Question about CPAP and APAP pressure differences

Okay. I hope I don't confuse you all (or myself).
I'm on 7.6 CPAP (I know the decimal stuff is weird, but that's where I seem to be happy). But.....I suspect that its causing alot of sinus irritation/inflammation. So my choices are to go down on the CPAP pressure OR back to APAP (which woke me up too much all night). If I choose the APAP setting, in hopes of getting less air pressure to my sinuses, where should I set the pressures? A narrow range might keep me from waking up so much, right? Or should I just go down on the CPAP setting?
I know there's alot of unknowns, since I don't have the software.
If my numbers awhile back on APAP showed that I spent most of the night at 7.2-7.6, is it useless to change to APAP, or would those times that I wasn't at that top pressure give my sinuses a little break?
My sleep is so inconsistent, its sometimes hard to draw any conclusions. I can have big fluctuations in my AHI numbers, for no apparent reasons.
Anyhow......what do you think about which change would be best, to give my mucosa a rest? I probably should test out both settings and see what my numbers are.
Unfortunately, I can't get every system working well at the same time. I've been fairly happy on the CPAP setting........but now my sinuses are screaming because of it.

What kind of humidifier settings have you been using?
(heated humidity can exacerbate nasal/sinus problems)

Could you elaborate about what you mean by "...my sinuses are screaming..."?

It's not that unusual to have AHI fluctuations in CPAP mode.

What ARE your machine settings......pressure and EPR?

Den

Hi Den,
My humidifier is set to the next to the highest setting. I tried putting it to the highest setting, but got condensation. The water level goes down about an inch at least every night, so I know its working.
When I say my sinuses are irritated, I mean that (besides hearing my pulse in my ear), they are dry and painful.....I have feelings of pressure over my eyes and ears. It doesn't feel like there is the more common fluid congestion. It just feels like inflammation without fluid.
My settings are CPAP 7.6, no EPR, and the ramp is for 15 minutes starting at 5.4.
Hmmm....I just re-read your note about the heated humidity. I have noticed that its warm. Unfortunately, I guess it can only be warm and not cool humidity. Is there a device that just delivers cool humidity? I suppose I could run a cool mist humidifier in my room, but it would get warmed in my humidifier.
This morning my sinuses feel very open and dry and burn a bit.
Thanks Den.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, CPAP, Ramp

There are some "pass-over" (only) humidifiers......they usually have a larger surface area for the air to pass over the water......however, by turning OFF your heat setting, it should perform the same function.

I try to get my nasal passages as clear as possible just before going to bed and use "pass-over" humidity. The cool air/water combination keeps my nasal passages open by shrinking the tissues in there. It makes it much easier to breathe.

Den

Thanks Den,
I didn't even think about turning it down! The ambient humidity is up now, so maybe I've been working against things by having it so high.
Also.....my sinuses aren't congested in the least. In fact, I think they are shrunk too much...?? I'm going to see my ENT next week, but he knows nothing about CPAP issues, unfortunately. The suggestion to turn down the humidifier is a good one! Maybe that's all I need! Thanks.

But.....if decreasing the humidity doesn't help, which change that I mentioned above, yield the less air in my sinuses? Thanks.

Two daily sesssions of nasal irrigation (not the spray) will add humidity to your sinuses and give them relief.

O.

Hi Oz,
I bought a neti pot and was beginning to use it, but was a little hesitant since I wasn't sure what was up with my head. (I'm suspecting an impacted frontal or ethmoid sinus). Is irrigation like with a neti pot what you're referring to?
Do you add soda bicarb to your saline mix?

Yes to first, no to the second.

O.

My wife and I are using the Neil Med bottles -- we like the positive pressure to flush out the sinus cavities. Works GREAT.


http://www.neilmed.com/