I've ordered an Autopap machine, and awaiting delivery. It should arrive today. The prescribed pressure setting is 7 to 10.

But since I will have the ability to set the pressure range myself ( YAY! ), should I set it from 4-20, and let the machine find out what I need? Maybe on some nights, I will need a pressure of 14, and if the setting is only from 7-10, maybe then my apnea will not be prevented.

So I guess my question is, for an AutoPap machine, why even set the Pressure to a fixed setting when the machine itself knows what is best?

sleepIsHell wrote:

I've ordered an Autopap machine, and awaiting delivery. It should arrive today. The prescribed pressure setting is 7 to 10.

But since I will have the ability to set the pressure range myself ( YAY! ), should I set it from 4-20, and let the machine find out what I need? Maybe on some nights, I will need a pressure of 14, and if the setting is only from 7-10, maybe then my apnea will not be prevented.

So I guess my question is, for an AutoPap machine, why even set the Pressure to a fixed setting when the machine itself knows what is best?

There are a number of 'old' posts on this issue.

By all means set your APAP to 4/20, but you may find that your AHI will not be controlled sufficiently.
With a wide setting (full range 4/20) the APAP is slower to react and deliver pressures within that full range.

Obviously you have been titrated at 7/10, which ensures that the APAP is able to react more quickly to events as they happen and deliver pressure within the 7/10 guide.

Should you feel you are getting insufficient benefit, you might want to widen the upper limit, and this should only be done on a trial basis to see if additional pressure is required to clear individual events.........you will need a data capable machine for this, but the most effective use of APAP is at a tight range (such as the 7/10) that you are prescribed at.

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

I see, that makes sense. Thanks for your answer.

sleepIsHell wrote:

So I guess my question is, for an AutoPap machine, why even set the Pressure to a fixed setting when the machine itself knows what is best?

The machine does no know what is best at all.

An APAP can only respond to the things it can sense and basically the only sensing factor it has available is the air flow rate.  An APAP cannot tell if an apnea is obstructive or central in nature.

I strongly suggest that you do some reading about the relationship between flow rates and the posible triggering of central apneas with some non-trivial numbers of individuals.

Cheers,

Bill

First, why are you not working with your doctor on this?  Secondly, don't set it wide open, it will spike erroneous high pressures and at the very least cause arousals or worse, cause central apneas.  There is a standard tight range around your prescribed pressure that APAPs should be set at.

This is why it is good to have a strong partnership with a competent doctor who has the expertise to know what they are doing along with your medical history and why the ASAA does not advocate changing your own pressure.

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

And isn't it amazing what a short, simple answer to a question can do for our understanding? Goshes! We "ain't" so dumb after all! If only more in the sleep profession understood that and had some respect for their patients' intelligence and ability to understand - and even figure things out on their own!


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Vicki wrote:

First, why are you not working with your doctor on this?  Secondly, don't set it wide open, it will spike erroneous high pressures and at the very least cause arousals or worse, cause central apneas.  There is a standard tight range around your prescribed pressure that APAPs should be set at.

This is why it is good to have a strong partnership with a competent doctor who has the expertise to know what they are doing along with your medical history and why the ASAA does not advocate changing your own pressure.

Vicki

Sadly, I don't think Doctors care enough to provide informed competent care on Sleep Apnea. Nobody is going to care about my health as I am, and given that we have such advanced machines now that can give us such critical data like AHI, I don't see why we can't "self-doctor" our Apneas. At this point, armed with APAP, and full access to it, I feel more comfortable making the adjustments myself rather than going to an indifferent at times uninformed Doctor.


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5'9 234lbs 37 years Old Male
Original Sleep Study: AHI = 30

Owner of Remstar Auto A Flex M series
ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask
Viewer 1.0 Software, Smartcard Reader
Integrated Heater/humidifier
Prescribed setting: 7-10 Cm