CPAP software is designed to wake me up

I don't have OSA but I snore and my snoring interferes with my sleep. I have a CPAP, a Phillips Respironics System One, which stops my snoring. I am dependent upon my CPAP for a decent night's sleep.

What's happening is, just as I am making the fragile transition into sleep, my CPAP gives a burst of pressure, about one second in duration, and this sudden change startles me awake. This "feature" has made me hate my CPAP instead of love it!

Why would a CPAP be programmed to wake me just as I'm transitioning into sleep? Isn't a CPAP supposed to help me sleep, not wake me whenever I'm falling asleep? This makes no sense. I don't get it.

Can anyone in the forum recommend a CPAP or a software version that does not produce this puff of pressure just as the user is drifting off into sleep?

Hello! I am a brand new forum member, this is my inaugural post. Forgive me if this is a common topic, I was unable to find previous conversations on this topic.

Thank you,
-jim

Exactly which machine model are you using? The only PR S1 model that will give a sudden "burst of pressure" is the ASV model.
Now they all do the tiny pressure puffs to help it figure out if the airway is open or closed.

There is a 3 digit model number on the bottom of the blower unit with maybe DS, REF or P in front or behind.
Tell us those 3 digits.

Thank you Pugsly for your prompt reply. REF 560P. I expect that the puff of pressure that is giving me fits is what you describe as "the tiny pressure puffs to help it figure out if the airway is open or closed." If they all do this, I am doomed. Is there no recourse?
-jim

jimboiii wrote:Thank you Pugsly for your prompt reply. REF 560P. I expect that the puff of pressure that is giving me fits is what you describe as "the tiny pressure puffs to help it figure out if the airway is open or closed." If they all do this, I am doomed. Is there no recourse?
-jim

Sure.
If it's set to a range of pressures, try setting it to straight CPAP mode in a single pressure. That MAY eliminate your problems.
With APAP machines, the algorithms (internal programs) are written to increase pressures on Flow Limitations and SNORES.
So, if your singular problem IS snores, guess what it's going to do.

Get the software (Sleepyhead) and download your data to see what pressures stop most of the snoring. Then, set your machine to that (fixed) pressure.

Also, if you're not doing nasal cleansing before bedtime, start doing so. Lots of snoring sounds is just nasal congestion.


Den

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Thanks Den,
My machine is configured to CPAP mode, MIN and MAX pressures are set to the same pressure and I get the +0.5 units of pressure puff just as I'm drifting off to sleep. Is there a CPAP model on the market that does not do this? I'll pay somebody to build me one from scratch.
-jim

jimboiii wrote:Thanks Den,
My machine is configured to CPAP mode, MIN and MAX pressures are set to the same pressure and I get the +0.5 units of pressure puff just as I'm drifting off to sleep. Is there a CPAP model on the market that does not do this? I'll pay somebody to build me one from scratch.
-jim

First, try setting to straight CPAP mode (no min no max) and see if the puffs go away. I'm thinking they're only in the APAP mode, but I could be wrong. I've been hearing about the "puffs" since the System One machines came out, but since I don't own any of the newer generations of machines, I don't know for sure.
With a range of pressures, there's also the pressure "bumps"........about a 1 - 1.5 cm. pressure increase. The pressure bumps were used in Respironics Autos for at least 10 years (mine do that if I set them to a range of pressures).

Philips/Respironics are the primary manufacturers who use the puffs, that I know of. So, if the straight CPAP setting doesn't get rid of them, you might consider a ResMed or DeVilbiss machine (which both work with Sleepyhead software).

Let me know if it works because it's something I've been wondering about for several years.


Den

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jimboiii wrote:Thanks Den,
My machine is configured to CPAP mode, MIN and MAX pressures are set to the same pressure

That doesn't sound right..... If you are truly in CPAP mode you should not be able to set MIN and MAX pressures, just a single treatment pressure. You might want to have close look at your setting options

billbolton wrote:

jimboiii wrote:Thanks Den,
My machine is configured to CPAP mode, MIN and MAX pressures are set to the same pressure

That doesn't sound right..... If you are truly in CPAP mode you should not be able to set MIN and MAX pressures, just a single treatment pressure. You might want to have close look at your setting options

Yeah, same here. I think it's set to APAP mode with min and max the same.


