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03-15-2023, 02:50 PM (This post was last modified: 03-15-2023, 02:52 PM by Lampshade.)
RE: Changing Max Pressure and starting a BiPAP trial
Thanks Gideon, I will try the Trigger on High tonight, and maintain the settings from last night: min EPAP 4, PS 4, max IPAP 20.
I sent an email to the DME specialist who loaned out the ResMed AirCurve 10 VAUTO. I asked how to configure the machine to reduce CA events. I will post another reply when I get his answer.
Reading the ResMed AirSense 10 AUTOSET setup guide, it describes how it senses a CA event, and says it correctly does not change pressure in contrast to when it senses an OA event and does raise pressure. However there is no adjustable trigger, so that can't be a factor to play with on the CPAP device.
RE: Changing Max Pressure and starting a BiPAP trial
If cost is a major factor, then yes, you need to see whether the bi-level machine gives you significantly better results than the regular APAP machine. But if cost isn't a major factor, get the VAuto. You can configure it to perform exactly as an Airsense 10 Autoset would, but of course the reverse is not true.
RE: Changing Max Pressure and starting a BiPAP trial
My Vauto is over 23000 hours. Don't believe everything you read.
I am trying to get a replacement through insurance, but have a backup with fewer than 10K hours just in case. In addition, if the motor fails, I have one sitting on standby to repair the unit. I'm pretty sure I can get 40K hours if need be.
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.
RE: Changing Max Pressure and starting a BiPAP trial
Thanks Dormeo, I'm thinking I want the VAuto and can afford either machine. The other question is whether the PA at the sleep center will write a script for the VAuto.
My wife asked if I need any device if I sleep on my side with a soft cervical collar. To answer that, I would like to get a home sleep test so that any apneas are measured with no pressure assist. The closest I could come to that with what I have is to configure the CPAP with a fixed pressure of 4 cm and turn off the AUTOSET.
RE: Changing Max Pressure and starting a BiPAP trial
Thanks for that comment on the current hours on your VAUTO Sleeprider. I understand device lifetime statistics have a "long tail" meaning some units will last way longer than the average failure life. The problem is you don't know if you will be lucky and get a longer than average device life or unlucky and get a shorter than average (but longer than the warranty) device life. In either case, I like the idea of having a spare.
RE: Changing Max Pressure and starting a BiPAP trial
The "configured" PAP won't really answer the question you want answered; you are right that for that, you need a sleep test. I've read remarks by experienced people suggesting it's best to go off PAP for a week before a sleep test. Apparently there can be some residual effects that interfere with the reliability of the test, though I'm not sure quite what those would be.
03-16-2023, 07:30 AM (This post was last modified: 03-16-2023, 07:32 AM by Lampshade.)
RE: Changing Max Pressure and starting a BiPAP trial
Sixth night of BiPAP - Third night side-sleeping+SCC
BiPAP Results:AHI = 2.0 (OA = 1.8, CA = 1.5) Min EPAP: 4, PS: 4, Trigger: High.
Fifth night BiPAP Results were AHI = 2.54 (OA = 0, CA = 2.54) From fifth to sixth night, trigger setting changed from Med to High to see if that could affect CA. No noticeable difference in the feeling while breathing between the two settings. I could try the Very High setting for Trigger and see what that does. I understand results vary night-by-night, so I really need to compare multi-night average results. I also understand that a few CA events each night are acceptable. How many is a few?
There were three OA events. The algorithm bumped EPAP to 6.8 after the second one. EPAP automatically dropped down to 5.7 before the next OA started. Sleeprider taught me to change Min EPAP to a higher value to avoid OA events. I might try Min EPAP: 7 for tonight. Thoughts?
