new cpap user - Best Machine/Software?
Hello,
I am a newbie to the cpap world, I have suffered with sleep apnea
for about 10 years and have only recently done something about it.
I had a sleep study done and had an AHI of 103. now with my machine set at 6.0cm my AHI is down to 3 ! my question is, what is
the absolute best machine/software to get? and if i bump my
pressure up to 6.5cm would this get my AHI even lower?
regards,
Geoff
RE: new cpap user
Hi gnconway73,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
It's good that you finally started treating your sleep apnea.
Hang in there for answers to your question and best of luck to you.
trish6hundred
RE: new cpap user
Let's face it, Geoff, all CPAP machines do what they were designed to do. I've not mined the machine data for our membership yet, but I suspect the majority of users have either some kind of a ResMed S9 or the machine you are currently using. The biggest difference between the two is price, with the ResMed being almost twice the price of the PR (I know this from personal experience with trying to find the right machine in Feb 2011).
As for pressure settings, 6 seems very low for an AHI of 103. If you are going to adjust your pressure settings upwards, do it in small increments until your AHI is in the 0.1 to 1.0. The lower the AHI, the better!
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.
ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.
RE: new cpap user
Actually, the pressure has little to do with the initial pre-CPAP AHI. You would think that a high AHI would require a way high pressure but that's not the case. It comes down to how much pressure is needed to keep the throat open. An AHI of 103 on a patient with lots of throat muscle and fat and laying on your back would need a high pressure. But a skinny side sleeper with the same AHI would need less.
Leave your pressure alone.
How long have you been using it?
You want the AHI to be less than 5 so you're doing good. Getting it lower will not automatically mean better sleep.
As for software, it depends on which model your PRS1 is. If it is an x60, you can use SleepyHead but will need the patch. Follow these instructions:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...e-software
PaulaO
Take a deep breath and count to zen.
RE: new cpap user
awesome!
thanks for the info I have downloaded the sleepyhead software and intend to use it!
RE: new cpap user
Good!
When you look at the data, the AHI is but one part of the whole picture.
How long do the events last?
What is the flow rate?
What is the leak rate?
How do you feel?
Do you get sleepy during the day?
No two nights are the same so it takes a while to notice trends.
PaulaO
Take a deep breath and count to zen.
RE: new cpap user
I am new to cpap therapy - 2 months and just had a follow-up sleep study. Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all I need to learn. Help!
My AHI was 150 at the start of therapy; went right down to below 2 every night with a pressure of 7. After my follow-up, the tech changed my pressure to 13 but my machine, after just one night, is saying 7.2 for pressure; does it change incrementally?? Is there an error somewhere?
I have so many questions -- I need to start somewhere; glad to know there are experienced users out there. Thanks in advance.
Tiantian