Why Have CPAP?

[Sparticus]

One thing I dont understand about the NHS is why use CPAP when APAP is far better? If like me you use APAP then you dont need to keep having your preasure checked and if you need more or less preasure then you dont have to go trudging off to the hospital to keep getting it changed. Surely if cpap user were all changed to apap, alot of appointments would be scrapped saving the NHS a small fortune. I know the machines will probably cost more but surely its a saving in the long run.

[ElleCee]

I totally agree, I won't hold my breath though!

Lorraine

[symmit]

I imagine the NHS are more concerned about people not getting the aftercare needed and the capital outlay of APAP. Also there would be issues of accessibility of aftercare - I'm emailing data daily at the moment, but then I'm comfortable with hooking the APAP to the PC and then running software, hitting save and attatching to an email, then when the phone call comes in altering settings on the machine (now running start 7.0 min 6.0 hPa) and discussing my sleep and daytime quality on the phone, others may not be.

[symmit]

I won't hold my breath though!

You can get a machine for that you know.

[Sparticus]

I imagine the NHS are more concerned about people not getting the aftercare needed and the capital outlay of APAP. Also there would be issues of accessibility of aftercare - I'm emailing data daily at the moment, but then I'm comfortable with hooking the APAP to the PC and then running software, hitting save and attatching to an email, then when the phone call comes in altering settings on the machine (now running start 7.0 min 6.0 hPa) and discussing my sleep and daytime quality on the phone, others may not be.

I ask my hospital about hooking up to the PC and they said there is no point as you can reach us 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It seems that I must be one of the lucky ones

[silvercarper]

My hospital supplies APAP,s but they STILL dont supply full face masks.

[Tigers Fan]

Well then, it's just as well the Consultants know best, innit!!!!!

[acebass]

This was discussed at SATADay recently, and the reason is that for a lot of patients the steady pressure of cpap is what works best at keeping the airway open, and not everyone likes thedecreases and increases in pressure that you can get with APAP

[Sparticus]

This was discussed at SATADay recently, and the reason is that for a lot of patients the steady pressure of cpap is what works best at keeping the airway open, and not everyone likes thedecreases and increases in pressure that you can get with APAP

Glad you mentioned that because thats what happend to me, I hated CPAP and wanted to go back to apap has I found it wasnt as aggresive and the feeling I get with apap lets me sleep better

[silvercarper]

I have only used APAP,s but I wish they could be set to a continuous higher pressure for a short while to enable me to adjust my mask straps.

[symmit]

I have only used APAP,s but I wish they could be set to a continuous higher pressure for a short while to enable me to adjust my mask straps.

Is there not a "mask test" on yours? Mine runs at the max pressure setting for a preset period as soon as it's activated (which the first time you stick a mask on and breathe in finding 20hPa hitting you is a good way to discover how fast you can take it off) - I've set mine to give 10s of mask test time.

[silvercarper]

I use a Remstar Auto M-series and Im not aware of a "mask test"

[symmit]

I use a Remstar Auto M-series and Im not aware of a "mask test"

Just downloaded the manual for it - it looks like it doesn't.

[Sparticus]

Thats High

Mine always starts at 4 and builds up to required preasure during a 30 minute period, I couldnt cope with 20, thats high

[symmit]

Mine always starts at 4 and builds up to required preasure during a 30 minute period, I couldnt cope with 20, thats high

I think you're missing how it works. There's a multi-stage thing on the turn on:

Mask test - max pressure for a number of seconds (programmable from 0-60) - so if max is set to 20 it's 20, if 15 it's 15

This then drops to

Ramp start - this is set to 4, which increases over a programmable ramp period (25 mins at the moment) to

Therapy start - set at 7 now

From then it's into APAP varying between the min and max (currently at 6 and 20) as needed.