Accessing CPAP data

Sleepless_in_Seattle · Post by **Sleepless_in_Seattle** » Tue Jul 04, 2017 7:46 pm

Hello, I’m new here and new to cpap in general. I have already learned a lot so thank you. As I struggle to adapt to my phillips respironics system one auto a-flex with nasal pillow mask, I’m interested to examine the data. I see people here referring to examining their data with software but unfortunately I cannot figure out how to do it.

I can see the basics in the menu AHI, use time, etc. but I want to know what pressure it is automatically increasing to throughout the night. My machine is set to 5-20 and apparently it chooses what pressure is needed. And I hope to correlate the specific events I'm experiencing to the machines assumptions of whats happening. Knowledge is power I suppose and I'm pretty desperate to make this work.

It appears Respironics has software that can allow one to examine data more thoroughly but I believe they only allow doctors to use it. Is there an app or free piece of software that will allow me to examine my own data? I tried to search to forum but I don’t even know the correct search terms to use.

If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time to read this!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 04, 2017 8:05 pm

Sleepless_in_Seattle wrote:It appears Respironics has software that can allow one to examine data more thoroughly but I believe they only allow doctors to use it. Is there an app or free piece of software that will allow me to examine my own data? I tried to search to forum but I don’t even know the correct search terms to use.

If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it

This all takes time and patience and lots of reading. Start at the top of the forum Home Page and look for "Pugsy's Pointers...SleepyHead Tutorial and TX Hints". There should be a link in there for SleepyHead (SH) a FREE software used by most here.

There is a Free Respironics software that tells you mostly how long you used the cpap and your AHI but not much more and is really more geared for the DME to check you usage so they can bill insurance. SH is much more detailed.

Then there is another Respironics software called Encore that "supposedly" on the docs & DMEs use. Many docs don't use this tho and rely on the DME to provide that data. I've since lost the links to Encore since SH came out.

HTH

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Tue Jul 04, 2017 8:13 pm

Free software.... https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

TedVPAP · Post by **TedVPAP** » Tue Jul 04, 2017 8:32 pm

I copied these links from palerider's signature which will walk you through it.

https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead
https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

robysue · Post by **robysue** » Tue Jul 04, 2017 10:39 pm

Sleepless_in_Seattle wrote:It appears Respironics has software that can allow one to examine data more thoroughly but I believe they only allow doctors to use it. Is there an app or free piece of software that will allow me to examine my own data? I tried to search to forum but I don’t even know the correct search terms to use.

If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time to read this!

Most of us find SleepyHead (the NON-official software) easier to use. SleepyHead is the software found at https://sleepyhead.jedimark.net/

But there are times when it's nice to run data through the software your doc is going to use to evaluate the data. That software is called Encore Pro, and you can find it over at apneaboard.org. You will have to register (for free) over at that forum before you can request your copy of Encore. If you have trouble navigating the site to find out how to request your free copy of Encore, post to the main forum at apneaboard.org and one of the members will point you in the right direction. While you're over at apneaboard.org, you can also request a copy of the clinical manual for your machine. That's very useful to have since it gives you the full instructions about everything that can be changed from the clinical set up menu, as well as written instructions on how to get into the clinical menu, just in case you forget how its done.

Sleepless_in_Seattle · Post by **Sleepless_in_Seattle** » Tue Jul 04, 2017 11:39 pm

Downloaded, installed and imported data into Sleepyhead. This is exactly what I needed! A huge thanks to Guest, LSAT and TedVPAP. All great resources. I look forward to learning more.

I’m hoping that being water boarded all night long is not what CPAP therapy is supposed to feel like. Hoping to learn enough to make things tolerable... Thanks again.

Helpful Guest :) · Post by **Helpful Guest :)** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 4:06 am

Sleepless_in_Seattle wrote:I’m hoping that being water boarded all night long is not what CPAP therapy is supposed to feel like. Hoping to learn enough to make things tolerable..

There is a lot to learn and it does take time but so many have survived the journey.

The water condensation is known as rain out which happens when the moist heated air inside the tube comes in contact with the cooler room air. It can take some adjusting to get it to your liking. I like to turn the heater (on the humidifier or hose) down (or up) half way at a time to get it where I want it. Getting a cover for the hose (cozy) can help but be careful if using a heated hose as it may not be recommended.

Keep in mind the AC and the furnace both take moisture out of the room air so it can vary from season to season.

You can get creative if you are getting condensation right at the mask. That can be from your moist breath and covering that part of the hose or mask with an old tube sock or hand towel can make a diff.

Also keep the cpap at a lower lever than your head will help the condensation run back into the humidifier. Some will secure the hose at a point just above the head when laying down. Again to help any water to run back towards the cpap. Just beware of any sharp bends in the hose water can collect and cause a popping noise each time you breath. Just lifting the hose can help any water run back into the humidifier.

HTH

Soothest Sleep · Post by **Soothest Sleep** » Wed Jul 05, 2017 8:50 am

Helpful Guest wrote: You can get creative if you are getting condensation right at the mask. That can be from your moist breath and covering that part of the hose or mask with an old tube sock or hand towel can make a diff.

