Journey to Optimizing my CPAP Settings!

Hi All,

This forum has great to get more insight regarding Sleep Apnea/CPAP Settings. Pre CPAP had AHIs of 45, have used CPAP since February. Would love to reduce my AHIs that range from 1-3. No mask seal issues with my F20 (minor nose bridge mark), I sleep on my side entirely, but do move around which can affect airway.

In Mid March I switched to: MIN 7 / Max 14, EPR around 2 to 3, and slowly have turned off ramp. Flow Limit/Flow Rate more optimized.

EPR is nice, but I wish for more improvement. At the moment I do feel need for a minor 5 minute nap during day and have a slight tiredness when waking. Thanks for your help!







Pre March settings (EPR, Ramp, Max pressure adjustment) 4-12 Pressure, Auto Ramp, no EPR. Way higher Flow Limit/Rate

I would recommend an increase in your minimum pressure to 9. If you feel that is too much of a change, try it it at 8. You bumped up against our upper limit a few times, but it was for a short period of time each time. I would leave the upper limit where it is for now.

Will moving to min 9 really make a big difference? I am considering that positional apnea maybe a big issue. Thanks for the info!

awlineri wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2024 8:15 pm

Will moving to min 9 really make a big difference? I am considering that positional apnea maybe a big issue. Thanks for the info!

See how jagged the pressure graph is? That's the machine, trying to fight OA's. Best to not have them happen at all. Are you on your back? That will cause more problems, require higher pressures. I'm +1 on the higher pressure. 9 or 10. Constant pressure is better than the roller coaster... we don't need those ski slopes!

awlineri wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2024 8:15 pm

Will moving to min 9 really make a big difference? I am considering that positional apnea maybe a big issue. Thanks for the info!

Yes it will.
The median pressure reported by your machine is usually close to 9, which means you're spending half the night at 9 or above. That also means that, for the other half of the night you're getting events that cause the machine to push the pressure higher, and your sleep is interrupted by them.

With a higher minimum pressure, your sleep will be more restful.

ozij wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2024 10:13 pm

awlineri wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2024 8:15 pm

Will moving to min 9 really make a big difference? I am considering that positional apnea maybe a big issue. Thanks for the info!

Yes it will.
The median pressure reported by your machine is usually close to 9, which means you're spending half the night at 9 or above. That also means that, for the other half of the night you're getting events that cause the machine to push the pressure higher, and your sleep is interrupted by them.

With a higher minimum pressure, your sleep will be more restful.

vandownbytheriver wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2024 9:39 pm

awlineri wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2024 8:15 pm

Will moving to min 9 really make a big difference? I am considering that positional apnea maybe a big issue. Thanks for the info!

See how jagged the pressure graph is? That's the machine, trying to fight OA's. Best to not have them happen at all. Are you on your back? That will cause more problems, require higher pressures. I'm +1 on the higher pressure. 9 or 10. Constant pressure is better than the roller coaster... we don't need those ski slopes!

Okie bipap wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 13, 2024 3:59 pm

I would recommend an increase in your minimum pressure to 9. If you feel that is too much of a change, try it it at 8. You bumped up against our upper limit a few times, but it was for a short period of time each time. I would leave the upper limit where it is for now.

Okie bipap wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 13, 2024 3:59 pm

I would recommend an increase in your minimum pressure to 9. If you feel that is too much of a change, try it it at 8. You bumped up against our upper limit a few times, but it was for a short period of time each time. I would leave the upper limit where it is for now.

Thanks all, will increase minimum to 8/9 and see how things develop. I've tried to strictly stay on my side with a pillow at my back.