(05-07-2016, 09:43 AM)jxyzobrien Wrote: he also wrote a new script for machine since it seems like i am not getting enough air.
old setting was 14 now he did 16.
he said settings are 4 to 25 for resmed machine. so i guess i go back to
rotech and they change settings
Most S9 VPAP (bilevel CPAP) machines allowed pressures to be set between 4-25.
You should keep a couple photocopies of your prescription, for your personal medical records.
Can you tell us the complete prescription?
Did he look at data downloaded from your machine before changing the prescription? If yes, then perhaps he changed the prescription appropriately.
If he didn't look at your machine's sleep data but only tested your lung capacity, then he appears to be deficient in his understanding of 'PAP treatment.
As Sleeprider has pointed out, on bilevel 'PAP machines it is Pressure Support (which is the amount the pressure is boosted while we are inhaling) which tends to help us breathe in more air, increasing our average "Tidal Volume" (which is the volume of air breathed in or out in one breath) and "Minute Volume" or "Minute Ventilation" (which is the volume of air breathed in or out in one minute).
Next to the on/off button the model name is written. Does it say "VPAP Auto" or perhaps "VPAP S", VPAP ST", "AutoSet" or what?
At the top of the forum pages is a link to a page with instructions on how to request by email the setup manual (Clinical Guide) for your machine. Reading the Clinical Guide will help you understand the settings, perhaps better than your doctor may understand them.
I suggest investing in a wrist-mounted recording pulse oximeter (this type has a separate finger sensor and is more comfortable to wear a whole night), to monitor your blood O2.
I think a good target for SpO2 (the Saturation percentage of Oxygen in the blood, as measured percutaneously, meaning measured through the skin) is between 94 and 96 for most people with healthy lungs.
However, many COPD patients are easily harmed by too much O2 in their blood and probably should target 88%–92%.
If anyone suspects they have a lung condition which is not normal, I suggest they should google COPD.
Moreover, I think an average SpO2 of 98 to 99 all night may be harmful, causing too much oxidation in our system. Continuous high SpO2 can reduce the effectiveness of some medicines and can cause oxidative stress, which would gradually lead to health problems.
"administer oxygen to keep saturations between 94 and 96 percent. No patient needs oxygen saturations above 97 percent and in truth, there is little to no evidence suggesting any clinical benefit of oxygen saturations above 90 percent in any patient."
http://www.ems1.com/columnists/mike-mcev...xygen-hurt
"For most COPD patients, a target saturation range of 88%–92% will avoid the risks of hypoxia and hypercapnia."
https://psnet.ahrq.gov/webmm/case/172
http://www.emsworld.com/article/10915304...uch-oxygen
Take care,
--- Vaughn
The Advisory Member group provides advice and suggestions to Apnea Board administrators and staff on matters concerning Apnea Board operation and administrative policies. Membership in the Advisory Member group should not be understood as in any way implying medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.