I got the pressure changed this morning (from 10 to 12). I had other things to do so I didn't get home for a while. Anyway, I got home, set up the machine, turned off the ramp, and tried the pressure.

Holy cow! What a difference between 10 and 12! Wow! I had a hard time breathing, felt choked, and, the longer I wore it, the worse the choking felt.

My ramp is set up to start out at 7 for 20 mins. I wanted to drop that start pressure down a notch and to raise the ramp time. So, I did. I hit the 'net, did a search, found out how to access the Forbidden Zone (ie clinical menu), and did it myself. I am an adult and have enough common sense to know to not change the treatment pressure just for giggles. After all, I follow the directions quite well on my medicine bottles and don't take twice the dose just to see what would happen.

The ramping now starts at 6 and goes for 40 mins. I take ~30 to fall asleep. With that long a stretch from 6 to 12, hopefully I will be asleep and will adjust to it nicely. I think awake, I will only fight it, ya know?

But I wonder if I am changing too much at once? The drop in beginning pressure, the raise in the treatment pressure, and the time?

Should I make the ramp time shorter? Should I leave it the way it was a night or two to see how I do?

Reported post

Why don't you ask the same person who told you how to access the clinical settings?

Because I found the info on a website that was dated about 2 yrs ago. I found it on several websites, actually, but all of them were at least a yr old. My machine is 4 yrs old and finding current info about it was difficult (Resmed S7 Lightweight).

I will be resetting the ramp time back to 20 mins but will leave the start pressure at 6. They asked me at the DME if I wanted it lowered when I was there this morning but I didn't think the pressure diff. would be as noticeable as it turned out to be. So I told them no. With gas prices being over 3.50 a gallon, I hit the internet instead of driving the half hour to the DME and back, assuming they would even have the time to do it today.

Like I said, I'm not messing with the treatment itself. That would be irresponsible. I am simply looking for opinions and advice on the ramp options.

you can set the ramp any way you like to, now that Im used to my CPAP I dont bother to use the ramp at all


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respironics comfort gell mask,resmed S6 lightweight CPAP, pressure 10 no humidifier
NO DOCTOR EVER ASKED ME IF I SNORED

Ramping can help - I only know my one machine. I went from a very slow ramp (45 min), to about 10 minutes before abandoning it altogether about 4-5 months into it. Now I just start it up and go. And my pressure is 19 ;). Hopefully the ramping will help you adjust from 10 to 12 soon and you'll be traveling at the new rate with no problems.


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ResMed S8 Elite / ResMed Quattro Mirage full face mask
Pressure 19
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Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep.
Fran Lebowitz

I sat up with a book while wearing the mask. I had the ramp set for 40 mins then, after that time passed and I was feeling secure with that pressure, I then took it off for a while then tried it again, this time with the time for 30 mins. I did notice the difference more acutely that I did with the longer time period. But when I went to bed, I fell asleep and slept all night. I actually felt fairly well this morning! I was told by my partner that there was no snoring as far as she could tell.

I'm leaving the ramp time at 30 for a while then will lower it down again.

Thank you, everyone, for your advice.

Any pressure that is less than prescribed would be ineffectual to your therapy. If you set your ramp for 40 minutes and you fall asleep in 15, then you are having 25 minutes of non-therapeutic sleep that may result in apneas. You'll get used to the pressure with time.

Good luck.  


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As a Christian, you may be the only bible someone ever reads.

Ramp time is a personal choice and you should adjust it to what you feel your needs are--how long you normally take to fall asleep, whether getting full pressure at the onset is too much for you, noise level.  I started out at 20 minutes last June and as of today, I'm quite happy at 5 minutes.  Adjusting pressure should be determined by your doctor and if you feel it should be adjusted set up an appointment or at least discuss it on the phone.

I recently lost 25 lbs and felt my initial pressure of 11 was too high for me now and I was right.  My doctor advised me to try it at 8 and told me how to adjust it.  My numbers continue to be well in the acceptable range.  There are many factors that come into play both with pressure and ramp time.  

I do not understand the reluctance of allowing OSA sufferers to see their data.  Being able to get into the Clinician's menu is vital in keeping track of whether your treatment is effective.  If it isn't then you can take the necessary steps to find out what needs to be changed.  

Rudeness on this board should not be tolerated when someone is asking a civil question.



Last edited by Maria7 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:12 am; edited 1 time in total
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ResMed S8 Elite, F&P Flexifit 406, Optilife
AHI 54/hr, Pressure 8, desat. 73

AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

I do not ramp....am I committing CPAP crimes by not using it at all?

LOL!  Lack of ramping IS illegal in some states...  
I too changed my ramp settings from 20 minutes to 40 minutes (since it usually takes me 30-40 mins to fall asleep. And I lowered the pressure so that it ramps more slowly. I am wide awake for the first 20 minutes that I'm in bed, so the ulta-low pressure isn't a problem for me. I only fall asleep in the last 5-10 mintues before it reaches full pressure, so it's not a big deal. I think it depends on your sleep patterns. I checked with my Dr after making the adjustments and he said that he didn't care about the ramp settings at all, they're not part of your therapy and are just put in by manufacturers to make you more comfotable and compliant. Kind of like an easy-open prescription bottle. Doesn't change your "medication" but makes it easier to get into it!

I hope the PAPeratzi does not get a hold of this!

Quote:

I hope the PAPeratzi does not get a hold of this!

Oh No, not the PAPeratzi.  

What if they find out that some people don't use distilled water in their humidifiers.  Or don't wash their masks often enough.  Or Gawd forbid, use vinegar to clean their equipment.  Or hang their hoses over the bedpost.  Or GASP!!! their masks leak.    Total Chaos.


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a


ResMed S8 Elite, F&P Flexifit 406, Optilife
AHI 54/hr, Pressure 8, desat. 73

Maria7 wrote:

Or Gawd forbid, use vinegar to clean their equipment.

But that's what my DME provider told me to do!


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Respironics Auto M Series, Pressure: 12 cm
Fisher & Paykel Opus 360 Nasal Pillows
My Sleep Blog

Mine did too.  I don't use a lot.  About a teaspoonful to a quart of hot water.  I let everything  soak for a few minutes, rinse well, and air dry.  

You will find that many on this board will vehemently disagree but if you have a sensitivity to soaps and detergents this will work.  I've been doing this method for nearly a year, and I've yet to have a silicone liner disintegrate.  You will get many suggestions on the best way  to clean your equipment.  Everybody has their favorite.


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a


ResMed S8 Elite, F&P Flexifit 406, Optilife
AHI 54/hr, Pressure 8, desat. 73