quality?

[tcaron]

56 year male, new user..

I've been getting a full 8 hours of Resmed S8 Autoset II use each night for the last 4 months and feel better but.....
I don't think I feel as rested as I think I should.

I've raised the min pressure on my Resmed to 10 and now have a range of min - 10 and max - 16. Dr. had prescribed 6 - 16.

Could the higher min actually be effecting my sleep quality? My Rescan #s look good. Once in a while I get a 10-20 Apnea reading, usually when nose is congested, but it is rare. Leaks are low.

Thanks!

Tom C

[Wulfman]

Try straight CPAP pressure. For many people, changing pressures throughout the night can be disruptive to sleep.
Also, depending on the type of events you're having, the ResMed Auto may not pursue apneas above the pressure of 10 cm. The ResMed Auto's A10 algorithm will only go above 10 cm. if there are snores or flow limitations preceding apneas. That's ResMed's solution to prevent inducing Central Apneas (which only a small portion of sleep apnea patients experience).

Do you have a copy of your sleep study? (if not, get it)
If the doctor reviewed your sleep study or if you already have a copy of it, did you experience any Central Apneas?
If you did NOT have any (and they took your pressure above 10 cm.), then you should probably be able to set your pressure above 10 cm. if you need to.

What are your AHI numbers like? (AI and HI)


Den

[ozij]

56 year male, new user..

I've been getting a full 8 hours of Resmed S8 Autoset II use each night for the last 4 months and feel better but.....
I don't think I feel as rested as I think I should.

I've raised the min pressure on my Resmed to 10 and now have a range of min - 10 and max - 16. Dr. had prescribed 6 - 16.

What made you raise the pressure? When did you it (how fast) and why? Why did you choose a minimum of 10? Are you using EPR.

Could the higher min actually be effecting my sleep quality? My Rescan #s look good. Once in a while I get a 10-20 Apnea reading, usually when nose is congested, but it is rare. Leaks are low.

Yes, too high pressure when you don't need it can disturb your sleep without showing anything in the results.

Den, ResMed reports length of time in apnea, and I believe Tom is saying he once in a while he has apnea 10 to 20 seconds long.

The ResMed Auto's A10 algorithm will only go above 10 cm. if there are snores or flow limitations preceding apneas. That's ResMed's solution to prevent inducing Central Apneas (which only a small portion of sleep apnea patients experience).

ResMed's A10 algorithm responds to flow limitations, snores and apneas up to a pressure of 10 cms. Beyond that, it keeps on responding to flow limitations and snores, but not to apneas. Should a person be one of those people who have obstructive apneas without snores or flow limited breaths, the algorithm would not serve them well.

All companies set a default pressure that basically says "OK, when we're this high, this apnea has a high probability of not obsturctive so we won't raise pressure in response". Sandman's default is 10cms, and so is Fisher & Pakel's. Unlike ResMed, Sandman and Fisher & Paykel let you change that limit. But the default is 10. Respironics is the only company the keeps responding untils it runs into a series on non-responsive apneas (6 at least), whereupon it backtracks and and waits twiddling its thumbs for 15 minutes.

(typos edited...)

[Wulfman]

Den, ResMed report's length of time in apnea, and I believe Tom is saying he once in a while he has apnea 10 to 20 seconds long.

I was reading it as a number of events, but as you say, it could also be the length of them......so maybe Tom will clarify that.
Thanks for pointing that out. (along with the rest of your input)


Den

[sagesteve]

Try straight CPAP pressure. For many people, changing pressures throughout the night can be disruptive to sleep.
Also, depending on the type of events you're having, the ResMed Auto may not pursue apneas above the pressure of 10 cm. The ResMed Auto's A10 algorithm will only go above 10 cm. if there are snores or flow limitations preceding apneas. That's ResMed's solution to prevent inducing Central Apneas (which only a small portion of sleep apnea patients experience).

Do you have a copy of your sleep study? (if not, get it)
If the doctor reviewed your sleep study or if you already have a copy of it, did you experience any Central Apneas?
If you did NOT have any (and they took your pressure above 10 cm.), then you should probably be able to set your pressure above 10 cm. if you need to.

What are your AHI numbers like? (AI and HI)



Den

I agree with Wulf. I started with auto in the beginning and after reading this forum settled on straight CPAP. SOOOOOO much better! My AHI runs 0.5 to 1.0. I run a 9 to 11 depending on my weight gain or lose and sometimes vatigue. I know the auto at the upper end was disturbing my sleep for sure. A straight 11 in the beginning worked perfectly...at a lower weight? The 9.

[tcaron]

Thank you all so much for responding.

I'll grab my report tonight and share the AI, HI, etc.

I have not seen my sleep study results and my Dr. seems to be reluctant to share.

Thanks!

Tom C

[Wulfman]

Thank you all so much for responding.

I'll grab my report tonight and share the AI, HI, etc.

I have not seen my sleep study results and my Dr. seems to be reluctant to share.

Thanks!

Tom C

Your sleep study is part of your medical records and you have a right to have a copy of them.......it's no different than a report from a blood analysis or anything else. It's also covered under the HIPPA rules/law.


Den

[tcaron]

Here are my numbers:





I lowered my min to 8 last night and went to bed a hour earlier. I feel more rested.

Thanks

Tom C