dESPERATELY NEED HELP

[Mikecpaine1]

I got a machine about 3 months ago. I am not on healthcare so could only go for what I think they call a titration test.
They hook you up to an auto machine and then try and make assessments from the results. My current machine is NOT auto
and the level it has been set was initially 8.5. My problem is that I constantly wake up after an hour and my apneas are about 18.5/hr.

This is terrible. My so called "sleep doctor" has now gone AWOL and I need to know must I increase the pressure to get better effectivity
or must i lower it. I am now officially clueless to this whole thing and desperate because I paid a fortune for my machine.
Please help. regards Mike

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum. Please check your private message box.

If AHI is too high then normally we increase the pressure a bit..in small stages though.. if your AHI goes up with increases in pressure then you may have some centrals forming from too much pressure and you need to be re-evaluated.

But to start with...small 0.5 cm increases in pressure and watch the AHI. You likely will need a couple of cm more pressure more but it is easier to adjust to and better to go up in small stages.

Also sleeping position may be a factor. Typically some people may need more pressure when sleeping on their back...just something to consider. You might be one of those people who can get by with a lower pressure if they remain on their side for the most part of the night....often easier said than done though.

[Mary Z]

Though you're not on a high pressure you may need to experiment up and down for a week at each new setting. You're right- your AHI is too high.

[Julie]

And if your mask doesn't fit properly, leaks can skew results in a big way too.

[ameriken]

I'm with some of the others on this...experiment with some small changes. See how you feel when you sleep with the higher/lower pressure, watch your AHI's, and see how you feel during the day.

It's your lungs, your machine, and your life. I've already made my own adjustments both up and down trying to tweak it and have had good results. If you decide you need to do something and your doctor is not there to tag along, feel free to do what you have to do to make yourself more comfortable and healthier. Experiment carefully in little increments and see how you do.