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Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 8:44 am
by scf
HI folks. I raised the minimum as you suggested from 5 to 7. Pressure changes do not bother me so I did not think I needed to take it slow. The only thing that happened was I woke up once with a dry mouth which has not been happening. Maybe I should raise the humidity??? I got hesitant to do that when I ran the setting way up last week and got a bath, lol. I had the lowest AHI score since I started.
I am hesitant to raise the maximum until after the first sleep clinic appointment because I don't want to alienate the physician at this point. I have never met him so I don't know if he appreciates a patient being proactive with her own treatment. I want to see what he says. I can "excuse" tinkering with the minimum because of the "suffocation" feeling (which I don't have, lol). If he does not reset the pressures by raising the maximum, then I will know that I have to be more responsible for my own therapeutic needs and I will raise it. Here is last night's data. What do you think about it?
APAP.jpg
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 10:38 am
by palerider
Based on that chart, your minimum needs to be 10 or higher, and your max, 20 unless a compelling reason emerges to have it lower.
If the doctor doesn't like it, then they should be fired and a more competent, less controlling doctor found.
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:30 pm
by scf
Palerider, I am in awe of your knowledge and you crack me up. The situation is that I did a home study, met with an Advanced Practice Nurse who gave me my results and sent me off to the DME people. I never met with the doc. Yes, I know that is unacceptable, but that is how modern medicine is. He did the usual of setting the pressures at 5/20 and changed them to 5/11 after I called the APN with a question in late Sept.
I want to give him at least the chance to see my data at my first appointment this week (I have 30 days worth) and see what he says before I assume he is an idiot. For the record I am a retired RN and Health Lawyer, so I understand docs quite well, lol. Thank you for looking at the data and your comments. I truly do value them.
I am at a kindergarten level of understanding all of this and I have been reading about it for a couple of hrs a day since I was diagnosed on 9/14. So bear with me with this question. From the reading I have gotten the impression that the "goal" if that is what one could call it is to find a narrow range between minimum and maximum for the final settings. Above you said 10/20 which I do not doubt is accurate from what you are seeing on my chart. Just curious about that.
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:04 pm
by palerider
scf wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:30 pm
I am at a kindergarten level of understanding all of this and I have been reading about it for a couple of hrs a day since I was diagnosed on 9/14. So bear with me with this question. From the reading I have gotten the impression that the "goal" if that is what one could call it is to find a narrow range between minimum and maximum for the final settings. Above you said 10/20 which I do not doubt is accurate from what you are seeing on my chart. Just curious about that.
I don't know where the 'narrow range' bullshit comes from, but it's just that, it's bullshit, it's something that ignorant people have come up with, I can only guess they're pulling that out of their ass, because they don't know anything.
What
IS important is the minimum. that's what holds your airway open, if the minimum is too low, then your airway will close up and you won't be able to take another breath.
However, all that happens when you lower the maximum is that you keep the machine from going high enough to keep your airway open if it needs to raise the pressure to do so. If your machine need only needs to go to 12, then it doesn't matter whether your max is 12, or 15, 20, or even 25. It just *does not matter*... so why should you set the max to 12? if you happen to need 13 one night, all you've done is prevent the machine from being able to respond to your needs.
There's almost no legitimate reason to lower the maximum pressure, unless you're having aerophagia (air swallowing), then there's really no
reason to limit the max pressure.
Now, *technically*, when you leave the max at 20 and raise the minimum pressure to what it needs to be, you are 'narrowing the range', so yes, a more 'narrow range' is good, just leave the max at it's default and give the machine the freedom to treat your breathing issues the best way it can.
The true
goal is to get the AHI under 1.5, or as Pugsy says, "under 2 is the goal, under 1 is gravy". but I can tell the next day if my AHI's over 1.5, anywhere below 1.5, I really can't tell any difference. (mine's usually below 0.5).
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:43 pm
by Pugsy
scf wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 8:44 am
I ran the setting way up last week and got a bath, lol.
Sounds like rain out or condensation in the mask or hose. I never got a bath but I sure have had more than my fair share of cold showers from water spewing out the vent holes.
There are ways to deal with rain out that don't involve reducing the humidity.
See this thread posts number 2 and 3.
Lots of options
viewtopic/t94035/Pugsys-Pointers-3Deali ... -road.html
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 8:23 pm
by SleepGeek
palerider wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:04 pm
There's almost no legitimate reason to lower the maximum pressure, unless you're having aerophagia (air swallowing), then there's really no reason to limit the max pressure.
aerophagia is one reason. I think another is that docs (and others who know) want the *new* patient and their body to adjust to the pressure. It does take time but in time the patient will adjust.
Many patients complain about being BLASTED with HIGH Air Pressure and quit.
