What are acceptable sleepyhead ranges for Dreamstation auto cpap and Airfit n20?

[axxell6307]

Having a difficult time understanding what data in sleepyhead I need to be scrutinizing and what acceptable ranges are.

1. When leak rate is referenced, where exactly on sleepyhead stats are you looking? Does that mean the average? If so, what range should I be in?

2. What range should total leaks be in?

3. Where should rera, flow limitation and time over leak redline ranges be?

Also, is padacheek generally ok to use to keep air from hitting eyes? What is proper placement of it around nose? Should any part of it come between the mask and skin or should it just surround it?

Finally, when in sleepyhead Daily, I cannot manipulate the graphs. When I click the drop down arrows, they do not reflect any changes nor does the scroll bar next to the graphs navigate through graphs when using it. What am I doing wrong?

Thank you

[Pugsy]

Look on the events graph.....see the LL line at the top of the graph? That's large leak...do you see any flags up on the LL line?

Or is the time over red line statistic on the SH report on the left causing concern? That statistic is based on a ResMed red line threshold and it doesn't work for Respironics machines.
Go to Preferences/CPAP tab and adjust the 24 L/min red line number to something around 70 L/min (best I can come up with without seeing some reports because with Respironics that number varies a lot) or just turn it off and rely on the Events graph for LL evaluation.

If your machine isn't flagging a large leak...don't worry about any numbers.
Now if leaks are waking you up no matter what the size...we have a different discussion.

[axxell6307]

Look on the events graph.....see the LL line at the top of the graph? That's large leak...do you see any flags up on the LL line?

Or is the time over red line statistic on the SH report on the left causing concern? That statistic is based on a ResMed red line threshold and it doesn't work for Respironics machines.
Go to Preferences/CPAP tab and adjust the 24 L/min red line number to something around 70 L/min (best I can come up with without seeing some reports because with Respironics that number varies a lot) or just turn it off and rely on the Events graph for LL evaluation.

If your machine isn't flagging a large leak...don't worry about any numbers.
Now if leaks are waking you up no matter what the size...we have a different discussion.

No LL are on the graph so that's good. Time over Redline is .448%. My average leak rate is 1 to 2 when not using padacheek and around 7 when using it. Is that good?

I feel like I have arousal's due to mouth leaks. Seems like I'll wake up a few times a night and feel air coming out of my mouth. However, I have so many variables going on with chronic pain, anxiety and other factors that all work together to disrupt my sleep and not sure if it's leaks waking me up. Would taping my mouth shut be a good way to test it to see if it makes a difference? I have athletic tape I can try.

If my min pressure is set to 12 and my pressure averages are always 12 to 13 (closer to 12), should I lower it to 11?

[Pugsy]

My average leak rate is 1 to 2 when not using padacheek and around 7 when using it. Is that good?

Extremely good.

Respironics machines and SH report 2 different leak numbers...one is the total leak rate which includes the mask's intentional leak/vent rate plus any excess leak and an excess leak only number.
The average leak rate number is an average of the excess leak only number.
Total leak will never be close to 0 because of the intentional vent rate component.

Time over Redline is .448%.

If no LL flags on the events graph then this statistic isn't accurate because of the red line threshold. It's insignificant as it is even if it was real large leak.

Would taping my mouth shut be a good way to test it to see if it makes a difference?

Yes..for several reasons but bear in mind that having tape on one's mouth can also cause sleep disturbances as well for some people.

If my min pressure is set to 12 and my pressure averages are always 12 to 13 (closer to 12), should I lower it to 11?

I would if it were me...just to see if the machine wants to move around much...might even try lower depending on the results because for me I like to use as low of a pressure as possible that will do a good job...but that's me. For me lower is still more comfortable than higher. Right now with the minimum of 12...it probably doesn't need to go higher so that's why not much movement.
In auto mode you get the test pressure probes (those spiky saw tooth looking pressure increases) that probably will be the major factor in that average pressure. Those spikes aren't the machine responding to anything...Looks impressive but means not much is going on.
I would need to see some actual reports to get a better idea and some reports with a lower minimum for sure.
You probably have some wiggle room for lower minimum and still have effective therapy.