RE: My First CPAP Report
Thinking of starting with a low pressure, you might consider setting the Ramp Start pressure to 6 cmH2O and setting the Ramp Time to Auto.
Many people feel air-starved at 4 cmH2O, and the EPR will not take full effect until the ramp has reached 7 cmH2O, so setting a long ramp time is not recommended. Setting the ramp time to Auto holds the pressure at your starting pressure until the machine detects a breathing pattern it associates with sleep onset, and then ramps up over a short period of time to your minimum therapy pressure.
The Clinicians' Manual says "detects sleep onset"... but we know the machine can't really tell if you are asleep.
I found 6 cmH2O to be the lowest pressure I was happy with, although now after many years I start at 10 cmH2O with no ramp at all. If I wanted to track sleep onset, I would start at 7 cmH2O and Auto time.
Apnea Board Monitors are members who help oversee the smooth functioning of the Board. They are also members of the Advisory Committee which helps shape Apnea Board's rules & policies. Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
RE: My First CPAP Report
Thank you for the clarification Stacey. Have a wonderful weekend.
RE: My First CPAP Report
Thanks pholynyk for the info.
RE: My First CPAP Report
I agree with both Stacey and Phil. You have the option to use ramp on Auto, however I think a minimum pressure of 4.0 is extremely low and is ineffective at treating obstruction. My suggested minimum of 8.0 with EPR 3 is for your therapy settings, and is based on pressures you already experience. We can pull down the maximum pressure, but you will not likely ever encounter it if we treat your flow limitations. The objective is to treat your obstructive events, including flow limitation. If aerophagia is an issue, then we will compromise between pressure and comfort. This is my first awareness of that possibly being an issue. Give the settings I suggested a try and use some ramp. My revised recommendations are:
Mode: Autoset soft
Minimum Pressure 7.0
Maximum Pressure 14.0
EPR On Full Time
EPR Setting 3
Ramp: Auto
Ramp Pressure 5.0
RE: My First CPAP Report
Thanks SleepRider, will do.