(04-28-2017, 07:48 PM)Martinfs Wrote: I'll increase the pressure. I didn't set it too high because I was scared it could hurt me somehow.

(04-28-2017, 08:11 PM)eseedhouse Wrote:

(04-28-2017, 07:48 PM)Martinfs Wrote: I'll increase the pressure. I didn't set it too high because I was scared it could hurt me somehow.

Well, relax.

Unless your lungs are already terribly damaged the pressure from a *PAP machine won't hurt you.  20cm of water, which is the maximum these machines can commonly put out, is only about 2% of normal sea level air pressure. 

It feels like a lot because of the differential between your airway and the ambient air outside.  But it's a lot less pressure than you can generate with your own lungs - if you can blow up a balloon the pressure from a *PAP machine isn't going to hurt you.  If you can suck water up an 8" straw you are generating as much pressure as your machine does at max.  If you can drink a MacDonald's milkshake through a straw your machine can't even come close to that.

It does take getting used to, but your body will easily adapt over the space of a few days.  Unless, as I said before, your lungs are damaged to the point where you can barely breath.

(04-28-2017, 08:46 PM)Russatrice Wrote: Martin, I would increase it gradually to 7 minimum pressure and probably 10 max and see what happens. It won't hurt you. If you have trouble adjusting to more pressure you can use the ramp feature for a while, set to a pressure of 5 at 10 minutes. Your results look good so far. You will need to use CPAP regularly for a couple of weeks to start feeling better during the day. Be patient and rest as much as you can until you learn to sleep well with mask and all. You can do this!

(04-28-2017, 09:04 PM)xxyzx Wrote: those AHI numbers sound good  
but
Increased upper airway resistance in this disorder does not lead to cessation of airflow (apnea) or decrease in airflow (hypopnea), but instead leads to an arousal secondary to increased work of breathing to overcome the resistance. Repeated and multiple arousals (of which the person is usually unaware) result in an abnormal sleep architecture and daytime somnolence (sleepiness). Arousals result in sympathetic activation, and UARS is therefore likely to cause hypertension similar to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome


what was your lowest O2 level 
how many hours are you sleeping 
could you have other problems
many things disturb sleep other than UARS or OSA or CSA

has your doctor considered modafinil 

surgery is usually used for children to fix uars 

have you been checked for hiatal hernia which can aggravate the problem 

Have you adjusted your lifestyle to help sleep better?
Behavioral modification includes getting at least 7–8 hours of sleep, avoiding sleeping in supine position (on the back), sleeping with head end of bed elevated and avoiding sedatives, alcohol and narcotics.



Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is a condition that was first identified and described at Stanford University. It is very similar to OSA in that the soft tissue of the throat relaxes, reduces the size of the airway, and results in disturbed sleep and consequent daytime impairment, including excessive daytime sleepiness.

Although the increase in upper airway resistance is not enough to meet criteria of the sleep disordered breathing that define obstructive sleep apnea, the resulting increase in breathing effort does cause a brief awakening from sleep that is often undetected by the affected individual. When this scenario repeats throughout the night, sleep is impaired, just like in obstructive sleep apnea.

 The same treatments that are successful for OSA can be used to treat UARS. While CPAP remains the most effective treatmen.  
 Alternative treatments such as oral appliances, positional therapy (restricting the individual to sleeping on his/her sides), and weight loss may be effective in improving sleep disordered breathing in individuals with UARS.