Den

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The pressure pulses (puffs) will happen no matter what mode of operation. CPAP or APAP or APAP to mimic cpap with min to equal max.
Their function is to help the machine distinguish between the Central/Clear Airway events so that it knows what category to put the reduction of air flow or cessation of breathing.
There is no way around it with the PR System One machines and I assume the new DreamStation machines.

I have heard that some people are super sensitive to those puffs but despite having numerous PR S1 machines I have never been able to feel them but then remember I sleep through pressure changes a lot bigger than those puffs. The puffs are so tiny they don't even show on the pressure graphs as a change because it really isn't a change in pressure.
They are flagged on the flow rate graph though.

ResMed does the FOT thing to help it decide what kind of event is happening.
I am not sure about the other brands with the newer models with newer technology.
I don't know if one of the other brands way of distinguishing between events would be more or less annoying in this situation.

Now the Respironics M series and the ResMed S8 series didn't distinguish between centrals so one of the older models might be worth trying in this situation.

There is software available for the full data M series machines and they do flag snores...just need Encore and the card reader.

I don't know enough about the F & P Icon or the DeVilbiss machines to hazard a guess if they do something similar. I also don't know if ResMed's FOT (S9 and AirSense/AirCurve) would be as noticeable.

All I know to offer is try a different brand...maybe older model and see what happens.

Pugsy wrote:The pressure pulses (puffs) will happen no matter what mode of operation. CPAP or APAP or APAP to mimic cpap with min to equal max.
Their function is to help the machine distinguish between the Central/Clear Airway events so that it knows what category to put the reduction of air flow or cessation of breathing.
There is no way around it with the PR System One machines and I assume the new DreamStation machines.

I have heard that some people are super sensitive to those puffs but despite having numerous PR S1 machines I have never been able to feel them but then remember I sleep through pressure changes a lot bigger than those puffs. The puffs are so tiny they don't even show on the pressure graphs as a change because it really isn't a change in pressure.
They are flagged on the flow rate graph though.

ResMed does the FOT thing to help it decide what kind of event is happening.
I am not sure about the other brands with the newer models with newer technology.
I don't know if one of the other brands way of distinguishing between events would be more or less annoying in this situation.
I also don't know if ResMed's FOT (S9 and AirSense/AirCurve) would be as noticeable.

All I know to offer is try a different brand...maybe older model and see what happens.

The puffs can be noticeable on the Airsense 10 for Her. I have noticed the puffs only once but I was quite alarmed when I woke up to what seemed to be "morse code" in my nostrils. I use APAP and the puffs don't wake me up when I am asleep.. It sounds as if the OP may be especially sensitive to the puffs.

Another thought for the original poster: Do you have ramp set on your machine? If you do, you may want to shut it off, as it starts you out at a lower pressure, then after the time set for ramp, goes to the full pressure.When I was starting out uaing a constant pressure instead of APAP mode, I experienced the kind of shock you are describing. It is not puffs. It is the machine going to the CPAP pressure from the lower ramp pressure.

Would the type of mask make a difference? In effect, would the puffs be spread over a larger area with a full face mask versus the current nasal mask? Would it be more or less noticeable with nasal pillows? Have you tried different types of masks from the one you're currently using?

MarylandCPAPer wrote:Do you have ramp set on your machine? If you do, you may want to shut it off, as it starts you out at a lower pressure, then after the time set for ramp, goes to the full pressure.

That is not correct. The pressure gradually rises until it is at the set therapy pressure at the end of the set ramp period.

I want to thank everyone for their thoughtful responses. As Pugsly suggested, I have no recourse except to try another brand of machine. As Yaconsult said, my nasal pillows concentrate the small pressure increase into narrow orifices and then blast it into my lungs, which is sufficiently startling to wake me. I expect a mask, with its larger volume, may disperse the pressure and reduce the problem. I'll look into it. I have had no success with masks because I am unable to breathe when wearing one.

jimboiii wrote: I have no recourse except to try another brand of machine.

You may be on a wild goose chase. Of all the forum posts I have read, there has never been a complaint much like yours. You might buy a different brand machine and find out the problem is still there and was caused by something else.

How long have you been using CPAP?

just as I am making the fragile transition into sleep, my CPAP gives a burst of pressure, about one second in duration, and this sudden change startles me awake

Of all the forum posts I have read, there has never been a complaint much like yours.

I have actually heard of that complaint from 2 people. It's been quite a while though and maybe before your time here or you just missed them.