(10-26-2017, 03:40 PM)Spy Car Wrote: Shrinkdavid, at 5 years you are due for a new machine in any case, yes?

You've got some good people on the case, but to analogize the situation. It looks like you are driving a four-banger that has the capacity to hit top-speeds of 100 mph, and then driving that car at the maximum speed of 100 in one gear full-time pedal-to-the-metal right at the red-line full time.

It seems like a Bi-level, especially one with an auto mode would be more suitable. That way you could hit 125 mph if you ever required it, but you could also drop back to 75 (following the analogy) when you don't need that much speed.

I'm pretty sensitive to high pressure (more than most perhaps), so full-time pressures of 20 sound very uncomfortable to me.

Even if you IPAP (inhalation pressure) remained high a Bi-level would give an option to reduce the exhalation (EPAP) pressures, which should be more comfortable.

The current machine is obviously "working" in terms of reducing events, but if you are not sleeping well it looks like there is a more appropriate machine option.

One question, what is happening in those long nightly breaks?

Bill

(10-26-2017, 04:00 PM)shinkdavid Wrote:

(10-26-2017, 03:40 PM)Spy Car Wrote: Shrinkdavid, at 5 years you are due for a new machine in any case, yes?

You've got some good people on the case, but to analogize the situation. It looks like you are driving a four-banger that has the capacity to hit top-speeds of 100 mph, and then driving that car at the maximum speed of 100 in one gear full-time pedal-to-the-metal right at the red-line full time.

It seems like a Bi-level, especially one with an auto mode would be more suitable. That way you could hit 125 mph if you ever required it, but you could also drop back to 75 (following the analogy) when you don't need that much speed.

I'm pretty sensitive to high pressure (more than most perhaps), so full-time pressures of 20 sound very uncomfortable to me.

Even if you IPAP (inhalation pressure) remained high a Bi-level would give an option to reduce the exhalation (EPAP) pressures, which should be more comfortable.

The current machine is obviously "working" in terms of reducing events, but if you are not sleeping well it looks like there is a more appropriate machine option.

One question, what is happening in those long nightly breaks?

Bill

I just got a new CPAP. 

Where are you seeing long nightly breaks? If you are referring to the breaks in between sleep those are because I have been sick and sleeping a lot. I have been sleeping, getting up for a couple of hours and then going back to bed. When I nap I always use my CPAP so it can look like I have long breaks but it is related to poor sleep patterns on my part. I am not good and going to bed and waking up at the same time every day and due to medication I take, I get sleepy pretty easily and tend to sleep a lot.

(10-26-2017, 04:11 PM)shinkdavid Wrote: Also, my tiredness and not sleeping well may not be related to the apnea or the machine. I take Klonopin which isn't good for sleep. It makes me tired but makes it hard to get deep sleep. I don't feel the machine needs to be switched to a BIPAP. I don't notice the pressure at all. Sometimes I wonder if it is really doing anything but I think I have gotten used to it over the years. It was initially set at 18 and I switched it to 20 about a year ago. The doc kept it there saying if it works, no reason to mess with it. I don't find the pressure uncomfortable, in fact, there is something almost soothing about using the CPAP. I think I went too many years snoring and and not breathing well that the CPAP helps my body work easier. It is also great for colds. It almost makes it more difficult to wake up as it keeps me in a half sleep state. If I don't take it off when the alarm goes off I tend to fall back asleep. One of the most frustrating aspects of the pressure is all the air that ends up in my stomach.