Finally starting CPAP with a few questions....

[Twelve12]

Today is the day I received CPAP machine/mask (added to signature). My path to this point has been as follows: emailed doctor that I would like to proceed with sleep study per small discussion I initiated about suspecting OSA; home sleep study done early Mar; results received late Mar - just quick message from my doctor that I do have "moderate sleep apnea" and she referred me to DME; spoke with DME late Mar and chose machine I wanted; appt today in which machine received and some basic sleep study info.

The sleep study indicates AHI is 26. DME said CPAP pressure set for 7. I asked about adjusting settings and she said I can't do it and that they will if it needs to be done. I asked how 7 is the number arrived at for pressure. She didn't really seem to know.

In general, I think the DME wasn't greatest with info. Honestly, I am not convinced she knows all that much about OSA, CPAP, etc. I have a lot to learn and figure out. I looked up how I can change machine settings (even though she said I can't) and found that info. I just want the ability to do this - and I want to know how/why the fixed pressure is decided if I did not have titration study. Also, when I was learning about the choice of machines, I thought an advantage to the auto machine is that it will adjust a bit through out the night between set parameters but I don't know that this is the case with a fixed setting. So -- should I start out using CPAP as is with fixed pressure of 7? I was thinking maybe 7 is just a standard setting and they go up or down from there after seeing data.

[sc0ttt]

I thought an advantage to the auto machine is that it will adjust a bit through out the night between set parameters but I don't know that this is the case with a fixed setting. So -- should I start out using CPAP as is with fixed pressure of 7? I was thinking maybe 7 is just a standard setting and they go up or down from there after seeing data.

Yeah, no reason not to put it in AUTO ... might be a reason to adjust the min and max after a while.

Might also be a reason not to get in a fight with your DME if they're dealing with your insurance company... practice your response for when they ask you about changing your settings.

[Julie]

Once it's in auto mode, you could set a high pressure of e.g. 12 to see how things go for a while - I hope you're using SleepyHead to monitor them and give you something to go by if you decide to make changes.

[Twelve12]

I thought an advantage to the auto machine is that it will adjust a bit through out the night between set parameters but I don't know that this is the case with a fixed setting. So -- should I start out using CPAP as is with fixed pressure of 7? I was thinking maybe 7 is just a standard setting and they go up or down from there after seeing data.

Yeah, no reason not to put it in AUTO ... might be a reason to adjust the min and max after a while.

Might also be a reason not to get in a fight with your DME if they're dealing with your insurance company... practice your response for when they ask you about changing your settings.

Yeah, I am not going to change just for sake of changing.

I don't have any insurance requirements/monitoring, but DME will know I have changed settings.

[Twelve12]

Once it's in auto mode, you could set a high pressure of e.g. 12 to see how things go for a while - I hope you're using SleepyHead to monitor them and give you something to go by if you decide to make changes.

That is my plan - to use SleepyHead to monitor and then figure out adjustments.

I am curious how my pressure was determined. I think 7 must be standard. Dunno. Though I won't change things just to change them, I would like optimal settings. That will take some time based on data after using. I guess this is the downside of not have titration study.

[sc0ttt]

I am curious how my pressure was determined. I think 7 must be standard. Dunno.

Your home test was probably done with an auto machine that determined 7 was the right setting. Just starting everyone with 7cm is such a bad idea I don't think anyone would propose it.

But again, there's no reason NOT to put your machine in auto - go ahead. If 7 constant is your right number, the machine will provide it.

[Julie]

FYI, I think 10 is more 'popular', but each to their own.

[ChicagoGranny]

I asked how 7 is the number arrived at for pressure. She didn't really seem to know.

This is a question for the doctor or his staff, not the DME. The DME just gets a prescription for the machine and pressure setting from the doc. Often DMEs don't have a clue - they just provide the model machine/pressure setting that the doctor wrote on the prescription.

You don't mention having a titration study (http://www.sleepeducation.com/treatment ... y/overview). So maybe the doctor did just take a starting guess at the pressure setting?

Once it's in auto mode, you could set a high pressure of e.g. 12

You must mean "max pressure setting"? Don't confuse the beginners Julie.

[palerider]

[ but DME will know I have changed settings.

so? it's none of their business what you do with your machine, since you're not subject to insurance oversight.