Need help interpreting Encore data

[schmidtwi]

I've been absorbing as much info as possible from everyone on this site for several weeks - I must say I've learned a great deal here without even posting. Thanks for all your help so far, but now I need help interpreting my data.

My AHI during sleep test was 48. Been on BiPAP (Resmed Pro 2) for 31 nights, use a UMFF because I can't keep my big mouth shut. I'm sleeping much better, getting into REM since who knows when, but I'm still paying my sleep debt. I'm still somewhat tired during the day, but not as bad as before BiPAP. I have a good attitude, and I know I"m on the right path.

I installed Encore, MyEncore and SmartCard this week (thanks to very good instructions by many). Here's a summary of my data:

IPAP - 14
EPAP - 8
AHI - 3.4
AVSI - 11.9
AML - 152.6
A90%L - 47.7
AL - 44.2
ALL - 25.2

Questions:
1) I know the AHI of 3.4 is a substantial reduction, but should I do better?

2) Is the Average Vibratory Snore Index too high at 11.9?

3) I still have to pee 1 to 3 times per night, and I just take my mask off with the machine running - is that skewing my Leak Indices?

4) I heard there is a way to turn my machine into an Auto - is that correct?

I have my first Dr. appt. on Monday since I began my treatment, and I want to be armed with some good info.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Goofproof]

Your Resmed Pro 2, isn't it's a Respironics Bi-PAP Pro 2. it not made by money grubing Resmed.

Your pressure is low for the need for Bi-PAP, Your AHI isn't bad but maybe could be better.

Your Snore rate, is a little higher than I like, I do better with it close to 5 or less, over it tells me the pressuer is too low or I have a leak, whitch lowers the pressure.

Cut off liquids after dinner especally coffiee and brews or hard stuff, if you take a lasix do it before dinner.

Turn the machine off before unhooking it, even for breaks...

Yes you can make the machine into a auto, you sell it on egay, and buy a auto.

With the software you can do your own auto, by paying attention to the numbers and making adjustments to find your Sweet Spot, although by using Bi-PAP you have made it much harder because you have soo many more things to play with. Changes are best made one small step at a time over a four or more day avg of the results. Jim

[Moogy]

I installed Encore, MyEncore and SmartCard this week (thanks to very good instructions by many). Here's a summary of my data:

IPAP - 14
EPAP - 8
AHI - 3.4
AVSI - 11.9
AML - 152.6
A90%L - 47.7
AL - 44.2
ALL - 25.2

Questions:
1) I know the AHI of 3.4 is a substantial reduction, but should I do better?

2) Is the Average Vibratory Snore Index too high at 11.9?

3) I still have to pee 1 to 3 times per night, and I just take my mask off with the machine running - is that skewing my Leak Indices?

4) I heard there is a way to turn my machine into an Auto - is that correct?

I have my first Dr. appt. on Monday since I began my treatment, and I want to be armed with some good info.

Thanks in advance for any help!

(1) Average AHI under 5 is considered successful treatment. I can never get mine as low as some of the regulars on this forum. After only a month, I would say don't worry about an AHI of 3.4
(2) Snores are indicators of apnea events or preapnea for some folks. For others, the palate is just noisy. I wouldn't worry about the snores UNLESS it is bothering you or your family. You can used the detailed data on EncorePro to see when the snores occur, and whether the times seem to be related to when apneas occur.
(3) I would not leave the machine running, as that can mess up your stats. It is easy to turn it off.
(4) Is your insurance renting the machine, or did they buy it? That might make a diffence in trading it in for an auto. If trading up is a possibilty, tell your doc that the remaining snores concer you and that you are still not sleeping deeply enough to avoid nighttime trips to the potty (deep sleep supresses urine production). An Auto BiPAP responds to snores, increasing the pressure to try to eliminate them. If it is too late, don't worry, because you can fiddle with the settings a bit yourself to try to minimize snoring. If it bothers you to do this without your doctors approval, ask him if it is ok to bump up the pressures 1-2cm to see if it solves some of your remaining issues.

Happy Cpaping!

Moogy

[schmidtwi]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, my machine is a Respironics - sorry.

Goofproof - just curious why you said my pressure is low for the need for BiPAP? The sleep tech tried CPAP, but I apparently couldn't handle the high exhale pressure.

The doc prescribed BiPAP at 8 & 14 - but during the sleep study they only got up to 13 IPAP.

Moogy - my machine is rented, insurance covers it, so maybe the doc would consider letting me upgrade to an auto. I'll discuss it with him Monday.

I know there is a secret menu on the machine to increase IPAP, but I don't know the access sequence. Also think there's a way in Encore Pro, but haven't figured that out yet either. I'll wait to hear what the doc says, if he doesn't up the pressure or let me go to the auto, I'll try it myself.

Thanks for the help!

[Goofproof]

A normal Remstar CPAP W/Cflex should have been able to fill your needs. My CPAP Pro 2 w/Cflef was set to 14 CM when I got it, and I had little trouble using it, and they had cracked my chest 3 months earlier.

What really is needed it and APAP unit like I have listed in my Sig. A biPAP is good it's just overkill unless you are using pressures you can't handle>15 cm.

If you need B-PAP for some reason, you need the BiPAP Auto from Remstar, that's the easiest way to find the lowest pressure you need.

The C-Flex option make it easier to exhale, like a mini bi-pap. Jim

[schmidtwi]

The Doc agreed that my AHI and Snore Indices are way too high. So he agreed to let me try a BiPAP Auto!! He said the BiPAP Auto will likely become the defacto standard machine for treating OSA.

Interesting thing is, it took me to bring the data to him from Encore Pro software & card reader that I purchased.

So thanks again to everyone on this site who has helped me through a steep learning curve. Maybe now I'll get the treatment I really need.

Can't wait to auto BiPAP!

[Moogy]

Congrats on your success in talking to your doctor!

When do you get the new machine?

Moogy .

[schmidtwi]

Will need to wait for the Home Nursing Assn to call me. Not sure if they have to order a new machine, or if they have one available..

It won't happen soon enough for me. But I need to be prepared to wait a week or so.

[Guest]

He said the BiPAP Auto will likely become the defacto standard machine for treating OSA.

If all doctors shared his opinion, just think how many more people would be better treated, and compliant. The majority of docs slap you with a straight cpap with no software capability, and send you on your not-so-merry way. Then the majority of patients quit using it altogether. Hey, this is huge! Tell him to spread the word. Good for your doctor! And good for you!