Change in pressure

Julie wrote:After all this time she still has no idea what Cpap's about... the most basic feature, minimum pressure. Disgraceful.

Wow you've been really nasty lately. Trying to fill in XXYYZZ's shoes?

AMESS wrote:KT-the biggest problem I have is still getting used to all the stuff on my face. I do not sleep well. I am getting 98s and 100s on res med. but many nights I find myself just laying in bed quietly. The numbers really mean nothing cause I am still so tired. Dr said pressure is fine--and if I want I can get rid of the beginning ramp pressure of 5. I am going to do that. Also a lot of congestion that no matter what I do cannot get rid of it. On going for me. Been to allergist--gave me a script to dry up mucus--but that had big problems too. Since I have allergies I may just have to live with being tired. Nothing new for me. I envy those here who claim they feel so good..and so quickly. TY for your interest.

Add to this my husband just started cpap and he is up and down all night and going through much trial and error. So everybody is restless in my house.

What does a beginning ramp pressure of 5 mean? Is this your minimum pressure? And it ramps all the way to 14 in the night? Because if that's what you're saying then yes your minimum pressure is way to low and your Dr. is insane/incompetent. If that's just some number that is your "start up ramp" and your minimum pressure is 14, then that's fine. If your machine says 5-20, then Yes, that's probably not a great setting.

Also I have turned off the ease you in ramp feature because I find it to be completely useless. I think it's just there for new users who feel wierd about the pressure.

I know a lot of people like it, but I've also turned off the exhale relief. I find it confuses my brain and causes my breathing to speed up. This is because as I exhale the machine stops detecting it (probably because the exhale pressure gets lower then the vent pressure) and then it gives me "exhale relief" before my exhale is done, but my brain reads this as "time to breath in" and I end up not resting at the end of my breath which I think is a more normal way of breathing.

Some of the basic "pressure" changes that usually get recommended is when someone gets sent home with a APAP set wide open from 4 to 20. Lots of people find that while not "life threatening" the very low or minimum numbers below 6 make it hard to breath/get enough air, or at least create the sensation of a lack of air.

Easing the minimum number to a slightly higher one can improve comfort in regards to not feeling suffocated by lack of enough pressure.

Further in with more data from sleepy head as to where our machine spends most of its therapeutic time. We can push up the minimum pressure to a little under our average to help tune our experience so we're getting even fewer events that have a chance to sneak in before our machines can adjust therapy pressure to deal with them.

Finally. For some of us who may be struggling with air in our gut from the machine. Lowering the max pressure a bit can help with that also. But careful attention must be kept to make sure were not hurting our therapy. If the higher pressures are needed to maintain an open airway and we lower them we may be allowing apnea to go untreated. However if the result of the higher pressure is a great deal of pain or other complications then it may be worth it to a point. It's all a mater of tradeoffs at that point.

Hope this helps break down some of the pressure changes people make and why.

It's not inclusive to all examples just some of the basic ones.

Sleep well. Gryphon

nicholasjh1 wrote:

Julie wrote:After all this time she still has no idea what Cpap's about... the most basic feature, minimum pressure. Disgraceful.

Wow you've been really nasty lately. Trying to fill in XXYYZZ's shoes?

+1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

It could be worse; remember the Korean spambot and the alphabet hate-bot.
Not everyone has a fully functional brain, especially before effective therapy.
Christmas is near--Santa is watching.

chunkyfrog wrote:It could be worse; remember the Korean spambot and the alphabet hate-bot.
Not everyone has a fully functional brain, especially before effective therapy.
Christmas is near--Santa is watching.

That's so true! in fact my brain is now getting functional enough that now when I remember old ideas and thought patterns, I think, damn that's stupid. Feels like I'm thinking at a different level now, but I'm annoyed at my old thought patterns. That's probably a stupid thought pattern too!

My biggest challenge is not to project that annoyance onto other people, when I'm really just annoyed with myself!

I don't see your mask listed. Hopefully you are using a full face mask to accomodate the congestion until it is resolved. Have you already...
Had your thyrpid checked?
Assessed all meds and supplements for possible side effect of disrupting sleep?
Controlled or eliminated caffiene?
Been evaluated for any mood disorders known to disrupt sleep?
Ruled out restless legs and limb movements of sleep?

AMESS wrote:Seeing a lot of posts that say changing the pressure may make life more bearable. Could some one explain what that means? TY

AMESS wrote:So my machine goes up to 20--but I stay at 14. useless for me then right?

TedVPAP wrote:We would need to see your sleepyhead data in order to answer your question.

I assume your interest in your original question has waned.

AMESS wrote:On going for me. Been to allergist--gave me a script to dry up mucus--but that had big problems too. Since I have allergies I may just have to live with being tired. .

I suspect it may not be actual mucus. It could be inflammation (swelling) that makes it difficult to breathe and uncomfortable. I frequently have this problem. Added to already narrow airway, and I have trouble breathing sometimes. This is why I have been a lifelong mouth breather. When sitting or not active, I can breathe through my nose and get enough air, but when I am active, walking around, doing stuff, I often need to mouth breathe to get enough air. I may take a few breaths through my nose, but then I have to inhale through my mouth. With medication, I have times when this is better, and I can be active and breathe through my nose. But when my allergies act up, not a chance.

Have you talked to your doctor about medications that might reduce inflammation in your airways? Some allergy meds can make it worse. My asthma inhaler helps my airway even when I don't have noticeable asthma problems.