Adjusting your settings.

[My_Dream]

I'm not sure of the proper wording for the setting of the flow so I'll just ask in hopes that everyone understands. How do you know when you have found the right settings to allow yourself the best sleep possible? I went to the sleep clinic to find the proper setting for me and they were so wrong. They had set me at 8 and the first night my DW and I slept… within the first hour she left the room stating that my snoring hadn't changed at all. The specialist changed my prescription from 9 to 12 and left it up to me to decide. I changed the settings everyday until my DW told me I barely snored anymore and found that the setting was now 12. I'm still tired when I awake from an 8 hour sleep but much better then I used to be.

How do I find the level that best suits me?

[DreamStalker]

You need the software and you need some patience.

You first have to make sure you are not leaking your treatment either through your mask or an open mouth. Then gather data (at least week's worth) before making adjustments.

The basic idea is to find the pressure that gets your AHI down as low as possible.

[My_Dream]

Thanks for the reply DreamStalker, how do you get the software you refer to?
I don't believe I leak through my mouth, but how do I determine whether I am leaking my treatment?
I noticed on my CPAP machine that it will allow me to view data the day, week, month etc. Only problem is I can't make sense of this data.
What is AHI?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm sort of like a kid in a candy store that is so anxious about (possibly) finally getting a good night sleep and I can only imagine what it will be like to wake up not being tired. I believe it's within reach but I just don't know how to get there yet.

[Guest]

MY_Dream - first off, what is a DW?

Second, what exactly did your doctor and DME tell you regarding the usage of your machine and mask? What instruction were you given? What follow-up schedule were you given?

It appears you are floundering in the dark and are now turning to a bunch of strangers to opine on your health condition. This is fine - there are plenty of smart people here, but you are coming off as if you've received no explanation at all from your doctor. Let us know please.

[DreamStalker]

Thanks for the reply DreamStalker, how do you get the software you refer to?

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/ResSca ... tware.html

I don't believe I leak through my mouth, but how do I determine whether I am leaking my treatment?

It is very difficult to determine leaks from your mouth while you are asleep. The software can help you determine if you are leaking treatment.

I noticed on my CPAP machine that it will allow me to view data the day, week, month etc. Only problem is I can't make sense of this data.
What is AHI?

AHI = Apnea Hyponea index = rate of apnea events (complete obstruction of air to your lungs) plus hyponea events (partial obstruction of air) ... in other words how many times those events occur per hour during the nightly sleep session. The data from your machine LED screen averages those values but the software shows more details for each night so that you can view any correlations between the events, your pressure, and your leak rate.

Sorry for all the questions but I'm sort of like a kid in a candy store that is so anxious about (possibly) finally getting a good night sleep and I can only imagine what it will be like to wake up not being tired. I believe it's within reach but I just don't know how to get there yet.

There are many members here on this forum experienced with treating their apnea condition. They can help you take control of your treatment. As the guest pointed out, many OSA patients are left floundering in the dark because the sleep health professionals believe that this treatment should only be provided by liceneced professionals. Yet there are no laws prohibiting OSA patients from managing their own treatment. Think of it like diabetes patients who monitor and adjust their own treatment ... only our OSA treatment is a lot less dangerous than shooting yourself up with insulin.

[WearyOne]

MY_Dream - first off, what is a DW?

I believe that would be, Dear Wife. Since I am one, I kinda caught that right off

[My_Dream]

[quote="Anonymous"]MY_Dream - first off, what is a DW?

Second, what exactly did your doctor and DME tell you regarding the usage of your machine and mask? What instruction were you given? What follow-up schedule were you given?

It appears you are floundering in the dark and are now turning to a bunch of strangers to opine on your health condition. This is fine - there are plenty of smart people here, but you are coming off as if you've received no explanation at all from your doctor. Let us know please.

[Snoredog]

[quote="Anonymous"]MY_Dream - first off, what is a DW?

Second, what exactly did your doctor and DME tell you regarding the usage of your machine and mask? What instruction were you given? What follow-up schedule were you given?

It appears you are floundering in the dark and are now turning to a bunch of strangers to opine on your health condition. This is fine - there are plenty of smart people here, but you are coming off as if you've received no explanation at all from your doctor. Let us know please.

[Snoredog]

[quote="My_Dream"]I'm not sure of the proper wording for the setting of the flow so I'll just ask in hopes that everyone understands. How do you know when you have found the right settings to allow yourself the best sleep possible? I went to the sleep clinic to find the proper setting for me and they were so wrong. They had set me at 8 and the first night my DW and I slept… within the first hour she left the room stating that my snoring hadn't changed at all. The specialist changed my prescription from 9 to 12 and left it up to me to decide. I changed the settings everyday until my DW told me I barely snored anymore and found that the setting was now 12. I'm still tired when I awake from an 8 hour sleep but much better then I used to be.

