Pressure of 4 cm - Subtherapeutic?

[Elsh]

I received my CPAP today. I am brand new to it. The only time I have had a mask on was in my second sleep study. In the sleep study, I was given a pressure of 6 and then 7. However, my doctor has prescribed a pressure of 4 cm for me. No, it will not increase during the night. I feel nervous about starting CPAP therapy to begin with, but looking things up online, I can't find any other reports of anyone starting at a pressure of 4 and staying at 4 through the night. I read things like that people have trouble breathing with the pressure on 4. So I'm feeling even more scared about starting this treatment. I don't know if a pressure of 4 is therapeutic or even safe. I read that it's subtherapeutic. So I really don't understand why my doctor would have me on 4. I see a sleep specialist, but that's not until July 18th. I'm meant to stay on a pressure of 4 until then. Has anyone else started out this low? Does anyone know anything about starting out this low, or why the doctor would do this? I know that I have a mild case, but 4 seems just unheard of.

[Pugsy]

Sometimes it does not take a lot of pressure to maintain an open airway. There are a few members that I know of who do extremely well at 5 cm pressure. Give the prescribed pressure a try. See how you feel with it. Each person can have different needs and one can't compare their needs with another. If you feel suffocating or like there is not enough air moving and can't rest.. call DME or doctor and explain things.

[Elsh]

All right. Thank you. That makes me feel better, and I really appreciate the reply.

[BrianinTN]

I'm one of those people who stays at 4-5 each night. For me, it's very comfortable, and I do not have any obstructive apneas with it. You're in good shape!

[devinf]

I started at 4 because of a screw-up with my sleep study. I didn't have any problems breathing with a setting that low, in fact I had already began to sleep better. I have on my own began to creep the number up and am now working at 9.5 - each increase has shown to be a step in the right direction. I wouldn't be surprised if your setting gets increased by the sleep doctor. In the mean time, take the opportunity to get used to your mask and sleeping with the machine so whenever your final settings get going you're used to the equipment and can get going right away.

Devin

[slapmeawake]

I also have a pressure range of 4-7. My 90% is around 5.1 so most of the time I'm below that. I breathe just fine at 4. Don't worry,you'll be fine.

[gpap]

4 isn't too low. I have a range of 4 to 8 with an average around 6. My AHI stays under 2. Doesn't always seem to need a lot of pressure to keep things open.

[Elsh]

Thanks, everyone.

[archangle]

I believe that 4 is considered a minimum pressure because of the mask design. You need a certain amount of pressure in the mask in order to flush your exhaled CO2 out of the mask such that you don't rebreathe it.

It's possible that some people might need 2 cm pressure, but you'd need a special mask design to use a pressure that low.

[Elsh]

I appreciate all the responses. I slept with it last night and did fine! I actually do feel better than usual today, and slept loads less, so perhaps this is a good sign already!

[Pugsy]

They gave you a ResMed Escape?? No meaningful data gathered by that model. It will tell how many hours you use it and that is all.

I would not want it. Zero way to check on therapy. I am typing with one hand so I will let the others explain why we want real data. Read this for starters. "Help, I am stuck with a brick" from one of our forum members.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

[GumbyCT]

I appreciate all the responses. I slept with it last night and did fine! I actually do feel better than usual today, and slept loads less, so perhaps this is a good sign already!

How about other medical problems? Or central apneas? Do you have a copy of your report? That could esplain lots.

[Elsh]

They gave you a ResMed Escape?? No meaningful data gathered by that model. It will tell how many hours you use it and that is all.

I would not want it. Zero way to check on therapy. I am typing with one hand so I will let the others explain why we want real data. Read this for starters. "Help, I am stuck with a brick" from one of our forum members.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

Thank you for this information. I will try to make the phone call asap, though it'll be very difficult for me as I have trouble making phone calls, particularly ones that may be difficult. But I can see how this would be important.

[jimnsc]

At a pressure of 4 you should have very few problems with masks leaking.

[Elsh]

They gave you a ResMed Escape?? No meaningful data gathered by that model. It will tell how many hours you use it and that is all.

I would not want it. Zero way to check on therapy. I am typing with one hand so I will let the others explain why we want real data. Read this for starters. "Help, I am stuck with a brick" from one of our forum members.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

I called and they said they can set me up with the Elite. They didn't give me any trouble. They are supposed to call back to set up an appointment to come to my house. Hopefully they don't charge me more.

Also, I got up very early today (9 am), and I normally don't get up til noon or 1 pm, so I had loads less sleep than usual. I don't feel tired, and I feel better today than I generally do. I wonder if just one night could have made a difference already!