jamesky,(time=1270947702) Wrote:When I was first diagnosed about 2 years ago, my machine was a previous model Respironics that worked wonders. I had never slept like that in my life.

Quote:My machine was updated to the new System One A-Flex and, with the change to a lower pressure following my yearly followup, life hasn't been the same. I have consistently gone down in sleep time and quality. I'll check with the doctor later but, right now I have the info to adjust to where I was before. I slept like a baby with a pressure of 12 but they changed to 9 with the new machine with too long of a ramp time.

columbo Wrote:My RX was for 12-15, but the DME set it for 10-15. The mean pressures were always in the low 10's.

Since then, I switched machines, so the AHI's are different now.

I saw the doc about 3 weeks ago and she set the minimum pressure at 11, with an RX to go to 12 when I get used to 11. Mean pressures were 11 when minimum was set to 11. There were no changes in AHI between 10 and 11 minimum pressures. Butt, I started to get aerophagia (farty) and more air leak from my lips (not a mouth breather.)

Last night I changed it to 12 as per RX. AHI is the same for the first night (about 5), but the pressure is blowing air out of my closed lips and out my....you know. I had this "leak" with a pressure of 10 as well, but not as often.

I think 12 is just more than I need as a minimum setting, but the doc thought the machine was "missing" sensing some hypopneas.

What is this mysterious little valve that allows the air to fill the mouth? I can open my mouth with the CPAP on and not have air leak out. Then try to say a word that starts with "K" or "C" and the air comes out.

EDIT: I called the doc (fellow) to explain what was happening at the higher pressure. She said to take an antacid like Prilosec, even though I don't have acid reflux! She said that I probably do, but don't know it!! I thanked her and hung up. Then I called back and asked that she not follow my case anymore and I wanted to talk to someone else. Being a teaching facility, it has to be a fellow though. She agreed to write an RX for 8-15. She also said that I may not ever feel relief from using CPAP, but said I should continue for preventative measures.

danno Wrote:Help set pressure on Resmed Autospirit.

Can anyone inform me on how to set the pressure on the Resmed Autospirit? I did do a search on this forum for that information; however, I did not find anything on my particular model.

My cpap machines starts off fine, when I first turn it on and get ready for sleep. It quitely does its job, and I have zero problem falling asleep. However, I wake up in the middle of the night, almost every night, with my cpap "blasting" air into my nose. Its so much pressure; it "burns" my sinuses. Incidentally, this burning I speak of is not a fire type burning sensation, but more of a wind burn sensation. It's really starting to negatively affect my sinuses. I would like to set it to the exact pressure it starts off on every night, and keep there. I love this machine. I'll put up with the excess pressure if I have to, but if I can figure out how to set this pressure, it would be perfect.

If anyone can help me out on this bit, I would greatly appreciate it, very much. Thanks.

danno


PS. I love this machine. It has had a very dramatic and positive effect on my health. Before I got this machine, I felt like I was slowly dying. Yes, as melodramatic as that may seem to some, I felt like I was slowly dying. Every single morning, I would "wake up" in the morning feeling incredibly exhausted. I would yearn - pine - beg - curse - cry for just one night of sound peaceful sleep. But that was not to be had. My sleepless nights got so bad, that I would "microsleep" at red lights, stop signs, and even as I was driving my kids to school, and myself to work. Once I got to work, I would have to load up on the coffee to muster any kind of focus or concentration, but that only works for so long. Many times I would catch myself asleep at my desk. Obviously I couldn't exercise because of my exhaustion - my weight shot up to 270lbs. - I had terrible acid reflux problems - I was highly stressed - my nerves were frayed - I was starting to become depressed. My health was on a steep downward spiral, and I couldn't do anything about it.

Out of shear desperation, I decided to stop at that sleep clinic that I would pass every day on my daily commute. That was literally one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. My sleep apea was so severe, that the doctor not only prescribed the cpap machine, but an oxygen machine as well, because my brain had been getting deprived of oxygen every night, for far too long. I gladly and eagerly used that machine, and I wore that mask, despite my initial fear or feelings of suffocation. My yearning for sleep were so powerful, that I easily beat down those initial fears of wearing that mask. And I've been wearing that mask ever since that first day.

