Features OFF

I have no idea what all those numbers AHI, etc are. Wulfman gave me some info on how to read my numbers. When I looked on the screen, it said "Feature OFF" for everything. I turned on the CFlex and the mask alarm. Then I thought maybe I should find out here. Should I just turn all the features on? Since I don't know what any of them are, I don't know if I need them.

No idea but I thought Id bump this. I think I have the same machine as you and my stuff is all there. I didnt turn it on though, it came like that.

Thanks, I think we are on the same page. I've had my machine since May, but I did go for awhile without using it. I found this forum while I was searching for an alternative to CPAP and the people here are great. I've recommitted to using my machine.

OCNorsk wrote:I have no idea what all those numbers AHI, etc are. Wulfman gave me some info on how to read my numbers. When I looked on the screen, it said "Feature OFF" for everything. I turned on the CFlex and the mask alarm. Then I thought maybe I should find out here. Should I just turn all the features on? Since I don't know what any of them are, I don't know if I need them.

You mean these?
To see the AHI details, you need to set Show AHI/Leak = On

I wouldn't turn on the "Auto Off" feature, though. It'll keep the air flowing in the event of a large leak.
If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Den



Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the little power cord in the back, wait for 2 beeps release buttons. Then press the + key to enter setup mode, use the <- -> buttons to move to the next field, use the -/+ keys to decrease/increase values, when set press the On/Off button to exit Setup.

Therapy Mode = CPAP
CPAP Pressure = NN (only appears in CPAP mode).
C-Flex Setting = Off, 1, 2 or 3
Ramp Time = (0:05 to 0:45)
Ramp Start Pressure = 4.0cm (can be from 4cm to AutoMin pressure).
Mask Alert = On/Off (beeps on large leak, mask removal).
Auto Off = Off (turns off machine on large leak/mask removal) Suggest leaving it "Off"
Show AHI/Leak = On (enables logging to display) Suggest leaving it "On"
Patient Reminder = Off (days to remind you that you get a new mask w/Insurance).
returns to Therapy Mode =




==========Resetting LCD Display Data====================

To reset LCD Therapy data (does NOT erase any data from SmartCard):

1. Hold down the (<-) (->) buttons while plugging in the power on the back,
wait for 2 beeps or 5 seconds, release buttons.
2. Press the (->) key and navigate to Therapy screen.
3. Press and HOLD down the (-) minus key for 5 seconds and/or until therapy data is reset to Zero.
4. Press the (->) key to scroll back to main menu, press (+) key to enter Setup or
On/Off button to exit.

Thanks again. I now have Mask Alert ON. Auto OFF. AHI/LEAK ON. CFlex 1.
What does AHI mean? And I want it to be below 5?
What is C Flex?

My mouth is still pretty dry, although my sinuses are not dried out since I think I've gotten my mouth closed. I'm really afraid my teeth are all gonna fall out from decay if my mouth is dry all night.

It also seems that my tinnitus has been much worse lately. Don't know if it's a related problem.

OCNorsk wrote:Thanks again. I now have Mask Alert ON. Auto OFF. AHI/LEAK ON. CFlex 1.
What does AHI mean? And I want it to be below 5?
What is C Flex?

My mouth is still pretty dry, although my sinuses are not dried out since I think I've gotten my mouth closed. I'm really afraid my teeth are all gonna fall out from decay if my mouth is dry all night.

It also seems that my tinnitus has been much worse lately. Don't know if it's a related problem.

Was that "Auto OFF OFF" or "Auto OFF ON".... Personally, I had turned "Auto OFF ON", but I'll probably turn it off the next time I remember to fiddle with the machine. I had originally set my machine somewhere where I couldn't reach it, so I was relying on its auto on and auto off features to take care of my needs. I have since moved it to where I can press the buttons and access the smartcard (but not much else).

If you look at the top of the message, there's the CPAPopedia keywords that will explain some of the terms used in a given message thread.

But, AHI is Apnea Hypopnea Index, it is basically the number of Apnea and Hypopnea events that occur in an hour. I was told that 0-5 is considered normal, 5-15 is mild, 15-30 is moderate and 30+ is severe for sleep apnea.

Apnea is stoppage of breathing, and Hypopnea is restriction of flow (>50%?)

CFLEX is Respironics term for where they'll temporarily lower the pressure flow when you exhale, to make it easier.

I think the tinnitus increase is a related problem....I know when I swallow at night, sometimes air blows into my ears.

