Auto-adjust pressure

[toosexyformycpap]

I am a newbie...

Had a pretty good night's sleep. I have not learned yet how to interpret data. My doctor wants me to use the CPAP one month and return to view and discuss it.

So, I have a question. My pressure is set to automatically alternate between 5-7 based on my breathing needs. So last night I must have had an apnea episode and my pressure raised to accommodate. And I woke up to a wide-awake state (not sure if you have a term for that). So I'm happy it's keeping me alive. Do you recall waking when you began using your CPAP when the pressure increased? Is this something a person gets used to? Or is my pressure too high? Will the data show this?

Thank you in advance!

[nanwilson]

I could not get used to the pressure waking me up, so I set my machine on straight cpap on a pressure of11 which was where I was 90% of the time. Works great for me but you may be able to get used to the fluctuations.

[Pugsy]

Please look at the image of the machine you have chosen in your profile. That machine has not been produced since prior to 2007. I am thinking your machine looks like the one I have in my Profile...please click on the link to see my machine.

While the Remstar Auto is easily seen on the new Phillips Respironics System One machines..the choices in the equipment drop down menu can be misleading.. The new machines in the drop down menu are shown as PR System One Remstar.....whatever machine. So to save confusion later and people asking about it, you might fix it if this is what you have.

The PR S1 machines that have full data (and the Auto is one of them) do have software choices available to you.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64906&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... re+options
So you can see for yourself what may have happened when you were awakened. A pressure range in auto of 5 minimum and 7 maximum is really quite small and most people would not be awakened by this change but some people who happen to be super sensitive to pressure changes might be awakened with the slightest change. Some people get used to it and some people do better with a straight single pressure in cpap mode.

Your 7 maximum is far from high. When I use APAP I use 10 minimum and 20 maximum. Pressure changes have never bothered me though. I sleep right through them. Now when first starting out on therapy a person can be simply super sensitive to everything. One does get used to it as the brain figures out that this is the way things are going to be.

What caused you to wake up? It might have been the pressure and it might have been the pressure responding to a sleep apnea event. The event itself could have awakened you. If it was an event..then that 7 cm might not be enough to prevent the apnea from occurring. It is very doubtful that the 7 cm maximum is too high. Not impossible but highly unlikely. You need to become familiar with the reports so you can see exactly what happened.

[toosexyformycpap]

I purchased an older machine, and it is actually not listed as an option. But the picture I have and the description is the closest choice. I do have the software option, but for some reason, the procedures the team is following with me does not walk me through reading it and interpreting the data until after one month. I know the next step would be to do it on my own, but I have to admit I am overwhelmed with all of the info, accepting this, and being new...and I think that's what they want to avoid having happen. People get overwhelmed and quit.

But your feedback helps! Thank you! I think you're right...I am super sensitive to the changes, being new to them, AND I am a light sleeper to begin with.

[Pugsy]

Understood about the old machine. No problem.
It likely has one of these smart cards in the back or has a place for one.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -card.html
This stores the data available. SleepyHead won't work with this smart card but Encore Viewer 2.0 and Encore Pro 2.4 will work for obtaining reports. The problem with this smart card is that one has to use a special card reader.
This one and nothing else will work. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... r-USB.html I have a link somewhere for a less expensive supplier but it is still $40 plus S & H.

If you are going to be using this machine for a long time..you might want to invest in the card reader and a smart card if you don't have one. If you plan to get a newer machine that uses a SD card (like my machine) then you may not want to invest in the card reader. With SD cards one just uses SD slot on the computer or if computer doesn't have a SD slot then one can get a cheap generic card reader/adapter to plug into a USB port.

Do you have the clinical manual for the machine you do have? There may be some limited on screen data available.
This site has most of the clinical manuals for these older machines. Just need to choose the one that matches your machine. So you might still have AHI 7/30 day averages as well as pressure and leak averages. The manual will explain how to see that data if available.
http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

The newer machines that use the SD cards offer much more comprehensive data than is available from the machines using the SD cards. Newer fancier technology.

[jamiswolf]

So what machine are you using then? And where did those pressures come from?

I'm thinking, like what Pugsy suggested, you had an arousal from an apnea because your pressure was to low to prevent it.

When first getting set up with an auto machine, it's normal to have fairly wide pressures. Your machine is being forced to top out at 7cm which is damn low.
Jamis