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:35 pm
by scf
Thanks that certainly makes sense.
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:37 pm
by scf
Pugsy wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:43 pm
scf wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 8:44 am
I ran the setting way up last week and got a bath, lol.
Sounds like rain out or condensation in the mask or hose. I never got a bath but I sure have had more than my fair share of cold showers from water spewing out the vent holes.
There are ways to deal with rain out that don't involve reducing the humidity.
See this thread posts number 2 and 3.
Lots of options
viewtopic/t94035/Pugsys-Pointers-3Deali ... -road.html
Thank you Pugsy. I will check those posts. It only happened once and it was my fault for overfilling the humidifier. Lesson learned!
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:37 pm
by palerider
scf wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:35 pm
palerider wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:04 pm
scf wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:30 pm
I am at a kindergarten level of understanding all of this and I have been reading about it for a couple of hrs a day since I was diagnosed on 9/14. So bear with me with this question. From the reading I have gotten the impression that the "goal" if that is what one could call it is to find a narrow range between minimum and maximum for the final settings. Above you said 10/20 which I do not doubt is accurate from what you are seeing on my chart. Just curious about that.
I don't know where the 'narrow range' bullshit comes from, but it's just that, it's bullshit, it's something that ignorant people have come up with, I can only guess they're pulling that out of their ass, because they don't know anything.
What
IS important is the minimum. that's what holds your airway open, if the minimum is too low, then your airway will close up and you won't be able to take another breath.
However, all that happens when you lower the maximum is that you keep the machine from going high enough to keep your airway open if it needs to raise the pressure to do so. If your machine need only needs to go to 12, then it doesn't matter whether your max is 12, or 15, 20, or even 25. It just *does not matter*... so why should you set the max to 12? if you happen to need 13 one night, all you've done is prevent the machine from being able to respond to your needs.
There's almost no legitimate reason to lower the maximum pressure, unless you're having aerophagia (air swallowing), then there's really no
reason to limit the max pressure.
Now, *technically*, when you leave the max at 20 and raise the minimum pressure to what it needs to be, you are 'narrowing the range', so yes, a more 'narrow range' is good, just leave the max at it's default and give the machine the freedom to treat your breathing issues the best way it can.
The true
goal is to get the AHI under 1.5, or as Pugsy says, "under 2 is the goal, under 1 is gravy". but I can tell the next day if my AHI's over 1.5, anywhere below 1.5, I really can't tell any difference. (mine's usually below 0.5).
That certainly makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to explain it.
That's what I'm here for, to try and help new people get the most out of their therapy, and understanding things often helps
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:41 pm
by scf
palerider wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:37 pm
scf wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:35 pm
palerider wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:04 pm
scf wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:30 pm
I am at a kindergarten level of understanding all of this and I have been reading about it for a couple of hrs a day since I was diagnosed on 9/14. So bear with me with this question. From the reading I have gotten the impression that the "goal" if that is what one could call it is to find a narrow range between minimum and maximum for the final settings. Above you said 10/20 which I do not doubt is accurate from what you are seeing on my chart. Just curious about that.
I don't know where the 'narrow range' bullshit comes from, but it's just that, it's bullshit, it's something that ignorant people have come up with, I can only guess they're pulling that out of their ass, because they don't know anything.
What
IS important is the minimum. that's what holds your airway open, if the minimum is too low, then your airway will close up and you won't be able to take another breath.
However, all that happens when you lower the maximum is that you keep the machine from going high enough to keep your airway open if it needs to raise the pressure to do so. If your machine need only needs to go to 12, then it doesn't matter whether your max is 12, or 15, 20, or even 25. It just *does not matter*... so why should you set the max to 12? if you happen to need 13 one night, all you've done is prevent the machine from being able to respond to your needs.
There's almost no legitimate reason to lower the maximum pressure, unless you're having aerophagia (air swallowing), then there's really no
reason to limit the max pressure.
Now, *technically*, when you leave the max at 20 and raise the minimum pressure to what it needs to be, you are 'narrowing the range', so yes, a more 'narrow range' is good, just leave the max at it's default and give the machine the freedom to treat your breathing issues the best way it can.
The true
goal is to get the AHI under 1.5, or as Pugsy says, "under 2 is the goal, under 1 is gravy". but I can tell the next day if my AHI's over 1.5, anywhere below 1.5, I really can't tell any difference. (mine's usually below 0.5).
That certainly makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to explain it.
That's what I'm here for, to try and help new people get the most out of their therapy, and understanding things often helps
Well I for one GREATLY appreciate it.
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 2:42 am
by Holden4th
palerider wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:04 pm
scf wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 5:30 pm
What IS important is the minimum. that's what holds your airway open, if the minimum is too low, then your airway will close up and you won't be able to take another breath.
