# CPAP users, tell me some stories **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2022, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105 "2022-11-17T21:39:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Saffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saffer/32/6440_2.png) [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/161 "2023-05-03T17:18:01Z")
I tried my CPAP again last night. I woke up at some point and my guts were inflated. Not the same sensation as being bloated from eating too many beans but not far off. I spent the next half hour farting it all out. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/162 "2023-05-03T19:42:43Z")
> [@Saffer](#): > > I tried my CPAP again last night. I woke up at some point and my guts were inflated. Re-iterating that this is a flaw in the programming parameters. That problem should be able to be adjusted away. Or you just need a better self-adjusting machine. I’ve been using a CPAP for years and hard as it was to get used to initially, that particular problem was never an issue. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/163 "2023-05-03T19:52:56Z")
I have had 2 machines and never had that problem. I agree that your doodad needs to be fiddled with. ---
**Author:** ![Saffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saffer/32/6440_2.png) [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/164 "2023-05-05T13:22:55Z")
I just checked the settings on my resmed airsense 10. Mode: autoset Max pressure: 15 Min pressure: 5 Anything particularly unusual about those? What is the minimum therapeutic setting out in the wild? ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/165 "2023-05-05T14:30:56Z")
> [@Saffer](#): > > What is the minimum therapeutic setting out in the wild? Here’s a good introductory site for pressure settings. They say 9 is the average setting. > **[CPAP Pressure Settings | Sleep Foundation](https://www.sleepfoundation.org/cpap/cpap-pressure-settings)** > > If you use a CPAP machine, the right amount of pressure is key to keeping your airway open. We discuss how proper CPAP pressure settings are determined. 4 is the lowest setting. Was your CPAP setup for you after a sleep study where the pressures were titrated to find what worked for you? Call the respiratory tech where you got your CPAP and ask what adjustments could be made to make yours tolerable yet still effective. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/166 "2023-05-05T14:51:34Z")
Mine ramps from 4-11. I’ve never had a problem with breathing out or with bloating. Seems like 15 is way high! But definitely reach out to your medical team. Could just be a matter of lowering the pressure or could be something else. Bloating is not normal! ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/167 "2023-05-05T14:54:21Z")
That’s a pretty standard setting. My Airsense 11 is set for 4 to 16 and usually settles in to about 10 or 11 as my average pressure. The bloating/farting thing indicates that you’re swallowing air. I’ve never had that happen. That’s worth talking to the doctor about. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/168 "2023-05-05T22:48:34Z")
> [@Saffer](#): > > I just checked the settings on my resmed airsense 10. > > Mode: autoset > Max pressure: 15 > Min pressure: 5 > > Anything particularly unusual about those? What is the minimum therapeutic setting out in the wild? I started out at 14. My Doctor switched it remotely to 15 which made me feel like a balloon. I immediately switched it back to 14. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/169 "2023-05-06T00:09:11Z")
My range is 8 to 20, starting with a warmup at 5. It’s nose pillows in case that matters. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/170 "2023-05-07T04:12:02Z")
maybe a machine that can recognize a blocked airway (stuffy nose) could deliver a level of 20 but under normal circumstances I would think that setting would cause a normal person extreme discomfort. I say this because I’m pretty sure the numbers are a standard calibration among all the machines. And regardless of how big a person is the pressure on the lungs would be based on a multiple of atmospheric pressure. And we’re exposed to the same pressure (depending on the altitude above sea level). ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/171 "2023-05-07T06:16:36Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I say this because I’m pretty sure the numbers are a standard calibration among all the machines. And regardless of how big a person is the pressure on the lungs would be based on a multiple of atmospheric pressure. Yes, centimeters of water measured with a manometer, nothing to do with atmospheric pressure at all. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/172 "2023-05-07T11:20:00Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Yes, centimeters of water measured with a manometer, nothing to do with atmospheric pressure at all. The units are gauge pressure, which means they are referenced to local atmospheric pressure: 5 cmH2O means a pressure of 5 cmH2O above local atmospheric. A gauge pressure of zero would be exactly equal to local atmospheric, in which case you wouldn’t feel anything. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/173 "2023-05-07T17:32:40Z")
