Autopap users--did your pressure decrease in real life use

Just curious, as my experiences as an autopap user seem to vindicate that the sleep study titration was higher than necessary most of the time. When originally tested, I was set at 11 CMh2O and given an ordinary Cpap by the DME. Since then, I've used autopaps for over 10 years. One thing I have noticed is that when operating in auto mode, I almost never have pressure going as high as 11 CMH20. 90th percentile has always been around 8.5, and 95th percentile about 9. AHI scores have been low (ranging from a high of about 4. to as little as 1 per hour, and leaks non-existent. So, therapy has worked well. Does anyone else have the experience of needing less functional pressure for day in/day out therapy, as opposed to the sleep study?

Yes, that's common. The pressure chosen during your test is the worst case situation. Usually, that would be sleeping on your back when all your gargly parts are sagging back and blocking your breath.

If you then go home and sleep most of the time in a better position, you'll almost never need that high pressure to sleep well.

I'd say my husband's titration pressure was pretty accurate at 13cms. He's settled in at 12cms for this first year. When we've used auto at 11-15, his 90% is between 11 & 12. What straight pressure do you use now?

I was titrated at 7. After six years, four on apap, settings are 9.5 to 12. 90% runs between 10 and 10.5. Normal AHIs run from 0 to 0.8 with few leaks.

You didn't say what your pressure settings are.
There can be other reasons why the pressures aren't going any higher.....like if your minimum pressure is set too low and it's taking too long to get to a pressure you need to keep your airway open.....and the event ends some other way.....which may explain why your AHI is going as high as 4.

And, you don't "need" an Auto/APAP to find whether or not your titrated pressure is accurate. I was prescribed a pressure of 18 cm. and only have needed 10 - 12 cm. I used a data-capable, straight-pressure CPAP machine and software. I usually have a higher AHI when I use one of my Autos in a range of pressures (and the changing pressures disturb my sleep), so I stick with straight pressure.


Den

Autopapdude wrote:Just curious, as my experiences as an autopap user seem to vindicate that the sleep study titration was higher than necessary most of the time. Does anyone else have the experience of needing less functional pressure for day in/day out therapy, as opposed to the sleep study?

My pressure has slighty increased and I suspect at my next appt, it may need to increase further!

elg5cats

Titrated at 7, found 10.5 works best for me.

Brenda

Forgot my settings: Low is 6.5 and high is 15. AHI ranges from 1 to 2 with 4 being an unusual peak that happened once or twice. I sleep comfortably 90% of the time, and have 100% compliance for 7.5 hours. The machine spends 90% of its time between 6.5 and 8.5.

It has been this way with 3 different autopap machines for years, and I am more comfortable with the variable pressure.

I was titrated at 20cm. Prescribed a Cpap. DME was too expensive so I bought an auto m online for less (insurance only covers 50%).

4th night and my 90% =16.5.
AHI was 1.1 last night, so I guess I don't need a solid 20 blowing in my face all night.