Need to use auto c-pap for 2 weeks

Can someone tell me what to expect from autopap. I think I understand why I have to use it for 2 weeks. I have been on cpap since June with pressure of 13. Since starting I feel somewhat less tired but not by much. Some days I just don't want to crawl out of bed. 3 weeks ago I had to sleep with a oxygen thing on my finger and last week my Dr called and said he was ordering a autopap for me to use for 2 weeks. I guess my levels were still low. I am having a hard time understanding any of this. Anyways I got the autopap yesterday. Should I feel any different, like less tired. I don't have a sleep dr just my family dr. We live in a very small and remote area. Any help explaining this whereas I can understand would be so appreciated.
Thanks!!!!

HI Cindyann,

What your doctor is probably doing is giving you another titration at home.. Your pressure needs may have changed, and wearing the apap
for two weeks might give a more clear picture of what your pressure range will be.. Many people have postitional apnea, and you might need
quite a bit more on your back, and much less on your side or stomach.. having to sleep thru a greater pressure all the time, can be disturbing to
your sleep, just as not enough pressure will let too many events slide thru and disrupt it..
There are many variables which might mean that your pressure needs are chaning.. congestion, being overly tired.. even the things we eat..

If the machine is set wide open from five to twenty, your doctor is looking for your average.. after you try this wide open range, you will either
be able to get used to it, and the machine will catch all your events, or the wider range might be a little hard to get used to..
Your doctor may have not left the machine so wide open, as he has a clue as to what your pressure area is, so I would ask if the machine is
set to wide or tighter range, just so you know what to expect..
Try to sleep in all positions during this two week period, that is very important.. .. I know you feel like youre in the dark, but just try to
relax and keep to your normal routine.. perhaps after your at home titration, you can ask for an auto so you can really dig in and help
yourself with your own therapy..

CinnyAnn,

The auto works over a range of 4-20 cm. They are trying to see if there is a setting that will give you the treatment you need without doing another full sleeplab study. The auto will detect APNEAs and provide the pressure needed to correct it. Many with the aPAP need to have a narrower pressure range than 4-20 for their comfort and ability to sleep without waking up from the machine. At 4 cm you might feel like there is not enough air to breath. You may need to have the lower limit raised a little. Your original 13 may be slightly off the optimal pressure. Sleeping in your own bed rather than the lab should be much easier. They may then adjust your current machine at the new pressure or order an APAP for you permanently. The loaner will have a card that records the data from its responses to your sleep. They will read the information and adjust your treatment as needed.

Sounds like your Dr. is listening to you and that is good.

Rolf

Thanks elena and Rolf for your reply. They are very helpful. The range, if I understand what you are saying is set 4-20. The one time I got awake last night I looked at the pressure setting and it was 8. Another thing you may be saying is that I may have to learn to sleep on my back. I am a side sleeper. I don't even sleep on my stomach. Yes, it does seems like I am in the dark. I don't even know what kind of questions to ask my Dr. It just seems I go along with whatever. Evidently what I am telling him makes sense to him. Again thank you both so much.

Hi CinnyAnn... you WANT to sleep on your SIDE! Back sleeping is where most of us find trouble...it is when the tongue will fall back and cut off our windpipe. So... less back sleeping is good! Viewing your pressure while awake won't tell you much. It is while you are asleep that your O2 level drops and events occur. I was titrated at a pressure of 8, but using my apap I rarely need more than 7 to get good results. My AHI is usually 1 or below. I hope you can be prescribed an apap so you can be in control of your own therapy. If you do get a new machine, insist it be one that is fully data capable....with efficacy data! This will allow you to get the software and be able to read your data card on your own and make adjustments as needed. Having this forum of veteran cpapers is invaluable, and we are here to help you.

I hope your apap trial is successful. You may also want to be sure all other possibilities for fatigue have been explored such as thyroid and vitamin D levels. I was just discovered to have a very low D level and am now taking very high dosage to get me into the optimum normal range.

Best of luck.... keep us posted on your progress!

hi again..

oh, if you have not been sleeping on your back, dont start now just for the test... thats the worst position if you have apnea caused by
your tongue falling back, etc..


just do your normal routine, dont change anything.. I was just concerned that you may have only slept in one position in your titration, so they didnt
get a good look..

these tests they usually run the machine from four or five to twenty.. I dont think the twenty is all that necessary.. as the one way you might get up
there is with some pretty big leaks going on..

Since you live in a rural area, I would push to get an auto when you are finished, so you can adjust it when you need to without all the trouble of
getting another study..

As to looking at other medical problems I do take vitamin D medicine for it is low. I also get it checked every2 months. My thyroid test came back OK. As far as others, I have high blood pressure (under control) and I am diabetic. Take 1 pill for that. I am overweight by about 35-40 lbs. My grown children keep getting on me to lose. I know that would be best but easier said than done. Maybe once I get my sleep all fixed up I will then concentrate on losing weight. And to think I used to worked for Weight Watchers (13 years with them). That was a long time back. When the time comes I will go back there as I am a lifetime member. Thanks to all in their help and interest with my auto pap question.