Question about pressure number
Hi folks
A friend of mine has just started APAP (Airsense 10 Autoset for Her)
Last night was her first night.
Her machine was set by the resp tech to a range of 5-12.
Her pressure number this morning on the machine says 4.7.
I am not sure how this is possible if it is the 95% number.
Her ramp is set at 5 minutes. She got up twice during the night and the machine was turned on and off both times.
She is confused and so am I.
About a half an hour was trying to get used to it before sleeping earlier during the day.
Two days of usage is recorded with a total of one day over 4 hours.
7 hours and 45 minutes total run hours.
Why would the 95% number be 4.7 for pressure if the pressure range starts at 5?
08-18-2019, 09:18 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-18-2019, 09:19 AM by Timur.
Edit Reason: typo
)
RE: Question about pressure number
Just to add, the only thing I can think of is that the machine is set to 4-12.
But the tech definitely stated that they do not believe in starting people at 4, but maybe the tech forgot to change the setting despite saying this (just an error).
My friend is very determined not to change any settings (and I am not going to argue with her at this point in the game) but I would love to at least check what the range actually is in the clinical menu. Itching to get my hands on her data.
A side question, is it possible to have such low pressure with a diagnosis of moderate OSA and loud snoring?
Her first night's AHI was 0.4. Excellent. But she is now thinking she might not have OSA. I have read that pressure requirements do not correlate with severity of OSA. Is this correct?
RE: Question about pressure number
A pressure setting of 4-12 with a 95% reading of 4.7 sounds right. She doesn’t need ramp if starting at 4 or even 5. The machine has nothing to ramp up to.
If the tech meant to set her minimum pressure at 5, she should call and let him know that it’s showing 4.
Ask him to change it, if she doesn’t want to do it herself.
Encourage your friend to download
OSCAR (replacement to SH). You can maybe do this for her and post a chart of her daily page here. Or if she has a copy of her Sleep Study, upload it here for advice. Does she have an SD card in her machine?
RE: Question about pressure number
A low of 4.7 is likely still within the 'standard error of measurement' for the machines we use. It may not be the more gratefully seen "5.0", but really it's just a couple of hairs south of that. So, it may be nothing.
Note that I'm not suggesting you do nothing, but I don't think it's likely to be a problem. I would agree with contacting the person issuing/monitoring your machine and inquiring. Maybe we'll all learn something.
RE: Question about pressure number
It's quite possible that the ramp start is still set at 4, which would result in a reading below 5.0.
If there was an SD card in the machine, it would have recorded the full data, and an OCAR report would show what was going on.
If there wasn't an SD card, get one - any full size card from 2 to 32 GB will do - and leave it in for a couple of nights and then create a report for us to look at.
In addition, I'd suggest going in to the Clinician's menu and changing Essentials from ON to PLUS, so that she can get a better report on her night's sleep.
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.