I'm worried about my teeth, but its because I seem to clench and grind them much more than I used to.... going to no chinstrap has helped me a little on this.

The Dreamer.

Thank you for the info.
As far as the teeth grinding goes, I have had a dental appliance for years. It's some kind of resin/plastic thing that just slips under my upper teeth. I used to wake up with pounding headaches from the clenching. This thing is practically pulp by now. I had a new one made but the style made the pain worse than the teeth grinding, so I'm still using my old one. It's at least twenty years old, so it's a good investment.

OCNorsk wrote:Thanks again. I now have Mask Alert ON. Auto OFF. AHI/LEAK ON. CFlex 1.
What does AHI mean? And I want it to be below 5?
What is C Flex?

My mouth is still pretty dry, although my sinuses are not dried out since I think I've gotten my mouth closed. I'm really afraid my teeth are all gonna fall out from decay if my mouth is dry all night.

It also seems that my tinnitus has been much worse lately. Don't know if it's a related problem.

AHI is "Apnea + Hypopnea Index" - average number of events per hour. (total number of events divided by time slept)

AHI below 5.0 is considered good or "normal". However, most of us try to achieve the lowest possible AHI number without overdoing the amount pressure we use.

C-Flex is exhale relief. The pressure drops slightly at the beginning of exhale, but still retains a slight amount of pressure to try to prevent apneas occurring while exhaling. The setting of "1" gives the least relief while the setting of "3" gives the most relief. Personally, I've always used a setting of "2".

Dry mouth is usually a sign of mouth-leaking or mouth-breathing. If the humidity level is set too high, it can have the effect of closing up the nasal passages and promoting mouth-breathing. Lips not sealed can result in mouth-leaking.

Den

I do have a pretty small nose, as well as a deviated septum. (Nasal congestion is a problem whether I am asleep or not.) So I notice if I have my mouth really shut, it tends to fill up with air. Like the air has to go somewhere, so it goes there. The setting is at 6 cm, which I understand is pretty much the minimum for proper function. Den, you wouldn't get this , but if I had a much smaller chest, I know things could improve. Not getting any surgery, though.

OCNorsk wrote:I do have a pretty small nose, as well as a deviated septum. (Nasal congestion is a problem whether I am asleep or not.) So I notice if I have my mouth really shut, it tends to fill up with air. Like the air has to go somewhere, so it goes there. The setting is at 6 cm, which I understand is pretty much the minimum for proper function. Den, you wouldn't get this , but if I had a much smaller chest, I know things could improve. Not getting any surgery, though.

I can relate to the nasal restrictions and have found that nasal cleansing/irrigation prior to bedtime and the use of cold water in my humidifier and no heat ("passover" humidification) has been very beneficial to my being able to breathe through my nose during sleep.

And, I have no plans to have any ENT-type surgery either.

Den

If anyone's ever told you that your mouth opens when you sleep, then you should definitely look into a 'full face' mask - it doesn't cover your face or anything, but it's like a mouth covering extension of a nasal mask, so you don't lose the 'good' air out your mouth and you can have it open when sleeping. Popular ones are the Quattro, Liberty and Ultramirage (FF), which you can look at on Cpap.com.

With a full face mask, do your mouth and sinuses stay moist? I could probably get one on my next round, but I would have to have it OK'd through the sleep dr. Whom I also have not seen since May.

OCNorsk wrote:With a full face mask, do your mouth and sinuses stay moist? I could probably get one on my next round, but I would have to have it OK'd through the sleep dr. Whom I also have not seen since May.

Works for me. I find it easy to keep my mouth sealed (press my tongue to the roof of my mouth) and what I described before helps me breathe better through my nose. Why would you have to wait? You can purchase a mask outright through CPAP.COM or through CPAPAUCTION.COM.....anytime.

Den

I got my first night of data.
My AHI was 2.8.
My leak rate 26.7.
seven day average

Both numbers are down a bit from the thirty day average, which is mostly before I got help from you guys.
How are those numbers?

OCNorsk wrote:I got my first night of data.
My AHI was 2.8.
My leak rate 26.7.
seven day average

Both number are down a bit from the thirty day average, which is mostly before I got help from you guys.
How are those numbers?

Lookin' good!

There should be a chart in the user's manual that came with your mask which should have a graph showing the typical "Vent Flow Rate" (known leak/exhaust rate) of the mask at various pressures. If you compare those numbers to the leak rate shown, you'll be able to see how close your rate is.

Den