sleeping better AHI going up

I'm annoyed, now that I'm finally sleeping better my AHI has gone up (to 2.5 from .2 average). Exactly how does anyone stand a pressure above 14? Do you just have to get used to it? thinking about upping my starting pressure even more (maybe to 15 or 16?) (now it's 14 instead of 12), and I was forced to put on the EPR feature even though I don't really like it (it tends to make me breath faster since it lowers the pressure BEFORE I am finished breathing in.) Also any tips on the EPR? is there a way to make it more sensitive like put it in Nasal mode vs. full face mask mode?

Catch 22 here - using EPR tends to produce an AHI reading a bit higher (2-3 cm) than it otherwise would be, so if AHI as such is all important, don't use EPR, but if you need it, and your reading is only a bit higher otherwise, don't worry about that unless it continues to rise.

Julie wrote:Catch 22 here - using EPR tends to produce an AHI reading a bit higher (2-3 cm) than it otherwise would be, so if AHI as such is all important, don't use EPR, but if you need it, and your reading is only a bit higher otherwise, don't worry about that unless it continues to rise.

Thanks! That's really helpful, I overall hate the EPR anyway because it seems to keep signaling me to breath out too soon and I have to fight against a natural urge to hyperventilate because of it. Resmed's version at least could using adjusting... like a half second delay before it lowers the pressure so you can have the proper "rest" at the end of your inhalation. I guess I'll just develop the stronger breathing out muscles I need for a 14 pressure.

There was a way to change the "speed" of the inhale/exhale thing using EPR with the S9 models. We got sort of a choice between fast and not quite so fast. Not sure if they kept it with the AirSense model. Doesn't look like it. I just checked the manual and don't see it mentioned. I don't have the time right now to check the machine itself. With the S9 you could change the timing on the inhale/exhale thing to better fit some people's respiration pattern in terms of when they inhaled and when they would exhale.

You are fast approaching the situation where going to bilevel would open up more options for you in terms of comfort and the timing of the inhale and exhale thing is available as a separate setting choice whereas right now you have no options for changing the timing of the inhale/exhale thing.

Pugsy wrote:There was a way to change the "speed" of the inhale/exhale thing using EPR with the S9 models. We got sort of a choice between fast and not quite so fast. Not sure if they kept it with the AirSense model. Doesn't look like it. I just checked the manual and don't see it mentioned. I don't have the time right now to check the machine itself. With the S9 you could change the timing on the inhale/exhale thing to better fit some people's respiration pattern in terms of when they inhaled and when they would exhale.

You are fast approaching the situation where going to bilevel would open up more options for you in terms of comfort and the timing of the inhale and exhale thing is available as a separate setting choice whereas right now you have no options for changing the timing of the inhale/exhale thing.

Huh, I didn't realize the Bipap had more options then the auto. The only setting I see that might be applicable is you can change it to "soft" response, maybe that has to do with the EPR? I'll test it.

Turn EPR off.
It does not take long to get used to pressure. My pressure is 16 or higher and I do not even notice it.
If needed, set your pressure lower - increase by 0.5 cm-h2o every few days.

TedVPAP wrote:Turn EPR off.
It does not take long to get used to pressure. My pressure is 16 or higher and I do not even notice it.
If needed, set your pressure lower - increase by 0.5 cm-h2o every few days.

Yep, cruising along at 14.2 now. Also had to fiddle with the tightness a bit to lower leaks when ramping.

Thanks.
Part of it is that I'm sleeping better on my back but that causes more apneas... I just wake up on my side because my arms, shoulders and hips start aching.

nicholasjh1 wrote:

TedVPAP wrote:Turn EPR off.
It does not take long to get used to pressure. My pressure is 16 or higher and I do not even notice it.
If needed, set your pressure lower - increase by 0.5 cm-h2o every few days.

Yep, cruising along at 14.2 now. Also had to fiddle with the tightness a bit to lower leaks when ramping.

Thanks.
Part of it is that I'm sleeping better on my back but that causes more apneas... I just wake up on my side because my arms, shoulders and hips start aching.

I am not a fan of ramp; I want to know how the mask is sealing when I am still awake.
For me, back sleeping does aggravate my OSA so higher pressure is needed.
If you are not using sleepyhead, you should. See the three links below for help.
Thanks for the update and keep us posted.

Yep I got rid of the EPR, it was making me hyperventilate... I also never use ramp.. I think I turned that off in the first 2 weeks. things are going pretty well. My next step is an amara view mask cover with no opening... know into mouth leak, but hopefully the pressure on the fabric will prevent out of mouth leak... then, I'll be in my perfect CPAP world.