Another Newbie

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:52 pm

I stand corrected. Sorry about that, but still doubt that I would have figured out as fast about my pressures without the auto machine. I am still on a learning curve ya know!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:58 pm

bap40 wrote:I stand corrected. Sorry about that, but still doubt that I would have figured out as fast about my pressures without the auto machine. I am still on a learning curve ya know!

I know. There's still NOTHING wrong with having an APAP/Auto, either.

Den

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:19 pm

Wulfman wrote:There ARE fully data-capable straight-pressure CPAP machines.....like the Respironics M Series Pro, the ResMed Elite and the PB 420SP. One does not NEED an Auto to monitor and fine-tune their therapy......just the data and a way to interpret it (software).

Den

Right. And...the people in this study were using straight cpap without any data at all, much less any software. They were able to titrate themselves at home to effective treatment pressures, just going by how they felt and if bed partner said they were no longer snoring or gasping.

Can Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Titrate Their Own Continuous Positive Airway Pressure?

Excerpt from the study:
In summary, this study demonstrates that self-titration of CPAP in patients with OSA is as efficacious as manual titration in a sleep laboratory, with similar subjective and objective outcomes. Clearly, for this strategy to be successful, the patient must understand when and how to change the CPAP. Although the patient population studied did include a wide age range, this strategy would not be feasible for intellectually disadvantaged patients and those with physical handicaps that would severely limit vision and/or manual dexterity. Nonetheless, the findings from this study imply that routine overnight polysomnography is unnecessary for the purpose of CPAP titration in many patients with OSA, provided that the patient is given some basic education and support.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:39 pm

rested gal wrote:
Wulfman wrote:There ARE fully data-capable straight-pressure CPAP machines.....like the Respironics M Series Pro, the ResMed Elite and the PB 420SP. One does not NEED an Auto to monitor and fine-tune their therapy......just the data and a way to interpret it (software).

Den
Right. And...the people in this study were using straight cpap without any data at all, much less any software. They were able to titrate themselves at home to effective treatment pressures, just going by how they felt and if bed partner said they were no longer snoring or gasping.

Can Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Titrate Their Own Continuous Positive Airway Pressure?

Excerpt from the study:
In summary, this study demonstrates that self-titration of CPAP in patients with OSA is as efficacious as manual titration in a sleep laboratory, with similar subjective and objective outcomes. Clearly, for this strategy to be successful, the patient must understand when and how to change the CPAP. Although the patient population studied did include a wide age range, this strategy would not be feasible for intellectually disadvantaged patients and those with physical handicaps that would severely limit vision and/or manual dexterity. Nonetheless, the findings from this study imply that routine overnight polysomnography is unnecessary for the purpose of CPAP titration in many patients with OSA, provided that the patient is given some basic education and support.

Heh, heh......Would you call that the "ultimate data analyzer"? Assuming that you HAVE a bed partner.....and don't get poked in the ribs during the night.....and bed partner doesn't have a rolled up newspaper handy .

Yeah.....that'll work. Could be a lot of trial and error and additional bruises during the night till you get it tweaked just right......

Personally, I'd rather use software and a data-capable machine.

Thanks for putting those thoughts in my mind, Laura.

Den

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:37 pm

Seems to me to be an awful lot of trial and error with that kind of titration. Espicially since when most of us start, our knowledge of this new machine is very limited. It takes us some time to figure out what is what, much less to even expect "training".