[Pressure] Can someone help me adjust my BPAP pressure settings?

[ApneaSufferer]

Sleeprider

Thank you. I'll post the results when I start using the Cervical Collar you recommended.

Also, I'm attempting to reach the numbers you suggested using on my BPAPmachine.

I thought I'd work up to them gradually and monitor the results.

So far, the last two nights I used the new settings are the best results I've gotten to date... much better than the results from the doctor recommended settings!

After one more night, I'll adjust them all the way to what you have recommended. 

Here are three sleep study stats:
1) Before any changes
2) and 3) are after adjusting the levels toward what you have recommended.

Thanks again Sleeprider for the assistance... I really want to break the 5.0 barrier and possibly much lower when I start using the Collar (I'm in Hawaii so I won't get it for another week).

[SarcasticDave94]

OK the trend is the reported AHI is headed downward, so that is a good sign. It looks a rough road still though. Keep at it though. Best to ya on it.

[ApneaSufferer]

Sleeprider...

Hello, I promised I'd check back with my results. 

I tried using the collar for several nights, but I'd wake up in the morning with the collar on the floor, so I'm not currently using it after the first 3 nights of use. Not sure if I should keep trying to use it as it seemed uncomfortable. I wasn't even aware that I ripped it off in the night.

As far as the settings... I've been using your settings as recommended:

mode: BiPAP auto
EPAP min: 9.0
IPAP max 16.0
PS min 3.0
PS max 4.0
BiFlex: 2

The only change I made was bumping up the:
 
1) PS min 3.0 to PS min 4.0
and
2) PS ax 4.0 to PS Max 5.0

with the idea of 

1) "A higher minimum pressure support will help prevent hypopnea"...
and
2) "Your doctor has you on autoBiPAP but with a minimum pressure of 8.0, and maximum PS of 4.0, it becomes fixed pressure". 

I'm still not sure how it works, but I'm assuming that with a minimum pressure of 9.0 and a maximum PS of 5.0 that equals IPAP max of 14???

Not sure if an IPAP max of 16 or 14 is better?

Anyway, I've included two charts that show some of my sleeping results: 
Any comments or advise would be much appreciated by you or members of this discussion group.
Thank you again in advance for any suggestions.
 

[ApneaSufferer]

I forgot to mention that I also started using a DreamWear Full Face CPAP mask with a hollow frame design and hose connection at the top of the head which as advertised creates "a more reliable seal". I noticed much less leaking of air from the mask. I think because I tend to sleep on my side and sometimes my stomach.

Also I noticed that my PB (Periodic Breathing) seems to have improved.

I'm "assuming" because of the increased pressure settings that you suggested.

Anyway, any suggestions are most appreciated.

[Sleeprider]

All I have is, if you can’t tolerate the collar, at least get a Resmed Vauto. It may or may not work, but if you are going to chuck the collar on the floor, it’s totally obvious our Philips BiPAP is not going to get ahead of the events. Take the cap if 16 off of max pressure and let it go to 20 or more.

[SarcasticDave94]

I'm a broken record on masks here lately. My Fisher and Paykel Vitera is nearly leak free side sleeping. Strap tension is minimal, the Roll Fit bellows makes it work excellently.

I know my ASV is ResMed, but that F&P Vitera nets me leak rates of about 5 reported as an average. Admitted that's for my max of 3 hrs sleep due to the complex issue thing I've got going on. Higher leak rates hinder therapy and adds disturbances, both negatives to well rested state.