APAP stuck at low setting

[logan]

Newbie here. However I have tried countless searches and can't seem to find anyone else having the same problem in this forum or on the net. I have just purchased an APAP (DeVilbiss Intellipap Auto-adjust) that was set at a pressure range of 4 to 20. The tiltration study found 11 to be the right pressure for me. The machine is set on APAP (not CPAP) but the pressure stays at the lowest setting the whole night (as confirmed by the software). I have no leakage problem. I bought the machine in the US but I live in Thailand were my physician just told me to first use the range set my by the vendor (was diagnosed with UARS). I'm wondering whether somehow the default settings for hypopnea events/degree are not picking up my hypopnea events or whether the machine is defective. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar problem or have any suggestions to make? Thanks for your help.

[Julie]

Hi - No one 'set' 4 or 20 as they are built-in default settings... what you need to do is set something like 10 and 14 as the upper and lower ranges spanning your prescription of 11. Expecting your machine (any machine) to intercept an event at 11 from 4 is asking a lot (takes too long) so using a low of 10 gives a better jumping off place for the machine to work from, and if you have apneas above 14, your machine won't exert itself so routinely to go higher unless necessary....

Do you know how to make the changes?

[dtsm]

The standard practice is to set the minimum close to your prescribed pressure and the maximum a couple of bars higher. So prior advice to resetting a range of 9-14 as a start is a good one. I'm not familiar with your machine and hopefully someone can jump in with instructions on how to re-set for you [or I assume manual might have info?].

Good luck and let us know how things come out.

[logan]

Thanks both. I'll try that tonight and will let you know (yes I'm able to access the clinician mode). Was surprised though that it didn't move at all above 4. Let's hope for the best!

[logan]

Well I used the machine two more nights. On the first, I changed the pressure settings to 9/14 as was suggested. The machine stayed at 9 the entire night except for a very brief period when it rose to 10. I was also pretty tired the next day. The following night I switched the setting to 11/15 and the machine stayed at 11 the entire night. So not sure how I should interpret this. It's as if I don't need the machine since it's always stuck at the lowest setting. When I did the sleep test my AHI number was moderate but on any night with this machine it shows an AHI below 5. Anyway, I have made an appointment with my doctor, hopefully I'll find a solution to this. Thanks again.

[laserjobs]

I am having the same issue I was titrated at 8 and my DeVilbiss APAP adjusted between 5-10 stays at 5 all night. I measured my O2 levels and they are staying above 89. If I increase the pressure my AHI also increases. I set my APAP to 3 and 4 as the minimum and the report says 4.5 which I am thinking is the minimum pressure it will report. The best AHI score of 1.5 was at a pressure of 4. If I adjust it to close to my titration level I get an AHI of at least 5. Did my pulmonary doctor misdiagnose me?

[Janknitz]

It's unlikely that the machines are malfunctioning (but you should check to be sure) it sounds to me that both of you need little or no pressure to keep the airway open. If the machine is being use to treat UARS, then a fixed pressure makes more sense, and you might also consider a second opinion on whether or not you really need the machine in the first place.