cpcp setup RT

You seem to know a lot about the machines.  I have a ResMed CPAP and am trying to see if my daughter has apnea during sleep with the machine.  The machine appears to give her two good breaths, then just hums for about 10 to 12 seconds, then she takes 2 more breaths.  Can you continue to have sleep apnea on the machine?  She wears a nasal mask with a chin strap and seems comfortable - I just notice the breathing pattern.

smittygirl wrote:

cpcp setup RT

You seem to know a lot about the machines.  I have a ResMed CPAP and am trying to see if my daughter has apnea during sleep with the machine.  The machine appears to give her two good breaths, then just hums for about 10 to 12 seconds, then she takes 2 more breaths.  Can you continue to have sleep apnea on the machine?  She wears a nasal mask with a chin strap and seems comfortable - I just notice the breathing pattern.

Which ResMed machine do you have? How are you going to determine if your daughter has OSA by havving her use the machine? Is it an auto adjusting machine? If not how did you know at what pressure to set it?

My cpap is an Auto Set Spirit.  My daughter went through a sleep clinic and the doctor said she had severe sleep apnea.  He recommended the cpap.  He also set the pressure.    

Smittygirl

Sorry it took me so long to respond---long day at the office!  

Okay, first things first.  The machine that you speak of is an Auto titration machine, meaning that the doctor orders a minimum CPAP pressure and a maximum CPAP pressure.  The machine automatically adjusts to meet your daughter's needs.  The CPAP machine will only keep her airway splinted open using the pressure.  It WON'T make her brain tell her to breath.  I'm not sure how old your daughter is or if she has any neurological deficits, but if she's young or was born premature, this can be quite common.  When a child appears to not be breathing, it can be classified as one of three types of apnea: central (her brain 'forgets' to tell her to breath), obstructive (something is blocking her airway), or mixed (combination of both).  The only true way to know the difference between central and obstructive is to watch her ribcage while she's having the apparent apnea event.  If her ribcage appears to be trying to move, it's probably obstructive.  This could mean that she is exceeding the highest pressure programmed into the APAP, yet she still is obstructing and needs her limit increased.  If this is the case, make sure you talk to the doctor before you do this on your own.  If there isn't any movement, it's probably central.  What is considered "normal" for her can only really be determined by the results of her sleep study.  Generally, it's okay for her to have minor central apneas, so long as her oxygen levels stay above 90% and her heart doesn't need to compensate by working harder.  But as always.....CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR as I am not one.  This information should not be taken as that of a doctor.  

Parents always know their children best.  If this is a new occurence and it just doesn't look right to you, call the doctor and get their first available appointment.  I believe in parent's intuition!

Don't fret though.  Most kids outgrow the central apneas.  If they are concerned about it, they could put her on BiPap with a rate.  This is a 2 pressure CPAP.  When she inhales, she'll get a higher pressure than when she exhales.  They can get a machine that has a respiratory rate adjustment on it.  It won't take the place of her breathing altogether at night, but it will give her brain the incentive to breath when she forgets.  

If you have more questions, I'll be glad to try and help!

CPAPsetupRT

Thanks so much for your reply.  My daughter is an adult (33) and has Obstructive apnea.  She has very large tonsils and we are arranging for surgery.  Just found that out.  You have explained more than I knew about this machine.  We are trying to use it while she is waiting for surgery.  She is on some medications that they have to wean her off before the surgery.  I guess the bottom line is she feels better on the machine, so even though her rib cage doesn't move constantly, it must be helping her somehwat.  I have made an appointment with the sleep study doctor to check it out after reading your post.  I thank you for your help.

Smittygirl