RERA index and Vibratory Snore index

Can someone explain what these 2 mean. I've been reading, but getting confused. I've been on CPAP for 10 days and got my EncoreViewer software yesterday and my averages during that time were: CPAP pressure 14.0,
average % of night in periodic breathing 0.2%,
average CA index 0.4,
average OA index 0.5,
average hypopnea index 0.7,
average RERA index 3.2,
average AHI 1.6,
average flow limitation index 0.0,
average VS index 51.4,
average % night in large leak 0.5%,
average large leak 2 min.5secs.

RERAs: Respiratory effort related arousals. Episodes that are not apneas or hypopneas, often related to loud snoring, that generally do not cause a decrease in oxygen saturation.

Vibratory Snore: How many times the machine *detects* snoring. However, its pretty inaccurate because the sensor can pick up a lot of artifacts such as dragging the hose over covers. If you have a cold, it can cause snoring like vibrations or mask issues can also cause a higher number especially prong or pillow masks.
A personal example of this is I am using a PR APAP, in my case it was giving me erroneous VS numbers because my nasal pillow mask wasn't angled just so, and one side was vibrating with each breath. Its important to figure out what the cause is, because my high VS made my APAP increase the pressure (its one of the factors the machine uses to decide to raise or lower pressure on the APAP, which ended up giving me a higher AHI. But fixing the mask solved both the high VS resulting in needing lower pressure and that reduced my AHI.

I had read that definition, but I'm not aware of having awakened as often as my daily report says I am according to the RERA. So, it can be something that wakes me up but I may not be aware I'm awake? And the vibratory snore index is how much I'm snoring but it may not really be me snoring.
No wonder this is all so confusing to newbies! Especially ones who haven't gotten any help or explanation from their doctors.

Without an EEG, there's no way to really see if you've had an arousal, as in an event which disturbs sleep enough to take you out of a deeper stage into a less deep stage of sleep. The machine is reporting a 'suspected' arousal based upon data which is probably some combination including vibratory snores, flow limitation and leak rates. This is not the same as an apnea or hypopnea, but some sort of disturbance which is of much less duration.

If you look at the overall picture including your AHI, its a lot easier to see what may be going on. Your numbers look really good, apart from your VS and you are reporting some large leak, so I would give your mask fitting a tweak because the machine may be reading vibrations being caused by air escaping out of a small gap somewhere into your VS score. Its worth a try and seeing how it affects your numbers.

I see you're in Breaux Bridge, I'm just down the road in Youngsville!

djr1215 wrote:I had read that definition, but I'm not aware of having awakened as often as my daily report says I am according to the RERA.

Not only is the RERA based on air flow only, arousals are short so we rarely remember them.

beadedbiker wrote:
I see you're in Breaux Bridge, I'm just down the road in Youngsville!

What DME are you using? I may be looking for another one soon! I wanted to try a Hybrid mask but they said they only carry Respironics. They did finally say they would see what they could do, but I haven't heard back from them. If they can't get me the Hybrid, I may try the Respironics Fitlife.

djr1215 wrote:
What DME are you using? I may be looking for another one soon! I wanted to try a Hybrid mask but they said they only carry Respironics. They did finally say they would see what they could do, but I haven't heard back from them. If they can't get me the Hybrid, I may try the Respironics Fitlife.

I am temporarily using Premier http://www.premier-medical.com/ they are the areas largest supplier of Respironics (machines and masks) and Resmed (masks only). They also carry several other brands. They are fairly good. They are currently loaning me a PR System One Auto at no charge, not even submitting it to the Insurance. Which is most kind. Still doesn't make me want one as they are hoping it will though.

Don't go anywhere near Sleep Management. They lost their approved supplier status from Respironics and treated me like crap.

The only issue I have with Premier is that they won't provide me with a Resmed S9 machine, which I want because the PR humidity control isn't cutting it for me and because I don't want to have to spend $600 on the Pro software to see my full data (I'm a physician, and I'm pretty set on being able to steer my own treatment). so I'm hunting farther afield as Respironics Reps have our whole area in lockdown.