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+--- Thread: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP (/Thread-Help-needed-to-optimize-my-Dreamstation-Auto-CPAP)
Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - st8800 - 06-11-2017
[attachment=3570][attachment=3569]
Hi All
I am new to this forum. Just got my Dreamstation Auto CPAP last week after being diagnose with moderate obstructive sleep apnea 2 years back. Please see attached sleep report. Will post my Sleepyhead stats in a separate post.
RE: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - st8800 - 06-11-2017
[attachment=3571]
This is my Sleepyhead stats. I have download the Clinician Setup Instructions. Now need assistance to tweak my CPAP. Should I increase my pressure %? Wanted to post more stats but seems I have reached the 200kb image limit. Anyway around this?
I had a tough time on my first night with the Dreamwear. Lots of leaks with AHI of 11.5. Subsequently, I switched to the Nuance Pro Nasal Pilliow and AHI has maintained to around 3.5. Thinking there should be room for improvement. Should I increase the pressure %?
Appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance.
RE: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - st8800 - 06-12-2017
![[Image: screenshot-20170612-114304_zpskqy05ggx.png]](http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv6/st8800/screenshot-20170612-114304_zpskqy05ggx.png)
Figured out how to post images from cloud. Please let me know if you need more stats.
RE: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - st8800 - 06-12-2017
FYI, this is my first day stats using the Dreamwear mask without the nasal pillows. It's the reason why the the average stats are so high.
![[Image: screenshot-20170612-143632_zpsnsbzjnpl.png]](http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv6/st8800/screenshot-20170612-143632_zpsnsbzjnpl.png)
RE: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - kwhenrykerr - 06-12-2017
Give yourself time to adjust to your new machine. If you are finding that you feel starved for air consider raising the lower limit from 4.
Take time to read about stuff in the wiki link at the top of the page.
RE: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - st8800 - 06-12-2017
Thanks kwhenrykerr, I have gone through the wiki links but not extensively. Will continue to do so. Thinking of increase my pressure from 4 to 6 tonight. But I will wait for more suggestions and see.
RE: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - quiescence at last - 06-12-2017
At this time it is probably ok to ride the current settings to give the body, brain, and machine time to get to know each other. Learning how to read the results and maybe pick a better setting range can help with scores as well as leaks and sleep disruptions caused by the machine and mask interface with the cheeks and/or nose.
When I first started, min pressure of 4 was just fine, but some others felt a little air starved at anything under 6.
With the quick look we have had in just the few short days, you could probably narrow the band to 6 min and 14 max.
I found that on the 40th day of treatment my pressure suddenly climbed to 16.5. It felt disasterously horrible. The very next day I changed the upper limit to 13.5 figuring that was the highest I was willing to subject myself to. [at the time, my worst 90% pressure was about 10.5] I thought that would still give me plenty of room if needed. In time I have increased the top pressure and am more comfortable.
QAL
RE: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - OpalRose - 06-12-2017
I would increase the minimum pressure to 6cm. You can leave the max pressure at 20 for now, but I personally like a narrower range. As QAL stated, 14cm.
Try to sleep on your side as much as possible. Looks like some of your events come in bunches, which could be from back sleeping.
Also, just a suggestion... a soft cervical collar can help keep your neck aligned and stop mouth breathing. They come in various sizes.
Wear the mask that is most comfortable for you, but you will need to watch the leaks, this is where a soft cervical collar can help. Stick with your changes for at least a week or two.
RE: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - trish6hundred - 06-12-2017
Hi st8800,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
It takes time for the body to get used to CPAP therapy. If you are feeling like you aren't getting enough air, you could raise your minimum pressure to 6 and see how that gose for you.
Good luck to you on your CPAP journey.
RE: Help needed to optimize my Dreamstation Auto CPAP - Sleeprider - 06-12-2017
I agree with OpalRose to raise minimum pressure to 6 for now. The clusters of apnea suggest a positional issue, that may be resolved with a soft cervical collar. That should also help with the large leak events. A soft cervical collar only costs $10-$20, and works for many people to prevent chin-tucking which closes the airway in any sleep position.