Newbie first night with data capable machine

[knathdrak]

I've been on my cpap for about 3 months now (actually 3 months on Saturday). I'm tired enough every day at work that if I close my eyes for just a moment while waiting for a query to finish, I can doze off for 15 min. Some days its so bad that I have a hard time keeping my eyes open. The cpap does seem to help some, but like some of you I seem to have a Dr that is not really much help listening to my changes and helping to further resolve the issue.

After finding these wonderful forums full of data, I was able to convince the DME to switch me to an S8 Elite (from the compact). I sleep moslty on my back (and thats where my apnea is the worst). Was just looking for help to get started in interpreating the numbers / suggestions from you guys. Last night was my first night with the Elite, I didn't tape my mouth (usually do) because I wanted to see the numbers with out it. Wife told me she is pretty sure I open my mouth while sleeping (and I can wake up with the dry/phlem mouth) but since she no longer wakes up its hard to tell now.

I also wake up about 4-5 hrs after I go to bed, no matter what time I finally go to sleep.
Machine Time 5:13
Pressure - 8.6 (Set at 10, and a 3 on the EPR)
Leak - .36
AHI - 2.6
AI - .5
HI - 2.1
No Tape
(note that he machine was set for the Swift mask if that matters, I forgot to change that till this morning).
I have talked to the DME and will be getting a FF next week (probably the UMFF for my first try).

Thank for any help you can give.

[knathdrak]

Sorry one more question

Is it worth it to acquire the data card / software?
Seems most the information is on the LCD just have to check in the morning before I get up.
(and then I log it on the pc and can track / graph it)

[jmaziarz]

Welcome! Like most of us I think you are discovering that there is a lot of information to ingest. Don't give up, there are tons of great people here that are willing and able to help.

I am not an expert so I am not going to attempt to interpret your data but I will say that I recommend getting the software if you can. The LCD read-out gives you basic numbers but it doesn't indicate why you are getting those numbers. Having the software allows you to see the type and frequency of apnea events and how they relate to your leak and pressure settings. Personally I have found it to be an excellent tool in my therapy.

[smurf]

WOW...I am coming off my first night on a CPAP, ever, on a data capable machine (ResMed AutoSet II). My AHI = 4.6 - AI = 0 - HI = 4.6. I am set up just as the doctor perscribed = 14 on pressure on straight CPAP mode and turned off the ramp and EPR so I could get the full meal deal and try to get used to this way and then make in nicer later. Rather than nice or the full meal deal, where should my AHI, AI, and HI be and how do I get there?

[GuyK]

I'm coming off my second night with an AutoSet II, and both of you have much better numbers than I'm seeing.

I'll type in a full story after a few more nights, but I'm suspecting that I have too much leaking going on. Perhaps my beard (which still is fairly short) is causing the problem. I'm going to try taking it down to stubble (which I do every three weeks anyway) and then see if I have a better time. If that doesn't improve things much, I'll probably call the R/T.

I can't say that I feel I have had good therapy yet, but I definitely feel different. I have had a few stretches of 4 - 5 hours where I have been solidly out, and that is something new for me (as I'm sure it has been for most of us).

FFM, so I've had a few odd sensations. The inability to clear my throat or my nose, or burp, is kind of a freaky feeling to me. I've also felt sneezes coming on, but nothing has happened. I've wondered what I should do in that circumstance.

[ozij]

I've been on my cpap for about 3 months now (actually 3 months on Saturday). I'm tired enough every day at work that if I close my eyes for just a moment while waiting for a query to finish, I can doze off for 15 min. Some days its so bad that I have a hard time keeping my eyes open. The cpap does seem to help some, but like some of you I seem to have a Dr that is not really much help listening to my changes and helping to further resolve the issue.

After finding these wonderful forums full of data, I was able to convince the DME to switch me to an S8 Elite (from the compact). I sleep moslty on my back (and thats where my apnea is the worst). Was just looking for help to get started in interpreating the numbers / suggestions from you guys. Last night was my first night with the Elite, I didn't tape my mouth (usually do) because I wanted to see the numbers with out it. Wife told me she is pretty sure I open my mouth while sleeping (and I can wake up with the dry/phlem mouth) but since she no longer wakes up its hard to tell now.

I also wake up about 4-5 hrs after I go to bed, no matter what time I finally go to sleep.
Machine Time 5:13
Pressure - 8.6 (Set at 10, and a 3 on the EPR)
Leak - .36
AHI - 2.6
AI - .5
HI - 2.1
No Tape
(note that he machine was set for the Swift mask if that matters, I forgot to change that till this morning).
I have talked to the DME and will be getting a FF next week (probably the UMFF for my first try).

Thank for any help you can give.

The AHI numbers you have without taping don't mean much, since with the air blowing out of your mouth and into the room the machine not capapble of very reliable detecting.

Your leak rate is much too high for the pressure. With the machine set on the Swift, it subracts the Swift's expected vent flow rate from the total so your leak is about .66 - much much too high.

[zaquon]

Sorry one more question

Is it worth it to acquire the data card / software?
Seems most the information is on the LCD just have to check in the morning before I get up.
(and then I log it on the pc and can track / graph it)

Like you i switched from/to the same machine. That and a different mask has made all the difference. I just got the software, and I think it's great. With it you can see if an event is the result of a leak, or something else. I look at it and can tell that some nights my events correspond with leaks, and some not.

My problem is I can still have a lot of events with 0 leak. My AHI most night runs from 3.8 - 6 and some apneas are up to 1 min long! My titrated pressure is 8 but I've got it up to 9.

_z