CPAP to APAP

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Fri May 12, 2006 6:38 pm

Well, I made the move. I talked with my Sleep Doc who readily agreed to switch me off of my Fisher&Paykel HC608 CPAP onto a ResMed S8 Vantage/H3i Auto-set APAP. I have being trying as hard as I can to be a good sport in adjusting to the new CPAP adventure, and though I believe that I am benefitting from CPAP tx, I still am not sleeping through the night, and some nights are worse than others in terms of compliance. I often am awakened at 3 or 4 AM by the loud hiss of my Swift lying next to me on the bed. I am aware ofetn of awakening at 4 hyperventilating a bit with a bit of a suffocating feeling like I was rebreathing stuffy air, though my sleep study has not idication of centrals or CSR.

I've come to believe that those awakenings were because the heated hose of the F&P HC608 was heating the air a touch too much and it really WAS becoming stuffy. So, I'm hopeful that the ResMed will be a solution.

Here's a question though: I was titrated to 10cmH20 during my split-night sleep study (for reasons that NO ONE including my Sleep Doc can explain to me). I have NOT found the pressure to be at all objectionable. But, I really didn't like the ramp feature of my F&P since it felt like I wasn't getting enough air when I started every evening.So, I switched it off and went straight to the full 10cm pressure. Will I experience the same thing with the S8 Auto-set which is set to 6-14 cmH20, when it first "settles in"? If so, what do I do???

I'd be gratweful for whatever thoughts any of you good and experienced folks have, or any other thoughts about getting used to the ResMed S8 Vantage Auto-set.

Thanks!!!

Chuck

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Fri May 12, 2006 6:50 pm

If the pressure seems too low, it is a simple matter to increase the low end of the pressure. (Either get the Provider Manual for instructions, or do a search or ask on this forum for instructions.)

Tell you doc you might have to do this, and get his consent IF you have to turn in any reports, etc. to your insurance. It can't hurt to increase the bottom pressure as high as 10 cm if you need to do so, since that is what you have been using already!

Moogy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 12, 2006 7:08 pm

I found anything below 8 to be too low for me. So I am not surprised you didn't like 6

sleepyjean · Post by **sleepyjean** » Fri May 12, 2006 7:31 pm

Will I experience the same thing with the S8 Auto-set which is set to 6-14 cmH20, when it first "settles in"? If so, what do I do???

You might not feel the same way when the apap first starts as it will adjust automatically (and quickly) to your needs. That's part of the the beauty of the apap. The low pressure does seem a bit too low though, so if you do have a problem, it wouldn't do any harm to turn it up a bit, say to seven. Just a small change can make a big difference.

I have the same machine and I love it! Good luck!

sleepyjean

froger25 · Post by **froger25** » Sat May 13, 2006 5:45 pm

But, I really didn't like the ramp feature of my F&P since it felt like I wasn't getting enough air when I started every evening.So, I switched it off and went straight to the full 10cm pressure. Will I experience the same thing with the S8 Auto-set which is set to 6-14 cmH20, when it first "settles in"? If so, what do I do???

My DME and sleep doc recently did that mess to me. I had been on a higher pressure 10 and was switched to 18 on regular CPAP or BPAP. When I finally got my APAP they for some reason made my minimum 4. I too felt like I was suffocating even on my regular FF mask. My advice would be to call your DME to change your minimum to what you are used to at the pressure of 10 and if you need more it will tritrate up to where it should be. That is my 2c. It helped me to return to my normal pressure.

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:08 am

Chuck, the ramp feature on your F&P unit should be adjustable. In other words the DME should have been able to set the starting level higher. In most if not all cases, 4cm is just too low for a starting pressure. I guess that is not important now that you are on an auto. However, I for one think that the span set on your auto is just too wide. Typically I prefer to set the auto span 3cm below and above the titrated value to start with. In your case this would be a lower setting of 7cm and an upper setting of 13cm. You can tighten this up if the data calls for it.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:59 am

Thanks for your input. After two nights now with Autoset, I have come to the same conclusion as you; that is, my AutoSet range is too wide. My efficacy data still shows a high treated AHI (14.1; almost all of it hypops) even though this may be artifactual to the ResMed alogorithm. And, I had a VERY VIVID dream last night, for the first time in a LONG time, which I'm thrilled about. So, I'm gonna see about changing the Autoset range, and see what happens.

Thanks again for your input!

Chuck

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Sun May 14, 2006 8:02 am

wow, i wonder if my range is too wide as well, when it starts i have to pull the mask forward just to be sure the air is blowing, i wonder if i should get the startup pressure higher as well?

Mask

CPAP to APAP

CPAP to APAP

Re: CPAP to APAP

Thanks!