Newbie needs help with numbers

I've been on CPAP for 5 weeks now. I guess I feel a little better, but nothing dramatic. Just discovered this forum and would like to know what everyone is talking about regarding software and "knowing your numbers." I would love to track my data and better understand what is going on with my health. I'm using a Philips Remstar Plus with CFlex machine. It has a SD card that the provider told me I would have to mail in periodically. Is there software I can download or purchase so that I can read the SD card myself? or can I obtain a report from the provider? I'm so new to all of this I don't even know what questions to ask! Just taking it one day at a time. By the way, the pressure on my machine starts at 4 then ramps up to 13. Isn't this a pretty high number? Thanks for any info, and I'm so glad to have found you all!

Hi! I am new here too and the forum helped me find the great software for checking my data. It is at http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead.

Mossflower there's not much point in reading your card... a Remstar Plus will only show hours used. You should see if you can upgrade it to at least a Pro.

The only info on your card will be hours of use, and that's for the insurance company so they'll keep paying for your use (of at least 4 hrs/night).

As far as numbers go, 4 is just the default lowest number the machine can go to (and 20 the highest)... 13 may be a bit higher than average (10) but not enough to be meaningful... however what does matter is moving that number 4 up to a higher one (e.g. 7-10) because if you do get an apnea at a higher number (around 13) the machine will take so long to reach it from 4, and not necessarily stop it, so very many of us have set our machines to span from just below the prescribed setting (i.e. 13 for you, 10 for me) to a couple below (e.g. 8 or 10 for you, 8 for me) to a couple above (15 for you, 12 for me). I don't really think you should immediately go from 4 (tho' no one can breathe at it) to 10 right away, but I'd at least try somewhere in the middle between that and 13. Hope you followed this!

Thanks Julie and cflame: I tried the Sleepyhead software and you're right about it only showing hours. Do more advanced or sophisticated machines record more data?
I'll see if the doctor will give me a copy of my sleep study report so I can learn more details about my diagnosis.

Julie, can I up the number on my machine myself or do I have to get the medical supply person to do it? It takes 45 minutes to ramp up from 4 to 13 now, and your point about it being too low is a good one.

Hi - you can set the ramp time to whatever you want (tho' I'm not familiar with your machine) from e.g. 5 mins. and upward, but you can also skip it altogether as most of us seem to do after the first week or so...

Yes, newer and better model machines give you much more information, and yes you can change the pressure settings yourself, but I'll let someone else direct you here as I don't know that machine...

Mossflower, either a Pro or an Auto will record AHI and Leak information which will be important information in case there are any differences in your life (for example your weight or a new mask).