Interpreting the Encore Pro Data ... Help

There are lots of posts on the subject ... but I haven't found anything specific to my question. I'd appreciate input from those in the Forum that have worked through this question. For the set of reports that I'm doing now, I'm wearing a full face mask to eliminate an issue with exhaling through my mouth.

It appears that for the most part, there is a correlation between activity with the mask leakage and an increase in the activity of my AHI. That I've garnered from the Forum.

In my case, the graph for mask leakage at times during the night starts going up and down generating a band of tight "hashmarks" (rather than a steady, straight line level in increase, it looks like a graph of an earthquake aftershock!), and is usually early morning. At about the same time, the report shows my OA doing the same thing ... instead of just a a couple of marks, it's a tight band indicating repeated incidents close together ... at the same time as the heavy activity of my mask leakage. At times the Hypopnea does the same.

The question is ... typically, what causes the "mask leakage" to act/display that way? What is happening? What am I doing? Because it would seem that if I could control that type of mask leakage ... I could also get better control over the apnea.

With EP indicating an AHI of 51 (AI of 36), I'm not getting any real relief from my sleep apnea therapy.

I don't have any way of showing the chart ... sorry.

Jan

It sounds like you are mouth breathing, which will greatly affect any therapy. There are fixes you can try to stop it or you might consider a full face mask. You can try a program such as Photobucket to post images so we might see the chart graft and get a better understanding of whats happening.

janp wrote:There are lots of posts on the subject ... but I haven't found anything specific to my question. I'd appreciate input from those in the Forum that have worked through this question. For the set of reports that I'm doing now, I'm wearing a full face mask to eliminate an issue with exhaling through my mouth.

It appears that for the most part, there is a correlation between activity with the mask leakage and an increase in the activity of my AHI. That I've garnered from the Forum.

In my case, the graph for mask leakage at times during the night starts going up and down generating a band of tight "hashmarks" (rather than a steady, straight line level in increase, it looks like a graph of an earthquake aftershock!), and is usually early morning. At about the same time, the report shows my OA doing the same thing ... instead of just a a couple of marks, it's a tight band indicating repeated incidents close together ... at the same time as the heavy activity of my mask leakage. At times the Hypopnea does the same.

The question is ... typically, what causes the "mask leakage" to act/display that way? What is happening? What am I doing? Because it would seem that if I could control that type of mask leakage ... I could also get better control over the apnea.

With EP indicating an AHI of 51 (AI of 36), I'm not getting any real relief from my sleep apnea therapy.

I don't have any way of showing the chart ... sorry.

Jan

Hi Jan.

OK. Lets start with some basics.

What mask ARE you using?

Is the equipment in your profile correct? You're listing an Auto w/A-Flex and stating a CPAP pressure of 6.

What is your actual pressure? Is it 6? (by the way, it wouldn't be "6 cfm", it would be "6 cm.")

Do you have a copy of your sleep study?

Do you have any other medical "issues"......GERD, acid reflux, aerophagia, Central Apneas (may be noted in your sleep study) or anything else that would keep you from using a higher pressure?

Why have you not tried a higher pressure to bring down your AHI?


Your profile shows:

Machine: M Series Auto CPAP with A-Flex
Mask: OptiLife Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: M Series Heated Humidifier
Software: Encore Smart Card Reader - USB
Additional Comments: Software: Encore Pro, Therapy: CPAP with C-Flex (3), Pressure: 6 cfm


Den

Wulfman wrote:

janp wrote:There are lots of posts on the subject ... but I haven't found anything specific to my question. I'd appreciate input from those in the Forum that have worked through this question. For the set of reports that I'm doing now, I'm wearing a full face mask to eliminate an issue with exhaling through my mouth.

It appears that for the most part, there is a correlation between activity with the mask leakage and an increase in the activity of my AHI. That I've garnered from the Forum.

In my case, the graph for mask leakage at times during the night starts going up and down generating a band of tight "hashmarks" (rather than a steady, straight line level in increase, it looks like a graph of an earthquake aftershock!), and is usually early morning. At about the same time, the report shows my OA doing the same thing ... instead of just a a couple of marks, it's a tight band indicating repeated incidents close together ... at the same time as the heavy activity of my mask leakage. At times the Hypopnea does the same.

The question is ... typically, what causes the "mask leakage" to act/display that way? What is happening? What am I doing? Because it would seem that if I could control that type of mask leakage ... I could also get better control over the apnea.

With EP indicating an AHI of 51 (AI of 36), I'm not getting any real relief from my sleep apnea therapy.

I don't have any way of showing the chart ... sorry.

Jan

Hi Jan.

