(03-08-2014, 03:42 AM)dustpicc Wrote: Do you think that starting the pressure at 14 is a bit extreme? I have family members who have CPAP and say their max setting is 9. They have mine at 24 and min at 14.
Different people have different anatomies. During their sleep study it was determined that a pressure 9 is adequate to inflate their airway. Yours is more stubborn and reqires a higher pressure.
Quote:Also, why did they refuse to let me have a nasal mask?
It could be that they tried a nasal mask during your sleep study and it didn't work either because your nasal passages were congested (mouth-breathing) or that the pressurized CPAP air forced your mouth open (mouth-leaking) making it impossible to maintain the pressure splint needed to prevent your airway from collapsing.
Quote: Don't I have a say in my treatment?
Yes. Virtually every medical provider allows you to try different masks at no cost. You have a right to a copy of your prescription and you can use it to buy any mask you want. There's no guarantee that they'll work for you.
Keep hitting the ramp button when you feel the pressure is too high.
The most important advice I can give you is this: Keep communicating with your care providers. Explain to them what's not working, what your machine is doing to you, and keep asking for help. Don't give up. You are fighting for your life. The decisions you make now about using your machine will affect the rest of your life. It's hard for you to believe this now, but you will adapt to the machine and it will stop bothering you. It takes time and courage.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.