Can CPAP work better than APAP?

[Wulfman...]

You people are aggravating and give out bad advice.

The next thing he needs to do, before doing anything else, is address this -->

Pugsy wrote:
Of course all this is assuming that your therapy is optimal (at least on paper) with low AHI and low leaks being reported.

Otherwise, you are just recommending dial wingin'.

So........how is an APAP in a range of pressures NOT "dial wingin'" ?

To me, that's potentially the ultimate in dial wingin' and non-optimized therapy.

But, any user with a data-capable machine NEEDS to monitor their therapy with software. And, that's even more important when using an APAP in a range of pressures.

"Optimal therapy" is much more than just low numbers. It's also good sleep quality.
How many times have you seen people reporting "good" numbers (sub-1.0 AHI) and still feel like crap?


Den

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[CaptainRaven40]

You people are aggravating and give out bad advice.

The next thing he needs to do, before doing anything else, is address this -->

Pugsy wrote:
Of course all this is assuming that your therapy is optimal (at least on paper) with low AHI and low leaks being reported.

Otherwise, you are just recommending dial wingin'.

So........how is an APAP in a range of pressures NOT "dial wingin'" ?

To me, that's potentially the ultimate in dial wingin' and non-optimized therapy.

But, any user with a data-capable machine NEEDS to monitor their therapy with software. And, that's even more important when using an APAP in a range of pressures.

"Optimal therapy" is much more than just low numbers. It's also good sleep quality.
How many times have you seen people reporting "good" numbers (sub-1.0 AHI) and still feel like crap?


Den

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Just added extra butter to the popcorn.

[KillingMe]

Can CPAP work better than APAP?

This reminds me of unethical pollsters who word the poll questions to get the answers they desire.

Haven't had much success with auto pap, having used it for over 2000 hours. I still wake up after 2-4 hours almost every night.

I'm wondering if changing my machine to CPAP mode could help?

If the last sentence had read,

What should I do?

nobody would have recommended changing the settings to straight CPAP. Instead, he would have been asked a lot of questions about what his settings are, his health, etc.

Well, Wulfman might have recommended straight CPAP. Doesn't he always?

[CaptainRaven40]

Can CPAP work better than APAP?

This reminds me of unethical pollsters who word the poll questions to get the answers they desire.

Haven't had much success with auto pap, having used it for over 2000 hours. I still wake up after 2-4 hours almost every night.

I'm wondering if changing my machine to CPAP mode could help?

If the last sentence had read,

What should I do?

nobody would have recommended changing the settings to straight CPAP. Instead, he would have been asked a lot of questions about what his settings are, his health, etc.

Well, Wulfman might have recommended straight CPAP. Doesn't he always?

Wulfman would have. Takes a bite of popcorn.

[The Choker]

Wulfman would have. Takes a bite of popcorn.

Doesn't your wife have a long list of chores you should be working on?

[Wulfman...]

Can CPAP work better than APAP?

This reminds me of unethical pollsters who word the poll questions to get the answers they desire.

Haven't had much success with auto pap, having used it for over 2000 hours. I still wake up after 2-4 hours almost every night.

I'm wondering if changing my machine to CPAP mode could help?

If the last sentence had read,

What should I do?

nobody would have recommended changing the settings to straight CPAP. Instead, he would have been asked a lot of questions about what his settings are, his health, etc.

Well, Wulfman might have recommended straight CPAP. Doesn't he always?

Actually........NO.
There have been numerous circumstances where I've recommended raising minimum pressure, limiting the maximum pressure and narrowing the pressure range.
I have APAPs.
I've used APAPs.
As I've said many, many times before........most of my straight pressure recommendations come after reading someone complaining that their therapy doesn't seem to be optimal, working or their sleep is being disrupted.
It's also a part of the circumstances that when a forum keeps recommending that people get APAPs, and doctors are now more often prescribing APAPs (usually in a wide range of pressures), the likelihood of the users' therapy being far from "optimal" is quite probable.

Again.........LOW "NUMBERS" DON'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THE USER IS GETTING "GOOD THERAPY".


Den

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[tiredman]

Thanks a lot for your responses. I'm going to give it a try. Not sure why I wake up every night but I do, and it's really hard to fall asleep with the mask on at that point.

Pugsy said something that is very important and everyone, including you, is overlooking it.

Of course all this is assuming that your therapy is optimal (at least on paper) with low AHI and low leaks being reported.

My AHI is very low, and leaks are minimal with the current mask I'm using. That's why I'm exploring other things.

