Adjusting your own pressures can be dangerous

[40 Winks]

so says my new respiratory therapist or whatever her title is. A change in insurance necessitated a change in DME's and the therapist remembers me cuz I'm smarter than the average bear due to getting help and educating myself here.

But anyway, last time I was in to get fitted for a new mask (which I found out I can't get until Dec.) we were talking about the F&P ICON. I mentioned I liked the idea of the small footprint with alarm clock but I was very hesitant about getting it because I couldn't get the software.

She then went on to say that you can do severe damage to your lungs if the pressure is too high. Burst a vessel or some such baloney - I started to tune her out. Heck, my auto goes up to 18 at times and I think the capacity of the machine tops out at 20 doesn't it?

Anyway, there isn't a legitimate risk is there? At least on the models with exhalation relief as soon as it senses an exhale (high pressure?) it stops the flow right?

4W

[JohnBFisher]

For someone with severe health issues that might be correct. But for even your average bear (and person, too) adjusting your pressure on your own should not be a problem.

Having said that, do be aware that some people do start to have problems with central apneas as the pressure increases. So, it is always wise to monitor your progress via the software reports of your data from your machine.

[40 Winks]

Well thanks John, but I was really asking for others I suppose. I haven't changed my pressures in quite some time.

I can share an amusing story the last time I was in to see the Doc. He was looking at my file, then looking at the printout I brought in and back to paging thru my file - after several moments he finally asked what pressure he last prescribed me. I haven't been in to see him in quite some time because I was doing so well and it dawned on me that I changed his pressures by tweaking the numbers to where I rarely get above 2.0 AHI and often fall below 1.0 AHI.

I told him, "I found that starting at 8 it was taking too long for the machine to arrive at a pressure that provided therapy. It would start raising the pressure and my Apnea would end on its own. So the machine would stay or take a step back until the next one. So I kept raising the pressure until I started seeing improvement, plus I can see at what pressures the apneas are occurring at. Then I found that I was spending 90% of my time at the highest pressure you set at 14 and I was still having apneas. So, I started raising the maximum pressure slightly each time until I hit 18 which seems to be the sweet spot. Doctor, I really hope that you don't have a problem with what I'm doing, because I'll tell you, I'm sleeping better that I can ever remember. Plus, it's unreasonable to expect you to review my case once or twice a week until we get the numbers right."

He said he didn't have a problem with what I was doing because I sounded like I knew what I was talking about and he added he has never seen any patients with numbers as good as mine.

4W

[Janknitz]

CPAP machines are very, very dangerous. . .


If someone drops one on your head.

[Goofproof]

so says my new respiratory therapist or whatever her title is. A change in insurance necessitated a change in DME's and the therapist remembers me cuz I'm smarter than the average bear due to getting help and educating myself here.

But anyway, last time I was in to get fitted for a new mask (which I found out I can't get until Dec.) we were talking about the F&P ICON. I mentioned I liked the idea of the small footprint with alarm clock but I was very hesitant about getting it because I couldn't get the software.

She then went on to say that you can do severe damage to your lungs if the pressure is too high. Burst a vessel or some such baloney - I started to tune her out. Heck, my auto goes up to 18 at times and I think the capacity of the machine tops out at 20 doesn't it?

Anyway, there isn't a legitimate risk is there? At least on the models with exhalation relief as soon as it senses an exhale (high pressure?) it stops the flow right?

4W

Tell him to stop using forks, they can put out a eye. Jim

[Mary Z]

Putting air in your tires can be dangerous.

[Perrybucsdad]

Your follow-up to the RT should have been "Yes, and not having it set to the correct pressure (too low) can be just as dangerous too."

I love Medical folks who have this god complex. Yes, you should always check with your doctor before doing any changes, but come on, most doc's and RT and just licking their finger and sticking it in the air to see which way the wind is blowing.

If I had waited to be able to get into see my DME and get my pressure adjusted, I'd still be waiting, using the 4 - 14cm pressure range, and still seeing AHI's in the high teens. I did my homework, and now my AHI's are below 5.

If you are going to change your pressures, just be diligent and do your research.

[BlackSpinner]

People like that RT should not be allowed to cross the street on their own.

[Perrybucsdad]

People like that RT should not be allowed to cross the street on their own.

That's right, it could be dangerous.

[avi123]

You could jack up your pressure untill you burst your tear ducts like it happened to Dave:

Hello. My name is Dave and I am brand new to this as I have just discovered cpaptalk.com this evening, so please be patient with a newbie I have severe obstructive sleep apnea and have for many years, and about 3 years ago went thru testing for this. In the testing process, the pressure they took me up to, which was 20, permanently blew out (for lack of a knowledge of better medical terminology) my left nasolacrimal duct, so that when I use a cpap machine anytime or even just hold my mouth and nose and pressurize, air will constantly squirt out of the corner of inner corner of my left eye. This made me so angry that I quit cpap treatment altogether. Well, it is 3 years later and I have calmed down and wish to do things right here and get on the machine, and my goal would be to stay on the machine until such time as I sufficiently lose enough weight that the doctor lets me off of it.

After a few years of treatment you could resume CPAPing after checking that your tearducts got back in order and function like this:

[Really]

Anyway, there isn't a legitimate risk is there?

it just happens that just last month ya know with the economy and all and after losing their jobs well 6 people in my town they decided to end it all by turning up their pressures to 15 Really

[Cuda]

CPAP is about as dangerous as smoking weed. You could die at any moment!

[Terry67]

Hi John as A new user I am having the intal settling in period,all fine apart from the mask leaks,these appear to be centred in around the same time as my AHI's, also coinciding with that my pressure is reaching 19.90....20 being the max for my unit.last night I lowered the top range to 16....no mask leak 7.9 hours sleep and 3.1 AHI....is this just a coincidence? and is it ok to try different increments?

PS apoligies to all if my lingo is a bit off as again I am just learning !!

For someone with severe health issues that might be correct. But for even your average bear (and person, too) adjusting your pressure on your own should not be a problem.

Having said that, do be aware that some people do start to have problems with central apneas as the pressure increases. So, it is always wise to monitor your progress via the software reports of your data from your machine.

[archangle]

You could jack up your pressure untill you burst your tear ducts like it happened to Dave:

Just in case any newbies don't know better, avi123 is a troll. Do like those of us who have been around for a while and ignore him.

[mars]

Hey Really

Where ya bin the last 10 months ?

I heard you were going to meetings, and trying to reform. But then, I figured that would need more than just meetings .

Anyhow, if I can be less obnoxious, I am sure you can too

Welcome back

cheers

Mars