Going Backwards

I need some reassurance the last couple of weeks I feel like my Cpap therapy has been declining in success. I recently changed from a Fisher and Paykel Auto to a Phillips Resmed and it seems to me the Phillips isn't as good. I use a mouth and nose mask coz I mouth breathe. I have severe OSA so I'm told. I'm starting to get frustrated with my treatment because my AHI is getting worse not better and I still feel ok during the day but my afternoon drowsiness is slowly returning. My pressures can be anything from 4.5cm to 19cms. I am persevering and use the mask at least 4 hours each night. I guess it doesn't help being a shift worker and having different bed times etc. I will see a sleep doctor soon but in the meantime I'm getting a bit annoyed by this whole thing. Any advice.

Hi, so sorry to hear you're not doing well. Can you please specify the exact full name & model # (that's under the machine - make sure to empty humidifier before turning machine over) of the unit, plus same for your mask... do that by first registering as a member (we can help you), then click on User Ctl Panel under the main logo on left, go to Profile and enter info - please use text vs icons - makes it much easier for us to read. All of it will auto-appear under your notes whenever you post. Also what pressures is your machine set at please.

Once you've done that, we'll try to advise about what to do next. Are you using software to track daily (or weekly) progress beyond just the compliance (4 hr) stuff the DME sends in for insurance purposes?

I hope you're not using the machine for only 4 hrs at a time, then turning it off and going back to sleep (even during a nap!) because it's counterproductive.

Just to clarify I usually get 5 and a half to six hours therapy each night (although last night was bad only 3.5hours). I'm not sure of my settings as I said it ranges from 4 to 20 it's a auto machine if that's what you're asking. I have tried to fill in my mask and machine info as much as I can, I'm at work. I'm probably just overthinking things and going through a rough patch I guess that happens.

A 4 to 20 range with apap machine works great if a person only sees maybe 9 or 10 as the highest pressure need.
Works horrible if someone needs pressures in the upper teens.
The minimum of 4 cm is too low and likely your therapy is suboptimal.
Please use the software available to see what is going on for sure.
See the links in my signature line for software options.
Post an image of your report so we can see what is going on. Explained here in this thread.
Screen shot thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=81072&p=737779#p737779

Your minimum pressure needs to be increased but to what is unknown....what pressure were you prescribed or using on the other machine?

I'm not sure I have a prescribed range yet. I have yet to speak to a sleep doctor. But I was told by my nurse when I did my trial that an AHI of less than 10 is good.
Which is mostly what I get each night. and I do realise that 4 is low, it's only a start pressure it quickly ramps up when I fall asleep I'm sure, I wake up 2 to 4 times per night and the machine is blowing hard so I'm sure it's doing some good. I feel like it is anyway.

I find that constant pressure feels good, and I get a longer nights sleep, at least so far, I am less then a month into having a PAP. I have a VPAP but have set it to the CAPA setting, so far so good.

I agree you have to raise the 4 setting as it looks to be way to low, I am not a doc but I would be setting the lower setting to 10 or 12 and leave high setting at 20, then raise as needed. you have to look at your data, that is a must as it will tell you what is going on. the quality of treatment your getting. that and how you feel will give you a good starting base.

I am going for my first sleep lad tomorrow night, very exited about that, but the doc was shocked and surprised that I had a machine and the setting down before I even seem him. will see what numbers he says I need.

May seem off the point, but what kind of insurance, ability to pay do U have. I say that because, sounds like you need an overnite Sleep Study at a competent (and not all are competent) Sleep Lab to focus on exactly what kind of issues you might have, and to more exactly fine tune what settings you need.

Else some exactly folks here will help you with your auto machine. So like, in that case, post the info you download from your machine. Describe what is going on as well as you can. Some folks here are very knowledgeable.