Cpap pressure too high

I have the Dreamstation Auto CPAP.

Lately my CPAP will ramp up the pressure so high that I can't stand it (12-16 cmH2O). It does this as I am trying to go to sleep but am still awake. I will hit the ramp button and it will continue to ramp up until I need to hit the ramp again or I do fall asleep. But when asleep, 1) I sometimes take it off w/o realizing it or 2) if the high pressure wakes me up and I can't go back to sleep (even with hitting ramp) I'll take it off consciously but usually 3) am constantly waking up due to the high pressure.

Previously, my good nights were: AHI (90% Pressure):
1.4 (9.1), 1.2 (7.5), 1.1 (8.5), 2.7 (6., 2.8 (7.5), 1.4 (7.5), 1.6 (8.9), 2.0 (6.9), 1.8 (7.9) etc

So I don't feel I need the high pressure, but there is something wrong with the mask/filter/machine that I can't troubleshoot.

I've changed the disposable filter and washed twice the washable one. However, there is a BIG difference in flow rate when the filter is in and when I leave it out.
Looking at my SleepyHead data, it seems there is a lot of VS and VS2 events (vibrational snoring) and even sometimes heavy snoring when the ramp to high pressure is occuring. But this is happening mostly while I am still awake, so I know I'm not snoring!).

I don't think there are major leaks except when the pressure gets too high it will start to leak and this wakes me up/prevents me from falling asleep.

I've tried making the mask tighter and then loose. Nothing seems to work.

At this point I am using it without the filter (last night was AHI of 1.4 with normal pressure).

Any ideas?
Thanks!

Maybe just lower your pressure setting or switch off auto.

You could try 8-12 on auto or maybe set it to 10 in CPAP mode. At least in CPAP mode it won't keep changing pressure on you.

Your 90% pressure means that for 90% of the night, you were at or below, that number. I would try reducing your minimum pressure from 12 to 10 and see if this resolves your problem.

Are you saying that everything seems to work normally if the filters are removed?
When you don't use the foam filter things are fine and when you do things aren't fine?
What do the snores look like with no filter in?

How long have you had this machine?

Can you share a report with a filter and without a filter? So we can see the snores and the pressure?

Thanks everyone. Here are some pictures:
Three good nights:
https://imgur.com/a/RcguQ

I was awake for most of this period until I had enough and stopped the CPAP. Kept hitting ramp as I couldn’t stand the high pressure
https://imgur.com/a/H31nO

Tolerated high pressure for part of the night:
https://imgur.com/a/uv7qe

No filter for most of the night (removed it 12:20 and put it back in 5 am):
https://imgur.com/a/iE2pq

The machine is still new so I need to contact the doctor to change the pressure. I've explained the situation and asked that it be set to 10 max, but have not heard back yet.

The machine is still new - I got it about two months ago. I had no issues adjusting to it and have used it steadily until this high pressure problem started almost two weeks ago.

Maybe an obvious and silly question, but do you rinse out the filters well? If not, they could be blocking air from flowing smoothly and falsely raising the pressure that's trying to overcome resistance.

Sounds like something is not working properly in terms of the filter.
The machine should work fine with the filter in place (both of them if you want both of them).
The pressure obviously shouldn't increase so much while awake and you would know if you were for sure snoring but if there is something going on with the machine's sensors or the filter maybe causing the machine to think that snores are happening then it could be responsible for the increased pressure.

I wouldn't try to limit the max in an effort to try to fix a machine that isn't responding like it should.
I would want the machine fixed so that it works like it is supposed to.

You might carefully inspect the area where the filters go and see if there is anything in there that might be impeding the air flow and causing the machine to think there were snores going on.

If no problem with filters removed...and problems when filters are in place...then the problem is obviously related to the filters in some way or another. That's not normal for a machine to behave that way.
I would be taking the machine back to the DME and complaining that it isn't working like it used to and it seems to be related to the filters some how.

I've washed the larger filter several times and let it dry before using it. I've also replaced the disposable filter.

