Pressure settings - What does this mean?

Hi ya'll - I've recently been diagnosed as having severe sleep apnea. I just got off the phone with the health center providing my CPAP to set up the class. The woman I spoke to said my pressure setting is 13. That means nothing to me! Is 13 a high setting? Low setting? What is the top of the scale? Thanks for your help! -Tammie

I asked the same question when I was told my pressure setting is 16. She explained that everyones pressure setting is different - and it's the amount of continuous air pressure needed to get air into our lungs. She said 13 is the pressure setting most of the patients have that she works with, and that she's had patients have lower & high pressure settings. Hope this helps.

Hello, Tammie, the higher the number...the more severe your condition is. Meaning you are not breathing for long periods during your sleep. Thankfully my condition isnt as sever as it could be. My setting is only set at 4, however I saw the pulmonologist today, he said that it should be at 7.....but if you ask me hes a quack....he dosnt know me from a can of paint.....consdiering this was my first visit with him, and he hadnt done any test or form of evaluation when he made that comment. Hope this helps a bit. -Shavara

Tammie I did have cpap before my wls and used it about 6 months after wls. My setting was at 18 and I think I remember they told me it can go as high as 30. I had a follow up test and the sleep dr said i dont need it anymore.

Good question...mine is set at 5-15 its a bipap.