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Setting my own pressure
I have been on CPAP for several years with no relief from extreme fatigue, even upon waking after 9 hours sleep. Would it be OK to up my own pressure to see if that had any effect? I am now at 15. This is all without my drs involvement.
Views: 116
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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If you go higher than a pressure of 15 you may need a BiLevel machine. How much have you increased your pressure on your own? There is a pressure arround ten in which central apneas may appear or increase. If I may ask, why is your doctor not involved? There may be something physical going on that is being overlooked. I personally would not recommend increasing your pressure with out talking to a doctor. We have professionals and better informed people on the site who will surely weigh in, Virginia.
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Permalink Reply by Banyon on
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Do you have a machine with software that reports data on your nightly breathing, such as apneas, hypopneas, snores, mask leak, pressure, etc.?
Most of us that tweak our pressure settings have the machines/software that measure what is happening while we sleep. They are not very expensive.
Without the data, you can easily make things worse. Your pressure of 15 may be fine and something else is wrong. Or you may need a lower pressure (or a higher pressure). Without the data, you have few clues to work with and are just "stabbing in the dark".
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Permalink Reply by Virginia Mitchell on
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Banyon said:Do you have a machine with software that reports data on your nightly breathing, such as apneas, hypopneas, snores, mask leak, pressure, etc.?
Most of us that tweak our pressure settings have the machines/software that measure what is happening while we sleep. They are not very expensive.
Without the data, you can easily make things worse. Your pressure of 15 may be fine and something else is wrong. Or you may need a lower pressure (or a higher pressure). Without the data, you have few clues to work with and are just "stabbing in the dark".
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I do have data on my machine, My numbers were better last night with the higher pressure. I am not working with my dr. because he wanted me to come in and have him write prescription, then bring machine to have pressure adjusted, even though I have capability to do it. Hasn't been very supportive. He is only one covered by my insurance
Virginia Mitchell said:Banyon said:Do you have a machine with software that reports data on your nightly breathing, such as apneas, hypopneas, snores, mask leak, pressure, etc.?
Most of us that tweak our pressure settings have the machines/software that measure what is happening while we sleep. They are not very expensive.
Without the data, you can easily make things worse. Your pressure of 15 may be fine and something else is wrong. Or you may need a lower pressure (or a higher pressure). Without the data, you have few clues to work with and are just "stabbing in the dark".
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What is the exact model of your machine and your mask? What was your previous pressure and efficacy data? Current?
Please state the leak data.
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I would not advise you to set your own pressures. If you deal with a cpap and equipment supplier, in your area, they sometimes, for free, will supply a device, that you can check your pressures at home.
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Permalink Reply by 99 on
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how does the pressure feel on your face or mouth
is it warm
if you feel no pressure or it is warm from your own breath proceed with causion and increase with very small incriments
if you feel pressure be very careful
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My machine is Red Med Auto Vantage S-8 and the mask is Respironics soft-gel (not full face). Thank you for asking and trying to help. I lowered my pressure to 8 last night and my AHI was 10. The advice here seems to be to gradually increase.
Banyon said:What is the exact model of your machine and your mask? What was your previous pressure and efficacy data? Current?
Please state the leak data.
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I have't seen any advice to slowly increase your pressure (apologies if I missed it). I heard Jeff say that self titration is effective in a motivated, educated individual. Banyon asked for data which you have not posted.Another person and I suggested you not make these changes on your own. If my understanding is correct you have gone from a pressure of 15 on August 21, to a pressure of 8 last night. How slowly do you plan to titrate your pressure and based on what data? That was a significant change, what is your current prescription?
I have been told that the data from the ResMed for AI is a better indicator of effectiveness than AHI because of the way ResMed scores hypopneas (I have a ResMep VPAP Auto 25).
Perhaps if you discuss with your doctor your determination to titrate your own pressures he will work with you and give you some guidelines. I reread this thread and nowhere did I see anyone suggest to gradually increase your pressures. Please provide the data that has been requested so people are better able to advise you.
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Virginia Mitchell said:My machine is Red Med Auto Vantage S-8 and the mask is Respironics soft-gel (not full face). Thank you for asking and trying to help. I lowered my pressure to 8 last night and my AHI was 10. The advice here seems to be to gradually increase.
Banyon said:What is the exact model of your machine and your mask? What was your previous pressure and efficacy data? Current?
Please state the leak data.
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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I LOVE YOU MARY!
Mary Z said:I have't seen any advice to slowly increase your pressure (apologies if I missed it). I heard Jeff say that self titration is effective in a motivated, educated individual. Banyon asked for data which you have not posted.Another person and I suggested you not make these changes on your own. If my understanding is correct you have gone from a pressure of 15 on August 21, to a pressure of 8 last night. How slowly do you plan to titrate your pressure and based on what data? That was a significant change, what is your current prescription?
I have been told that the data from the ResMed for AI is a better indicator of effectiveness than AHI because of the way ResMed scores hypopneas (I have a ResMep VPAP Auto 25).
Perhaps if you discuss with your doctor your determination to titrate your own pressures he will work with you and give you some guidelines. I reread this thread and nowhere did I see anyone suggest to gradually increase your pressures. Please provide the data that has been requested so people are better able to advise you.
.
Virginia Mitchell said:My machine is Red Med Auto Vantage S-8 and the mask is Respironics soft-gel (not full face). Thank you for asking and trying to help. I lowered my pressure to 8 last night and my AHI was 10. The advice here seems to be to gradually increase.
Banyon said:What is the exact model of your machine and your mask? What was your previous pressure and efficacy data? Current?
Please state the leak data.
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Never, never self diagnose the pressure that you need without consulting your doctor. You may feel you need a higher pressure but it can be very detrimental. I would suggest a new sleep study. Increasing the pressure may actual develop "central apneas" to occur, without you being aware. There is a reason that patients aren't told how to change their pressure's. As an RT I will not even adjust a pressure without a doctor's order or a new sleep study. If it's been several years since your study I would really recommend a new one.
Jennifer
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mary is absolutly correct should you feel a need to change do not alter anything without Dr permission as you may be at cross perpose with the Dr rather you should work with your Dr or quaified theripist so everybody knows what is going on, if you feel a need to increase, consult your Dr
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