I called the distributor to see if I can get another filter and they said no, it's not time yet, so I ordered some on Amazon :/

I did go too long w/o cleaning the larger filter. Perhaps it got too bad that cleaning it does not work?

My thoughts are that it is a filter issue as the flow is very low when they are in, but thought I'd ask the experts here. What is the best way to clean the filter? I do warm water at a high flow rate .

Thanks!

cchild2 wrote:I've washed the larger filter several times and let it dry before using it. I've also replaced the disposable filter.

I called the distributor to see if I can get another filter and they said no, it's not time yet, so I ordered some on Amazon :/

I did go too long w/o cleaning the larger filter. Perhaps it got too bad that cleaning it does not work?

My thoughts are that it is a filter issue as the flow is very low when they are in, but thought I'd ask the experts here. What is the best way to clean the filter? I do warm water at a high flow rate .

Thanks!

If the machine is only 2 months old, how can it be too long since you cleaned the filter? Are they really supposed to be cleaned that often? I still haven't cleaned mine and it's going on 3 months with my original machine.

MaxINTJ wrote:If the machine is only 2 months old, how can it be too long since you cleaned the filter? Are they really supposed to be cleaned that often? I still haven't cleaned mine and it's going on 3 months with my original machine.

Probably depends on the machine. I cleaned the filter weekly on my old machine. My new machine says to clean the foam filter every 10 days, and replace the disposable filter when it shows dirt. I still clean the foam filter weekly, since I'm already in the habit.

coconur wrote:

MaxINTJ wrote:If the machine is only 2 months old, how can it be too long since you cleaned the filter? Are they really supposed to be cleaned that often? I still haven't cleaned mine and it's going on 3 months with my original machine.

Probably depends on the machine. I cleaned the filter weekly on my old machine. My new machine says to clean the foam filter every 10 days, and replace the disposable filter when it shows dirt. I still clean the foam filter weekly, since I'm already in the habit.

Well, I guess I had better at least check it

cchild2 wrote:I've washed the larger filter several times and let it dry before using it. I've also replaced the disposable filter.

I called the distributor to see if I can get another filter and they said no, it's not time yet, so I ordered some on Amazon :/

I did go too long w/o cleaning the larger filter. Perhaps it got too bad that cleaning it does not work?

My thoughts are that it is a filter issue as the flow is very low when they are in, but thought I'd ask the experts here. What is the best way to clean the filter? I do warm water at a high flow rate .

Thanks!

Sounds like you are cleaning the filter correctly. Checking basic procedures: 1. I'm assuming that you are re-seating the disposable filter to the foam one so they lock together tightly, in a perfectly matched set--sometimes I've tried to do it and realized I had the disposable one flipped the wrong way or off-kilter with the foam one. 2. You are sliding the filters into the machine all the way back into the slot? 3. The silicon seal from the main unit to the humidifier (if you have one) is seated firmly. 4. There's nothing stuck somewhere in the tube.

Can't think of anything else to check. Maybe call technical services at Phillips for some advice.

Jean

From the ResMed web site...

How often should filters be replaced?

If the environment is particularly humid or dusty, then the disposable filter won’t last for long. We recommend that your patient visually inspects the filter every month to determine whether the filter needs to be disposed. The recommended replacement is every 6 months or before, depending on the filter’s state.

LSAT wrote:From the ResMed web site...

How often should filters be replaced?

If the environment is particularly humid or dusty, then the disposable filter won’t last for long. We recommend that your patient visually inspects the filter every month to determine whether the filter needs to be disposed. The recommended replacement is every 6 months or before, depending on the filter’s state.

Depending on air quality, the Respironics Dreamstation disposable filters can last up to about 2 months. I get a good 6-7 weeks out of mine, except in wildfire season when I had to change it out after 12 days. The foam filter lasts much, much longer with regular rinsing; I've had mine for 1 year now and counting.

Jean

Experiencing something very similar- did you find a solution??