Changing pressure rating

[sapodaca5095]

Within the past year I have lost 122 lbs. I think I need to lower my pressure rating (currently at 14), but unfortunately I cannot afford a new sleep study at this time. If I use my machine now, I wake up with a bad headache and very dry mouth (I do use a humidifyer). Do any of you have any past experience with weight loss and how it affects your pressure rating?

[PollCat]

I wish! I'd love to lose some major poundage. Have you talked with your sleep doc to see what (s)he recommends? Did you check with your insurance company as to how often and under what circumstances they will pay for a study?

Oh; and welcome to the board.

[PaulaO2]

If you have lost that much weight, yes, your pressure has changed.

You could try to slowly lower it, a little at a time. I think the recommendation is .5 at a time, with at least a week between changes, longer if you can.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pr...re-on-cpap

Which Respironics machine do you have? Is it an autoPAP?

[archangle]

I wake up with a bad headache and very dry mouth (I do use a humidifyer).

That sounds like your mouth is opening and letting the air out when you sleep. If that's happening, it can prevent your therapy from working and will dry out your mouth. You've got to fix that. You may need to use a chin strap or a full face mask.

Mouth leaks are much more important that the wrong pressure. Lots of us have to fight "mouth breathing" when doing CPAP.

Too much pressure probably won't give you dry mouth or a headache, but it does make it more likely for your mouth to come open and leak air.

What particular Philips machine do you have? It should say something like Plus, Pro, or Auto near the display.

[zonk]

If you get congested you would breathe through your mouth even more, dry out your mouth and waking up with a sinus headache. Try turn up or down the humidifier setting see which is better for you as everyone is different some need more than others while some need none. If your machine is data capable it gives AHI and leak data which can help determine the effectiveness of the therapy and even better if its APAP.