an AHA moment from CPAP to Auto

[Insomniyak]

I have not been on here in a while. Been on CPAP for 4 years in May. Since that time, I've had the energy back again to ride my bike almost 5K miles per year, and realized alot of other benefits. My doc only wrote me a Rx for straight CPAP so that is all I got. I ignored all the talk on here about Auto adjusting CPAPs because I knew I was missing the benefit of that and couldn't really do anything about it. Based on my data and needs, I would just turn the pressure down from 12 to 11 or 10.5 as I would lose weight in the cycling season, then back up to 12 in the winter.

Well, just on a whim, I looked on Craigslist as I do from time-to-time and just purchased a Resmed S8 Autoset II w/ the HCi3 humidifier with only 250 hours on the clock. Paid $250 for it, which, for a hardly used last of the old machines is very good IMHO. I set it open from 10 to 12. I find that the machine sets itself anywhere between 10.5 and 11.

I am amazed at the difference using an auto makes over straight CPAP.

On a side note, I am hooked on the Swift Fx pillows. I did not have the DME fit it. The doc showed me on a yearly visit to the sleep lab and I bypass the DME altogether by getting pillows, filters, mask parts via eBay.

Cheers.

[Sheriff Buford]

You say you are amazed at the difference between straight cpap and auto-mode. What differences do you have? Do you feel better, have lower AHI readings, or both?

Sheriff

[LSAT]

I found just the opposite. I have used a 'brick' set at 12 for over 3 years. I love that unit. I was curious about my data so I purchased a Resmed S8 II Auto on Craigslist. I use it for a week every 3-4 months to check my numbers. When I use my 'brick' at a steady 12, I sleep all night. When I use the auto (set at 10/15) I wake up 2-3 times a night. When I set the S8 to CPAP mode I sleep through the night. I continue to use the 'brick' because it is quieter than the S8 and there is no noticable pulsation.

[Sheriff Buford]

I agree... most folks should see if they are better off with straight cpap mode or autoset mode. I thought the autoset mode was for me, but after trying out both, I found that I felt much better with straight cpap mode than with autoset. I found it interesting because my numbers didn't change. But man-o-man... I did feel much better. Some folks feel better with autoset and may get better results, but I recogmend that everyone experiment with the two modes. You owe it to yourself.

Sheriff