HELP please - have to go to DME shortly

[macewa]

This is from last night. Everything except my obstructive apneas seem better. New face mask was wonderful. No problem with the oxygen. But now I need help in deciding what numbers might work better for the apneas. We were set at auto EPAP 9 1PAP 22. Below are my charts. You will see a large gap but that is when I had to get up and take my mask off around 3pm. I have to leave here in about 30 minutes to go see the DME. Should I stay at these numbers a few more nights or should I change my bottom number? top number?

RemStar BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex
Mode: Bi-Level
EPAP: 9.0 IPAP: 22.0 cmH2O
PS: 13.0
Date Sleep Wake Hours
2/21/2012 00:37 07:09 06:31:26
AHIApnea / Hypopnea Index 28.20
HypopneaHypopnea 3.53
ObstructiveObstructive Apnea 22.07
Clear AirwayClear Airway Apnea 2.61
RERAResp. Effort Related Arousal 0.00
Flow LimitFlow Limitation 0.77
VSnoreVibratory Snore 0.00
PB/CSRPeriodic Breathing 0.75%

Event Breakdown
Machine Settings
Pr. ReliefPressure Relief Bi-Flex x3
HumidifierHumidifier Setting x5

[Pugsy]

Generally on BiPap...we look at EPAP for obstructive apneas and IPAP for hyponeas (and your IPAP range obviously covers that well)....so I would suspect that EPAP needs to be increased.

Given the number of obstructive events..I would suspect at least a 2 cm increase in EPAP and very likely more but it may be easier for you to adjust to if you go up in 1 cm increments.

[macewa]

Thanks Pugsy. I have to leave in just a few minutes. I guess because I had such high numbers before that thee lower numbers are nothing. Last night no probem with the mask, and no problem with the pressures, so raising my EPAP up a couple shouldn't bother me. I love the new face mask - no sore nose this a.m., no headache, best I've felt waking up in a long time physically (from mask problems).Now to solve the major problems

Generally on BiPap...we look at EPAP for obstructive apneas and IPAP for hyponeas (and your IPAP range obviously covers that well)....so I would suspect that EPAP needs to be increased.

Given the number of obstructive events..I would suspect at least a 2 cm increase in EPAP and very likely more but it may be easier for you to adjust to if you go up in 1 cm increments.

[Mary Z]

Keep us posted on what you change and your progress, please. We learn all the time from these posts.