Auto CPAP Machine questions

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Trib100
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2016 3:22 pm

Auto CPAP Machine questions

Post by Trib100 » Mon Feb 01, 2016 3:33 pm

I started on the ResMed Autoset10 three days ago and not only am I doing poorly(about 2 hours of sleep each night) but some of the things happening just don't make sense to me. The Pressure Setting range on my unit is 5-20 and after it ramps up, it moves up to a pressure of 19 and above and pretty much stays there, even though I am wide awake and not struggling for air. This does not make sense to me, I am not having issues while I am awake so why am I sitting there at such a high pressure setting. Along similar lines when I get up to use the bathroom, I simply take my mask off and leave it on the bed. I would have assumed that the unit, sensing no obstruction would ratchet down the pressure but this is not the case. When I return form the bathroom, it is still cranking out the air like a freaking mini hurricane. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

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OkyDoky
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Re: Auto CPAP Machine questions

Post by OkyDoky » Mon Feb 01, 2016 3:59 pm

Trib100 wrote:I started on the ResMed Autoset10 three days ago and not only am I doing poorly(about 2 hours of sleep each night) but some of the things happening just don't make sense to me. The Pressure Setting range on my unit is 5-20 and after it ramps up, it moves up to a pressure of 19 and above and pretty much stays there, even though I am wide awake and not struggling for air. This does not make sense to me, I am not having issues while I am awake so why am I sitting there at such a high pressure setting.

I'm not sure what is happening here. You need to get Sleepyhead and see what is happening. Here is a link to help you do that. https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead This allows you to read your SD card in your computer. We will help if you have any problems. Sleepyhead will help you see what is happening. The 5 - 20 pressures may need some adjusting to make them optimal for you. Do you use EPR? What were your Sleep Study results? Did you have a titration or just using the autoset to see what pressure you need?
Along similar lines when I get up to use the bathroom, I simply take my mask off and leave it on the bed. I would have assumed that the unit, sensing no obstruction would ratchet down the pressure but this is not the case. When I return form the bathroom, it is still cranking out the air like a freaking mini hurricane. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Most people just hit the off button when they get up to the bathroom that way they have a record when they get up. It doesn't hurt your data because it is all figured together from noon to noon usually. There is a feature called SmartStart that you can set where your machine will turn on when you put the mask on and breath and then turn off when you take the mask off. You have to set this in the clinical menu. Here is a copy of your machines Clinical manual that will explain that. https://sleep.tnet.com/home/files/resme ... -guide.pdf
Last edited by OkyDoky on Mon Feb 01, 2016 4:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ResMed Aircurve 10 VAUTO EPAP 11 IPAP 15 / P10 pillows mask / Sleepyhead Software / Back up & travel machine Respironics 760

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palerider
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Location: Dallas(ish).

Re: Auto CPAP Machine questions

Post by palerider » Mon Feb 01, 2016 4:07 pm

Trib100 wrote: Along similar lines when I get up to use the bathroom, I simply take my mask off and leave it on the bed. I would have assumed that the unit, sensing no obstruction would ratchet down the pressure but this is not the case. When I return form the bathroom, it is still cranking out the air like a freaking mini hurricane. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
the machine is set to maintain a *pressure*. (very small pressure, no more than it takes to blow bubbles through a straw in a tall drink).

it creates a *pressure* by generating a *flow* of air, against an amount of leakage, (which you can feel coming from the mask vents). the less the leak, the less *flow* is needed to generate the desired *pressure*.

when there is MORE leak, then more *flow* is needed.

when you take off the mask, you've got a HUGE leak, so the machine generates maximum *flow* in an attempt to compensate for that huge leak.

hit the off button.

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Night Ranger
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Re: Auto CPAP Machine questions

Post by Night Ranger » Mon Feb 01, 2016 5:15 pm

I used a set pressure for for 19 years. Pressure was 9.5. Bought an auto machine to see if it would make a good thing better. I found out that I am much more comfortable on a fixed pressure -- the variations in the air flow are problematic. Maybe if I worked at it a while I would adjust but I'm very happy with the constant airflow so I changed the machine back to CPAP fixed and all is well.
If you had a sleep study, use the diagnosed fixed pressure of narrow the range to start.

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palerider
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Re: Auto CPAP Machine questions

Post by palerider » Mon Feb 01, 2016 5:26 pm

Night Ranger wrote: I'm very happy with the constant airflow so I changed the machine back to CPAP fixed.
'fixed' cpaps don't generate a constant airflow, the airflow rate varies with each breath.

when you inhale, the fan speed increases to generate extra flow, and maintain desired pressure.

when you exhale, the fan speed decreases to generate less flow, to avoid overpressure.

you can *hear* these changes if you put your ear up against the blower.

of course, you can see the flow change trace with the appropriate software.

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