Hello everyone, i am currently in the process of getting my CPAP machine i and i was told that i have a high pressure if 13 for my CPAP.  My main concern is does the high pressure have any more risks that a lower pressure?  I mean like is there any drop backs to having a higher pressure?  And is 13, 14 really a high pressure for a CPAP?  Thank you so much for answering back..... this sleep apnea thing really has me worried..... thanks again.

poiboysurfer wrote:

Hello everyone, i am currently in the process of getting my CPAP machine i and i was told that i have a high pressure if 13 for my CPAP.  My main concern is does the high pressure have any more risks that a lower pressure?  I mean like is there any drop backs to having a higher pressure?  And is 13, 14 really a high pressure for a CPAP?  Thank you so much for answering back..... this sleep apnea thing really has me worried..... thanks again.

Titrated pressure (in your case 13 cmsH2O) is the 95th percentile of the maximum pressure required to treat individual apnoea events. Titration is a fairly exact science, and you should not adjust this pressure without medical clearance. Too low a pressure and the therapy becomes less effective or sometimes useless......too high a pressure can introduce another condition called Central Apnoea. CPAP pressure settings are not related to the severity of your apnoea.

CPAP machines operate between 4 cmsH2O and 20 cmsH2O.........some sufferers require higher pressures and BiLevel machines or VPAP machines are used.........some of these max out at 35 cmsH2O. There are some members here with pressures well in excess of 20 cmsH2O.

As regards 13........its hard to say.........I don't think that its too high, I'm on 14........was on 18 some years ago. We are all different and our circumstances determine the pressure requirement.

Daniel.


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

(Anon)

I'm at 13 and after 3 weeks on the hose, I don't even notice the pressure.  You do when you first turn the machine on, but once you start breathing shallow you don't notice it.  I know a guy that was recently retitrated for 21 cm.  When I picked up my machine I asked the tech what the highest setting she had ever seen prescribed and she said it was 24 cm.  The only issue I've noticed is a little bloating in the morning that soon passes.

Daniel, where do you find those statistics (percentile stats)? I'd be interested to see them.


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REMStar Pro M w/ c-flex and heated humidifier
ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow
Encore View Software
12 cm H20, 13 cm H20
CPAP start date: June 4, 2008

I'm at 17 and I have no problem with the pressure.  I was at 20 for a while, no problems there either.  I use the humidifier as a pass over, no heat, with a ff mask, and the air just feels like a nice cool breeze in my face.  I've only had problems with bloating a couple of times, and those were unusual circumstances.  Am I weird? or is the ff mask just easier to deal with at the higher pressures?  One of these days I'll have to borrow a nasal or pillow type mask so I can see what you guys complain about.  Virginia


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Resmed elite , 17, mirage quattro ff . 25 + years of untreated OSA

virginia57 You should try the nasal pillows at the higher pressures, on the Hybrid I found it very difficult to keep them in, at 20 they tend to just pop out of your nose, that is why I made my modification, I really like the Hybrid and that little mod keeps those nasal pillows in the nose nice and snug! No your not weird the ff mask tend to handle the higher pressures better for most folks!


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

Thanks White Beard, I think I'll just stick to the quattro, leaky as it is.  And I'm starting to wake up to the leaks a bit now that I'm getting off of the dilantin, but overall I feel better, so I guess all is well the way things are.  Virginia


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Resmed elite , 17, mirage quattro ff . 25 + years of untreated OSA

Quote:

Daniel, where do you find those statistics (percentile stats)? I'd be interested to see them.

Not statistics, just the accepted 'professional' method for working out the titrated pressure. It appears in medical instruction books.

The maximum pressure is 'titrated' or agreed.......the maximum pressure required to clear all events, or at least the maximum number and as this pressure is only required to clear the 'worst' event or events the technician then reduces the pressure to the 95th percentile of this pressure (some techs say that it is for 'comfort').

Another reason quoted is that allows the clinic sufficient freedom to adjust pressure (within months of titration), without the need for a further test...........usually up to 2 cmsH2O up or down.

This method is the 'standard' internationally accepted method.

Hope I have explained this OK for you.

Daniel.


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

(Anon)

Yes, I understand.  Thanks, for the explanation.


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REMStar Pro M w/ c-flex and heated humidifier
ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow
Encore View Software
12 cm H20, 13 cm H20
CPAP start date: June 4, 2008

Hi Poi,
My pressure is 24.  I wish I had 13.

Ed

Fox News Fan wrote:

Hi Poi,
My pressure is 24.  I wish I had 13.

Ed

*Gulp!*

And I thought I had it high with 18.  Was your 24 hard to get used to?

Linda,
Yes it was and is.  I am still battling my way through misinformation and incompetence from my Sleep lab, sleep doc and DME.  Luckily, I am a sound sleeper and a very aggressive advocate for my own health care.  When I finally solve all my problems I will post the results here so maybe others can benefit.

Ed

WOW ! 24? I thought it was bad at 20/16 on when I had BiPAP, I had to have it lowered to 18/14, and I thought that was still a little high. But 24, you must be blown away! Good Luck to You on that one! I am sure you will adjust to it but it might take some time. Good Luck


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

I like high pressure people...means they are tough cookies and can handle their own

To OP...I am at 13...I consider that middle of the road...I feel lucky that i do not have to go through a  Cat 5 Hurricane everynight.  I think Fox News Fan needs to change his name to Cat 4 Hurricane Ed.  Virginia, Linda and Whitebeard are Cat 1's.  We with the 13 and 14's are just tropical storms in comparison.

Nope, nothing that is a real draw back...maybe a little problem with exhaling if you have COPD or any lung conditions...that is why it is good to have exhalation relief of your xPAP....and the pressure of 13  may cause a few mask styles to leak a little more...harder to get a good seal...but that is rare.


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

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

I have worn my mask for nearly three months now.  My original pressure was 16/22.  I tryed a nose mask with no success; then went to a Quatro Full Face Mask and still could not avoid leakage.  After trying most every mask at my supplier in various sizes, I ended up with the Fischer & Paykel 432 full face mask.  Even it would not keep from leaking.  So, they dropped my pressure to 15/21 which is a little better (I am more comfortable with the origiannl 16.22 when it does not leak).  I also wear a chin strap around the full face mask.  I still wake up about 2-3 hours after going to sleep.  Then, I tighten up my mask as much as I can stand (leaves marks on my face) and manage to sleep until 6:00 a.m.

  Would welcome any ideas on mask leakage at this pressure.

ojanderson