lukazi (Therapy Thread)

[lukazi]

Since you've already ordered the A10, and it has a good return policy, then try it.  
I went back to read your first post and you seemed to get decent therapy with it.  

With that said, if you can afford the AirCurve, that would be the way to go.  There really is no downside to that, except cost.

I switched from a 60Series Respironics to an AirCurve with no regrets.  I'm fairly sure I could have also received decent therapy with an A10 AutoSet.

The AirCurve has a few more bells and whistles to play with.  What I found for myself is that I am much more comfortable with the AirCurve.  My breathing feels natural and I sleep more sound.

Thanks so much! So you think you sleep more soundly because of higher EPR on Aircurve? What is your epr setting if you don't mind me asking?

[lukazi]

Since you've already ordered the A10, and it has a good return policy, then try it.  
I went back to read your first post and you seemed to get decent therapy with it.  

With that said, if you can afford the AirCurve, that would be the way to go.  There really is no downside to that, except cost.

I switched from a 60Series Respironics to an AirCurve with no regrets.  I'm fairly sure I could have also received decent therapy with an A10 AutoSet.

The AirCurve has a few more bells and whistles to play with.  What I found for myself is that I am much more comfortable with the AirCurve.  My breathing feels natural and I sleep more sound.

I live in Australia and actually I can only find aircurve 10 cs available. But that's not the same as vauto is it? Is it possible that it is not available here?

[Crimson Nape]

The AirCurve doesn't have the EPR option, it is on the AirSense model. The EPR value (1-3) reduces your set pressure during exhale the amount in centimeters in whole number only. The AirCurve uses a Pressure Support (PS) option that adds its value to the set exhale pressure. They both achieve the same thing up to 3 cm, but the AirCurve can separate the pressure difference up to 8 cm in .2 cm steps. The AirCurve also has sensitivity options to detect when to switch between inhale to exhale in pressure.

[OpalRose]

The AirCurve 10 CS is an ASV machine. I believe that would be overkill for you.

If you can't get the AirCurve 10 VAuto, then the AirSense 10 AutoSet should give you good therapy results.

[lukazi]

The AirCurve 10 CS is an ASV machine.  I believe that would be overkill for you.

If you can't get the AirCurve 10 VAuto, then the AirSense 10 AutoSet should give you good therapy results.

Thanks so much for your help! After thinking about it, I think I'll just keep the AS10. I have been feeling better, which I guess means the machine works well, and I feel bad spending additional 3k for VAuto.

I have been using CPAP for only 2 weeks now and to my surprise, I got used to it very quickly. Also I have been feeling much better during the day. Do you think this could be a placebo effect?

On certain nights I still wake up 4 times to use toilet. Also sometimes I wake up at 4-5 am and can't sleep anymore. However I feel fine throughout day even though I get way less sleep than before. Is it possible that I actually need only 6-7hrs of sleep with CPAP? Without CPAP I would sleep for 8-9hrs and still feel tired. I just can't justify such serious symptoms with AHI 16 which doesn't seem too high.

[OpalRose]

It's good to hear that you are adapting well to therapy. Remember that the AHI number will fluctuate. You're welcome to update and post a new chart anytime you have questions. Looking at your first post, I would keep the minimum pressure at 10cm and EPR at 3. What's most important is how you feel. I've gotten to the point in my therapy where I don't even look at the numbers too much, as long as I feel decent.

[lukazi]

It's good to hear that you are adapting well to therapy.  Remember that the AHI number will fluctuate.  You're welcome to update and post a new chart anytime you have questions.  Looking at your first post, I would keep the minimum pressure at 10cm and EPR at 3.  What's most important is how you feel.  I've gotten to the point in my therapy where I don't even look at the numbers too much, as long as I feel decent.

Thanks so much! I'll keep those settings. 

Do you think the feeling of getting better at the beggining of the therapy could be placebo?

Also is it common that people need less sleep after starting CPAP therapy?

[OpalRose]

Everyone reacts and adjusts to Cpap therapy differently. Sometimes, it's just a matter of having the right attitude and be willing to try different things and make changes.

I don't know many that really "love" all this, but we know we have to do it and make the best of it.

[lukazi]

Everyone reacts and adjusts to Cpap therapy differently.  Sometimes, it's just a matter of having the right attitude and be willing to try different things and make changes.

I don't know many that really "love" all this, but we know we have to do it and make the best of it.

Hi Opal Rose,

Could you please give me your thought on the efficiency of my therapy and whether I need to change any settings? Please see attached a few screenshots from OSCAR, including zoomed in sections of hypopneas, central apneas and flow limitations. I have split the attachements in 2 messages.

Last night I woke up twice to go to toilet (not sure whether full bladder wakes me up). However as I previously mentioned, I find that I wake up earlier; I sleep less (6hrs as opposed to 8h before starting CPAP) and I have more energy during day. Very surprising results for me!

I noticed that I always get a few CAs very as I am falling asleep. Will these reduce over time?

Also any tips on how to stop waking up multiple times during night to use toilet would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much!

[lukazi]

Everyone reacts and adjusts to Cpap therapy differently.  Sometimes, it's just a matter of having the right attitude and be willing to try different things and make changes.

I don't know many that really "love" all this, but we know we have to do it and make the best of it.