New CPAP User Setup

[Arsonteg]

Hello all, I hope everyone is doing well. I'm a new user to both the forum and CPAP machines and was hoping that you lovely lot could help steer me in the right direction.

I have a Phillips Respironics REMstar Plus, that I acquired from a friend, and I have absolutely no idea what my starting level should be based on my sleep study results (attached).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Pugsy]

Diagnostic sleep study results don't/can't offer any clue as to what pressure someone needs to be using.
Sorry...but you don't set pressures based on diagnostic AHI.
The machine you have doesn't record any useful data to help you figure out if the pressure you do use is working well for you.
Do you have funds to buy a full data machine??? You can use this old machine you have but you have to go by how you sleep and feel which isn't very accurate and not easy to do.
For tonight though...maybe try 8 cm and see how you sleep and feel.

Does your machine look like this?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -plus-cpap

or this one?
https://www.thecpapshop.com/respironics ... ap-machine

or this one?
https://www.thecpapshop.com/pr-system-o ... ap-machine
If it looks like this one...the system one...don't use it. There is a recall right now on it because of potentially dangerous stuff.

[Arsonteg]

Thank you for the clarification Pugsy, I had no idea.

My machine is the first link that you posted.

I appreciate the quick response. It seems I'll have to do some research and find a good auto machine or at least one that records data so that I can figure it out as I go.

[Miss Emerita]

I see that on your sleep report, all your events were "unclassified." Was your test at home, or in a lab? Did your doctor explain why the events are not classified? (Usually events can be classified as obstructive apnea, central apnea, or hypopnea.)

The answers to these questions might make a difference in deciding what kind of machine you should be looking for.

[Pugsy]

all your events were "unclassified." Was your test at home, or in a lab? Did your doctor explain why the events are not classified? (Usually events can be classified as obstructive apnea, central apnea, or hypopnea.)

I suspect a home study that only measured oxygen levels and flow/breathing. The most basic of home studies.
No chest/abdominal belt most likely which is needed to distinguish between central apneas and obstructive events...the belt measures effort or lack of in the case of a central apnea.
The report also looks to be computer generated...no way to know if the limited data was review manually by anyone.

[bevzy]

That's an odd study !! Mine showed a complete breakdown, ie total AHI ...then broke down to the 3 types . Hypopneas, obstructive apneas and central apneas. Durations of same ie 22 seconds to 49 seconds, oxygen saturation levels showed a scary low of 63% to a max of only 80%. Total sleep and a breakdown down of sleep modes/cycle..
. 16 wakes although I was consciously aware of only half...the study detects all of them. Certainly the extensive data was helpful in knowing why im so brain dead during the day and having accidents. Even showed leg movements and position?? Clearly as a paraplegic I had no leg movements. It doesn't sound a very complete study at all ?? Mine was also reviewed by a specialist who did the reporting recommendations
This is all important data that you really need. Even sleep cycles eg rem, deep and light is important ie along with movements, as during rem you are meant to be paralysed ie protects you acting out dreams.... it's all important. Would honestly be looking to get another done by a different home study provider ?
It would be good to know, actually fairly essential, the classification. As your AHI was only 16, so whilst abnormally not severe, it's interesting your oxygen sats were not all that effected, just slightly. 100 is perfect(most healthy adults sit about 97) but over about 94 is fine. So high 80s at minimum, with an AHI of 16, so border mild to.moderate, I think the relatively ok oxygen suggests most are probably hypopneas or apneas of fairly short dyration??? I'm no expert but it makes sense. And as its just barely moderate but not really effecting o2 sats, you may be able to get away with lower pressures... pressures higher than needed are quite uncomfortable. I think you have a lot to gain by a proper home study. CENTRAL APNEAS ARE VERY IMPORTANT to differentiate from the others as the cause is brain messages and not obstruction. As I'm a paraplegic this provided critical info as they are more resistant to treatment. Please look at a full study !! Mine is attached. Note it breaks all types down. Durations up to 50 seconds so at 43.6 this will.impact oxygen, hence 68%... the data is crucial eg mine is 43.6.someone else's may be 80, but nearly all, very brief hyopneas...... you could have an AHI of 16 and they could a be obstructives of long DURATIONS OR hypopneas only lasting a few seconds. All of this data influences treatment . Mine even showed body position. That's also important eg is it more frequent on back etc....
My study is attached...

[Pugsy]

That's an odd study !! Mine showed a complete breakdown,

Not really odd....there are multiple types of home sleep studies and some are more comprehensive in details gathered than others.
Usually related to cost...the more data it gathers the more expensive the home sleep study.
You just happened to have a more comprehensive (and more expensive) home sleep study.
To learn more about the various options available for home sleep studies see this.
http://freecpapadvice.com/home-sleep-tests