changing from CPAP to APAP- which pressure to use?

[cbrts765]

Hello, 

I'm few years using CPAP with fixed pressure of 11 (starting at 9, 5 min ramp up). i want to try now APAP (auto) mode (i have remstar auto CPAP device).

Which min /max pressure should i use to start from?

Based on sleepyhead, my average AHI for past 12 month was 3.89. First night i have tried APAP with min 8/max 14, AHI was 1.75.

I have attached screenshot of statistics

Regards, Alex

[Walla Walla]

Actually looking at your stats I'd probably set min to 11cm.

[cbrts765]

Actually looking at your stats I'd probably set min to 11cm.

Why?

[Walla Walla]

Your 90% pressure is 13cm. Rule of thumb is to set the minimum 2cm below the 90% pressure. That's what I'd do.
It's just my opinion though.

[cbrts765]

I used to sleep with 11 in CPAP mode and AHE was below 5. It was just i day as i have changed myself to APAP and used default setting of min 8 max 14 in auto mode.I'm thinking to change to min 9 max 12

[dmeRT]

I agree with walla walla.

Looks like your AHI is better when the pressure is able to titrate up to 13 cmH2O. why would you want to prevent that and set the max to 12?

[Sleep2Snore]

I agree with walla walla.  

Looks like your AHI is better when the pressure is able to titrate up to 13 cmH2O.  why would you want to prevent that and set the max to 12?

Exactly, why would he?
My machine is limited at 20, though it has never gone higher than 12,5, so why limit the machine at such a low pressure?

[cbrts765]

Hello, do you want to say that for APAP mode best is to setup max to 20 and min to 0, i.e. fully rely that it will self adjust as needed?

[Walla Walla]

The minimum pressure you want close to the pressure required to get rid of obstructions. If you started at say four you'd end up with a lot of apnea events before the pressure reached the pressure needed to stop them. Now the max pressure you want to allow enough room in case you require extra pressure at any given time. Pressure requirements change hour to hour and day to day. Setting the max pressure all the way to 20cm can result in pressures running away due to leaks. If you capped it at a say 15cm than even if you have a large leak the machines not going to run the pressure all the way up.

Hope I didn't miss spell too many words.

[cbrts765]

Hello,

i want to share my charts from Nov. 22 (while using CPAP with 11), Nov. 30 (APAP min8 max 14) and Dec. 2nd (APAP min 11 max 15). Maybe some experts can have a look  if latest setting is good or still require some adjustments (APAP min 11 max 15).