Very Confused Please Help

chriscummings83 · Post by **chriscummings83** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:02 am

I had a sleep study that recommended I get a CPAP machine with +7 Cflex 3. So my deductable was $2500, and I just went on CPAP.com and purchased the M series Auto A flex. I have the comfort gel nasal mask. I looked at the data at the end of the 2nd night and says I have a index of like 14.2. So the third night I just put it on auto 5 - 11. It says that 90% of the time I was at 9.7. What does that mean, that my +7 isn't enough or not working? So confused.

Please help

Pilot_Ron · Post by **Pilot_Ron** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:10 am

Do you wake up with a dry mouth? The reason I ask is that generally with individuals first starting xPAP therapy using a nasal interface will mouth breathing without realizing it, and from what I have seen in reading posts from others on this site, is probably the single greatest cause to reduced efficiency in PAP therapy. Also check your leak rates from your mask. I haven't used the Auto yet, I'm getting one delivered this week. So I'm sure you'll get plenty of reccomendations from other posters regarding pressure ranges.

Cheers!

Ron

Pad A Cheek · Post by **Pad A Cheek** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:13 am

Hello and welcome to the forum. There is a wealth of information and support here.

Yes you seem to undersand it more than you are giving yourself credit for. The 90% number means that for most of the night your apneas were controled with a number that high or LOWER with the APAP adjusting for what needed all through the night.

Leaving your machine in APAP mode is often a good way to see your trends over a weeks time, and some of us, me included, just leave our machines in AUTO all the time. I feel great, my numbers are good, and the treatment is working.

You can get a little bit overwhelmed with the numbers if you let yourself. It sounds like you are well on your way to getting your therapy tweaked to the best settings for you.
I wish you the best and Welcome to the best CPAP forum on the Web.

Karen

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:14 am

Welcome to the board!

The 90% pressure means that 90% of the night you were at or below that pressure.

First and foremost, I am *not* a doctor or other medical professional! It is my understanding that generally it is desirable to have an AHI (apnea/hypopnea index) below 5 so yes, your 14.2 would be higher than you would like for optimal therapy.

There are various things that can affect AHI besides pressure. For example, if you have a nasal mask and are mouth-breathing, that needs to be addressed.

Generally most folks on the forum suggest waiting at least a week or two between pressure changes since we all sometimes have an odd night or two.

There's lots of good info here (click on the yellow lightbulb for "Our Collective Wisdom" and also on the red thingie).

Other members will very likely be adding to this as the day goes on. Please keep coming back for help as you need it. This therapy is critically important to our health!

Best,
Mindy

chriscummings83 · Post by **chriscummings83** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:14 am

Nope, I due a pretty good job I think of keeping my mouth shut. I didn't have a dry mouth. It had some leak but I don't know how to reset it to see if I have anymore leaks the next night.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:34 am

Chris......

It may not seem like it, but you're already way ahead of the average "beginner".

You have an excellent machine and it will allow you to "tweak and tune" until you get it pretty close to "just right".

Here are a few suggestions that'll help you accelerate your learning curve.

1. Please fill out your "Profile" so that everyone can see what equipment you have. We can help you better if we know what you're running.

2. Get "Viewer" software and a card reader as soon as possible so that you can chart your progress daily.

3. Work hard at preventing mask leaks. Experiment with different masks if necessary.

4. Work hard at preventing mouth leaks. There are many different ways to do this....and each person has to learn by experimentation what works the best.

Welcome to the "cpap underground"......where a bunch of super-nice people trade ideas and encouragement.

You're already doing well.

Gerald

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:44 am

You can have leaks that you are not aware of thru the night that actually are leaks of air escaping gently thru your lips. These are not mask leaks and a chin strap can't do diddley-squat for them.

A THIN layer of PoliGrip denture gel from corner to corner of your mouth can usually eliminate them. You can easily open your mouth if necessary and if you do you can easily reseal your lips by moistening them w/your tongue and pressing your lips together again.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:03 am

chriscummings83 wrote:I had a sleep study that recommended I get a CPAP machine with +7 Cflex 3. So my deductable was $2500, and I just went on CPAP.com and purchased the M series Auto A flex. I have the comfort gel nasal mask. I looked at the data at the end of the 2nd night and says I have a index of like 14.2. So the third night I just put it on auto 5 - 11. It says that 90% of the time I was at 9.7. What does that mean, that my +7 isn't enough or not working? So confused.

Please help

You wouldn't be the first person to have the wrong pressure prescribed to them.....

My thought would be to move your bottom pressure up to at least 8 and the top pressure to 12 or 13 and see what the next sets of numbers look like.

Got the Encore software and card reader? (Viewer or Pro)

In any case, you're getting off to a good start. Don't be afraid to try different Flex settings to see which one feels best to you.

Den

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:33 pm

Resetting the M series machine's weekly/monthly averages back to zero:

1. Unplug the machine at the back.

2. Hold down the left and right arrow <- -> buttons together while plugging in the power at the back. Machine will make two quick beeps. Keep holding the two buttons down for about 6 or 7 seconds more until you hear a single beep. You'll see these words on the screen:

<-- DATA --> SETUP +

Release the two arrow buttons.

2. Press the RIGHT arrow key.
"Therapy Usage" will appear on the screen with "7 Day Avg" "30 Day Avg" "Hrs/Night"

3. Press and HOLD down the minus key (-) for at least 5 seconds until the Hrs/Night numbers reset to 0:00.
Release the minus key.

4. Press the On/Off button to exit.

Resetting the therapy details does not erase or affect data on the Smart Card. It's simply a way for you to get to see overnight results the next day in the LCD window, instead of a running weekly/monthly average.

Respironics missed the boat, imho, when they didn't choose to include overnight data in the LCD of their M series machines. resmed did a much better job on that...letting you see "daily", "weekly", "monthly" averages.

With a Respironics M series machine you have to jump through the hoop of resetting "Therapy Usage" to 0 every day if you want to see just last night's numbers the next morning.

The EncoreViewer software that you can buy is a much better, more detailed way to view the daily results of one's therapy in their machines if it's a machine that records full data (not one with "Plus" in its name.)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:01 pm

Its a shame they didnt' include the software. to pay another $100 is burning a hole in my pocket. The mask i used they told me was to big. Anyone want to trade a comfort gel M for my L. Why don't they have a free download or a free site that people can advertise on but yet see our results for free.

Chris

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:33 pm

Chris,

Sorry to say but you need not only the software (Encore Viewer) but the specific card reader to attach to your computer. Ii've heard that it can be obtained relatively cheaply from http://www.two-factors.com or as a combo of software and card reader from cpap.com

Mindy

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:07 pm

This is the card reader Mindy is talking about:

http://www.two-factor.com/shop/index.php?productID=115

That's where I bought my card reader. Works fine. Was about $31 including shipping.

UPDATE Nov 2009:
The two-factor link doesn't work now.
This is the least expensive place I've seen lately to get the correct card reader:
About $36 here:
http://www.minamielec.com/index.php?dis ... uct_id=130

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:22 am

Chris

I had the same mask went thru a bushill basket of them before I got the Swift that I use now. End of leaks.....try a nasal pillow type. Also welcome aboard.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:25 am

Nice to see you posting again, Patrick. Haven't see you around in a while.

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Remstar Auto A-Flex Aussie Heated Hose Auto 8-15 cm H2O pressure A-Flex 2 Backup Remstar Plus w/C-Flex

Very Confused Please Help

Very Confused Please Help

Confused

Re: Very Confused Please Help