OK. Lets start with some basics.

What mask ARE you using?

Is the equipment in your profile correct? You're listing an Auto w/A-Flex and stating a CPAP pressure of 6.

What is your actual pressure? Is it 6? (by the way, it wouldn't be "6 cfm", it would be "6 cm.")

Do you have a copy of your sleep study?

Do you have any other medical "issues"......GERD, acid reflux, aerophagia, Central Apneas (may be noted in your sleep study) or anything else that would keep you from using a higher pressure?

Why have you not tried a higher pressure to bring down your AHI?


Your profile shows:

Machine: M Series Auto CPAP with A-Flex
Mask: OptiLife Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: M Series Heated Humidifier
Software: Encore Smart Card Reader - USB
Additional Comments: Software: Encore Pro, Therapy: CPAP with C-Flex (3), Pressure: 6 cfm


Den

Den,

I'm using the Respironics Full Face mask for a week to try to establish some baseline information (my husband's words). I have a tendency to exhale through my mouth and want to hold off on the taping thing.

For a week, the profile is incorrect.

The 6 "cm" in CPAP mode is the doctor's prescription. I'm bringing a week's worth of data in at his prescription for review. I agree with your comment that the pressure needs to be raised a bit. I hoping that the doctor will recognize that from the data. Actually, after I've met with the doctor ... and I don't feel that his titration level is where it should be ... I'm going back to Auto APAP. He has a thing against Auto APAP.

Yes, I have a copy of the study ... the prescription from it was 6 cm.

No, as I said earlier ... I will be raising the pressure. I'm thinking of 7 low and 9 high on the Auto APAP.

No other issues involved.

What I'm trying to figure out is what would cause the mask leak to go up and down rapidly during about an hour's time. This happens a couple of times during the night. I'd describe the data as looking like an earthquake's aftershock ... where the needle on the scale goes up and down rapidly to draw a tight "band".

I can see where the leak goes up (or down) and stays in pretty much straight lines over time ... but this is different.

My AHI incidents also increase (as shown in the data) exactly at the same time on the chart.

I need to understand "why" so I can fix it! It should also help bring down those apnea incidents.

Jan

janp wrote:Den,

I'm using the Respironics Full Face mask for a week to try to establish some baseline information (my husband's words). I have a tendency to exhale through my mouth and want to hold off on the taping thing.

For a week, the profile is incorrect.

The 6 "cm" in CPAP mode is the doctor's prescription. I'm bringing a week's worth of data in at his prescription for review. I agree with your comment that the pressure needs to be raised a bit. I hoping that the doctor will recognize that from the data. Actually, after I've met with the doctor ... and I don't feel that his titration level is where it should be ... I'm going back to Auto APAP. He has a thing against Auto APAP.

Yes, I have a copy of the study ... the prescription from it was 6 cm.

No, as I said earlier ... I will be raising the pressure. I'm thinking of 7 low and 9 high on the Auto APAP.

No other issues involved.

What I'm trying to figure out is what would cause the mask leak to go up and down rapidly during about an hour's time. This happens a couple of times during the night. I'd describe the data as looking like an earthquake's aftershock ... where the needle on the scale goes up and down rapidly to draw a tight "band".

I can see where the leak goes up (or down) and stays in pretty much straight lines over time ... but this is different.

My AHI incidents also increase (as shown in the data) exactly at the same time on the chart.

I need to understand "why" so I can fix it! It should also help bring down those apnea incidents.

Jan

Hi Jan.

If the mask you're using is the Comfortfull 2, I can sort of relate to your problem with leaks. I've got one of those masks and was only able to make it for about three nights before going back to my ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face (UMFF). It was like the one I used in my sleep study and about a year after starting my therapy, I got curious about it and ordered one and satisfied my curiosity. In my case, it also cut into the area between my chin and lower gums. (ouch)

On the other hand, the leak lines I believe you're describing are somewhat typical of full face masks and what happens when they get pushed out of alignment when tossing and turning......many times being caused by the bed pillow. (finding the right bed pillow can make a huge difference in this therapy) When the mask loses it's seal and there's a loss of pressure in the "circuit", more snores and apnea/hypopnea events can occur. If your pressure is too low to begin with, this can exacerbate the problem.

Keep in mind that if you go back to APAP mode, the leaks and snoring (if any) can drive an Auto crazy trying to keep up. You might be better off gradually raising CPAP pressure till you find the "sweet spot". APAPs have their good points and their limitations.

Hopefully this has helped.


Den

you'll think this is crazy but- with that mask if you talk in your sleep -you will see those short width spikey lines, been there.i have no safe secrets