Moving from CPAP to APAP machine

[cdnduck]

Has anyone move from a CPAP machine to a APAP machine? Can you tell me how long it takes to adjust?

As most of you know, this whole process started on Aug 29th when the doctor confirmed (via the overnight sleep test) that I have sleep apnea. Since then, I have gone back to round two of the overnight sleep test so that they can confirm my settings. ( Change pressure from 8 to 12 cm/H2O).

This past Tuesday, when I went back to see my results and to receive the prescription, the doctor recommended that I try a APAP machine. He told me that the difference from what I needed on my side compared to my back was about 4-5, which he stated is in the range of having a APAP machine.

Since Tuesday, I have tried sleeping with this unit however I always wake up with the feeling that I'm not getting enough air through my mask. In fact, to be perfectly honest, I have only used the APAP machine for the first hour of every night. I then switch over to my CPAP machine and I sleep through the night like a baby!

Has anyone been in this position before? Does it take some time to get used to the APAP machine and the lower pressures??

Eventhough it has only been 3 nights with the APAP machine, I'm thinking to call the doctor and tell him just give me the prescription for the CPAP machine. Don't forget, it has been a very long process to get use to the CPAP machine. (7 weeks and 6 different masks!)

Thanks.

[Pugsy]

What is the lower starting pressure on the APAP? Using ramp?
So what are the settings? Minimum and maximum?

It might simply be too low for comfort since you were used to the higher pressures on CPAP.
Often APAPs are set with the minimum being that 4 cm pressure starting point and it simply is uncomfortable for a lot of people.
Doesn't feel like enough air is moving. Technically we won't suffocate at that pressure but it sure feels like it for a lot of people.

[Lizistired]

Please you add your machine to your equipment settings.
Take the apap! You can run it in cpap mode. Some of us are more sensitive to the pressure changes. The apap will give you more variables to adjust over time.

[Guest]

Has anyone move from a CPAP machine to a APAP machine? Can you tell me how long it takes to adjust?

As most of you know, this whole process started on Aug 29th when the doctor confirmed (via the overnight sleep test) that I have sleep apnea. Since then, I have gone back to round two of the overnight sleep test so that they can confirm my settings. ( Change pressure from 8 to 12 cm/H2O).

This past Tuesday, when I went back to see my results and to receive the prescription, the doctor recommended that I try a APAP machine. He told me that the difference from what I needed on my side compared to my back was about 4-5, which he stated is in the range of having a APAP machine.

Since Tuesday, I have tried sleeping with this unit however I always wake up with the feeling that I'm not getting enough air through my mask. In fact, to be perfectly honest, I have only used the APAP machine for the first hour of every night. I then switch over to my CPAP machine and I sleep through the night like a baby!

Has anyone been in this position before? Does it take some time to get used to the APAP machine and the lower pressures??

Eventhough it has only been 3 nights with the APAP machine, I'm thinking to call the doctor and tell him just give me the prescription for the CPAP machine. Don't forget, it has been a very long process to get use to the CPAP machine. (7 weeks and 6 different masks!)

Thanks.

You DO realize that you can set your APAP machine to CPAP mode and to the same pressure you're used to, don't you?

You could also start with a very small pressure spread (3 - 5 cm.) and see what happens. Maybe using the pressure from your straight CPAP machine as the minimum pressure.

Personally, I couldn't handle the pressure changes when I tried APAP mode after using straight pressure for over a year (they kept waking me up). And, I found out that my AHI numbers were higher using a range of pressures.

.

