My doctor prescribed 17 cm H20 CPAP. 17 was uncomfortable so I switched over to APAP with 9 as the lower setting and 17 as the high hoping to spend more time at lower pressures. My AHI went from 20-24 (untreated) to a 30 day average of 1.3 with APAP. My 30 day average 95% pressure is around 13 cm H20. I told my doctor this in preparation for my next appointment in a month and asked if I should set it to CPAP 17 cm H2O. Interestingly, this was his response...
"I reviewed your CPAP titration sleep study report. If you are going to use the Auto feature I would recommend a lower setting of 11 cm of water. But if the pressure is causing problems you can leave it how you have it set for now and we can discuss it further at your visit."
Why would you use a lower pressure on APAP as opposed to CPAP?
Also, I'm happy that he did not chew me out for messing with his prescription.
Thanks
5thumbs
Why would an APAP prescription be lower than a CPAP?
Why would an APAP prescription be lower than a CPAP?
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5thumbs
Re: Why would an APAP prescription be lower than a CPAP?
Good for you! That's why it's so important to be able to track your data. Don't forget, a sleep study is only one anxious night in a strange environment hooked up to wires and the tech may or may not be the most qualified. I'm hoping one of the pros will come by and answer your Subject question, it's a good one. Keep us posted.
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Re: Why would an APAP prescription be lower than a CPAP?
That sounds to me like he's recommending auto 11-17, which makes sense to me. He may be worried that 9 is too low.5thumbs wrote:"I reviewed your CPAP titration sleep study report. If you are going to use the Auto feature I would recommend a lower setting of 11 cm of water. But if the pressure is causing problems you can leave it how you have it set for now and we can discuss it further at your visit."
What range do you think he's recommending?
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Re: Why would an APAP prescription be lower than a CPAP?
DUUUGH! OK, I think you solved it! Makes sense as it is quite clear that he says lower setting AND he brings up that the added pressure is 11 (which is still under my 95% pressure of 13). This may be able to stop the AHI's before they start. I do notice that on some nights they clump together.
Thanks again, you are pretty smart (or I am pretty slow!).
5thumbs
Thanks again, you are pretty smart (or I am pretty slow!).
5thumbs
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5thumbs
Re: Why would an APAP prescription be lower than a CPAP?
You're welcome. And don't worry, we all take turns exposing our moments of stupidity to the general public.5thumbs wrote:Thanks again, you are pretty smart (or I am pretty slow!).
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Re: Why would an APAP prescription be lower than a CPAP?
Why would you not leave it on APAP? Even if you set the max pressure on 17 cm in the APAP then the 95% pressure would be lower regardless of the min pressure setting.
See it in my case.
Notice in the ReScan Stats that I set the APAP on 13cm max, but the actual 95% pressure is 11.2 cm:

Once I get my optimal pressure graph I like to confine it between the max and the min:

Many Docs are not familiar with APAPs b/c usually there is no sleep study dedicated to APAP.
See it in my case.
Notice in the ReScan Stats that I set the APAP on 13cm max, but the actual 95% pressure is 11.2 cm:

Once I get my optimal pressure graph I like to confine it between the max and the min:

Many Docs are not familiar with APAPs b/c usually there is no sleep study dedicated to APAP.
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Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: S9 Autoset machine; Ruby chinstrap under the mask straps; ResScan 5.6 |
see my recent set-up and Statistics:
http://i.imgur.com/TewT8G9.png
see my recent ResScan treatment results:
http://i.imgur.com/3oia0EY.png
http://i.imgur.com/QEjvlVY.png
http://i.imgur.com/TewT8G9.png
see my recent ResScan treatment results:
http://i.imgur.com/3oia0EY.png
http://i.imgur.com/QEjvlVY.png
Re: Why would an APAP prescription be lower than a CPAP?
I think it was just miscommunication and the doctor wanted APAP 11-17.avi123 wrote:Why would you not leave it on APAP? Even if you set the max pressure on 17 cm in the APAP then the 95% pressure would be lower regardless of the min pressure setting.
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Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus |
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Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.
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Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.
Useful Links.