And for those traveling to higher altitudes the pressure needs to be increased to maintain enough pressure to open the air passages. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/174 "2023-05-08T15:02:25Z")
My headboard has corner posts, so I drape the hose over the post, which serves the same purpose. I use a nasal mask which has a rotating connection to the hose, so when I put it on I have to be sure to position the hose so I’m not laying on it. I go to sleep laying on my left side, but occasionally during the night I roll onto my back, so I generally manage to avoid laying on the hose while I’m sleeping. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/175 "2023-05-08T19:18:42Z")
Following this discussion with interest. I’m not sure if I have apnea (and neither is my doctor). I do snore something awful, so my doctor prescribed a home sleep test (just a finger sensor)…the results were borderline. So he prescribed a more involved test (finger, nose and chest sensors) – results TBD. But based on this thread, it sounds like it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if I do wind up plugged into a machine each night. At least my wife would appreciate the quiet. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/176 "2023-05-08T20:30:15Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > But based on this thread, it sounds like it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if I do wind up plugged into a machine each night What it did for me was subtle, but welcome and worth it. I stopped waking up every 45 minutes or an hour all the damn night long. I didn’t realize that apnea micro awakenings were what was driving those infuriating interruptions of sleep. An in hospital sleep study cleared the cause up. I acclimated very easily to the mask and machine and really, really enjoy not waking up startled every 45 minutes. Find a respiratory tech who will work with you, try a couple different styles of masks. I settled on the second style I tried at home. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/177 "2023-05-09T13:59:45Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > maybe a machine that can recognize a blocked airway (stuffy nose) could deliver a level of 20 but under normal circumstances I would think that setting would cause a normal person extreme discomfort My Googling tells me that typical settings for users are between 4 and 20 CWP. Most machines can produce up to 25 and 30 CWP. > **[CPAP Settings: Can I Adjust My CPAP Pressure When It's Too High?](https://shop.aeroflowsleep.com/blog/cpap-pressure-settings)** > > Whether you’re brand new to sleep apnea, or a veteran of CPAP therapy, there are a number of reasons you might be wondering about changing your CPAP pressure settings.  > Maybe it’s taking longer than you expected to adjust to your air pressure.... > **[CPAP Machine Pressure Too High? What To Do & Best Masks For You](https://cpapsupplies.com/blog/what-to-do-if-cpap-pressure-is-too-high)** > > Some patients with high-pressure settings will quit CPAP therapy due to discomfort or the belief that their device isn’t working properly. The air might leak from their CPAP mask or irritate their skin with hurricane-like force. But quitting therapy... ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/178 "2023-05-09T14:53:55Z")
Going back to the OP’s OP: I’ve been using my unit for 2 weeks and, while I’m still in the honeymoon phase, I really like it. I am definitely a lot less restless when I sleep. I don’t have that feeling of constantly coming in and out of consciousness; I didn’t realize how unpleasant that was until it stopped happening. I do feel better rested when I wake up, but I haven’t noticed any huge improvements in my day. Honestly just feeling better while I sleep is good enough for me. It took two weeks to get used to sleeping around a hose. I do want to get (or build) an arm like @Pork_Rind shared (thanks!). Although just positioning the hose center-top has helped a lot. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/179 "2023-05-09T18:32:27Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > And for those traveling to higher altitudes the pressure needs to be increased to maintain enough pressure to open the air passages. This doesn’t sound right to me. I’m fairly certain the machines are designed to deliver a certain amount of gauge pressure above local atmospheric pressure. So a machine at a higher altitude will deliver a lower absolute pressure. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105/180 "2023-05-09T20:14:56Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > I’ve been using my unit for 2 weeks and, while I’m still in the honeymoon phase, I really like it. That’s great! The first two weeks is usually the “I hate you and I want a divorce” phase! (unless your honeymoon was different than most 🙂 ) I don’t think the major changes really come on quickly. Instead of “yesterday I would have needed a nap around this time and today I don’t!” it’s more like “This time last year I was sleeping at my desk every day and I just noticed I haven’t done it for a month now!” I have a lot more of those revelations myself - slow but sure weight loss, slow but sure change in depression/anxiety, realizing I hadn’t gotten up at night to pee for a week, that kind of stuff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-users-tell-me-some-stories/975105.md?page=10)