S9 users: Do you prefer Autopap or CPAP mode?

[KimberlyM]

I am still having apnea events on my current titration so my doctor wants to run me on autopap to see what it reveals. For those who use the S9, do you prefer CPAP mode or Autopap mode? Once the doctor discovers the correct titration I am thinking of asking him to leave it on autopap and set the parameters around my new titration since it can fluctuate to your sleeping position. I would like to know actual users views on the pros and cons of autopap, please!

[KimberlyM]

I changed the title for clarity.

[STL Mark]

I love the autoset options of my machine. I keep mine set at 16-20. Depending on your comfort level with reading the data and making the machine and data one of your hobbies, I would take what ever your existing titration number is and set a range 2 above and below the number. If you don't know how to make these settings, ask. The doctor may not write the script for this, but if you have the machine my opinion is why not learn what works best for you... Out of curiosity, what are your AHI numbers lately?

[XSnorer]

I used my first CPAP machine for 68 months and then upgraded to an APAP. My first thoughs then, and current thoughts now are - WOW, what a great improvement. In addition, the charts clearly indicate (at least to me) a benefit to having the ever-changing pressure throughout the night. I've also lately noted a night-to-night benefit from APAP via it pressure compesating (slight increase) due to my congestion from a cold.

I've been tempted to try the S9 in CPAP mode to see if there is a therapy difference. However, to do so means that I'd need to run it for several nights, with maybe alternating between modes. Just having one CPAP data point would not constitute a fair comparison. Thus far I've been unwilling or motivated to flick the switch to CPAP.

Regarding cons to APAP - I can't think of any.

[brazospearl]

Kimberly, it's a very personal decision. Those of us who have fluctuating pressure needs generally prefer to use apap. Those of us who are sensitive to pressure changes generally prefer cpap. There's no reason you can't try cpap if you want to; be sure to look at your data to see which method creates the best therapy for YOU.

[AirBreather]

Considerable experimentation clearly demonstrated that on average I have fewer apneas and sleep better with auto mode than with any fixed pressure setting, so that is what I currently use.

[KimberlyM]

Thanks everyone for your responses. The doctor set the parameters from 4 to 20. I guess then he will decide on the correct titration, if it works. The machine shows most of my apnea events are centrals now and that the obstructives are under control at 7cm, but he disputes the credibility of the machine and thinks they are all obstructives. Even at 7 cm I have noticed the centrals are coming down over the course of two weeks that I have been using the machine. Thank you again, you are a great bunch!

[KimberlyM]

I love the autoset options of my machine. I keep mine set at 16-20. Depending on your comfort level with reading the data and making the machine and data one of your hobbies, I would take what ever your existing titration number is and set a range 2 above and below the number. If you don't know how to make these settings, ask. The doctor may not write the script for this, but if you have the machine my opinion is why not learn what works best for you... Out of curiosity, what are your AHI numbers lately?

They are averaging out at 13 AHI per hour. The S9 shows that 10 of the 13 are centrals, but my doctor doesn't believe the machine is capable of accurately depicting centrals from obstructive events even though I had 11 centrals out of 20 events during my sleep study. They were able to titrate them away at 7cm though during the sleep study and had it down to 1.8, but I only was titrated at the correct pressure for 69 minutes. Now he says there may not be enough data from the first two studies and I may need a third. This is certainly a frustrating process! I am hoping the centrals go down while in APAP mode.

[AirBreather]

I am a long-term xpap user and not a sleep doctor, so decide for yourself whatever importance you want to place on my comments.

I think it is ludicrous to base treatment on a 69-minute titration. The pressure I need varies widely from night to night and even hour to hour. I suspect that is true for most xpap users generally.

[jlk]

I like auto because my apnea is positional and I change positions frequently during sleep. I recommend you run in auto for 1 week at 8-12 and see if your events are reduced. One sleep study, especially 69 minutes, doesn't make much of a diagnosis for pressure, as far as I am concerned. If 7 is not reducing them below 5, I would say you need more pressure. 4-20 is wide open, you need at least a 7, so at minimun a 7 is as low as I would set it. john

[KimberlyM]

I am a long-term xpap user and not a sleep doctor, so decide for yourself whatever importance you want to place on my comments.

I think it is ludicrous to base treatment on a 69-minute titration. The pressure I need varies widely from night to night and even hour to hour. I suspect that is true for most xpap users generally.

That is what the sleep doctor said too, and that is why he is having me run it in apap for two weeks. He said otherwise I will need a third sleep study (that would be the third in two months-not sure how my insurance company would view that)

[KimberlyM]

I like auto because my apnea is positional and I change positions frequently during sleep. I recommend you run in auto for 1 week at 8-12 and see if your events are reduced. One sleep study, especially 69 minutes, doesn't make much of a diagnosis for pressure, as far as I am concerned. If 7 is not reducing them below 5, I would say you need more pressure. 4-20 is wide open, you need at least a 7, so at minimun a 7 is as low as I would set it. john

My doctor told the DME to set it at 5-20 for the next two weeks. I hope this resolves the problem.

[Twentysix]

I am still having apnea events on my current titration so my doctor wants to run me on autopap to see what it reveals. For those who use the S9, do you prefer CPAP mode or Autopap mode? Once the doctor discovers the correct titration I am thinking of asking him to leave it on autopap and set the parameters around my new titration since it can fluctuate to your sleeping position. I would like to know actual users views on the pros and cons of autopap, please!

I could not stand the continuous pressure of CPAP, but sleep very well with the APAP. I got really stressed trying to fall asleep within the 'ramp' time, which was set for half an hour. I could not breath with continuous pressure of 9 at all and got close to hyperventilating. With the APAP on range 4.7-15 I fall asleep within 5 mins and sleep well throughout the night. Highest pressure 8.7. So there you have my 2 cents of experience.

[Sillyme]

I am still having apnea events on my current titration so my doctor wants to run me on autopap to see what it reveals. For those who use the S9, do you prefer CPAP mode or Autopap mode? Once the doctor discovers the correct titration I am thinking of asking him to leave it on autopap and set the parameters around my new titration since it can fluctuate to your sleeping position. I would like to know actual users views on the pros and cons of autopap, please!

My AHI didn't get below 10 until I went to APAP. Sleep lab said CPAP 12 but I got an S9 and decided to experiment. I set it to 5/14, slept thru the night like a baby and had the lowest AHI's ever - between 1.5 and 3.0. My 95% pressure has been anywhere from 8 to 13. I tried to raise the lower number and the AHI got worse. Don't quite understand it as I haven't had time to figure out the software but I obviously have changing needs and don't do as well on a constant pressure.

[KimberlyM]

I am still having apnea events on my current titration so my doctor wants to run me on autopap to see what it reveals. For those who use the S9, do you prefer CPAP mode or Autopap mode? Once the doctor discovers the correct titration I am thinking of asking him to leave it on autopap and set the parameters around my new titration since it can fluctuate to your sleeping position. I would like to know actual users views on the pros and cons of autopap, please!

My AHI didn't get below 10 until I went to APAP. Sleep lab said CPAP 12 but I got an S9 and decided to experiment. I set it to 5/14, slept thru the night like a baby and had the lowest AHI's ever - between 1.5 and 3.0. My 95% pressure has been anywhere from 8 to 13. I tried to raise the lower number and the AHI got worse. Don't quite understand it as I haven't had time to figure out the software but I obviously have changing needs and don't do as well on a constant pressure.

Were a lot of yours centrals also?