[JO'M]

You may need to start a bit higher than 6. But take the Auto, not sure what province you're in but it is apparently very difficult to get a RX for APAP in ON. It can be run in straight CPAP mode

My story is much the same as yours. Started with CPAP in August with a pressure of 12, with the ramp feature set at 6 to ramp up to 12 in 20 minutes. I took to it like a duck to water, After a couple of weeks, I skipped the ramp and went to full on pressure. Was on it for a month, went back for my follow up and after reviewing my reports, my Dr suggested trying the APAP. I'm now on week 3 of APAP pressure 6-14. At 1st, 6 didn't feel like it was enough air, but after a couple of nights I adjusted and now I am sleeping better with the APAP than I ever did with the CPAP

[wilsonintexas]

A lot of people feel that a setting of 4 os to low, and they feel like they are sufficating..... I guess at the lower pressure yiou have a since hat you can oput breath the machine.... you are not, otherwise the pressrue would drop, but it feels that way all the same.

Most feel better in the 6-XX range... for some reason it simply feels better.

I also gave up the ramp, it may be making it worse.

The other area where there is a large difference is ERP, or exhale pressure relief.... many people like me love it.... I find it hard to breath out without it....

MANY people HATE IT.....

Kind of like a mask, very very personal choice.

I would ask the DME to help you try and make a few adjustemsnts, while you are in a recliner...

1) up the minimum pressure to eround 6 see how it works
2) move ERP around from 0-3 and see if it helps...


You caould easily do it yoruself, but it sounds like yopu have a good relationship with your DR, so ask them to help set it.

The other recommendaiton, try setting with the mask on while awake watcing TV for a few hours.... let your body get use to it.... see if it helps. If you can get use to it in a room otehr than the bedroom, it helps you be less afraid as you go to bed... It can become a self fulfilling prophecy if you go to bed, afraid of what will happen.

[cdnduck]

My setting is at 8 with a ramp of 10 minutes. They left the unit wide open therefore the settings are from 4-20 cm/H2O. I asked the tech to set the machine at a starting point of 10 but she stated that she can't do that!

I understand that a APAP machine is better than a CPAP, especially in Ontario, but I find it difficult to get any sleep.

If I hearing everyone correctly, just keep trying and after a week or two I should get used to the machine??????

Would it be possible for me to adjust the pressure up to say 10 or 11 and use this pressure to fall asleep and then have the machine go into full Auto mode? It seems that I need to fall asleep on my side which I only need 8 cm/H2O and when I switch to my back I need 12 cm/H2O.

Would there be any harm in doing this on my own??

BTW, the S8 compared to the Philips is like driving a Chev and then trying out a Rolls Royce! I can't believe how quiet the S8 is compare to the Philips!

[Lizistired]

Check out the machine video links in my signature below... for whatever machine you are using.

[Xney]

An APAP can do everything a CPAP can and more. If you find down the road you like CPAP better, you can switch the machine to that mode.

If they're buying you a machine (or your insurance is), is the model an S8? That's an older model. It can be hard to get the data off that model.

[chunkyfrog]

After on night on my Autoset, I wondered how I could STAND the Elite.

[JO'M]

If you're going with a RedMed machine, tell your DME you want the S-9, the ON ADP program pays 1180 towards the cost of an APAP.
You might as well get the latest model.

[kutastha]

I recently made this change and have had the complete opposite effect. I was set for a pressure of 5 on CPAP, but would have horrible nights. My AHI would never get above 7, but I would hover around 5 and felt exhausted continually.

I switched insurance and had to send the CPAP back, and asked my sleep doc for an APAP instead, mainly because watching my data through Sleepyhead, I could see so much variance in my AHI that I felt APAP was a good route. Prescription's for 5-9, and it took me two nights to notice the difference. It's been about two weeks and my average AHI is now less than 3, I'm having dreams again - long and vivid, along with breathing better, feeling more awake, alert, and attentive. I've also lost four pounds without changing a thing. My average pressure is 5.5, and on some nights it can go over 7, which is 2 cm higher than I was at on the CPAP.

Of note is that I set it to an Aflex of 1 as this first night felt too uncomfortable with no pressure relief, so this may be something to try. I'm pondering upping the low end of the pressure setting to 5.5, since that's my average, but want to wait til SH gets updated (I have a 560) to take a much closer look at the data.