Cpaptalk FAQs

This is a list of cpaptalk FAQs. These are questions that are frequently asked on the cpaptalk forum, and so their answers are here, to save time answering the same questions repeatedly.

FAQs

Does pressure cause centrals

This whole fear of pressure causing centrals is highly over rated. People can get central apneas even with as little as 5 cm fixed pressure....and a truck load of them at that. Yes, in SOME people higher pressures can trigger lots of centrals but most of the time it's ANY pressure for those people. Very few will actually have a fine line where above so and do pressure centrals are numerous and below it they aren't. Only 10 to 15 % of the people who use cpap will end up with a problem in the number of centrals they are seeing. Most people won't have a problem no matter what pressure they use or if they use exhale relief in some form.

A few centrals here and there during the night is entirely normal. Sleep onset centrals or sleep stage transitions are normal. Not to mention just the chance of a false positive with an awake breathing pause getting a flag by mistake.

So I got a new mask and it won't attach to my hose. I thought all masks fit all hoses. What's up?

The most common cause for a mask not fitting a hose is a part from the old mask has got stuck in the long hose and it's in the way stopping the mask from attaching.

On a rare occasion a part needed for attaching to the hose is either missing from the mask package or gets overlooked.

99% of the time though...there's something stuck in the long hose and it may require a lot of effort to remove it.

CPAP hoses all have soft rubber ends that the mask attaches to, if yours has some hard plastic in it, remove that and put it back on your old mask.

What type of SD Card should I get for my CPAP machine?

Any modern SD Card should work, get the cheapest available.

Do I need to Lock my SD Card?

In most cases No, unless you have a ResMed S9. Windows 10 and MacOS write Thumbnail data files to the SD Card, because of these files, the ResMed S9 will re-format the SD Card prior to using it.

With all other CPAP machines, there is no need to lock the SD Card.

How long before I feel better or notice improvements?

Unfortunately there's no certain answer to this question because there are so many variables involved and everyone is different.

Some lucky people do get to experience the overnight miracle but most people it is going to take however long it takes.