central sleep apnea

[adjusting to asv machine for central apnea]

After years of being told I have obstructive sleep apnea, I've now been diagnosed with central apnea. I've been working with the applied servo ventilation (asv) machine for a few months now, find it very difficult to fall asleep with it because it is so sensitive to the slightest changes in breathing, as it is supposed to be. It starts puffing at me with the slightest change. Does anyone have any experience with this and/or any suggestions? Thanks much!

[Julie]

What machine (full name & model #) and mask do you use - we need some info to go by - and what are pressures set at?

[tulip100]

Booklet with machine says ResMed VPAP Adapt with heated H5i humidifier, S9 series. I've been working with three masks: Respironics Comfortlite 2 (most comfortable of the three). Respironics Wisp, Fosher & Paykel 400hc567 CE (numbers and letters on the mask).

[palerider]

you could try enabling the ramp, from the clinical manual:

During ramp, the pressure support is always at the Min PS. After ramp, the pressure support modulates
within the PS range (Min PS and Max PS). In ASVAuto mode, the EPAP also modulates within the EPAP
range (Min EPAP and Max EPAP).

[archangle]

Welcome. Please put your machine in your profile. There's a link in my signature line, but you may have to put it in the comments section.

How long have you been on ASV? My impression is that a lot of people have a lot of difficulty adjusting to them at first, but eventually your brain gives up fighting the machine and it becomes easy.

I think there are a lot of adjustments that may affect the timing as well.

[icipher]

I took me a good few months to get used to ASV. a year later, I felt pretty comfortable with it. Stick with it and good luck.

[tulip100]

Thanks. Some success with it this past week, encouraged.

[tonycog]

It took me many months to accept my BiPAP. Stay convinced that you need it and ask questions here to solve issues one-at-a-time. Your brain will get used to it. For me, the first 2 months were hell. The next few months were better but I was angry that I couldn't sleep without it. Then I slowly realized that I was accustomed to my mask & machine. Now, after nearly 6 years, on most nights, I have sort of a Pavlovian response to my mask. I seldom take more than 5 minutes to fall asleep.

Stick with it and you will master it.