Do you use RAMP?

Sloop · Post by **Sloop** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:26 am

I was going to post this as a POLL, but I can't figure out how to do it on this forum.

Anyway, I believe I tried the Ramp feature for a few nights 20 years ago, but quickly determined I liked the full pressure immediately. For one thing, once I have the mask secure with no leaks, I don't feel any pressure and my setting is 12.
As I remember, using the ramp causes problems with leaks at a lower pressure. So I have never used it since.

You?

RonGJr · Post by **RonGJr** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:37 am

I use the ramp feature, but have shortened the duration to ten minutes. In the month I've been on cpap, I've grown to like the pressure, but it still takes me a minute to get used to it each night. I've been thinking about shortening the ramp time to five minutes. My pressure is 15.

greatunclebill · Post by **greatunclebill** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:42 am

i like my 15 minutes of ramp, don't have leak problems with it and feel no need to try to eliminate it. another one of those no right or wrong answer questions.

JDS74 · Post by **JDS74** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:45 am

I used Ramp for a few weeks when I first started in order to help get used to the machine.
It seemed to be easier to go to sleep with Ramp set on.
After a few weeks without problems, I switched Ramp off and don't use it any more.

Since I had many issues with leaks in the first year (I'm now starting year three) I can't say if any of them were related to the Ramp function. My current issues with leaks happen after about 90 days on a new mask and go away when I replace it.

I would speculate that if your pressure was higher, then starting low with Ramp turned on might let you misadjust the mask and experience an adjustment leak after the pressure reached therapeutic levels later. So I would recommend adjusting with Ramp turned off just in case. Just a thought but no evidence to support it.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:52 am

For anyone wondering how to create a poll...

Start a new topic...scroll down to the bottom left of the page below the blank composing box...look in the blue area for the little tab "Poll". It is really pretty easy from that point on.

I don't use the ramp feature. Never have but I never had problems exhaling against full pressure.
I don't begrudge someone else using it though. I figure whatever it takes to get to sleep is fair game and perfectly acceptable.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:00 am

I think there have been other "do you use ramp" polls but this one is all I could find on short notice.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54482&p=513748&hili ... ll#p513748

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:02 am

JDS74 wrote:I would speculate that if your pressure was higher, then starting low with Ramp turned on might let you misadjust the mask and experience an adjustment leak after the pressure reached therapeutic levels later. So I would recommend adjusting with Ramp turned off just in case.

Exactly this is what happens to almost every newby and may cause some to stop using cpap because they never figured out the force on the straps increase after they fall off to sleep and the pressure increases.

ALWAYS best to adjust straps at FULL pressure. This alone can reduce leaks waking you during the night. But then there are those who don't wake up even for severe leaks and w/o software may never know they are leaking. Sad.

SnoreDog (RIP) called "Ramp" training wheels and to some extent they do allow us to get used to sleeping with plastic on our face and higher air pressures than we have been used to thus far in life.

To me - once you are accustomed to full pressure using Ramp can only serve to allow events to occur because you are not yet at a therapeutic pressure. Let's face it most ramp setting are lower than what IS required to keep the airway open, isn't it? But then again, unless you are checking your data with software you may never be aware of this either.

obtw - polls tend to be very unscientific.

EDIT: I think I missed the last thousand polls let me check to see if I even opened the last Ramp poll

HoseCrusher · Post by **HoseCrusher** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:25 pm

I use a 5 minute ramp every night... And LOVE it! I consider it a "creature comfort."

It starts at 75% of my 95% pressure. I am usually fast asleep before the "full gale" hits.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:31 pm

I used the ramp the first week on CPAP. My pressure was 8 at the time so the ramp at 4 for 15-20 minutes worked out nicely. Shortly after, my pressure was adjusted to 12 and by that time I adjusted without ramp.

lazer · Post by **lazer** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 5:39 pm

I don't use the ramp feature. I find it more comfortable to just lay in bed and fall asleep at my min but then again not like I'm that high at 8cm.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:17 pm

Never used the ramp, I'm a BIG Boy, only use 15cm, don't need help with that. Jim No training wheels, trees look out!

MidnightOwl · Post by **MidnightOwl** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 12:51 am

JDS74 wrote: I would speculate that if your pressure was higher, then starting low with Ramp turned on might let you misadjust the mask and experience an adjustment leak after the pressure reached therapeutic levels later. So I would recommend adjusting with Ramp turned off just in case. Just a thought but no evidence to support it.

This is exactly what happened to me. So I adjusted it at full pressure which took a while those first few days. So by the time the mask was adjusted I was used to the higher pressure. End of using ramp. Cflex lasted a little longer before I realized it was annoying me no end. End of cflex. (Pressure of 14)

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 2:15 am

I usually fall asleep pretty quickly and want the protection my full pressure offers, however, I do use the ramp at nearly my prescribed pressure for a few short minutes. It has nothing to do with pressure or getting used to it. It is because I tend to do a bit of coughing and throat clearing when I first go to bed, and I don't want that mess factored into my data affecting my AHI or leaks. I can't speak for all machines, but I've been told my machine doesn't include ramp activity in it's calculations.

The ramp feature for me was poorly understood in the beginning, and when I woke up every few minutes all night, I did as I was told and hit the ramp to go back to sleep. Spent most of my night at or near my starting ramp pressure of 4. Nearly killed me, but yeah I still use it, just with a better understanding. Any time I hear someone say they wake up in a few minutes feeling like they are suffocating, my first thought is they need to decrease the time and/or increase the pressure of their ramp.

flatag · Post by **flatag** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:19 am

I use the ramp just because I'm new to cpap. I did have the tech reduce the ramp time from 20 minutes to 5 minutes and up the starting pressure to 8 from 4.

I really don't notice any change from 8 to my perscribed 11.

I'll give it a month until my first doctors appointment before I try any changes.

notyorz · Post by **notyorz** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 6:17 am

I used it for one night and said fuggettaboutit!

That first night with my machine, I used the mask fit feature to make sure my mask sealed correctly, then hit ramp. Hated it.

I turned the ramp function off and it's been an easier ride for me without it.

Do you use RAMP?

Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?

Re: Do you use RAMP?