High Pressure

I'm currently on Auto Mode 17 - 20... I see my pressure is averaging 19.8 with a AHI of 2.8. My last sleep study less than a year ago marked me at 16cm with no REM sleep.. Before my last sleep study my setting was 15cm straight CPAP. I do feel somewhat more rested since I went to auto mode but feel I'm not quite there yet. What concerns me is, may AHI was around the 2 mark at 15cm. I do occasionally catch myself awaking myself with a snore. Should I be concerned? I'm thinking a sleep study that marked me at 16cm with no REM + auto mode averaging 19.8 indicates maybe I need higher pressure yet. I've been to the pulmonologist, he says as long as my AHI is around the 2 mark all should be good. I have a Remstar Auto M series with C Flex, I feel that this machine is not catching my apneas therefore giving false readings. If it doesn't sound right, and I do not feel right, maybe it isn't right. My pulmonologist feels another sleep study will not give him any better information based on lack of REM at my last 3 studies. ( which I agree ) Sleep studies are not easy for me..

Didn't think anyone would respond.. If you can't sleep well enough to get any REM at a overnight sleep study, your pretty much screwed..I will continue to work out issues myself..
Later

I can't offer any advice, sorry - but you might care to register your equipment in your profile - makes it much easier for others to help you. Use the text, not the pics - as so many equipment looks identical.

Do you have a data-capable XPAP? So that you can see exactly what happens during the night?

Lastly - hardly any of us would have gotten much, if any, REM sleep in a sleep study - part of the reason we all got to have one I'm guessing... No one I've ever known of has gotten any enjoyment from a sleep study, so you're certainly not alone there.

Hang in there - perhaps you could word your subject more specifically to ask the questions you need answered - such as "do I need to increas my pressure?"

Cheers,
xena

Yes I do have data-capable with software.. According to my pulmonist all looks good on the reports that I bring in, leaks are under control.. He can't explain when I wake up several times at night with a choking / snore sound why my data is not marking this. My pulmonist is relying on my machines data to say things are under control. I think the data is not reliable. What is one to do next??? What about a Finger Tip Oximeter that is data capable? If my machine says my average AHI is 2, oxygen levels in the blood should be good at night?? Google REMstar Auto M Series with C-Flex, that's my machine
Thanks for responding zena, I did good this time, I asked some questions

At those pressures, you need to be on a Bi-Level/Bi-PAP machine.


Den

Why do you say Bi-Level/Bi-PAP machine? Is it because it can go to higher pressures if needed?

Guest wrote:Why do you say Bi-Level/Bi-PAP machine? Is it because it can go to higher pressures if needed?

Not only that, but they would allow for much more comfortable breathing at those pressures.
Bi-Levels use two-pressure settings.......EPAP (exhale) and IPAP (inhale). Theoretically, the exhale pressure could be several centimeters below the inhale pressure. You really don't get that benefit with a CPAP, even using C-Flex or EPR.


Den

My Doctor asked me if I was having problems exhaling against the high pressure. To tell you the truth, breathing out against this high pressure feels no different than breathing out without CPAP.. My doctor said that I've got so accustomed to breathing against high pressure that I actually strengthened my exhale reaction.. Makes sence to me

Your machine only goes up to 20cms so you're right there and it can't go any higher if you require more pressure. I believe the Bi-Levels have a higher maximum.

I think the current bi-paps can go to 25. Typically, I believe the lower level is set, during a sleep study, to at least partially keep your airway open, so that the higher setting will be able to respond quickly and efficiently to an apnea or hypopnea.
You might need just one or two centimeters/H2O more than you have now at the top, since your AHI is already lower than 3, to start feeling better. As you're already accustomed to pressure near that, you'll probably still be quite comfortable.