Setting CPAP pressure youself?

[sagesteve]

I just got back from a 6 year sentence for adjusting my cpap machine. I'm glad to be back and will NEVER EVER touch my machine again. Funny, while I was in prison they hooked my cpap machine up to my rear end...something about blowing smoke up my....

[marcuss]

I see a lot people here have the software to read settings, I have the Remstar Pro with a smart card, could I get some software perhaps that will help me determine if I'm at my best pressure setting, or will it not do that?

[datajack]

I'd like to think suppling a nondata capable cpap is illegal in its own right. @$!?* DMEs!

[marcuss]

I just got back from a 6 year sentence for adjusting my cpap machine. I'm glad to be back and will NEVER EVER touch my machine again. Funny, while I was in prison they hooked my cpap machine up to my rear end...something about blowing smoke up my....

Gee, sorry, I was just asking if it was illegal, still looking for something from an official website, if anyone can help me with that. Apparently you guys think it isn't illegal, at least that's your opinion. I'd like to get something a bit more conclusive other than just "I don't think so" or ridicule and jokes, not that there's anything wrong with that; I do it myself quite often.

By the way, while you were in prison, did they at least disinfect your CPAP hose after they applied it to your arse? I would think that would really affect your CPAP compliance if they didn't.

[drj130]

Can someone point me to an FDA official site or guideline for any "rules" on this? My medical equipment supplier told me that I cannot legally change the pressure myself, I need to get the prescription changed, and must bring the machine into them along with the script, and they must do it for me, if that is not true, why would she say this?

They are just saying that. They want you to depend on them. Plus some will try to charge either you or your health insurance for the 'work' that they did.
Also, if you go and buy your own xPAP machine online, then the clinical manual comes with the machine.

I guess my issue is that if you allow people to set their own pressure, say from their optimum of 14 to 20, this is endangering their life, is it not? Sort of like the seat belt laws, no one else is being put in danger necessarily, but if there were no law, people wouldn't put their seat belt on, even if it would make them more safe?

As others have said, you would cause more problems for yourself with less pressure than more. Now with that said, there are some people who, when they go to a higher pressure start getting Central Apneas, which can cause them problems. That is why when adjustments are made, they are done in small amounts and most of us have the software so that we can monitor what happens when the changes are made.

I would think that she might be correct that there is some sort of regulation on this somewhere (but I can't find it), I have a friend who has been on CPAP for many, many years and his wife is a nurse, and she has also told me that it is illegal for end-users to change doctor-prescribed pressure on their machines. Are these people full of it?

On this one I again point to what I said above.

I agree with the freedom to get involved with your own health care, but changing pressure from 14 to 20 is a little like stepping on the gas pedal in your car and going 120 miles an hour down a city street, istn't it? Eventually, it's gonna hurt you.

That is why the smart people don't go driving down the road doing 120mph. This is also why most police chases that are high speed end up with the one speeding being hurt.

Now if I'm wrong, please correct me, but this is my understanding of the system.
My own DME tried to get me to take a machine that wouldn't allow me to be in charge of my health. I fought them on this and won. Being in the military, I don't always have access to the people who are suppose to be specialized in this. So I will do what I can to ensure that I get the best treatment that I can.

David

[Pugsy]

I see a lot people here have the software to read settings, I have the Remstar Pro with a smart card, could I get some software perhaps that will help me determine if I'm at my best pressure setting, or will it not do that?

The Remstar Pro will not give you any data that is useful to you. It only tells the DME how many hours you are using the many. That is it....

The Remstar Pro 2 will give you useful data if you have the software. Check my profile for information on my machine and the software

The Respironics Remstar M series Pro is also data capable as are the Auto CPAP units.

BTW, it is doubtful anyone would willy nilly increase their pressure from 14 to 20. I went from 8 to 10. That is all.
Despite how the DME's would like to treat us, we are not idiots. Everything I do is well thought out and researched.
My DME knows exactly what I do and just chuckles. He says I know more about my machine than he does and he is probably right. Never once has he threatened to put me in jail.

[roster]

......I really need to know if it's worth it to go the the trouble and expense of a new sleep study.

If you have plain ole obstructive sleep apnea with no comorbidities, forget wasting money on another sleep study. More than 50% of the time, the in-lab sleep studies do not get the pressure correct. You don't sleep in the strange environment of a sleep lab the same way you do at home.

Take the money you would spend on a sleep study, buy a data-capable machine, software, card reader and a dozen meals in a nice restaurant. Then titrate you own pressure over several nights or weeks in your bed under the circumstances you will be normally sleeping in.

And BTW, that's rather juvenile to keep whining and whining that you want us to show you a regulation that says it is not against the law to change your own pressure.

[marcuss]

If you have plain ole obstructive sleep apnea with no comorbidities, forget wasting money on another sleep study.

"Cormorbidities" - wow, had to look that one up. Nope, no comorbidities now. Had some a year ago, due to a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of fiber in my diet. Man, they sure did itch and were painful after sitting for a long time. But, the doctor cut them those comorbidities off, gave me some Preparation H, and now I'm as good as new. Good thing, too, because I'm thinking about changing my pressure myself now and it would be a real bummer if I had those comorbidities in prison while they stuck the CPAP hose up my arse.

Anyways, thanks for the info, I do appreciaate it. No more whining here.

[datajack]

while I was in prison they hooked my cpap machine up to my rear end......

Waaaaitaminute shouldnt that be for the Sex with cpap user thread?

[rogelah]

I don't remember anyone who recommended a raise in pressure of 5 cm. I do remember those that recommended a raise of perhaps 0.2 or at the most say 0.5 with the caveat that you should try it for a few days or more and monitor your results.

Same goes for changing it downward.

[roster]

..... I'm thinking about changing my pressure myself now ........

If you have the tools (machine, card reader, software) you can do something good for yourself.

If you don't have the tools, you are just guessing and can spend much time doing nothing but frustrating yourself.

Take your choice.

[DoriC]

Just curious, following your logic, if it were "illegal" to change pressure settings, what would the law provide as a penalty? This is your life and your treatment but first you have to get educated and then empowered. You've come to the right place for that and some good laughs too. Good luck!

Just thought of something else besides diabetes as an example. My doctor wants me to check my blood pressure periodically with my own machine and depending on the numbers, take a prescribed diuretic if I think it's necessary.

[twokatmew]

Just curious, following your logic, if it were "illegal" to change pressure settings, what would the law provide as a penalty? This is your life and your treatment but first you have to get educated and then empowered. You've come to the right place for that and some good laughs too. Good luck!

Just thought of something else besides diabetes as an example. My doctor wants me to check my blood pressure periodically with my own machine and depending on the numbers, take a prescribed diuretic if I think it's necessary.

Yup! I'm supposed to adjust my asthma meds based on data from my peak flow meter. I was also wondering where I might find the penalty for taking more or less medication than what is stated on the bottle or inhaler....

[6PtStar]

I just got back from a 6 year sentence for adjusting my cpap machine. I'm glad to be back and will NEVER EVER touch my machine again. Funny, while I was in prison they hooked my cpap machine up to my rear end...something about blowing smoke up my....

You know where that came from!!


Jerry

[rogelah]

I can understand how to use the bellows but, what is that sharp pointy thing used for? YIKES!