Cpap too high

[Bullabill]

Is having too high a pressure set on the machine a problem? For example; I need a setting of 14cm h2o. Would using a machine set to 18cm h2o be a bad thing?

[DeepBreathing]

G'day Bullabill, welcome to the forum.

Your pressure should be high enough to treat your apneas but there's no benefit in going higher. A higher pressure is more likely to be uncomfortable, making it difficult to sleep - which would be counter-productive. It could also cause aerophagia - swallowing air into your stomach, which is likewise uncomfortable and will give you a gassy bloated feeling. Lastly, too high a pressure can often cause central apneas, which again is counter-productive.

Do you have a specific reason for the question?

[Bullabill]

Thanks, DeepBreathing,

"Do you have a specific reason for the question?"

I've read quite a lot of stuff about CPAP but nothing about the dangers (if any) of using too high a pressure. I tried searching the forum but found nothing here either.

In the article about adjusting the pressure setting it talks about adjusting by .5mm at a time and it mentions the point of diminishing returns. I had in my mind adjusting upwards and then finding that point, and then wondering why things are worse. That's all.

[DeepBreathing]

I'm not familiar with your particular CPAP, but if it is data-capable, a better way is to use SleepyHead software to monitor your results. With a bit of practice (and guidance from some clever people on this forum) you can pretty quickly zero in on your optimum settings. You can find a link to Sleepyhead at the top of every page in this forum.

There's no way the machine can generate enough pressure to actually hurt you, so the dangers (such as they are) are limited to what I wrote above.

[zonk]

Hi Bullabill
Adjusting pressure upwards has to be for a reason, like having too many apnea/hypopnea events and AHI exceeding the acceptable level of 5
Also upward pressure doesn't help with central apnea and could make it worse. FP 238 doesn't flag central apnea and I'm not sure whether flag obstructive apnea/hypoponea or report leak rate either

SleepyHead doesn't support FP SleepStyle series, only support FP Icon and Icon +

[trish6hundred]

Hi Bullabill,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Much success to you as you continue your CPAP therapy and hang in there for more responses to your post.

[vsheline]

Hi Bullabill,

In addition to the possible risks which DB wrote of, unneccessarily high pressure could aggravate intraocular pressure and inner ear pressure, perhaps worsening glaucoma or hearing or balance problems. Also, higher pressure often means tighter face mask straps, which can cause problems, including stronger pulling on the jaw, perhaps worsening jaw TMJ problems or pulling the teeth inward until they become crouded and crooked.

Most of these risks are either minor or rare, but, certainly, it is generally a good idea to avoid higher pressure than actually needed for restful sleep.

But if we need higher pressure for restful sleep then we need to attend to it. (My own pressure often reaches 24 or 25 cm H2O.)

Most important is to achieve restful sleep, without which our health will gradually deteriorate horribly, and we might fall asleep behind the wheel and kill or cripple ourself and others.

[DariaVader]

Also, higher pressure can cause an increase in intrathoracic pressure resulting in issues with the vascular system, circulation, water retention, etc.

[ginzo]

bullabill!!!! Welcome!!!!

For me, the higher pressure while I use a nasal pillow causes major leakage issues. I have self moderated my usage and switched from CPAP to APAP mode and with much due diligence and record keeping, have improved my therapy immensely.

The folks here are a wealth of information that can help you improve your therapy.

[Mr Nifty]

The higher the pressure the more leaks. Be thankful with low pressure!