DanM

Congratulations on successful treatment, Roger! It sounds like we had similar experiences with CPAP, although it took me a little longer to get adjusted. Now I cannot imagine sleeping without it. Best wishes!

I'm not sure there is a fix for the amount of air pressure you are experiencing unless your physician is able to lower your pressure. If you have a ramp feature available, activating that will usually start the machine at a lower pressure and allow it to come up to treatment pressure as you fall asleep. For an Autoset machine, it may depend on what your physician has ordered for a starting pressure. Your home care provider should be able to tell you whether the starting pressure can be lowered or a ramp feature can be activated for comfort.

The VPAP machine is auto-adjusting bilevel in the ResMed S9 line. The ResMed "10" series of machines has a machine called the AirCurve 10 VAuto that is an auto-adjusting version of bilevel. The most basic bilevel machine uses settings at fixed pressures (EPAP for exhalation and IPAP for inhalation). There are 5 different machines in the current ResMed Bilevel line that can be viewed here: http://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/products/devices.html (scroll down to the Bilevel section of the page). The technical differences between the machines have to do with available features and adjustable settings that allow the devices to support patients who may need bilevel for different reasons.

Hi Maryann. I agree with @wiredgeorge about discussing this with your physician. If you feel it is anxiety around wearing CPAP, then I have had many patients tell me that practicing wearing their treatment while reading or watching TV has helped. Sometimes using the machine in another room in the afternoon or evening while doing another task can help you adjust the feeling of the mask and the air pressure while helping take your mind off of the treatment. Hope this helps!

Hi maryann. Please feel free to post your questions here on the Forum under an existing topic that makes sense, or you can create a new topic. Many of the members are happy to try and answer questions. While the Forum moderators cannot give official medical advice, we are also happy to try and answer questions and get you going in the right direction. Thanks! -Dan

Hi @GenerousTanLyrebird4394 and @wiredgeorge. VPAP is trademarked by ResMed as their name for a version of auto-bilevel. Each manufacturer has their own technology, and the settings available between the manufacturers can vary. I suspect VPAP was not specifically asked about because it is a trade name.

Great suggestions from @Sleep. I agree with trying to wear the mask while reading or watching TV. Some patients I have talked to found it helpful to move their PAP machine to another room and practice outside the bedroom while doing something else. This may help reduce the anxiety at bedtime. Best wishes, and please keep us posted!

Hi @shemomo. I would encourage you to contact your physician again and let them know that you urgently need assistance. You might also consider contacting your insurance provider and discussing the problem with them, as most insurers (including Medicare) have formal methods for managing these kinds of issues. Hope this helps, and please keep us posted on your progress!

Ayr is a saline-based nasal gel or mist that is used to help keep the nasal passages moist.

Hi Rayrae. Glad to hear the doctor is treating your leg movements. That should hopefully help improve your sleep and improve your level of tiredness during the day. There are oral appliances for sleep apnea that help keep the airway open. I would encourage you to speak with a dentist who specializes in sleep apnea and treatment with these oral devices. The dentist should be able to assess you and see if you are a good candidate for that type of treatment if you are interested. Best wishes, and please continue to keep us posted!