pressure setting

[wjg]

min pressure 12-max 18.2. using a resmed autosense 10 autoset. why can't I set the auto to go from 0 to 20 and let the machine determine what the pressure should be during sleep instead of putting limits on it. The pressure now goes to max most of the night.

[SGearhart]

The lowest the machine will go is 4cm. Most people have a feeling of suffocation on pressure settings below 8cm. There's nothing from stopping you from increasing the pressure. I would highly recommend you get SleepyHead software and review your sleep patterns before making any adjustments. I have a flow limit signature that will cause my Resmed to go .2cm below the highest value that is set while in auto mode. For this reason I'm better off using a straight pressure.

Good Luck!

[OkyDoky]

The min pressure is the important one in controlling your apnea, so if the doctor set the pressure that is probably why it is set where it is. As long as the pressure changes don't disturb your sleep you could raise the max to 20. But it is important to know why you are making changes and you do this by checking out your data with software. Here is a link to learn about and download free Sleepyhead. https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
If you have any other questions just ask.

[Cardsfan]

The machines are not meant to function with wide open pressure settings of 4 to 20. You have to have it set at the proper pressures to prevent events.

[Wulfman...]

min pressure 12-max 18.2. using a resmed autosense 10 autoset. why can't I set the auto to go from 0 to 20 and let the machine determine what the pressure should be during sleep instead of putting limits on it. The pressure now goes to max most of the night.

You obviously don't know how the APAP machines work. They can't "determine" what your pressure should be........they respond to breathing events and predominantly Flow Limitations and Snores. If your pressure is going to the maximum pressure most of the night, you need to use software and SEE what's happening and why. Also, even if you COULD set the minimum to zero, in your case it would probably still be near the maximum during the night anyway. If you don't like it going so high, you need to monitor the software reports and see if there are things you can do about reducing the events that cause the pressure to rise. If your breathing exhibits lots of flow limitations, it could be a number of things, but if your sleeping position is one of them, that's one thing you might be able to do something about. If you have lots of snoring, maybe nasal cleansing before bedtime could reduce the congestion and "sound effects" which cause the pressure to rise. If you use a higher humidifier setting, too much humidity can cause nasal congestion and possibly a lower setting may help.

Get Sleepyhead and find out for yourself.


Den

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[wjg]

Thanks Den
You are right---I don't know how the machine works. Doc no help---NO information as to what to look for. Does the machine just keep score or does it actually PREVENT events?
For example last night---OAs 21,CAs 3,H 21,and REs 20 with an AHI of 5.89. Total time 7 hrs 38 min. Min pressure is set at 12 and max is at 18.4. Pressure stayed at almost max most of the night.
CSR was 17min and 52 sec. Wife said I stopped breathing a numer of times for 10 to 20 secs. I did download Sleepyhead and trying to learn what it all means. So is this a problem
or a normal situation with new folks on cpap. By the way I have a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset in APAP mode---what ever that means. So any help here is welcome.

[OkyDoky]

How long have you been using CPAP? How are you Sleeping? It does take a lot of learning but when you learn about your machine you will feel more in control of your therapy.
Here is your machine's Clinical Manual. https://sleep.tnet.com/home/files/resme ... -guide.pdf
And this link might help you understand some of the terms used. http://sleepyhead.sourceforge.net/wiki/ ... p/Glossary

[dooger54]

Is there somewhere we can get information on how to interpret the Flow Limitation graph in Sleepyhead? I see it but really have no good sense of what it means.

[Wulfman...]

Thanks Den
You are right---I don't know how the machine works. Doc no help---NO information as to what to look for. Does the machine just keep score or does it actually PREVENT events?
For example last night---OAs 21,CAs 3,H 21,and REs 20 with an AHI of 5.89. Total time 7 hrs 38 min. Min pressure is set at 12 and max is at 18.4. Pressure stayed at almost max most of the night.
CSR was 17min and 52 sec. Wife said I stopped breathing a numer of times for 10 to 20 secs. I did download Sleepyhead and trying to learn what it all means. So is this a problem
or a normal situation with new folks on cpap. By the way I have a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset in APAP mode---what ever that means. So any help here is welcome.

Welcome to the forum!
Glad you found us.

Whether the machine actually "prevents" events (like hypopneas and apneas) depends on the user's breathing. As I said, Flow limitations and/or Snores are what mainly trigger pressure increases because the manufacturers believe those events may precede apneas and hypopneas. For some people it's true and for others it's not. Some people have lots of Flow Limitations without apneas.........they just have flow limited breathing. If that's the case and higher pressure doesn't stop the Flow Limitations, then maybe a lower maximum pressure or fixed pressure may be in order. It's not "fun" dealing with lots of pressure if it's not resolving any events. This is why it's important to monitor one's therapy with software.
From the numbers you listed, your CAs are minimal, your apneas and hypopneas are not being well controlled, even with the higher pressures.

If you could post a report for us to look at, that would be a big help. Maybe we could offer some suggestions.
Controlling leaks can also be important........mouth, mask, etc.

It would also help if you would fill in your profile so we'll know what all of the equipment and settings you're using.


Den

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[Wulfman...]

Is there somewhere we can get information on how to interpret the Flow Limitation graph in Sleepyhead? I see it but really have no good sense of what it means.

I don't know for sure. Flow Limitations are a partial reduction in air flow......sort of like a smaller version of a hypopnea.
But, they're one of the things that APAPs are programmed to respond to......with increased pressure.
These APAPs have sensors that measure the air flow and "shape" of the air curve. If they fall into what the programming identifies as a Flow Limitation, they'll respond accordingly.


Den

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[palerider]

Is there somewhere we can get information on how to interpret the Flow Limitation graph in Sleepyhead? I see it but really have no good sense of what it means.

the higher the bar, the more sever the flow limitation.

you'd need to research flow limitations, they come in many shapes and forms, depending on how they affect the airflow, but the end result is that they cause (often/frequently/sometimes, take your pick) increased effort inhaling, and can lead to arousals as you fight off that extra work.

Den is incorrect in saying that they're like a smaller hypopnea, because hypos are decreased respiration volume, (both inhalations and exhalations) whereas flow limitations affect *inhale* not exhale, and they don't necessarily result in a reduced volume, just more work to get that air into your lungs.

flow limitations shouldn't be ignored, for two reasons, 1) because of the increased effort needed to inhale, and 2) because they are signs that your airway is trying to collapse and may end up giving you apneas or hypos. that's why all the auto machines bump up pressure when you have flow limitations showing up, they want to get your airway open and you breathing easily.