Sleep apnea CPAPs: Preset or Auto machines?

[Miramonti]

For those of you using or who used cpap machines, what are the pros and cons of each, and which do/did you prefer, a preset or an auto cpap unit?

 

[Spg]

I took a look at my machine and noticed that is actually an auto machine. (ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet) I had no idea there were 2 different types of machines they basically just gave me one and it has always done it's job.

I don't have any pros or cons but from the descriptions the auto sounds like the best bet in that it will adjust the pressure up or down depending on your breathing conditions.

Do you currently use a CPAP? I would imagine that the preset might bother some people if they are sensitive to the pressure. Then there are the different mask types. I also never used the auto ramp feature. With my 1st machine it was too hard to breath in the beginning of the ramp, so I just skipped it.

 

[Miramonti]

I don't currently have one and this would be my first. I've been reading from different sites and understand the versatility in the auto but haven't seen anything definitive or any studies that suggests one over the other in terms of overall health benefit. I have a second sleep study coming up to test for a preset machine, but am inclined to request the auto and skip it.

 

[CA19100]

I would do the automatic machine if the doctor will go that route. They're set for a pressure range, and will keep the pressure as low as possible to stabilize the airway. As that changes through the night with different sleep stages, it'll adjust automatically. It's slick. That pressure adjustment makes for a more comfortable (well, less uncomfortable) experience, in my opinion.

Plus, as you said, you won't need to do that overnight sleep study, which is a bonus. You also won't have to do regular follow-ups to get the pressure tweaked, as you would with a fixed CPAP.

Just as a side note, most of these machines (both fixed and auto) have a "ramp-up" mode which is supposed to make things more comfortable, but I actually found it made me feel like I couldn't get enough air. I turned it off, and it's much better that way. Just an FYI for when you get yours, whichever way you go!

 

[Pulsar]

I use a preset with the ramp feature turned off. I find the ramp feature highly annoying - once you're used to the pressure you have no issue with it. Likewise, I was woken up several times by the cpap when it was set to auto because it was searching for the right pressure and going up and down.

Make sure you get a spare. You'll find that once you're used to sleeping with one it becomes nearly impossible to NOT use one. Mine got blown out when we lost our power and had a surge, and it took me 4 days to get a new one through my doctor. That was a nightmare.

 

[slag]

When I used one, it was auto with ramp. Ramp is a must as full auto when you turn it on is freaking annoying. I used an S9 autoset and loved it. Reason why auto is better is because when you do your sleep study, they will come up with what they think is the pressure you need based on data they collected on the 4 hours you were actually able to sleep in a foreign environment with a bunch of sensors and crap hanging off you. In practice, I needed a lot less pressure to be comfortable. Also, as I lost weight, I needed less and less pressure as well. Started with a fixed pressure unit, hated it for the 6 months I used it, finally was granted the ability to get a new one from another provider and loved the unit. Still have it and use it ocassionally to see if I need it and haven't felt any different using it for a few nights in a row.

http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pressure/how-to-find-optimum-pressure-on-cpap

 

[Squisher]

Heated humidifier and heated hose are nice too. The Resmed AirSense 10 auto set has this. I think the biggest challenge will be finding a mask that you feel comfortable with. Remember this mask will be under pressure so it will want to pull away from your face. Having one that doesn't fit well will mean you will have to over tighten it to keep a good seal. Good Luck.

 

[SMOGZINN]

I've overclocked mine, I now get 10% more sleep in the same amount of time. I just need a little extra cooling.

 

[slag]

Heated humidifier and heated hose are nice too. The Resmed AirSense 10 auto set has this. I think the biggest challenge will be finding a mask that you feel comfortable with. Remember this mask will be under pressure so it will want to pull away from your face. Having one that doesn't fit well will mean you will have to over tighten it to keep a good seal. Good Luck.

100%. Good points!

 

[GRIFFIN1]

I don't even know why they make anything other than autoset machines now. You can set an autoset to a single pressure if that's what you want.

I have 3 machines that I bought off craigslist. I've bought Resmed airsense 10 auto, a Resmed airsense cpap (not auto) and Philips Respironics machines. The Philips machine makes too much noise while I'm breathing and I find it distracting. The noise changes as I breath, so it makes me very conscious of my breathing and it keep me from sleeping. I have to put some towels or a blanket over it to keep me from hearing it. It's now just a backup machine. The resmed autoset machine made too much noise at low pressure, but it's almost silent when I set the lower pressure range to about 8 in-h2o.

I also hate the ramp feature, because it might take 10 minutes before the pressure gets high enough to make the mask leak. Then you have to reset everything and wait another 10 minutes to see if it's going to leak again.

Getting used to wearing the mask is the hardest part of using CPAP. Mask liners like the Remzzzs keep the silicone from the mask from touching your skin. I make my own mask liners from high quality Viva paper towels. I made a template that I use to trace the outline of the mask on the liner and then I cut it out with scissors. Keeping my skin from touching the mask cushions also seems to makes the gel cushions last longer.

 

[umbrella39]

We use AUTOs at my hospital for pts who did not bring in their home CPAPs. It's nice to have your own machine set to your own pressure(s) but the AUTOs are better than nothing. Most pts only get to 7/5 charted pressures. We have Vision and V60s for patients who need to have higher pressures (we set) for helping with oxygenation and blowing off CO2...

 

[Linux23]

i haven't used my cpap in years. is it still difficult to get an auto machine prescription?

 

[Bacstar]

Mine has a cell modem, so it phones home everyday to my provider. I guess they can adjust it when needed. I also have an app on my phone that lets me know how I've been doing each night. I have the Philips Cpap REMStarPro.

 

[TheGardener]

Can a stomach sleeper use these machines?

 

[Linux23]

Can a stomach sleeper use these machines?

not only can you use it, you can use it.

being serious, it depends on the mask. full face mask, probably no. nasal mask, probably yes, depending on how rough you sleep. ymmv.

 

[Miramonti]

How effective are the masks over facial hair?

 

[Linux23]

How effective are the masks over facial hair?

depends on how much facial hair and how much pressure you have configured. the only thing is that the seal gets broken and you'll hear air seep out.