For those who have auto cpap

I am very happy to say that after using a machine with zero data for nearly a year I finally switched insurance and now have the auto Dream station (Ive had it for about a week). I've been on a pressure setting of 4 for the entire time I've been on cpap which is about 1.5 years but now, after a 3 day trip to the mountains I discovered my machine is at a 6 pressure. I am back at sea level now and still reading a 6. I wonder if it adjusted because of altitude...? Or was I supposed to be a 6 all along? how often can I expect it to change?

It's been at 6 all along.
The automatic adjustment for elevation change is internal and doesn't affect the pressure being delivered.
Meaning the machine won't change the pressure as altitude changes.
Now if you are using the ramp feature it starts at 4 cm and that might be where you think you are seeing the 4 cm.

There are a couple of options for modes in the clinical setup menu that will change the pressures if that mode is selected but it usually is a every 30 day adjustment (if any) and has no relation to altitude.

You might want to go here and request the clinical/provider manual for your machine as it explains the various modes available.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual

You can use SleepyHead software and it will show you the current settings and also any changes in settings.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment
on the statistics page all the way at the bottom

It is always best if you post data (see the three links below).
Are you sure it is set to CPAP mode and not AUTO?

What I mean is that the prescription was for a setting of 4. I told my doctor I felt that I needed an auto machine because how would they know that 4 is the right pressure for me? If it stays at 6, what this means is that I've needed a 6 all along and was just getting by on 4. Also what triggers the machine to raise the air pressure? Like how does it know to increase?

TedVPAP wrote:It is always best if you post data (see the three links below).
Are you sure it is set to CPAP mode and not AUTO?

I am downloading Sleepyhead now. Like I said Ive had a complete piece of crap for a year and it didnt even tell me how many hours I slept per night- nothing. This Dreamstation is totally new to me. I guess I'll have to figure out what the data means once I can start logging info.

The auto adjusting algorithm makes changes in pressure based on what it senses is going on in terms of snores, flow limitation, obstructive apneas and hyponeas.

Use the software so you can see exactly which mode was used and the pressures.

DaisySmith wrote:What I mean is that the prescription was for a setting of 4. I told my doctor I felt that I needed an auto machine because how would they know that 4 is the right pressure for me? If it stays at 6, what this means is that I've needed a 6 all along and was just getting by on 4. Also what triggers the machine to raise the air pressure? Like how does it know to increase?

Now I think I understand your question. You want to know if your treatment for a year was effective since the CPAP was set to 4, while your new Auto-PAP says you need 6.

Once you post your data, we can help you understand your machine settings and data and potentially suggest changes to improve treatment.
If you really wanted to, you could then set your new machine to 4 and see how much worse you do - but I would not recommend it since it serves no purpose other than satisfying curiosity.