Encore Pro "Vibratory Snore Index" with Respironic

[coconut]

Does anyone have a good idea what is actually registered when Encore Pro reports "vibratory snore"? I know is isn't always actual snoring because I don't snore while awake, but there are many VS events recorded before I get to sleep.

I ask since when I awake feeling bad, the thing which seems to be most correlated is how dense the VS events are, not the apnea or hypopnea events.

Also, one would think that at the high pressure reached by APAP, there wouldn't be snoring. I have gone to a static pressure since the APAP didn't give me relief over years, but I still get apneas and VS events reported by the software at a full cm higher pressure than the highest the APAP algorithm reached.

I'm tempted to try higher pressures just to see what will happen. Not terribly high, but my original APAP prescription was 4-15 so I suppose I could take it as high as 15.

For me, since I was never able to sleep deeply, or in most cases at all, in 6 attempted poly somnography studies, they just "guessed" at my prescription initially and from that point I have been taking my cue from the APAP data. But since the APAP never helped my fatigue or problems, maybe that's not the best idea.

I take it 15cm of pressure won't hurt most people...

thanks

[roster]

What pressure are you using?

[pjwalman]

I'm pretty sure mine registers a "snore" when I'm talking to my husband through my mask. At least the timing seems to line up.

[coconut]

What pressure are you using?

It has happened at all pressures; last night I was at 13.5, before that 13, and before that 12.5 for a week each.

I have to sleep on my back in a la-z-boy chair due to other medical issues, and I do seem to notice a reduction in the VS events, and possibly in how I feel the next day, when I am less reclined... though I really need to do a series of tests and see if that's true.

As I say, I'm tempted to try raising the pressure a bit. My APAP prescription was 4-15 based on "nothing in particular" since they didn't get a pressure from any of the sleep studies. So tonite I'll try 14 at a static pressure.

This isn't exactly going against doctors' orders, I think, since it's within the range. For that matter, my new pulmonologist is writing me a bipap prescription with initial pressures at 11/15 if I want to pay for one (my insurance covers none of it). But it would be nice to get relief from my existing CPAP machine.

[GumbyCT]

Mine registers snores just as I am drifting off, to sleep. Until I got my pressure right, I have witness reports that I was indeed snoring while wearing the mask. I would say that the therapy is NOT effective if you are snoring.

If you have an APAP why not set the lower pressure at 13 and the upper pressure up to say 18 or 20 to see where it ends up. You do have the software right?

I am guessing the bipap is so you can exhale?

[Snoredog]

there is a limit on that machine for VS, it eventually gives up,

but you would probably do better by increasing your bottom pressure from current 4 cm closer to 6.5 cm, that is most likely why you wake up feeling bad, you are rebreathing too much of your own CO2 at that pressure.

You could set up Ramp to use lower than 6.5 if need to fall asleep so it would always be there, but once you get used to that 6.5 you probably won't use the ramp.

The Cflex & Aflex features don't start working until you get to at least to that pressure anyway.

[rested gal]

The Cflex & Aflex features don't start working until you get to at least to that pressure [6.5] anyway.

I wouldn't say they "don't start working" until you are using "at least 6.5"

There's nothing in the Provider manual of the Auto with A-flex about C-Flex not working at pressures lower than that. So presumably C-Flex, if enabled, does "work" at a pressures lower than 6.5.

The Provider manual does state that A-flex doesn't work at a pressure of 4. A-Flex apparently does begin to have an effect by a pressure of 5, and is fully functional at pressure of 6.

From the Provider Manual:
Note: A-Flex transitions from no A-Flex at 4.0 cm H2O to full A-Flex at 6 cm H2O.

you would probably do better by increasing your bottom pressure from current 4 cm closer to 6.5 cm

I agree with that.

[Doovid]

I've just "converted" to an APAP (Respironics Auto with A-flex). Is there anyway to get a copy of the clinition's manual? I've asked my DME, but he's reluctant to give me a copy, even if it came with the machine I rent/purchased. I suspect there are little hints and otehr info that would be useful to the end user, like me!

[coconut]

If you have an APAP why not set the lower pressure at 13 and the upper pressure up to say 18 or 20 to see where it ends up. You do have the software right?

I am guessing the bipap is so you can exhale?

The APAP algoritm doesn't work for me, after years of trying. It does ramp up, on a typical night ranges between 9 and 13, but it leaves me feeling terrible and sleep deprived, and there is some sort of struggle to breathe while using it. That's why I'm thinking of trying a bipap, since I may have a muscle metabolic problem. In other words, the APAP has never ranged above 13 even though it has been "allowed" to go as high as 16 if it wanted.

but you would probably do better by increasing your bottom pressure from current 4 cm closer to 6.5 cm, that is most likely why you wake up feeling bad, you are rebreathing too much of your own CO2 at that pressure.

Actually, I haven't used it in APAP mode for a year since it made me feel worse. When I did, I had it set to start at 7.5 instead of 4 precisely to prevent CO2 rebreathing, so good advice but it didn't help me. Yes, I changed my pressures but only in consultation with my doctor.

I've just "converted" to an APAP (Respironics Auto with A-flex). Is there anyway to get a copy of the clinition's manual

I got the manual with it when I got my original APAP with A-flex 2.5 years ago and it didn't have much useful aside from the "secret" of adjusting pressures, which isn't much of a secret. There are only 4 buttons and a power cord so not that many permutations.

I hope the A-flex works better on you than on me. Perhaps I need a bipap, but for now I'll try raising the pressure a half CM each night for the next few nights to see whether the apnea, hypopnea, and VS events lessen.

best

dj