vpap adapt pressure too high?

[apnea2142]

I'm having problems with the resmed vpap adapt because the pressure is too high to fall asleep on
should I change the 5/15 setting to 4/11? ps is 3 but is higher better?
maybe I made a mistake and should have gotten a respironics??
the endo said I could have pituitary tumor so I don't know if that is what is ruining my life for years now with the sleep apnea.... my BMI is only 25 but my neck has gotten thicker but when I was at BMI 24 it didn't make a difference

[jweeks]

Hi,

What pressure settings were prescribed for you? CPAP doesn't work on a sliding scale, so you pretty much have to run at the right numbers in order to get good treatment. It is OK to set up a ramp on the machine so it starts off at a lower pressure. Think of it as training wheels for CPAP. You also might be able to get away with starting at a lower pressure, then bumping it up to your prescribed level after a week or so. That would buy you some time to get used to it.

Another variable here is that your on a very special kind of machine called an adaptive rate machine or servo ventilator. These machines are used for people who have really tricky types of sleep disorders. The machines themselves can be tricky to adjust. I wouldn't advise picking arbitrary pressure levels. You really want to use the levels that were determined in your sleep study. A pressure level of 15 isn't that high, so I think this is just a matter of getting used to it by running that way for a while.

BTW, I found that a nasal pillow mask gives me far less sensation of pressure. In fact, I run at 14/20 (14 exhale, 20 inhale), and I don't even notice the pressure. I also found that full face masks would bounce up and down on my face with this large of a pressure difference, which would bother me enough that I had a hard time falling asleep. Perhaps you want to check in to other mask options if you haven't done so already.

-john-

[apnea2142]

I'm on ASV mode, the cpap didn't work for me on 8cm. some doctors said maybe that the higher pressure I was on was causing centrals but then I would wake up with the mask off and feeling foggy and having headaches

I think I have both CSA, OSA, but my phillips data card shows mostly hypopneas and occasional central apnea

[Pugsy]

think I have both CSA, OSA, but my phillips data card shows mostly hypopneas and occasional central apnea

So you had a Respironics machine before the Resmed VPAP adapt?
You probably would have a lot in common with Sleepwithapnea17. Sounds like the exact same problems and he had a Respironics machine also..
You might want to contact him for a chat regarding your similar issues....or just search the forum for his numerous posts read the tons of information he has received but wouldn't listen to..

[apnea2142]

oh what advice was that??

[Pugsy]

You know I don't remember anything specific at the moment but I often thought that he would benefit from a blood serum acorn level test.

[ozze_dollar]

I have the same machine and the only time I have a problem with the pressure is when I insist on laying on my back. Get off your back and on to your side and it will eventually calm down to much less pressure. Take a few deep breaths and that will help. BTW when are we going to get this machine on the equipment list?

[apnea2142]

it's weird, it's a great machine right, but it doesn't have a ramp for ASV? I thought I was getting the curved white/blue machine from the sleep lab- that one also had a higher starting pressure
CPAP mode does have a ramp. I've read this adapt model is more agressive at triggering breaths than the phillips machine

[ozze_dollar]

it's weird, it's a great machine right, but it doesn't have a ramp for ASV? I thought I was getting the curved white/blue machine from the sleep lab- that one also had a higher starting pressure
CPAP mode does have a ramp. I've read this adapt model is more agressive at triggering breaths than the phillips machine

I have had mine for almost a year now and my only problem is sometimes the pressure (mine is 4/15) feels a bit much. As I said before its only when I am on my back. The machine is adaptive and will increase and decrease when needed. If your not breathing enough or on your back it will ramp up. You will find you can control it yourself with some practise. Get on your side and take some deep breaths and it will calm down because it can feel you are getting enough air. I trialed CPAP and APAP before I went to VPAP. This was the only machine that did the job. (Well in the Resmed range) since I did the trials at Resmed.

[JohnBFisher]

it's weird, it's a great machine right, but it doesn't have a ramp for ASV? I thought I was getting the curved white/blue machine from the sleep lab- that one also had a higher starting pressure
CPAP mode does have a ramp. I've read this adapt model is more agressive at triggering breaths than the phillips machine

Again, we need a little more information. You should register your equipment:

wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

Second, your ASV prescription should have a little more than just two values. For the Resmed VPAP Adapt you should have a EPAP pressure, a PSmin, a PSmax, a BPM (even if only AUTO), and a Maximum Pressure.

Third, Resmed does not offer a Ramp feature with the ASV unit. Why? Well, some of us - myself included - have SEVERE sleep onset central apneas. If it had a ramp feature it would not address those apneas.

Finally, I *HIGHLY* recommend that you get the software that allows you to download and monitor your therapy. This is no different than with diabetes, where patients are ENCOURAGED to test their blood glucose levels at least daily (and for some of us at least four times per day - if not more AS NEEDED!). It is just the same need with Sleep Apnea. We should monitor our therapy to be certain that it meets our needs. It will allow us to address any problems (such as leaks) that might not need a doctor. Then if we remain unable to address the problems we can bring DATA - not just how we feel - to our doctor.

Hope that helps.