Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea
Brand New Member Question about pressure - Printable Version

+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Brand New Member Question about pressure (/Thread-Brand-New-Member-Question-about-pressure)



Brand New Member Question about pressure - davidmadow - 08-22-2020

Hello All. I discovered this board and I am so appreciative that something like this exists! I can't seem to get answers anywhere! I am a new user (about a month) of Philips Resp. Dreamstation APAP. I have been super frustrated but I have finally found a mask (nasal cushion) I can sleep with and it seems to work well. When I first began CPAP, they programmed in the normal 5/20 cm H2O pressures. My AHI was very high with these settings (usually in the teens) and the only answer I got was I need higher pressure. The high pressure they set it at (18/20) was undoable for me. This was before I learned I could enter the system and adjust myself so I was at MDs and CPAP company's mercy. Nothing seemed to work so the next thing is a BiPAP was recommended. Due to the paperwork and red tape, with insurance this has dragged out quite a bit so in the meantime I kept experimenting with pressures on my own. It seems as though I do best with a constant 4.5 cm H2O pressure. I know this is super low but it has been giving me the best AHI results to date. My AHI averages about 5 now where it used to be in the teens or higher when set on auto. I know 5 is considered high when using a CPAP but I am thrilled that it has come WAY down. I believe with some tweaking I can do better. My two questions are 1. does anyone else have experience with such a low pressure working best for them? 2. Any suggestions to this newbie would be GREATLY appreciated.


RE: Brand New Member Question about pressure - OpalRose - 08-22-2020

Hi davidmadow,
I'm sure we can help you, but we base most of our advice on looking at data.

Are you able to post two daily graphs from OSCAR?  One with the Auto mode 5-20 and another graph with the static pressure of 4.5cm.

Use this link to help organize the graphs and use the attachment feature to post.  

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/OSCAR_Chart_Organization


RE: Brand New Member Question about pressure - davidmadow - 08-22-2020

Thanks so much. I hope I did this right. Forgive a newbie if not correct. See screenshots.


RE: Brand New Member Question about pressure - Gideon - 08-22-2020

Welcome to the forum.

Didn't your doctor tell you that you are tucking your chin? Didn't think so.

See the clusters of obstructive events. That is the indicator. It is evident in the hypopneas at 4.5 fixed and both hypopneas and OAs in APAP mode. This is why your pressure climbs in auto mode.

The solution is a soft cervical collar, please read the link in my signature.

Once you try the collar it should be like night and day and then we can go from there.


RE: Brand New Member Question about pressure - davidmadow - 08-22-2020

Bonjour, no, my doc did not tell me that!!! You are a lifesaver. I will order one today. Thanks SO MUCH. I will report back as soon as I get going with that!!! 
Thanks