. . . but keep the exhalation vents clear so CO2 can escape.

Jean

Sleepless_in_Seattle · Post by **Sleepless_in_Seattle** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:21 am

Thanks again for all the tips and suggestions! After reading up on rain out I’m pretty sure I’m not experiencing that. I have no water in the tube. The airflow restriction I am experiencing appears to be the fan reducing power at the peak of the inhalation. So its not actually the complete blockage of air but just a shocking reduction of the amount of air while inhaling. So it’s not suffocation per se but It is very uncomfortable and repeatedly wakes me up.

I’m guessing it’s somehow related one of the following three things:

A) The auto feature where the machine is changing the pressure up or down automatically is confused and or not functioning properly.

B) The machine wants to sculpt my breathing in a way that is not consistent with the way I naturally breath. I normally breath about 6 breaths a minute but it feels like the machine is trying to make me take shallower breaths and more of them per minute. It feels like its cutting each breath short.

C) The A-flex pressure reduction feature, during exhalation, is engaging to soon. Mine is set to 3.

Could any of these be plausible? Is what I'm describing common? Is there anything I can do to eliminate the mid inhalation air reduction? Ill keep hunting through the forum for answers but if you have any insights Id really appreciate some guidance. Thanks

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:49 am

Turn off the flex... if you don't feel the need for exhalation relief when it kicks in at 3, turn it off (or at least down to 1). It's there for comfort only.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:38 am

Sleepless_in_Seattle wrote:A) The auto feature where the machine is changing the pressure up or down automatically is confused and or not functioning properly.

it's not that, the auto pressure adjustment happens over a period of minutes, it's very gradual.

Sleepless_in_Seattle wrote:B) The machine wants to sculpt my breathing in a way that is not consistent with the way I naturally breath. I normally breath about 6 breaths a minute but it feels like the machine is trying to make me take shallower breaths and more of them per minute. It feels like its cutting each breath short.

no, the machine doesn't care about how you're breathing, just that you are. (other machines do).

Sleepless_in_Seattle wrote:C) The A-flex pressure reduction feature, during exhalation, is engaging to soon. Mine is set to 3.

BINGO. the aflex increases and decreases pressure during each breath, with the idea that it's supposed to make it easier to breath, however, the way that it does it doesn't feel right for some people... so, turn the flex own, or off, and it'll quit messing with the pressure.

Sleepless_in_Seattle · Post by **Sleepless_in_Seattle** » Fri Jul 07, 2017 1:36 am

Thank you Palerider and xxyzx for chiming in. I really appreciate it. The a-flex is indeed likely the problem. Curiously my doc encouraged me to use a-flex convinced it would help me get used to pap therapy. I think I’ll try lowering it incrementally until 0 over a few nights to see what feels the most comfortable.

Thanks to robysue for suggesting to download the clinical manual. That explained how to change it which was very helpful.

Sadly, I’m also getting air escaping from my mouth when the pressure increases. And it appears I'm swallowing air too. Both wake me up repeatedly which is frustrating. I tried a chin strap to keep my mouth closed but it was very painful on my tmj joint. Ive also tried taping my mouth but then I wind up with puffy cheeks and a trumpet sound when the pressure breaches the tape seal. This cpap stuff has a steeper learning curve than I expected.

Thanks again for your help. Cheers.

zoocrewphoto · Post by **zoocrewphoto** » Fri Jul 07, 2017 2:16 am

Sleepless_in_Seattle wrote:Thank you Palerider and xxyzx for chiming in. I really appreciate it. The a-flex is indeed likely the problem. Curiously my doc encouraged me to use a-flex convinced it would help me get used to pap therapy. I think I’ll try lowering it incrementally until 0 over a few nights to see what feels the most comfortable.

Many doctors and DMEs don't realize that the comfort features do not work for everybody. They don't realize that people need to experiment and figure out what feels the most comfortable for them. For example, the ramp feature is intended to be helpful, but since it usually starts at 4, it tends to cause more problems than it helps. The exhale relief options (various names) tend to help more people than not. But it does bother some people. Just as auto ranges bother some people and not others. Leaks bother some and not others. It all comes down to figuring out which settings and which equipment work the best for YOU.

Sadly, I’m also getting air escaping from my mouth when the pressure increases. And it appears I'm swallowing air too. Both wake me up repeatedly which is frustrating. I tried a chin strap to keep my mouth closed but it was very painful on my tmj joint. Ive also tried taping my mouth but then I wind up with puffy cheeks and a trumpet sound when the pressure breaches the tape seal. This cpap stuff has a steeper learning curve than I expected.

Thanks again for your help. Cheers.

I'm a full time mouth breather, so I can't help you with this. There are many people who had trouble with mouth leaks and mastered it. Some of us prefer to use a full face mask that deal with it. I'm sure others will give you advice.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Fri Jul 07, 2017 7:07 pm

zoocrewphoto wrote:Many doctors and DMEs don't realize that the comfort features do not work for everybody.

truer words were never spoken...

Accessing CPAP data

Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data

Re: Accessing CPAP data