Auto Users - does your pressure change when sick, tired, or?

[MidnightOwl]

Has anybody noticed consistent changes in their pressure requirements when they are sick with a cold, very tired, or using a different type of mask. Or any other factors?

I don't use an auto but I'm curious about any factors that could change pressure needs of it it stays fairly constant for each person.

Thanks,
Midnightowl

[cpapernewbie]

In my case - the use of different mask affect the leaks and pressure

Need higher pressure get larger leaks for Swfit vs Activa & UM

[papdaddy]

My pressure goes up when I have to wear a full face mask when I have a bad cold and have to mouth breath. Also my pressure seems to lower when I have to take my pain meds. (probably because I can then sleep on my side instead of on my back) My titration showed my pressure needed to be higher when I was sleeping on my back as apposed to sleeping in any other position.

My Auto bipap is great and I constatly get AHI in .5 average. I think they are great because they adjust to my different needs, But YMMV.

Rich

[MidnightOwl]

Papdaddy,
Thank you. That's interesting. Does the pressure go up breathing thru your mouth regardless of your sleep position? I've tried a full face mask and found it much harder to sleep on my side using it. I'm interested in your experience because I was titrated using a full face mask due to congestion but now mostly use a nasal mask.

Cpapernewbie,
I think when the machine increases pressure to compensate for mask leaks that it is only trying to maintain the same pressure in your airway. I'm not sure about that however. I did learn very early that higher pressure certainly does cause more leaks.


MidnightOwl.

[RachelM]

Recovering from a 2 week episode of cold/allergy congestion. During that time, my pressure went up from 11.8 avg to 13.0. Interestingly, during that time my AHI dropped from 1.8 to 1.2.

[Bookbear]

I noticed last July, when I had my first cold in a year and a half of cpap therapy, that my pressure needs went up by about 2 cmH20 Actually everything went up, HI and AI both.

[jburnham]

Drinking makes my pressures soar. If I have a bottle of wine, my pressures go up 4+cm - and my AHI still goes up.

Me - "Doc, it hurts when I do this"
Doc - "Don't do that"