Questions about pressure.

[Dream Damzel]

CPAP came into my life in February when I was diagnosed with mild OSA. I was started at a pressure of 8 which had 0 effect, then 10, loaned an APAP to get my correct pressure which turned out to be 13. This is the pressure I have been using for the past 8 weeks. The clinic says my results are good and initially I was sleeping better and doing more in the day etc but I have almost gone back to inertia and depression now, sleepng up to 17 hours a day!

On 9th JUly I have a further follow up at sleep clinic with the doc who said I have a problem with my ligaments. No idea what he meant byt hat by my chest sure isnt right.

Is it likely my pressure could be adjusted above what the APAP recorded? Where to go from here...

[martin]

Hi , sorry you are having a rough time at the min but its a great therapy if you can get it to work. I had a bit of chest pain at the start as my lungs were pushing against the pressure of the machine and I was a generally unfit bugger, not sure what the ligaments bit is. On your next clinic appointment go through anything you can think of, hopefully the more info they have the more help they can be. Good luck.

[Sparticus]

Theres a lot more to sleep apnea than pressure, other factors can also upset your sleep pattern like centrals. Make sure you write all your probs down before you go. Also depression has a massive effect on your sleep. Ligaments are probably the ones in your jaw that may need to be addressed which can also have an effect on your sleeping. make sure you discuss everything with your clinic, good luck and I hope it gets better.

[Dream Damzel]

What would a central look like? I am wonderng if perhaps something else is going on, as after the nurse took a look at my memory stick she kept asking me about what I did 4 or so hours into sleep. Like did I get up to the loo then, which I don't as a rule. So maybe there's something else going on?
What can be done about centrals? If that should be the issue...

[Sleep2Snore]

Something must be going on during the night, maybe you sleepwalk or take off the mask for a while, then put it back on later when you are half awake.
Maybe you just turn in your sleep and get a big leak that does not wake you, then it reseals when you move again, or you adjust it without thinking.
I would have asked her why she was so interested in 4 o'clock?

Strange!

[Dream Damzel]

Yes very strange. I'll definitely ask next time I see her. Oh well, not long to wait now.

[Alleycat]

Hi Dream Damzel. What type of machine do you have? How long did you have the auto for? Some devices will show details of apnoeas and leak and distinguish between obstructive and centrals. Central sleep apnoea is quite rare and is usually associated with heart failure and stroke or use of strong painkillers, particularly opioids like morphine. The pressure you need depends on a lot of things such as your sleeping position (some people only have OSA when on their back), if you have drunk alcohol (makes it worse), or taken medication that effects sleep or muscle tone, what sleep stage you are in (worse in REM), if you change weight etc. That is why my clinic only gives out APAPs.
Sleep apnoea may also not be the only cause of your sleepiness, might be worth seeing your GP and get some routine blood tests to check nothing else is going on.
Hope you get sorted soon.

[Dream Damzel]

I can't find out how to do a signature. My machine etc are on my profile. Anyways, I got an F&P Icon with ResMed Mirage Quattro mask. Had the Autopap for 6 nights.

Well since I wrote that post there have been developments. i awoke with a terribly puffy face, including imprint of my mask there was so much water in my skin! Had thyroid blood test and I need more hormone, so maybe thats why it aint working right and also maybe my weird results.

I feel terrible but the CPAP is at least keeping my oxygen levels up at night.

[Alleycat]

Hi Dream Damzel
You think you may have the humidification too high?
There are actually 21 levels on the iicon.it may be warming your face too much like an all nigh sauna!
If you turn the dial until the little thermometer icon shows and hold it down for a few seconds the picture will flash and you can then turn the dial so that 1, 2 or 3 thermometers show. Then press the button again. And you can select from 1 to 7. Try turning it down.

Also make sure the mask is not too tight.
if you have the auto icon it has something called senseawake which drops the pressure when it detects a wakeful breathing pattern. This machine should show any breath pauses etc on the download.

[symmit]

Whe you slay sleeping up to 17 hrs, how much are you sleeping at night? If you were sleeping better with the auto machine then see if they will give you one permanently, it may be you need different pressures at different times of the night.

[Sleep2Snore]

Hi Dream Damzel
You think you may have the humidification too high?
There are actually 21 levels on the iicon.it may be warming your face too much like an all nigh sauna!
If you turn the dial until the little thermometer icon shows and hold it down for a few seconds the picture will flash and you can then turn the dial so that 1, 2 or 3 thermometers show. Then press the button again. And you can select from 1 to 7. Try turning it down.

Also make sure the mask is not too tight.
if you have the auto icon it has something called senseawake which drops the pressure when it detects a wakeful breathing pattern. This machine should show any breath pauses etc on the download.

Interesting, I learn something new nearly every day

[martin]

Interesting, I learn something new nearly every day

I try to learn something nearly new every day......I like slightly used knowledge, it's comfier.