Pressure settings for my S9 Autopap

[babon87]

I am 30 days into my therapy and wanted to thank everyone for all the feedback in this forum( I have been sleeping great and dreaming again , didn’t even realize that I wasn’t dreaming anymore) , I was given a cpap machine by my dme 25 days ago and I learnt here in the forum that I could exchange that for an auto pap within 30 day period , which is exactly what I did, and my new S9 Autopap (with humdifier and climate line hose)just arrived, question is what should I use for high and low in the pressure settings ? I already got the software and know how to access the clinician menu to change the settings.
Also was wondering what other accesory I might need associated with it.
I was titrated at 11 two months ago and upto this morning my AHI in my respironics machine was 0.4 with a 30 day avergae of 0.8 , I did not have the software for the respironcs machine as it was difficult to acquire.
Thnx in advance you guys rock!!

[jdm2857]

You'll need an SD card reader if you don't already have one. They're built into some newer computers. They are inexpensive and available everywhere.

[KatieW]

Congratulations on your new S9. You have 2 options. Since cpap of 11 cm H2O is working for you, you could set your S9 at cpap mode, at 9.

Or, if you want to try apap mode, the range that is recommended by many in the forum is 1 or 2 cm below your titrated pressure, and 2-3 above it. Then check your data, and see how that works for you.

It's a personal preference, but some people do better with straight cpap, others prefer a range in apap.

I have found that I prefer a very narrow range of 11-12, and most nights that takes care of my obstructive apneas. I am willing to live with 1 or 2 apneas, because if my maximum is higher, I find my centrals go up. But everyone is different, and some leave the maximum at 20. However, I have had aerophagia in the past, and am reluctant to leave it wide open like that, while others have found they have more problems with leaks with a wider range.

Chose a setting, and only change one thing at a time, so you can track your results. Try that setting for a week or so, before changing again.

[Uncle_Bob]

Just to add to what Katie said, if you have EPR enabled on setting 1,2, or 3 then this lowers the pressure by 1,2 or 3 when you exhale. Some people have found that they need to increase their lower pressure by the corresponding 1,2 or 3 amount to compensate for this.

Personally when i used EPR i never needed to compensate but it might be something to try if the range recommended by Katie does not work for you.

Its also worth reading over your PSG report. I was titrated at 7cm but the report also mentioned that as the pressure got to 8cm then central apneas were observed. So like Katie i find a narrow range range of 7cm to 8cm with no EPR.

Everyone is different so have fun dialing in your own settings over time