My sleep hygiene is ok. Not perfect but I am working on that.

[CaptainRaven40]

Can CPAP work better than APAP?

This reminds me of unethical pollsters who word the poll questions to get the answers they desire.

Haven't had much success with auto pap, having used it for over 2000 hours. I still wake up after 2-4 hours almost every night.

I'm wondering if changing my machine to CPAP mode could help?

If the last sentence had read,

What should I do?

nobody would have recommended changing the settings to straight CPAP. Instead, he would have been asked a lot of questions about what his settings are, his health, etc.

Well, Wulfman might have recommended straight CPAP. Doesn't he always?

Actually........NO.
There have been numerous circumstances where I've recommended raising minimum pressure, limiting the maximum pressure and narrowing the pressure range.
I have APAPs.
I've used APAPs.
As I've said many, many times before........most of my straight pressure recommendations come after reading someone complaining that their therapy doesn't seem to be optimal, working or their sleep is being disrupted.
It's also a part of the circumstances that when a forum keeps recommending that people get APAPs, and doctors are now more often prescribing APAPs (usually in a wide range of pressures), the likelihood of the users' therapy being far from "optimal" is quite probable.

Again.........LOW "NUMBERS" DON'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THE USER IS GETTING "GOOD THERAPY".


Den

Wulfman you are a wealth of knowledge and I just kid with you about the straight CPAP. Hope is doesn't come across as anything but just joking. Don't want to offend someone who has and will help a lot of people. Including myself.

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[Wulfman...]

Wulfman you are a wealth of knowledge and I just kid with you about the straight CPAP. Hope is doesn't come across as anything but just joking. Don't want to offend someone who has and will help a lot of people. Including myself.

No problem. No offense taken. I've taken the kidding for years. Doesn't change my intentions to help those who are having issues with their therapy.
They claim it was Einstein who said "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
So, in my opinion, if "doing the same thing" ain't workin', try something else.
And, with an APAP/Auto machine, the options and settings are greater.
But, you need software to see what's happening, learn how these machines work and how they can improve therapy.


Den

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[ChicagoGranny]

My sleep hygiene is ok. Not perfect but I am working on that.

That may well be why you have trouble falling back to sleep after an awakening.

Awakenings during the night are very common, including among people who don't have sleep apnea.

Count me as one who doubts your difficulty falling back to sleep is a result of APAP. Now that you say your sleep hygiene is not perfect, I am even more doubtful.

Here is a good checklist for any CPAPer having sleep problems.

- Practice good sleep hygiene (Google it and read several sources)
- Eat a good diet
- Have a regular, moderate exercise program
- Try to avoid daytime naps.
- Practice total abstinence of caffeine including sources like chocolate (sigh)
- Review all medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking to make sure none are interfering with sleep
- Optimize emotional stress in your life
- Use CPAP software to make sure your therapy is optimized
- If you still don't feel or sleep well, make sure you have regular medical checkups to confirm there are no other medical problems.

[tiredman]

ChicagoGranny, thanks a lot for your response and suggetions. I'm working on the sleep hygiene.

Just a follow up, I tried CPAP mode but the pressure was too high. (My APAP pressure is 6-8, I set CPAP to 8.) I have a feeling even a lower pressure will be difficult as 8 felt incredibly uncomfortable.

My other problem is that I can only sleep on my back. I will start a new thread about that since it is OT.

[Wulfman...]

ChicagoGranny, thanks a lot for your response and suggetions. I'm working on the sleep hygiene.

Just a follow up, I tried CPAP mode but the pressure was too high. (My APAP pressure is 6-8, I set CPAP to 8.) I have a feeling even a lower pressure will be difficult as 8 felt incredibly uncomfortable.

My other problem is that I can only sleep on my back. I will start a new thread about that since it is OT.

What were your previous settings? I looked through the past posts and couldn't find what they were.

Look at your Sleepyhead reports and see what your pressure is doing all night. Is it going to 8 cm.?

What kind of other "numbers" are you getting from that 6 - 8 range? AHI, snores, flow limitations, leaks, etc.?

Study your reports and you'll have some more knowledge about what you may need to do. (if anything)


Den

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[ChicagoGranny]

8 felt incredibly uncomfortable

Wow. What felt uncomfortable about it?

8 cm pressure is a low pressure. I am a small, elderly woman and my pressure often hits 16 to 18 cm without any significant discomfort.

Tell us some things about your settings, your mask and your therapy in general. Something is wrong if 8 cm is "incredibly uncomfortable". It may be something that is easily fixed.