Moved From CPAP to APAP - Not Going Back

[penuel]

Penuel
I can see activity & spikes on your Flow Limitation graph, but I don't know the significance of that activity - what does 'Flow Limitation' activity suggest is going on??

No it's jut the level of the FL of being there. May be if we spend a year or two more on this website it will be clarified by then. In the meantime take a look here that Flow Limitation (includes UARS and RERA) has the same meaning on all machines but how they deal with it, is yet to be clarified. As long as you're using a CPAP even in APAP mode you should be OK (somewhat) also against Flow Limitation.

A short reminder:

"Introduction

UARS is characterized by abnormal respiratory effort, nasal airflow limitation, absence of obstructive sleep apnea, minimal pulse oximetry fluctuation with oxygen saturation nadirs ≥92%, and frequent nocturnal arousals or reflex brainstem activation.1 It was first recognized in children in 1982, although the term UARS was not used until the first adult cases were reported in 1993.2,3 The incidence and prevalence of UARS has been systematically investigated in a recent São Paulo epidemiologic study4 (discussed below in “Epidemiologic Studies of UARS”). Prior to the São Paulo study, some have reported prevalence rates of 8% to 20% in the literature.5,6 We now know that this syndrome has recognizable clinical and polysomnographic characteristics that differ from those observed in patients with OHS/OSAS. UARS occurs in all age groups without any clear sex preferences, although some studies suggest that women may be at increased risk. UARS has the potential for significant impact on the daytime functioning and quality of life in untreated patients and there is growing evidence to suggest that symptoms are progressive without treatment."


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[Wulfman...]

Over the weekend I moved from CPAP [ 10 minute ramp from 5.5 to 10 ], to APAP, [same ramp, which I found I don't need], with a range of 7 though 12.

I immediately noticed a difference in the breathing effort required on APAP compared to CPAP.
APAP feels more natural & smoother & requires less 'effort'.
I will be sticking with APAP from now on.

AHI - On CPAP it got down to an average of 1.9.

Have been on APAP 3 nights and the readings in order have been: 6.0, 4.7, 2.7

Am I correct in assuming the machine is 'learning' my breathing pattern & adjusting & that explains the reduction in AHI over 3 nights??

In summary, if you are on CPAP and your machine has the ability to go to APAP, I recommend you give it a try.

I am breathing easier in the mask & I feel more rested on APAP.

Wish I had done it earlier.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've read one of these types of posts........

So, you're setting your machine for SUB-THERAPEUTIC pressure settings from what you've been using and "think" just because it feels better, it's better for you. GREAT!!!
Your AHI is considerably higher than what it had been.

If you start waking up lots more during the night or waking up feeling unrested, you'd better reevaluate your decision or options.

If you had set your range from 10 to 15, then I probably wouldn't be nearly as critical. At an "average" AHI of 1.9, you had some room for improvement and higher pressure was probably needed. But, you went the other way with your minimum.
Keep an eye on how often you bump up to the maximum pressure.

Good luck.


Den

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