Too make this long story short: I can finally sleep again. I have since lost 40lbs. I don't suffer from any acid reflux whatsoever; I use to pop all brands of anti-acids like candy. I feel strong again - I feel healthy again, because I am.

I'm just sharing this with any of you, because if there is anyone out there having second thoughts about there cpap machine, or about even getting one, then please do yourself a big big favor, and GET IT - WEAR IT - USE IT!

Quote:Can anyone inform me on how to set the pressure on the Resmed Autospirit?

Quote:Too make this long story short: I can finally sleep again. I have since lost 40lbs. I don't suffer from any acid reflux whatsoever; I use to pop all brands of anti-acids like candy. I feel strong again - I feel healthy again, because I am.

I'm just sharing this with any of you, because if there is anyone out there having second thoughts about there cpap machine, or about even getting one, then please do yourself a big big favor, and GET IT - WEAR IT - USE IT!

columbo Wrote:

SuperSleeper,(time=1271729380) Wrote:

columbo,(time=1271710255) Wrote:What is this mysterious little valve that allows the air to fill the mouth? I can open my mouth with the CPAP on and not have air leak out. Then try to say a word that starts with "K" or "C" and the air comes out.

I think that's called the Epiglottis.

It's what closes the windpipe when you swallow.

So does a muscle that normally keeps this shut relax during sleep or something, allowing air into my mouth? What is happening that allows the air to bypass it? If I allow my tongue to relax towards the back of my mouth, this does open. I guess nothing can be done about it, other than tape my lips closed. It seems that when someone laughs and liquid comes out their nose, this is the part that lets that happen??

Thanks.

columbo,(time=1271736121) Wrote:So does a muscle that normally keeps this shut relax during sleep or something, allowing air into my mouth? What is happening that allows the air to bypass it? If I allow my tongue to relax towards the back of my mouth, this does open. I guess nothing can be done about it, other than tape my lips closed. It seems that when someone laughs and liquid comes out their nose, this is the part that lets that happen??

Thanks.

columbo Wrote:Thanks for the reply. Here is an update using 8-15 for one night. I know this can vary from day to day, minute to minute. I think this just shows that the minimum of 10 was too high all along. The doc wanted to raise me to 12!

The AHI is even lower now. It was 5.3.

Mean Press; 9.6
AHI; 4.3

1.) Air leaks without mouth opening, so chin strap probably would not help.

2.) I DO normally have my tongue pressed against the top of my mouth all the time. It's just subconsciously like that. So that's a plus.

3.) Thinking of doing this. But you can't yawn!!

4.) Tried getting fitted with one full face mask, but one that even went over my eyes. Could not get a seal. I know there are ones that only cover the nose and mouth. DME is giving me a hard time about trying so many different masks!! Now they are not returning phone calls.

5.) I am usually on one side or the other and rarely on my back. If I'm on my back, it's not for very long.

6.) Prefer the real thing, but WTH, it's worth a try! (Can I say that here? If not, you can edit it.)

columbo Wrote:Renting an S9 now!! No climate lined hose as the DME does not have them yet. They don't have filters yet either.

A Swift FX was recommended for comfort, but with the mouth leaking (jaw shut) they set me up with a mask that covers nose and mouth. It was hard to get a good seal, but he said to try it for a week. If I'm not happy, we'll try something else. (I guess it really matter who you are working with at this company.)

Note on the S9 so far, there is no setting for 3m hose. Only "standard" and "slim-line." I called ResMed to see if I could still use my 3m standard hose and what, if any, difference would it make. Waiting for an answer.

Is there a threshold for AHI? Lower is better, but is 4 or 5 too high?

Will work on pictures!

columbo,(time=1271801967) Wrote:Renting an S9 now!!
...
Is there a threshold for AHI? Lower is better, but is 4 or 5 too high?