Sleepyhead Newbie

My sleep study was done on 3/21 - 83 events per minute. I started out with a Resmed Airsense 10 CPAP machine set at 8. I was having an AHI of 5 -11 each night. My doctor increased the setting to 9. The increase didn't make a difference. For the past 2 days, I have been using a Dreamstation Auto Machine with a setting of 7 - 11. As you can see, the first night AHI was 6.34. Second night was 5.22. I know these numbers are a lot less than 83, but I am concerned they are not lower.

I have an appointment with my doctor in 3 weeks. I was hoping someone could take a look at my Sleepyhead data and give me an idea what is going on. I would like to be able to speak intelligently about the results when I see my doctor. I would also be interested in some pointers on how to better figure out these results as a real newbie. I have read through some tutorials, but right now feel it is so over my head.

Anyway, any help would be appreciated. My results look awful to me. Are they?

Thank you! P.S. Are these images to large?

I would raise min to 9 and max to 15 and watch your AHI drop. You have blocked the machine from increasing your pressure by locking in 11 as max...it wants to go higher.

sack time wrote: P.S. Are these images to large?

better too large than too small.

and what lsat said.

xxyzx wrote:perfection is not possible
you may get lower
or you may have hit your best already

Sack time, best to ignore that.

I'm a little apprehensive about raising the pressure myself without having a conversation with my doctor. My machine is still in the rental phase of Medicare payments so I don't know if I should be messing with it. I am very tempted. LSAT, how did you arrive at the numbers 9 to 15 that you suggested for the increase? I may be bold and try it tonight

sack time wrote:I'm a little apprehensive about raising the pressure myself without having a conversation with my doctor. My machine is still in the rental phase of Medicare payments so I don't know if I should be messing with it. I am very tempted. LSAT, how did you arrive at the numbers 9 to 15 that you suggested for the increase? I may be bold and try it tonight

I'm no expert on medicare rules, but I've never seen any report of any insurance company, including medicare, caring what your setting are, only if you are using the machine, most don't even care if it works for you, though I've heard medicare does want a doctor to say "yes, it's helping".

I can't speak for lsat, but when I look at your pressure graph, I see very little time spent at a pressure as low as 9, and it's spending most of it's time smack up against the limit, which says that both the minimum and maximum settings are too low.

if it were me, I'd actually set it for 9 min and 20 max, since in most cases, the maximum is meaningless... it's like driving *legally* on the highway... it doesn't matter if you've got a ford escort or a ferrari... you can't *legally* go any faster than the speed limit, even though the max speed on one may be twice what the max speed on the other is. think of your needs during the night as the speed limit.. if you need 14, and the max is set at 15, or 20, it won't matter... but, if you happen to need 16, and the max is at 15, then the machine won't be able to do its best to help you.. like it's unable to do now, with the max at 12.

Thanks, Palerider! That makes a lot of sense!

sack time wrote:Thanks, Palerider! That makes a lot of sense!

oh, I meant to mention, you should get the clinical manual for the machine. you can get a copy by email by following the instructions at the top of the apneaboard.com page. that will show you not only how to get into the hidden menu, but what the settings all mean.

Sack Time, I'm on Medicare, too. They really don't care about pressure settings, only that you use it the required number of days and hours/day. They get reports from the doctor verifying that you're using it and it's helping.

So Medicare won't slap your hands for changing the pressure, and if your doctor does, then you'll be wanting to look for a different doctor. Your doctor should - and probably WILL - be happy for you that you're educating yourself enough to adjust your therapy to the most helpful settings. Good luck!

Also, Sack Time . . . the link to the Clinical Manual is in my signature line. And your entry into the Clinical Menu for changing pressure and other settings is to press the home button and the big round knob together for 3-4 seconds.

Hopeful50 wrote:Also, Sack Time . . . the link to the Clinical Manual is in my signature line..

not to her machine, you linked to a different brand.

Thank you Hopeful 50. I did find the clinical settings on my machine. Your link is for the Airsense 10 auto, I believe. I am using the Dreamstation Auto currently....now that's another story....I really tried to get the Airsense 10 auto, but I had to deal with my DME provider telling me they couldn't give it to me because it was so expensive and Medicare wouldn't pay etc. etc. I finally gave up and got the Dreamstation (which I like so far, BTW). We went around and around. I don't really believe them, but you have to pick your battles

sack time wrote:I am using the Dreamstation Auto currently....now that's another story....I really tried to get the Airsense 10 auto, but I had to deal with my DME provider telling me they couldn't give it to me because it was so expensive and Medicare wouldn't pay etc. etc. I finally gave up and got the Dreamstation (which I like so far, BTW). We went around and around. I don't really believe them, but you have to pick your battles

I am on medicare, and I got the Air Curve 10 Vauto. My prescription called for a Resmed S10 auto bi-level machine. The secret is getting your doctor to specify what brand you want. When I got my machine, I had no idea what I was doing. I did not find this place until I had been in treatment for almost three months. I wish I had found it sooner.

Your link is for the Airsense 10 auto, I believe. I am using the Dreamstation Auto currently

Sorry about that! I should have read more carefully.