Help.. with apap i am snoring again what to do?

Ok.. I am a month along with my therapy. I got an apap to try from my DME a few weeks ago. The pressure would not go up instantly which I need to breath through my nose. So I went back to my cpap. I have to turn one in next week. I need to know which one to give back. I want the step up to the apap, however I don't know how to set it to the cpap mode I guess. The lower setting.. or sense awake on the f&p 244 was helpful when I had problems coughing, but not for going to sleep on a general night... and my husband says I snore with the apap... it has pressure of 3 to start with....my cpap setting is 15. I would like to set this apap for ranges between maybe 10 and 18. Or turn on cpap mode at 15 ... I don't know how to do this. The DME is only available 2 days a week The manual is not helpful.... . HELP Please!!

Which manual do you have that is not helpful? The little "user" manual that is no help or the clinician manual?

Snores come from the mouth opening..... I do that on a rare occasion when I roll onto my back, hubby pokes me and I turn over onto my side and shut my mouth. At least this is what he reports..

If you only have the user manual check this link below, all the way down to the bottom of the page for clinician manual for F& P they say it works up to the 254 models.

http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

just keep in mind that on apap you won't likely see a change in pressure right away but most likely once you are a alsleep it will adjust to your breathing needs. i use an apap but on a different machine than yours ,you probably just need to give yourself a chance to get used to it

desforsleep wrote:The lower setting.. or sense awake on the f&p 244 was helpful when I had problems coughing, but not for going to sleep on a general night... and my husband says I snore with the apap... it has pressure of 3 to start with....my cpap setting is 15.

Starts at 3 cm... is that comfortable? Wouldn't be for me. I would imagine since you are used to cpap at 15 you are feeling pretty smothered.

Let's see if either that clinician manual or someone here can tell you how to adjust the APAP settings. I don't have any experience with your machine.

I was just helping someone with the F & P software, she has an APAP. Let me see if her machine might be similar.

Thanks pugsy! I got the link up and have it downloaded.

Thanks Randy, I will try to be more tolerant. lol That seems to be all I say anymore.

No it is not comfortable it smothers me!! I need to get the software too I guess. I appreciate your interest in helping Pugsy.

I'm a bit confused as most machine's have the lowest pressure setting at 4, so I'm not sure what you are reading as 3 is correct (perhaps it is on the F&P).

In any case, if your normal CPAP pressure is 15, then "wide open" will NOT work for you--it's no wonder you feel like you are suffocating! Your low pressure should be set no more than 2 below your usual pressure, so 13 or so is appropriate. You can leave the top pressure at 20 to begin with.

There are a few machines that do go as low as 3cm even though the standard is 4-20 range.

I would keep the auto machine as its a better machine in that it is capable of both modes should your needs change ( and they will eventually ).

The apap does take a bit to get used to and can be hard to get used to especially if its set to the widest range possible.
If I read the posts correctly your straight cpap is set to 15cm, therefore I would suggest a pressure range of 14 to 18/19 as a starting point.

I'm a firm believer in a narrower range of pressures as the machine is then able to react faster to apnea events instead of a wide open range (which is what it sounds like your apap is set at).

No wonder your suffering, good luck with your therapy ... It works very well once setup properly!

If your CPAP is SUPPOSED to be 15, then you should consider setting the APAP for 14 to 18, IF 15 is your "optimal" pressure.

10 is too low if 15 is the pressure you are supposed to have, and you will invite your airway to close if you start on 10, and possibly still snore too.

3 is ridiculous, whoever sent you home with the machine like that should not even be allowed to sell machines.

While the OP here has a CPAP pressure of 15 and is wanting to try the auto with a starting pressure of 10, she may have some specific reasons for wanting to try it. Her DME and physician have let her try the APAP that is why she has 2 machines in her possession right now. Before everyone starts telling her that she should use a higher minimum we might want to ask the circumstances. Perhaps there is a simple reason like adjusting to the higher pressure or aerophagia that is coming with the higher pressure and she wants to try to work up to the 15.

Yes, it is common to have the minimum pressure closer to the cpap titrated pressure but there probably are circumstances here that we aren't aware of. Besides, we all know that sometimes that titrated pressure isn't always spot on the mark..... So since the APAP has been provided, I would assume that there was a reason for the range and before I would suggest a higher than 10 minimum or narrow range, I would want more information than I see here.

