CPAP reports

Yes, I've only made one change and that was the settings 4 - 20 to 5 - 13. I will increase the low to 7 and keep the high at 13.

So, I think I'm learning more and more from you. If I can keep the air pressure at a certain point to keep air flow moving then this will lower my AHI which I need to try and get to around 1 or 2. Air leaks either in the mask, tubing or whatever can affect the pressure that I need. I do have allergies and nose blockage and need to lose weight which will also help in lowering my AHI. The doctor informed me that I had started getting high blood pressure and with medicine and my cpap usage that I am back to normal. Amazing how much goes into controlling this sleep apnea.

I won't even get started with my face irritation - that will be another thread. It's always something.

As always, thanks for your help.

zonker wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 11:20 am

you aren't bumping 13 yet so let it ride. plus, it's the minimum pressure that does the bulk of the work.so try it at 7. and give it a few nights to settle in.

I disagree with that statment. According to this image, you are indeed bumping 13, some nights you're at about 16 -- when the machine was given permission to go there.

Now - that could be because you starting pressure it too low, which drives a vicious cycle, so I wouldn't chang it just now, I agree reasing the minimum is more important.

Any idea what changed the leaks?

Can you chose the dates of your reports? And if so, can create separate reports for each pressure setting based on the date?

The leak fluctuation could have been due using an older mask. I believe I purchased a new one around that time and started using it. I need to replace my tubing as well.

Let me get this straight, bump the min. 5 to a 7 and bump the high 13 to say 17 or just leave the 13?

I reach out to my supplier for the reports. They are pretty quick to respond.

jcoleman1967 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 12:33 pm

The leak fluctuation could have been due using an older mask. I believe I purchased a new one around that time and started using it. I need to replace my tubing as well.

Let me get this straight, bump the min. 5 to a 7 and bump the high 13 to say 17 or just leave the 13?

I reach out to my supplier for the reports. They are pretty quick to respond.

At this point only change the min, and see what happens.
Why do you have to change tubing?

Okay, I will change the minimum.

My supplier said I need to get new tubing every 6 months. That may be their desire for me to spend more money. I'm wondering if the leak could come from old tubing. I don't want to spend any more money than I have to.

ozij wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 12:11 pm

zonker wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 11:20 am

you aren't bumping 13 yet so let it ride. plus, it's the minimum pressure that does the bulk of the work.so try it at 7. and give it a few nights to settle in.

I disagree with that statment.

see? i KNEW someone smarter than me would come in!


which is just the purpose of this forum. that is to get peer reviewed corrections.

jcoleman1967 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 11:47 am

So, I think I'm learning more and more from you.
.....
As always, thanks for your help.

thank you for the flowers.

but pay closer heed to what ozij says. she's much better at this sort of thing than am i.

that doesn't mean i won't chime in from time to time.

jcoleman1967 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 12:54 pm

My supplier said I need to get new tubing every 6 months. That may be their desire for me to spend more money. I'm wondering if the leak could come from old tubing. I don't want to spend any more money than I have to.

yup, that makes up their profit margin. gotta make the, car payments somehow!

no matter what the machine, the dme provider wants you to pay for more things on an ongoing business. i've been using the same tubing for 7 years.

oh! also don't become enamored of cleaning equipment on a routine basis. you're actually in danger of wearing things out, like tubing, by cleaning them too much.

jcoleman1967 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 11:47 am

I won't even get started with my face irritation - that will be another thread. It's always something.

you are certainly welcome to start another thread. it is indeed a separate issue.

but may i suggest you change the name of your thread to "jcoleman1967 therapy thread? then you could just ask whatever in here.

whichever way you go, i hope you have continued good luck!

jcoleman1967 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 12:54 pm

My supplier said I need to get new tubing every 6 months. That may be their desire for me to spend more money.

You got it in one! Look after your hose and it will last years. Likewise mask components, humidifier tub etc. Hang your hose to dry - I drape mine over a coathanger with the open ends down and the hose positioned so that there's no kink. Check it regularly for pinholes or cracks and also for discolouration which could indicate mould. Wipe the mask with baby wipes to remove facial oils.

Above all, do not use ozone (activated oxygen) or UV "sanitisers". These will damage your gear and void your warranty.

Respirator99 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 9:12 pm

jcoleman1967 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 12:54 pm

My supplier said I need to get new tubing every 6 months. That may be their desire for me to spend more money.

You got it in one! Look after your hose and it will last years. Likewise mask components, humidifier tub etc. Hang your hose to dry - I drape mine over a coathanger with the open ends down and the hose positioned so that there's no kink. Check it regularly for pinholes or cracks and also for discolouration which could indicate mould. Wipe the mask with baby wipes to remove facial oils.

Above all, do not use ozone (activated oxygen) or UV "sanitisers". These will damage your gear and void your warranty.

And, of course, don't leave you equipment in the sun. Even if its "only" inside your home.

See, that's why I came here. You are using your same tubing for 7 years, wow. My supplier wanted to put me on a month to month payment plan. Glad I checked here first.

I have made the change on my minimum from 5 to 7. I will see how it goes for awhile and see what the results are.

Thanks to all.

I wanted to update my status since increasing my minimum to 7 on pressure. So, I increased my min. to 7, started to sleep on my side instead of my back and put partial tape over my lips. My AHI has now gone down to between 1 and 5 consistently from readings of 6 to 15. I am using tape because when I sleep on my side, I will drool some and get a little saliva in my mask which makes it uncomfortable. Please let me know if this is not recommended. I do believe it helps. I am ecstatic over my improved AHI readings. Should I raise my pressure up a little more and should I discontinue using the tape over my lips?

I actually use tape over half of my lips (right side). Just the thought of covering all my lips made me concerned. I'm reading that it is not good for you. Please advise.

jcoleman1967 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 26, 2023 2:25 pm

I actually use tape over half of my lips (right side). Just the thought of covering all my lips made me concerned. I'm reading that it is not good for you. Please advise.

On the internet, nothing is good for you. Lots of people tape. Gramps and I have been doing it for years.

Do you want to post some more data since you made the latest changes?

To see whether tape would be feasible for you, I recommend that you invest in a box of Somnifix strips. They are very gentle on the skin but hold pretty well. Be sure to curl your lips inward a little per instructions before placing the strip. If these work for you, then you can experiment with lower-cost options.

Note about tape: Some people avoid it, for two reasons. (1) If you suddenly need to vomit in the night, the tape could lead to your aspirating some vomitus, which would be bad. However, you can sacrifice one strip to see for yourself how well you can pull you mouth open in an emergency using only your jaw muscles. (2) If there is a power failure and your machine goes off while you're sleeping, you won't be able to do the natural thing and open your mouth to breathe. As for that, out of an abundance of caution, I've put a circuit alarm in a plug on the same circuit as my machine. It wakes me up immediately if I lose power to the machine.