Should I Question My Physician's Prescription?

[palerider]

What's the point, after all, of having these advanced auto-setting machines if we don't use those features.

(looking over his shoulder lest he get pounced by wulfman)

some people believe that they sleep better without the pressure changes that the auto machines create. whether that's a fact, or perception ... doesn't really matter, they feel better that way... so some folks will use the auto features to get into the ballpark, and then tweak it in manual mode.

even if you do decide to go with fixed settings, using the auto is like a multi-night titration, in much more comfortable settings, and will probably get you more suitable pressures.

[Zomby Woof]

Night 31 - BEST YET!

I do earnestly think that I was mis-prescribed.

After conferring with some of the most experienced minds here on CPAPTALK,
this week I began experimenting with my AirCurve 10 VAuto's settings.

By reducing both exhalation pressure and pressure support
I cut my CAs in half and got long periods of uninterrupted sleep.

18IP 10EP 3PS last night's settings
versus
25IP 12EP 8PS original prescription.

(BTW this self-prescribing approach is NOT one I am recommending to any other cpaptalker!)

Of course the DME tech was horrified when I pointed out
I had changed the prescription settings.
Considering that she hadn't noticed the changes,
and that my results were far better than the previous three weeks,
there really wasn't anything meaningful she could add.

Mask used = Tap Pap with lots of mouth tape and a soft cervical collar.
My new P10 arrives in five days and should make leak-proofing my
chuffy cheeks/flappy lips MUCH easier. I'm thinking the Large Leak percentage
will go much lower.

[Ladyflower]

I use an ASV so my pressure can change a lot. Looking at Sleepyhead I've had some really high pressures with hardly any leaks at all. Before I got my equipment I was told that because my pressures went up so high during my study that I would need a full face mask. I told them there was absolutely no way that was going to happen. (I am claustrophobic with anything covering my face.) I insisted on trying the Airfit p10 nasal pillow mask (I knew ultimately if I just coudn't make it work I could always exchange it.) After a year I'm still happily using my Airfit p10. I've heard of plenty of people having to try various masks to find the right one. I just got lucky I guess. My husband has a regular CPAP and needs the full face mask just because he's a mouth breather. His mask leaks a lot more than mine does.