CPAP PRESSURE

[JamesW6175]

Does the pressure on the CPAP machine have any bearing on your level of AH? If you have a AH of around seven, would raising the pressure reduce the AH figure?

My machine starts at four with a ramp time of twenty minutes to a level at ten. Would raising the pressure to 15 or 20 help me in reducing my AH anymore?

[jdm2857]

In general, yes, raising CPAP pressures reduces AHI ((apneas + hypopneas) / hr) if the apneas are caused by airway collapse (obstruction).

However, increases in pressure can cause central apneas (apneas caused by a lack of nervous system signals to breathe).

But you shouldn't just go of and change pressures willy-nilly. Especially raising pressures by a huge amount (like from 4 to 15).

Did you have a sleep study or studies? Do you have the results? What pressure(s) did your doctor prescribe?

If your machine is indeed an S9 Elite, it records detailed data while you sleep. That data can be an enormous help in figuring
out what pressure adjustments (if any) to make.

[jencat824]

It would help to know what's actually going on with your reports. I don't claim to be an expert, I'm still learning the science of reading reports, but if you post your last few nites, I can take a look and some of the forum experts can weigh in on your reports too.

You don't want to mess with your pressure as drastically as you mentioned, going from 10 to 15 is very drastic if you are talking about straight CPAP. Are you on straight CPAP or APAP? If after posting your reports, you stay at your pressure of 10 all nite on APAP, you might increase the top pressure to say 11 or 12 (if you are on APAP). If you are on straight CPAP, an increase from 10 to 11 might help some. Anything like your suggested such as 15 or 20 is way too drastic.

Looking forward to reading your reports. If you have trouble posting let us know.

Jen

[caffeinatedcfo]

Per above - I wouldn't recommend going from 10to 15 or any big jumps like that.

Can you post some data for us to review?