+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto (/Thread-Optimizing-Dreamstation-Auto)
Pages:
1
2
Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - mnemon81 - 03-14-2023
Hello to everyone from Northern Ireland.
A few days ago I got my Dreamstation Pro exchanged with Dreamstation Auto due to a recall.
I have it set on Auto between 10-14, auto flex 2
In comparison to Dreamstation Pro I feel better and have even more energy.
Is there any setting I can improve?
ps Sorry for my English, not my Mothers tongue
RE: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - Sleeprider - 03-14-2023
Hi Mnemon81, welcome to Apnea Board. The Philps Dreamstation Auto, like all auto CPAPs by Philips struggle to get ahead of events if they are not optimized for the pressure needed to prevent apnea. That really means the minimum pressure needs to be higher to intercept events. Your chart shows that you have apnea or airway obstruction in "clusters" and your machine gets pretty good results at the minimum pressure until obstruction seems to suddenly increase, then the machine stays at or near the maximum set pressure of 14 until the obstruction eases. This is classic for positional apnea and may be a sleep position you move to, or chin-tucking from too thick of a pillow or similar causes. We could just set the pressure higher, but it's likely we would not stop all of these clusters of apnea, hypopnea, snoring and flow limitation without taking into account your positional apnea.
Your Summary chart shows that your therapy is better with CPAP pressure of 12 to 14.0, so I recommend you change the minimum pressure to 12.0 and allow the pressure to rise to 15.0 as needed. Read the "Positional Apnea" section from the Optimizing Therapy wiki http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Optimizing_therapy#Positional_Apnea This will help you understand positional apnea clusters, and how to tell if you are at risk of having them. If you want more on the topic, you can also read the Soft Cervical Collar wiki. http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Soft_Cervical_Collar
RE: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - mnemon81 - 03-14-2023
Thank You Sleeprider for the swift replay
I am mostly sleeping on my back with a really thin pillow (like 1 inch thick when squished by my head
I started sleeping that way when I started using CPAP back in 2017 because it prevented air leaks back then. Tried sleeping on a side but can't get used to it anymore.
I will increase pressures to 12-15 as advised and read both sections of the wiki and report back after a few nights
Cheers for all the advise
RE: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - Sleeprider - 03-14-2023
I think you should see nice improvement with the minimum pressure of 12.0, at least that's my expectation based on historic results. You may not need the positional stuff if that works out. It's always hard to judge the Dreamstation charts because once that machine falls behind, things just seem to look worse. We will know once you try it.
RE: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - mnemon81 - 03-15-2023
Just a wee update, raised the pressures as recommended, and ordered a neck brace which should arrive tomorrow.
I must say that in comparison to Dreamstation Pro, I feel much more rested after waking up.
My previous machine was set to Cpap check 11-14 and over the years I saw it changing within those boundaries.
Ill update after a night with a neck brace.
Thanks again
RE: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - Sleeprider - 03-15-2023
Not as much improvement as I would have liked, but pressure was more stable. I think you're in the right general zone.
RE: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - mnemon81 - 03-18-2023
Another wee update.
3 Nights in a row:
1st one without a neck brace.
2nd one was with a neck brace during the first half.
3rd full-time with a neck brace.
Cheers for all the support
RE: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - Sleeprider - 03-18-2023
Things are trending the right direction. It looks like you have figured out a path to success here.
RE: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - mnemon81 - 03-18-2023
Thank You Sleeprider for all the help I really appreciate it
If you are ever in this part of the world all the drinks are on me.
RE: Optimizing Dreamstation Auto - Sleeprider - 03-18-2023
Be careful what you wish for, I've drank more than one Irishman under the table.