AirMini settings different than AirSense 10?

Only less than three months into CPAP usage. I travel 25%-30% and drug the AirSense 10 with me once. I won't do it again and have ordered the AirMini. I think I got a great deal for $679 delivered next day and that included the nasal pillow & a tube brush. CPAP.com with promotion code LABORDAY18. Why does one need a prescription to purchase one of these?

I received the shipping notice today and it states that they have set the pressure at 4cm - 20cm. My AirSense 10 is set at 5cm - 20cm. Why would there be a difference? It looks like I can download an AirMini app and adjust the setting myself. Sleepyhead shows I never reach above 13cm so I don't think the 20cm setting is relevant.

I absolutely love my AirSense 10 Autoset after taking a few nights to get used to it. After only one week of use I noticed a marked difference. I used to have to take a nap in my truck every day during lunch and now I don't feel the need.

Why are threads closed here after such short periods of inactivity? I could have easily added my questions to an existing topic and not created a new one.

I had a quick look at the technical manual for the AirMini and it appears to be virtually identical to the AirSense 10 in features. I would setup the AirMini to be the same as what works on the AirSense 10. That said your 5-20 or 4-20 sounds like an out of the box setup and is not usually ideal for long term use. A wide range like that can be somewhat useful to establish what pressures you really need, but probably not an ideal setup for the best AHI results.

Having your maximum pressure set too high can lead to some discomfort, but really does not do much to the overall results. Setting the minimum too low can cause some comfort issues, and can also lead to excessive apnea events especially early during the night.

You may want to discuss the settings for your AirSense with your sleep technician to see if they could be improved. What I would look at is the Statistics Tab in SleepyHead, and specifically the 90% pressure. That pressure should be very close to what you could get away with if you only had a fixed pressure machine and not an auto adjust machine. It is also probably very close to what may be an ideal minimum pressure to use. And the maximum pressure could be as little as 1 cm above that. Say for example your 90% pressure average is 12 cm. You could set the minimum at 12 cm and the maximum at 13 cm. SleepyHead will tell you very quickly how good a job that is doing for you. If your machine keeps the pressure at minimum and your AHI is good, the minimum may be too high. If the machine keeps the machine at maximum and you are having obstructive apnea events with the pressure at maximum then it may be too low.

I look at the going to sleep ramp function as a pure comfort feature. It has little to do with your treatment effectiveness, but it can have a lot to do with how quickly you can go to sleep. What I like is to use the ResMed Auto Ramp. I then set the Ramp Start Pressure in the 7 cm to 8 cm range. I also set the EPR at 3 cm, but the Type as Ramp Only. Say you choose 7 cm, then what that would do is give you 7 cm on inhale and 4 cm on exhale until you go to sleep. Then the machine ramps up the pressure to your minimum (say 12 for example), and stops the EPR. At least that is what works well for me.

You can set up both the AirSense and AirMini with the controls on the machine. Here are some links to the manuals which show you how to set up each one.

AirMini Manual

AirSense 10 Manual

Edit: I'm not sure that SleepyHead supports the AirMini, and if so you can monitor what you need for pressures with the AirSense 10 machine, and then just use the same settings in the AirMini.

Thanks, Sierra.

My 90% pressure is: most recent = 6.52, last week = 6.80, last 30 days = 7.08, and last 6 months = 7.02 although I've only been using it for 67 days now. So are you suggesting I set the minimum to 6 instead of the current 5? I have a 90-day follow up visit in about 2 weeks and will ask my doctor.

@mywifesaysisnore: So does the AirMini work with Sleepy Head?

I was wondering if I could get more feedback from an AirMini user. Following interests me: (italic from their website)

AirMini offers all of the following therapy modes: CPAP, AutoSet™ (with Response option) and AutoSet for Her. Unlike the AirSense™ 10 series, where different devices offer different therapy modes, the AirMini includes all three of these therapy modes.

• Basically they acknowledge they could put all therapy modes into one machine instead of selling CPAP and APAP devices separately?

Will I be able to use this as a full time machine? While the AirMini matches the performance of the larger AirSense 10, it was designed to be used as a travel CPAP. ResMed has achieved a significant reduction in size, while maintaining the same quality of therapy, through innovations that include ActiveAir™, HumidX™/HumidX Plus, and the AirMini app. If you have additional questions, please contact your home medical equipment or healthcare provider.

• This does not answer the question if you can use it as full machine or not. What would be the risks? Higher wear and tear?

• How is that waterless humidifier working for you, mywifesaysisnore?

So I've taken two trips with the AirMini now. Its a winner. I typically travel with a roller carry-on bag and briefcase. The AirMini fits inside my briefcase. I will never again take the AirSense 10 with me on a plane! The Mini is a little louder and the chamber that holds the humidifier disk sits right about jaw level??? I don't use the humidifier on either machine so I might try to cut out that bulky section of tube that holds the humidifier disk on the Mini.

I am sleeping better than I have in years...both at home and on the road. Went to the sleep doctor yesterday and they said "see you in a year".