Naive question about cpap treatment

schaefer1271 · Post by **schaefer1271** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:07 pm

Is it dangerous or harmful if your cpap pressure is set too high? Is it also dangerous to use cpap therapy when it is not required?

thanks

chris

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:22 pm

If you are set high and not prescribed to be set that high, I am sure that it could be dangerous. Too much pressure delivered to the lungs can caue barotrauma - or pressure injury to the lungs. Like any other medical device, CPAP should never be used unless it is presbribed for you.

limpy · Post by **limpy** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:33 pm

Short answer: YES!

Long answer, you can go two ways:

1. Visit your doctor, get referred to a Sleep Lab for a Sleep Study. There they will figure out if you have sleep apnea and figure out your ideal [url=https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart/CPAP]CPAP[/url] pressure. Your doc will write you an Rx for a pressure (ie. 9 cm HO). You can then get a [url=https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart/CPAP]CPAP[/url] and most places will set it at the pressure your doctor requests.

2. You can get your Rx and buy an AutoCPAP or APAP. The auto will adjust to your pressure as you breath. This means you always have the right pressure and never a pressure thats too high or low.

Limpy!

schaefer1271 · Post by **schaefer1271** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:51 pm

thanks for your replies. I have been diagnosed with OSA and my pressure is set at 8 cm. Ive been using cpap for about 2 weeks and have not seen improvement. I was wondering if I need a higher pressure like 10cm but i dont want to do another sleep study. my study was a month ago. I was thinking since i really didnt sleep well that i was never as completely relaxed during the study and perhaps under normal sleeping conditions i need a higher pressure than i did on that night. i know i should get an apap but my insurance only gave me a remstar plus so i would have to buy one out of pocket. im trying to sort it out with my remstar first before having to get the apap.

chris

Zees Pleez · Post by **Zees Pleez** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:20 pm

Can you get a trial of an auto? I had that done. They gave me an APAP set wide open to go anywhere from 4-20 cm in response to how I did and then read the card and printed out the results after 5 nights. It comes back with a recommended set single pressure that is likely to be more accurate (IN MY OPINION AS A CONSUMER NOT A DOCTOR) since you are at home and it is for multiple days. It also gives you the ranges that an autopap would be set at and information about percentages of the time you needed various pressures. That report was a ringing endorsement for an APAP in my case.

schaefer1271 · Post by **schaefer1271** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:27 pm

Thanks Zees....

Where did you get the trial....through your insurance or sleep dr?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:42 pm

schaefer1271,

To clarify the answer to your question. Any pressure can cause damage to your lungs. The more pressure the more likely the damage. That being said, the potentioan for damage to your lungs is no where near as great as the potential for damage to your body from untreated OSA. Your best bet to determine your long term actual pressure needs is to use an auto- titrating cpap or APAP. This type of machine will adjust your pressure as required to prevent most obstructive events.

All this considered, if your pressure requirement is either 8cm or 10cm, you should have little concern about and pressure caused damage to your lungs. These pressures are on the low half of the scale.

Zees Pleez · Post by **Zees Pleez** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:42 pm

My GP wrote the order and the DME provided the APAP, read the card and sent him the report.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:37 pm

My doctor increased my pressure without the need for another sleep study. Most doctors will only increase the by a couple of numbers.

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 11:07 am

I have a different question concerning the pressure settings.

At sleep study I was told they started pressure at 4cm and gradually increased it to determin my optimum pressure at 8cm.

I don't know what equipment they had but the mask was hard plastic nasal type. With it I really noticed the air flow blowing on my nose and this was at the beginning of the study when the pressure would have been lowest.

Have since bought the Mirage Attiva and do not have this same sensation at all. The only significant (and it really is quite a bit) of air flow I notice is through the exhaust vent holes. I sometimes know when the pressure has changed by holding my hand 6-8 inches from the exhaust, you can feel the difference (was that a commercial?).

I've always had the concern that my Resp Auto/Cflex may not be delivering the correct pressure as indicated on the gauge or the mask is somehow diffusing the pressure and I'm not being treated properly.

Has anyone else experienced this or am I just too full of hot air now? My only other thought is that the Activa mask is just so much better and makes the treatment much more comfortable.

Any ideas?

Bob F

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 12:09 pm

I noticed the same, I think the reason is the angle that the Resmed mask puts the air at you. With the Respironics mask used for my sleep study, I had the sensation that it was being blown up my nose. With my Resmed Ultra Mirage FF mask it doesn't feel that way.

The bigger indicator is, HOW DO YOU FEEL? If you don't feel like you are getting therapy, then it is possible that there is a problem. If you are feeling as rested, then I wouldn't worry too much...