Can you tell the difference between 2cm pressure ?

[pcolbeck]

I upped my CPAP pressure from 11 to 13 as an experiment last night and could really feel the difference in pressure (and noise level) is that normal ?

[Tigers Fan]

Mais oui!

Of course you can feel the difference! and hear the difference!

2 cm is far too large a jump, really. Slow and easy is the way with CPAP changes. I wouldn't dream of moving more than 0.5 cm at a time and wouldn't consider doing that more frequently than every other night - but then I'm always impatient.

Small changes, let your body adjust, observe the results, another small change if required.

Tigers Fan

[pcolbeck]

I was going for the go up quite a bit and if it works go half way back to what I was on before approach to try and quickly zero in on the problem. ie something like 11 - 13 - 12 - 12.5 - 12 .2 - 12 .3
The good news is that Mrs Pcolbeck said she didn't think I was snoring and having apnea events on 13 whereas I still was on 11 so it does look like my issue may be one of too little pressure. I will go back down to 12 or maybe lower tonight.

[leswaller]

the secret is to get it as low as possible whilst still supressing the apnea. The higher the pressure the tighter you will need the mask as well. The problem is that without the proper gear there is no easy way of measuring apnea events. How about it TigersFan? can you use your engineering expertise to produce an apnea sensing device for us poor mortals who cant afford an APAP

[James @ Intus]

This is the cheapest SpO2 monitor (100 bucks) I could find with features that would be necessary to collect useful data:

http://www.contecmed.com/cart/product_show.asp?id=96

How accurate it is, I don't know, but for DIY event detection it could hold some clues.

By the way, do let me add that it takes considerable training and experience to really know which desat is one related to a repsiratory event. With these suggestions, I'm not in any way saying you will all be qualified sleep doctors! But as you all have a beyond-average interest, it won't hurt to record your own desaturations in a bid to perhaps discuss with your clinican how to further tweak CPAP delivery for the benefit of uninterrupted sleep. Disclaimer over!

[leswaller]

It is still a lot of Bucks at the present exchange rate for something that an individual wouldnt continue using on a regular basis, It seems like an ideal candidate for group ownership or a rental scheme, anybody interested? You would of course need to have your own PC/laptop

[Tigers Fan]

A holiday or an APAP?

Smoking or an APAP? Drinking or an APAP? Whatever you spend money on or an APAP?

Move to Leicester and carry on spending as you are and have an APAP on the NHS!

Rent an APAP for a month.

Hire someone with a click-counter for a night shift.

Make an over-night movie of yourself and buy a click-counter.

Move to Southampton where the only test is whether or not you still snore, so stop worrying about it.

Tigers Fan

[jillybean]

You could always move to picturesque Shropshire for an APAP on the NHS too!!!
I have got a nice shiny new one and now Ive got A swift (I think ) Nasal pillows mask on order too!! Lucky me.

[scubapauly]

My CPAP experience was going really well but I hit a block about 2 weeks ago. Had my machine since middle of Dec, got used to it, was sleeping about 6 hours a night without waking up. Then suddenly, really tired again, lots of aches and pains, not feeling rested at all. Spoke to Papworth Hospital last week and they recommended upping the machine from 12cm to 14cm. Kinda back to square one again, getting used to increased airflow and dry mouth (even with humidifier). Now sleeping just 2 hours at a time then having to take it all off to have a drink

Back to feeling really tired again.

[Tigers Fan]

Same old same old

Hi scubapauly

Just like at the beginning of your CPAP experience, it takes a while to settle to new masks, settings, etc. Perseverance is the watchword again - you know the results compliance brings.

I wonder if a 2 cm step is too much for you. It is for me - I go 0.5 cm at a time for a couple of nights, ease myself into the new setting, slow and easy style. It isn't a race, after all!

Have you bought yourself a chin strap yet? I've had one a few weeks now and swear by them for curing mouth breathing, dry mouth.

Tigers Fan

[leswaller]

I support what Tigers Fan says, going up 2cm in one go is very traumatic. Do it in small stages and you will feel the benefit after a couple of days.

[scubapauly]

I'd love to give the chin strap a go but I get really stuffy sinuses.

Its getting a little better, although I woke up a quite a few time last night, I was able to drop back off before I took everything off to get a drink.

Its just the thirst issue now, I dont have a problem with the pressure or even the dent in my face from having the straps on much tighter lol.

[leswaller]

I assume that you are drinking normally in the evenings and not cutting back in an attempt to prevent having to go for a pee in the middle of the night?

[Tigers Fan]

Take it or leave it!

Hey scubapauly

If you'd love to give a chin strap a go - do so! Buy one and see if it works, same as I had to.

If you get blocked sinuses, buy the gizmo James sells - a SinuPulse or some such. Cheaper is to blow your nose and use Olbas Oil by the intake of your machine, same as I do.

Read the thread, man - we all have to experiment before we get it right!

By the by, chin straps don't clamp your mouth closed and force you to breathe through your nose - they gently (according to how tightly you fix the strap) encourage your mouth to a closed position.

If I sound a little short I apologise - it's because you appear to me to be playing "yes, but....". Every time you get advice you seem to reject it by saying "yes, but the problem is really something else".

Tigers Fan

Tigers Fan

[scubapauly]

Still trying to keep up with fluid intake. Was really surprised at being able to sleep so long without getting up (before upping the pressure).

Not 'playing' at it Tigers Fan, just getting used to it. Not having your wealth of knowledge and experience there will of course be plenty of 'yes....but' situations while I read through the various threads and adapt questions and suggestions to my own personal circumstances. I had assumed the chine strap shut you up and stopped you breathing, thanks for letting me know otherwise.

Funny but the last few nights I've been doing the olbas by the intake and its been quite nice

I've worked out why I've been aching so much, come out in a stinking cold last night. Really bad sore throat so using the machine was tough last night, gave up at 3 and got up.