Should I adjust my Dreamstation pressure?

[javila]

Hi guys

So my CPAP setting is 5.5 and 11. I have a Respironics Dreamstation APAP. 

I'm still feeling sleepy after using the machine, I'm not sure why. I noticed lately the machine feels like it's been sticking to lower pressures, it used to go up to 9 and 10 pretty often and now it sorta stays around 5.5  and 6.5. 

I'm not sure if I need my lower pressure to be higher or if I should actually decrease the upper pressure. I have screenshots here: 
http://imgur.com/a/Zd3Th 

Any help is appreciated

[Gideon]

Your numbers are good all AHI under 2. The real question is how do you feel?

[dmeRT]

Hi Javila. I agree with bonjour, your apnea numbers are great. I don't really see a need to fiddle with the settings. Also, if your feeling tired, I don't think i'd attribute that feeling to sleep apnea as your download shows that's under control. Could be other issues? A good question for your Dr.

[Newbee2016]

Hi Javila, welcome to Apnea Board.

How long have you been on therapy with the machine? It can take a few months for some people to get used to treatment and feel rested.

[OpalRose]

javilla,
Since you are using a Phillips Respironics machine, which is slower to react to events compared to ResMed machines, I  would move the minimum pressure to 7.  

Although your AHI is below 5 and considered treated, you have high Flow Limitations, RERA's and hypopneas which the machine is slow to react to.  Moving the min pressure up a bit will help.

We aren't here to chase AHI's and change pressure for no reason, but I think that the small
increase in pressure should make a difference.

And as others have said, how you feel is more important.

[javila]

Thanks for the great advice guys. I'm still feeling a bit sleepy at work sometimes so I will try moving the pressure up a bit.

I've been using the machine for about 2 months now. However, I changed the pressure setting to 5.5 and 11 about 2 weeks ago. 

I'll try it out and post here what results I get.

[DavePaulson]

I had numbers similar to you and with insight gleaned from the board slowly raised the minimum about 1.5 cm over two months. Reduced my AHI to .4 and I am sleeping noticeably better now. Thank you, everyone, for the wealth of knowledge shared here.

Good luck,

Dave

[Ockrocket]

Your AHI numbers are good..... could it be that you need to be getting 7.5 to 8.0 hours of sleep on a consistent basis to feel rested?

I know if I get less than 7.5 hours for more than a couple of nights in a row I start to feel tired during the day.

My AHI average for the last 6 months is 1.4, so I know my apnea is well controlled by my Dreamstation.. I have it set as a CPAP, even though it is an APAP unit, my pressure is set at 8. [some time back I upped the pressure from 7 in an effort to overcome my feeling of "air starvation" that I experienced for the first 5 minutes after start up, it actually also helped with my blocked nose I often get at night]