However, all that happens when you lower the maximum is that you keep the machine from going high enough to keep your airway open if it needs to raise the pressure to do so. If your machine need only needs to go to 12, then it doesn't matter whether your max is 12, or 15, 20, or even 25. It just *does not matter*... so why should you set the max to 12? if you happen to need 13 one night, all you've done is prevent the machine from being able to respond to your needs.
There's almost no legitimate reason to lower the maximum pressure, unless you're having aerophagia (air swallowing), then there's really no
reason to limit the max pressure.
Now, *technically*, when you leave the max at 20 and raise the minimum pressure to what it needs to be, you are 'narrowing the range', so yes, a more 'narrow range' is good, just leave the max at it's default and give the machine the freedom to treat your breathing issues the best way it can.
The true
goal is to get the AHI under 1.5, or as Pugsy says, "under 2 is the goal, under 1 is gravy". but I can tell the next day if my AHI's over 1.5, anywhere below 1.5, I really can't tell any difference. (mine's usually below 0.5).
Hello PR. It's been quite a while since I've posted and I've started a thread because I've been having issues, one of them being a feeling of breathlessness. The first sentence you wrote that I've bolded may just have provided a large part of the answer to my issues so thank you.
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 11:23 am
by zonker
Holden4th wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 2:42 am
Hello PR. It's been quite a while since I've posted and I've started a thread because I've been having issues, one of them being a feeling of breathlessness. The first sentence you wrote that I've bolded may just have provided a large part of the answer to my issues so thank you.
BUT the op here doesn't have a bilevel machine. so i'm not sure you can take the advice palerider gave her and apply it to your circumstances.
just sayin'.
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 1:17 pm
by palerider
zonker wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 11:23 am
Holden4th wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 2:42 am
Hello PR. It's been quite a while since I've posted and I've started a thread because I've been having issues, one of them being a feeling of breathlessness. The first sentence you wrote that I've bolded may just have provided a large part of the answer to my issues so thank you.
BUT the op here doesn't have a bilevel machine. so i'm not sure you can take the advice palerider gave her and apply it to your circumstances.
just sayin'.
You can. Whether it's bilevel or not, the min (or on bilevel, EPAP) pressure is what holds the airway open so that you can take another breath. If the lowest pressure in a breath cycle is too low, your airway will close, and you won't be able to take another breath until you wake up enough to open up your airway again.
You can set a Resmed bilevel to 25/3, meaning it's 25 when inhaling and 3 between breaths. While that would give you extreme hyperventilation, probably make you dizzy... it also wouldn't do anything at all for any sort of obstructive apnea, since there's not enough pressure to hold the airway open between breaths.
I hope that makes sense, even if it's an extreme and somewhat absurd example.
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 1:25 pm
by zonker
palerider wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 1:17 pm
You can. Whether it's bilevel or not, the min (or on bilevel, EPAP) pressure is what holds the airway open so that you can take another breath. If the lowest pressure in a breath cycle is too low, your airway will close, and you won't be able to take another breath until you wake up enough to open up your airway again.
You can set a Resmed bilevel to 25/3, meaning it's 25 when inhaling and 3 between breaths. While that would give you extreme hyperventilation, probably make you dizzy... it also wouldn't do anything at all for any sort of obstructive apnea, since there's not enough pressure to hold the airway open between breaths.
I hope that makes sense, even if it's an extreme and somewhat absurd example.
ah. thanks for the explanation.
i stand corrected.
to holden4th- excuse my butting in.
to the OP: carry on.
Re: YEA My First Oscar submission
Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:44 am
by Holden4th
palerider wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 1:17 pm
zonker wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 11:23 am
Holden4th wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 2:42 am
Hello PR. It's been quite a while since I've posted and I've started a thread because I've been having issues, one of them being a feeling of breathlessness. The first sentence you wrote that I've bolded may just have provided a large part of the answer to my issues so thank you.
BUT the op here doesn't have a bilevel machine. so i'm not sure you can take the advice palerider gave her and apply it to your circumstances.
just sayin'.
You can. Whether it's bilevel or not, the min (or on bilevel, EPAP) pressure is what holds the airway open so that you can take another breath. If the lowest pressure in a breath cycle is too low, your airway will close, and you won't be able to take another breath until you wake up enough to open up your airway again.
You can set a Resmed bilevel to 25/3, meaning it's 25 when inhaling and 3 between breaths. While that would give you extreme hyperventilation, probably make you dizzy... it also wouldn't do anything at all for any sort of obstructive apnea, since there's not enough pressure to hold the airway open between breaths.
I hope that makes sense, even if it's an extreme and somewhat absurd example.
With the 25/3, I understand the 25 but am not exactly sure what the 3 is.