How do I find the level that best suits me?

[Mile High Sleeper]

My_Dream, to learn the basics, read the articles under the light bulb above, Our Collective Wisdom, Expand All. Especially:

cpaptalk-articles/checking-CPAP-machine-settings.html

cpaptalk-articles/changing-CPAP-machine-pressure.html

[Hawthorne]

You mention OHIP so I know you are in Ontario Canada, as am I. I know this is not a money issue for you because of the Health care setup here. It is an issue of getting optimal care for sleep apnea in a timely manner. Unfortunately in Canada, while we don't have to pay for much of our health care, we do have to wait.
I understand that you want to get things working right and get feeling better as soon as possible.
I was diagnosed almost 6 years ago and was instructed by the Equipment Provider in the use and care of my machine and mask. She did a great job. I was scheduled to see the specialist only once more, soon after I started treatment. I had a long wait to get there in the first place and get a sleep study done.
Last fall I began to feel more fatigued again and had to get a referral, see the Specialist, have another sleep study and have a followup with the Specialist. Total time = just under a year by the time I wrap it up next month.
Fortunately I found this forum and, with the help of many of these people I was able to get things to a more optimal state, while I continue to wait for the followup next month instead of just suffering until then. The sleep study was a disaster and I don't expect that there is much valid information from it.
Most of the information I have, came from this forum and sites to which they referred me. You said you are quite capable of reading what "strangers" say and sifting through what is useful in your situation. I know you are. I have been doing it since February. I am sleeping better and feeling better!
I have learned more in the almost 6 months I have been actively on this forum than I learned from 6 years with the Sleep Medicine system. From my readings here, I know that it is much the same in the USA.
Come often, read a lot, ask questions and learn from the very experienced and helpful people here who have lived with sleep apnea for some time. Like myself and the people here, you can take charge of your own therapy. Of course, we need doctors, etc some times, even those in the sleep medicine field, but nobody cares about your health more than you do and you want to feel better sooner rather than later.

[My_Dream]

AHI = Apnea Hyponea index = rate of apnea events (complete obstruction of air to your lungs) plus hyponea events (partial obstruction of air) ... in other words how many times those events occur per hour during the nightly sleep session. The data from your machine LED screen averages those values but the software shows more details for each night so that you can view any correlations between the events, your pressure, and your leak rate.

I remember my doctor telling me that I stopped breathing an average of 85 times per hours is that what this is refering to?
Is 85 times per hour considered a normal range for severe sleep apnea.


This is going to take quite some time to learn but I do appreciate everyones help.

[Boo]

Unfortunately in Canada, while we don't have to pay for much of our health care, we do have to wait.

Sorry for the hi-jack but I have to point out that health care in Canada is not inexpensive. I - and millions of other taxpayers - pay through our noses to fund the universal health care system that is slowly collapsing under the weight being loaded on it.

[ozij]

AHI = Apnea Hyponea index = rate of apnea events (complete obstruction of air to your lungs) plus hyponea events (partial obstruction of air) ... in other words how many times those events occur per hour during the nightly sleep session. The data from your machine LED screen averages those values but the software shows more details for each night so that you can view any correlations between the events, your pressure, and your leak rate.

I remember my doctor telling me that I stopped breathing an average of 85 times per hours is that what this is refering to?
Is 85 times per hour considered a normal range for severe sleep apnea.


This is going to take quite some time to learn but I do appreciate everyones help.

85 is your AHI. Severe sleep apnea starts at anything higher than 30.

At the bottom of every post you'll find terms and acronyms colored "link blue". Click on them and you'll get them explained. In this case, the immediate link says severe is 50 - but the text beneath is says:

The Severity of OSAHS as defined by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Task Force (1999) is
AHI < 5 Normal
5 =< AHI <15 Mild
15 =< AHI <30 Moderate
30 =< AHI Severe

30 is stiil valid.
O.

[WearyOne]

<snip>

The Severity of OSAHS as defined by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Task Force (1999) is
AHI < 5 Normal
5 =< AHI <15 Mild
15 =< AHI <30 Moderate
30 =< AHI Severe

30 is stiil valid.
O.

Ozij, I've always heard these number, but now that I know more about OSA, I wonder--do you know if these numbers include anything but "how many" you have, such as desats or length? I mean, you could 5 or less an hour where each one only lasted a couple of seconds, or each one could last 20 seconds. Do you know if they take anything else into consideration in determining what's normal--or does anything else need to be considered?

Pam