Been on CPAP since Aug. and not feeling much

[Sperry63]

I've been on CPAP since August and I'm just not feeling much of a difference. I'm still getting headaches and not feeling rested. The one night I spent in the sleep lab was awesome....since then, not so much. My pressure is at 10 and I know that is low but I'm not familiar with how to change it or see if it needs to be changed. I know there are programs you can use to get more detailed info from your machine but I'm clueless on that as well. Can someone please help?

[donna21]

I don't know where your location is so my advice may be different. I would say try to ring the sleep clinic you were at and they may ask you to do a home oximetry study or come in just to check the pressure. Or they may even over the phone tell you how to adjust your CPAP up a couple of pressures. Sorry if this information is completely useless though or if this is what you have tried already.

[Sperry63]

Thanks for replying. I actually was able to figure out how to get my data!! My AHI last night was 16.18 and I had 131 events. I'm not exactly sure what that means but they sounded important. Help!!

[Burkebang]

If you only started CPAP therapy in august, how come you got such an old machine?
I see your machine as your biggest problem:
1. It's not an automatic CPAP machine. Meaning you cannot use it to titrate your self. The only thing you can do is to gradually increase your pressure and see how it goes. Most likely, what you gain in lowering your AHI, will be lost to poor sleep due to increased noice and decreased comfort.
2. You need a special smartcard, smartcard reader and software for this machine. It's not worth it to buy all this gear for an old machine like this.

I suggest that you go to your provider and ask them for a MODERN data capable AUTOMATIC CPAP machine, most people like the ResMed S9 Autoset, I have the DeVillbiss IntelliPAP AutoAdjust which does not leave me wanting anything compared to the ResMed. I have little experience with Philips Respironics, but they also make usable machines. All these machines can be used with the Sleepyhead software that I link to, with samples, in my signature.

[Sperry63]

If you only started CPAP therapy in august, how come you got such an old machine?
I see your machine as your biggest problem:
1. It's not an automatic CPAP machine. Meaning you cannot use it to titrate your self. The only thing you can do is to gradually increase your pressure and see how it goes. Most likely, what you gain in lowering your AHI, will be lost to poor sleep due to increased noice and decreased comfort.
2. You need a special smartcard, smartcard reader and software for this machine. It's not worth it to buy all this gear for an old machine like this.

I suggest that you go to your provider and ask them for a MODERN data capable AUTOMATIC CPAP machine, most people like the ResMed S9 Autoset, I have the DeVillbiss IntelliPAP AutoAdjust which does not leave me wanting anything compared to the ResMed. I have little experience with Philips Respironics, but they also make usable machines. All these machines can be used with the Sleepyhead software that I link to, with samples, in my signature.

I was able to download my data using the Sleepyhead software and now I guess I need to figure out how to increase my pressure. I've got to do something.

[Burkebang]

If you can use a normal SD card in your CPAP machine, then I believe you have listed the wrong machinemodel in your signature. Please look into that or write down all model and name information and post it here. Maybe there is hope that we can get you the information you need.

If you do have a modern Philips Respironics machine, you may get the info you need here: http://vimeo.com/24175022

[Pugsy]

I actually was able to figure out how to get my data!! My AHI last night was 16.18 and I had 131 events. I'm not exactly sure what that means but they sounded important. Help!!

Before you go changing ANYTHING....That AHI...what is the Clear Airway Index part of that AHI?
If you are having a large number of clear airway events you do NOT want to go changing the pressures willy nilly. How many is large number? More than 4 or 5 per hour on a consistent basis. One or 2 per hour we can live with. If you have a large number of clear airway events increasing pressure can actually make things worse. Do you have a copy of your sleep studies? Any mention as to central apnea events on your sleep study reports?

If no history of centrals and your Clear Airway Index is below 2...then you likely can safely increase your pressure in small increments. Make sure that the Clear Airway Index is good though.

Obviously wrong machine is showing in the Profile Equipment tab. I suspect you have a PR System One Remstar Pro CPAP with CFlex BUT to be sure please check the bottom of the machine (remove water tank first) and look for a sticker with a DS # on it. The PR S1 Pro is model DS450 (may or may not have some letters after it which are irrelevant).. The next step up in machines is the PR S1 Remstar Auto CPAP with AFlex and that model number is DS550.

Check your private message box in a few minutes and I will send you the clinical manual for the PR S1 Pro.. if you need the Auto manual I can get that to you also but as far as changing pressure....the directions are the same. You will need to get into the clinical menu setup.

Generally speaking an AHI of less than 5 is what we strive for. Obviously yours is way too high. I assume you are using SleepyHead to view your data. You need to evaluate your leak line to make sure excessive leaks are not the problem before you go messing with the pressure. If you could post an image of one of your daily detailed reports that show the events AND the leak line...we could offer more than general ideas.

If leak line is fine and you still want to experiment with a higher pressure then I would suggest small 0.5 increments. It is easier to get used to and also easy to manage leaks.

Also you might consider positional factors....is there any mention in your sleep study as to your having more events when sleeping on your back vs side sleeping?

If you don't know how to post an image of your daily report here on the forum..this is how I do it with simple screen shots.

Open the image to full size so it is easily read.
I use Vista snipping tool to create a screen shot and crop the image at the same time.
Prt/scr key will also take a screen shot if using XP. If laptop is used sometimes the Fn key has to be pushed at the same time as the prt/scr key
I think windows 7 Home Premium has the snipping tool, Basic may not.

Once the screen shot is created save it in jpg format.
Upload the image to a host site. I use Photobucket it is free, there are others.
Once the image is uploaded then copy the ENTIRE IMG address. Be sure to include the opening and closing IMG in brackets. Paste that copied address into a post here.
Use the preview button. If you can't see the image try again because if you can't see it we can't.