In any regard, she needs the software for sure to monitor things.

Jayjonbeach wrote:If your CPAP is SUPPOSED to be 15, then you should consider setting the APAP for 14 to 18, IF 15 is your "optimal" pressure.

10 is too low if 15 is the pressure you are supposed to have, and you will invite your airway to close if you start on 10, and possibly still snore too.

3 is ridiculous, whoever sent you home with the machine like that should not even be allowed to sell machines.

I know the DME person does not have a lot of experience in setting machines. She is an RN who burned out and is now working for the DME. However I do feel she wants to help. Overall I am not happy with my supplier at this time.

cobra4x4 wrote:There are a few machines that do go as low as 3cm even though the standard is 4-20 range.

I would keep the auto machine as its a better machine in that it is capable of both modes should your needs change ( and they will eventually ).

I do fear that this will be the case and that I will need the apap capability.

The apap does take a bit to get used to and can be hard to get used to especially if its set to the widest range possible.


No wonder your suffering, good luck with your therapy ... It works very well once setup properly!

Yes I feel it is set at the widest range possible, which I think is terrible for them to have sent home with me. I think they are trying, but not knowledgable. I appreciate your input!!

Janknitz wrote:I'm a bit confused as most machine's have the lowest pressure setting at 4, so I'm not sure what you are reading as 3 is correct (perhaps it is on the F&P).

In any case, if your normal CPAP pressure is 15, then "wide open" will NOT work for you--it's no wonder you feel like you are suffocating! Your low pressure should be set no more than 2 below your usual pressure, so 13 or so is appropriate. You can leave the top pressure at 20 to begin with.

The low pressure was 3.7 when it was on sense awake. I am laying there waking up or trying to go to sleep.. lean up to look at it..pushed the cmh20 button and the reading was 3.7. I am assuming that is the pressure.. I had to ask what it was in another thread. LOL at me.

Pugsy wrote:While the OP here has a CPAP pressure of 15 and is wanting to try the auto with a starting pressure of 10, she may have some specific reasons for wanting to try it. Her DME and physician have let her try the APAP that is why she has 2 machines in her possession right now. Before everyone starts telling her that she should use a higher minimum we might want to ask the circumstances. Perhaps there is a simple reason like adjusting to the higher pressure or aerophagia that is coming with the higher pressure and she wants to try to work up to the 15.

Yes, it is common to have the minimum pressure closer to the cpap titrated pressure but there probably are circumstances here that we aren't aware of. Besides, we all know that sometimes that titrated pressure isn't always spot on the mark..... So since the APAP has been provided, I would assume that there was a reason for the range and before I would suggest a higher than 10 minimum or narrow range, I would want more information than I see here.

In any regard, she needs the software for sure to monitor things.

Pugsy, as far as the pressure range, it was just out of my head. I just can't imagine being able to fall asleep with a presure less than 10. I was reading on the S9. I think I really need the EPR feature. I sleep so good with my nasal mask, but if my nares are the least bit stuffy I find it so hard to exhale. This what I told them my problem was when they gave me the APAP. But not sure this APAP. has the feature. I found the manual from your suggest website and I will educate myself. Thanks so much to all of you!!!

desforsleep wrote: Pugsy, as far as the pressure range, it was just out of my head. I just can't imagine being able to fall asleep with a presure less than 10. I was reading on the S9. I think I really need the EPR feature. I sleep so good with my nasal mask, but if my nares are the least bit stuffy I find it so hard to exhale. This what I told them my problem was when they gave me the APAP. But not sure this APAP. has the feature.

I am not familiar with your machine at all. From what I have read the Sensawake thing keeps the pressure low while "awake" or if you wake up but I don't know if it can be changed. It may seem smothering to someone used to the higher pressure. It sort of works like ramp but with my machine or the ResMed machine the ramp is optional. EPR might be easier because it is tied in to the higher more optimal pressure with its reduction on exhale.

If there is some way to either adjust the Sensawake pressure or turn it off, then you might find that you will be better off and much more comfortable. I understand the theory behind the feature but a low pressure is not always comfortable as you have found out.

Any members out there that use this machine know if the Sensawake feature can be turned off or altered?