3rd night and I think i discovered something

Berniem · Post by **Berniem** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:29 pm

Sandy,
I looked at your test scores. Is Greek to me. Hopefully Dr Sleep is going to review the same kind of stuff with me. I'm worried that I didn't sleep enough in the test to get a thorough evaluation. Sleep Lady said she had enough data from the few hours I did sleep. The second night was supposed to help pick a mask and a pressure number that would work for me. Again the night was a disaster as I think I ony slept a couple of hours. This is why they started me on #4 with the idea of increasing it over time. However, I could hardly breathe at 4, so I learned how to increase it to 6 even now I am having a problem breathing. Don't know whether its the pressure is too low or I'm not used to the machione yet. Thanks for your input.

Bernie

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:53 pm

Thought I would add my 2 cents on one thing. I also find 6 too low. 7 is my personal minimum where I can breath and feel like there is air.

Berniem · Post by **Berniem** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:19 pm

Snoregirl,
If 7 is your mini, what is your normal number? I'm beginning to think I should ask Mr CPAP for an 8 and see what he has to offer at that number.
Hoepfully Mr Mask will cooperate.

Sandy, what do you think?

SleepySandy · Post by **SleepySandy** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:07 pm

Oh, Bernie I appreciate your confidence in me, but I'm not the expert on pressures. There are others here who can give you much better input. I simply know that a pressure of 6 is really low and I'm not surprised you're having a hard time with it.

I do know it would be really good if you knew what your titrated pressure is. It would also be really good if you had a machine that gives you data. The issue you're going to run into is if you move your pressure around there's no way you'll know if you're stopping your apneas without the data. The data-capable machines show AHI which is one of the key numbers (normal is AHI < 5 / AHI is apnea hypopnea index - the average number of apneas plus hypopneas you're having each hour). My concern with you changing your pressure is you just won't know what is going on.

I suppose if I found myself in your current situation I would raise the pressure to the level where I could comfortably get through the night. I would do this because there are only 2 nights between now and the appointment with Dr. Sleep. You expressed concern Mr. Mask might not like the increased pressure. Don't worry about that. Your mask can handle it.

Berniem wrote:Again the night was a disaster as I think I ony slept a couple of hours. This is why they started me on #4 with the idea of increasing it over time.

The question here is increasing it to what? They should know where they want you to be. If they don't, they should send you home with an Auto. An Auto can be set to a broad range of pressures and it self-adjusts based on what you need. Discuss this with Dr. Sleep.

And, be very clear about your struggles with the different pressures you've tried.

Berniem wrote:I looked at your test scores. Is Greek to me. Hopefully Dr Sleep is going to review the same kind of stuff with me.

Don't assume he will. Mine didn't. You might have to ask him to. And, don't leave the office without a copy of both your initial study and your titration study and the graphs if they have them. I don't know what the graphs are called - I've asked for mine a few times and still don't have them. While you didn't sleep a lot in either study, the data is still important. And, while it may be Greek now, everyone here will help you understand the information.

Sandy