[Pressure] strange pressure numbers

[wtoliaferro]

Hello,

I am new to this forum. Having used a cpap for 7 years, I felt it was time for a new study so I had an in-home sleep study over a 3 night period. My pressure number for these 7 years has been the original setting of 14.0 but the in-home study recommended a pressure of 5.20. WTH? Does this mean I have improved? Has anyone ever heard of pressure numbers going down?

Many Thanks!
W:

[jaycee]

5.20. ??

Is that auto cpap with a range of 5 to 20 ??

[PsychoMike]

It does happen...also depends on the tech and settings over the last 7 years.

If you were assessed at a constant pressure of 14 to deal with the "bad" periods, then that's where they set you. If they did a new study with an auto-titrating / auto pressure adjusting machine and the numbers say you don't need the higher pressure all the time, then perhaps you'll be blessed with a new machine that won't try to blow the pillows off your face all night

Of course, there can be other factors at play...diet, losing weight, improved health and such can factor in too.

[PaulaO2]

Wow. What a pressure change.

One possibility, although slight, is your initial titration was wrong. Is your current machine data capable and has your doc or yourself been viewing the data?

Or the at home titration was wrong.

Another would be you had 3 good nights in a row (not impossible at all), sleeping good in your own bed, and never got onto your back.

Another would be due to weight loss in the throat area, your needs have changed.

Like others have asked, is that a range, like 5-20? If so, that's a wide open range and kinda silly.

[trish6hundred]

Hi wtoliaferro,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more answers to your questions and best of luck to you.

[wtoliaferro]

thank you all for your responses. My doctor is an internist and this sleep apnea stuff is new to her. I asked her to get the home sleep study for me because I don't like sleeping in strange beds. we, now, know that the recommendation is 5 - 20 cm's. On Monday she will call them to become clearer on this range. the machine I use is a cpap and not auto.

all of your posts were very helpful, knowledgeable.

Xwadine

[Peter_C]

Also? Technology has improved/changed over the years, and with it I suspect the ways used to decide what 'pressure' is optimum too (my theory).

I just saw my sleep doc, first visit in many years, and learned the last pressure in his notes for me was 17/11 (bilevel), yet I have better than 90 days worth of data showing the machine in auto mode has almost never gone over 14.5 - shrug

Everything changes is my guess - data, machines, technology.