[CPAP] How to decrease pressure on Aircurve 10 Vauto?

[Kabukiman]

Hi, I'm able to access the clinical settings on my BIPAP but I'm not sure which settings to change. I see three pressure settings, EPAP, IPAP and PS. What I want is just to try lowering the pressure coming in and going out. I assume EPAP covers the exhale pressure and IPAP covers the inhale pressure, but I'm confused on what PS does. Will I have to worry about that?

[Gideon]

Welcome to the forum.

I would ask you to post your daily charts from OSCAR as that will show us what is going on.

You mentioned IPAP and EPAP which imply you are in "S" mode in wich you wouldn't see PS. You would see min EPAP and Max IPAP in "VAuto" mode.

Pressure going in is IPAP and pressure going out is EPAP, PS is simply the difference between the two. I would strongly suggest not changing the PS without a very good reason.

[Kabukiman]

I'm in Vauto mode but I see all three settings. Max IPAP is at 11, Min EPAP is at 4, PS is at 5. So if I wanted to lower the pressure I should just lower IPAP and EPAP and leave PS alone?

[OpalRose]

I would ask you to post your daily charts from OSCAR as that will show us what is going on.

Kabukiman,
You may have missed Gideon's request.  Without seeing your Daily Chart, it's somewhat irresponsible for us to advise on pressure changes.

We really hesitant to advise on raising or lowering pressures "without good reason", which you haven't provided.  

EPAP helps sprint the airway open on exhalation and is needed if Obstructive apnea is showing.  Too high of a PS can trigger Clear Airway events.  
PS added to EPAP equals inspiration.  

Since we don't don't know what's showing up, a detailed daily chart would be helpful.

Please use this link to guide you in posting that chart, and Gideon will better be able to advise.   Thanks.  

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

[Sleeprider]

With EPAP min at 4.0 and IPAP max at 11.0 with PS 5, your machine is providing a range of 9.0/4.0 to 11.0/7.0 (IPAP/EPAP). PS is pressure support and is the difference between IPAP-EPAP, so with PS 5, IPAP is always 5-cm higher than EPAP. Your EPAP min is already at the lowest pressure your machine can produce. If you want to experience a lower "feeling" of pressure, then you can reduce the PS setting to 3 or 5. That will start therapy at 7.0/4.0 with PS 3. The IPAP max sets the maximum range of pressure your machine will deliver in Vauto mode, so to calculate the pressure at IPAP max, just subtract PS to get EPAP. I wonder if an AI could be "trained" to write articles with our wiki code for images and cross-references.

[Kabukiman]

Kabukiman,
You may have missed Gideon's request.  Without seeing your Daily Chart, it's somewhat irresponsible for us to advise on pressure changes.

The thing is I've never been able to fall asleep with my BIPAP machine, so would the data even be helpful? I mostly wear it for an hour or so at night while I lay in bed and then take it off because it's preventing me from sleeping.

[Sleeprider]

I gave you what you need to know to reduce PS. Just change PS from 5 to 3. You might like it.

[Kabukiman]

Alright I'll try it, thanks.