First Data Results

[JohnBFisher]

... you have been yelling at this board with your big blue letters and i dont know why ...

As someone with poor vision, I can imagine Judy is just using that to deal with the challenge of typing / reading the normal computer font. Or it could be simple choice. Either way, she's trying to learn. And we're trying to help. She is frustrated, but I think we can all understand it.

[JohnBFisher]

... Here's what I got off of my card this morning. Now, I need help with what it means. ...
Hrs. slept- 8hrs. 2 min. 48sec.
Peak Average Pressure- 6.2cm h2o
Average Device Pressure- 8.0cm h2o
Average time in Apnea Per Day- 42sec.
Leak Per Day- 0
Average AHI- 2.0 ...

Judy, sure, I'll take a stab at trying to help you understand the information:

• Hours Slept - Well that's probably fairly obvious. Some machines include some settle time (assuming you are falling asleep. I think the Respironics machine just recurds the time it unit was "on".
• Peak Average Pressure - It's a funky way to present it, but basically the Respironics unit is saying that when it did not need to increase your pressure to deal with an apnea, this was the top end of that average.
• Average Device Pressure - But when the macine had to increase the pressure, it required it to increase the pressure so much this was the average. As I note, it's not how I would present the data. If your machine is data capable (it appears to be) you can get the EncoreViewer software and a smartcard reader. Then you can SEE who the pressure changes throughout the night. I personally find that more helpful.
• Average time in Apnea Per Day - This notes that when you had an apnea the average amount of time it lasted this long.
• Leak per day - This is usually measured in liters per hour or per second. Zero means you did not have any signficant leaks. In fact, it could indicate your mask is too tight. Some leaking is normal. You just don't want a lot of leaks.
• Average AHI - And this is the Apnea / Hypopnea Index (AHI) per hour. It means you experience 2 events (apneas or hypopnes) per hour. Most doctors try to have their patients keep the AHI number at 5 or below.

Hope that helps.

[Judy R]

Let me start at the begining then, I do not have any of my papers or information about what I was prescribed when I had my sleep study. I never had a titration either. I wasn't shown how to "use" my machine by the DME. I've been running blind for three years now. So, maybe now you can all see my anger and my fustration. If I screw up this machine, I can in no way afford to fix it or have it fixed. So, now you can understand why I am very leary of doing anything to make that mistake. That's why I wanted the software and the card reader, so I had some idea of what my therapy was doing or wasn't doing. I cannot rely on the DME, they are a joke! All's I can read on my machine's screen is, that I have a 5.0cm, whatever that is. I know that the ramp is in the on, I know how many therapy hours I have on the machine, I know what the 7 and 30 averages are, and that's about it folks. At the moment I have a Dr. who doesn't care, never checks my data on my pap machine, nor does she check my data on my diabetes either. I am in the process of getting a new Dr. but right now I've been having to deal with a birage of health issues. I've been down sick, and I do mean down, for two months now, and because of all of the medications I was given over this past two months, I've contracted Pancreatitis. {and No, I'm not a drinker]. Not that there's anything wrong with drinking socially. But, let's not get into that. But, pushing the text issue is silly. It shouldn't matter one way or the other. That's what I was getting at. And it just felt like everybody was ganging up on me over that one issue. And all's I wanted was for someone to check to see if I was doing ok, on my therapy. I never wanted all of this. All's I wanted was to know I was heading in the right direction, not fussing over something that doesn't make one bit of difference one way or the other. I'm sorry that I'm not savvy about my machine, I don't even have the book to it anymore. I was just seeking some help. I'm sorry about everything. Thank You all for your advice. Good bye, Good Luck, and God Bless.

[JohnBFisher]

... That's why I wanted the software and the card reader, so I had some idea of what my therapy was doing or wasn't doing. ...

Were you able to get the software and card reader?

... At the moment I have a Dr. who doesn't care, never checks my data on my pap machine, nor does she check my data on my diabetes either. ...

Two items...

First, all too often they don't have the time (or even inclination) to check that data. You need to be your own advocate. But it's a pain in the keester. I know.

Second, diabetes in and of itself seems to make my sleep worse. And to make it worse, bad OSA can make diabetes worse. A really bad combination. I obviously don't know how bad your diabetes is, but that makes your uphill battle harder. I do understand.

... and because of all of the medications I was given over this past two months, I've contracted Pancreatitis. {and No, I'm not a drinker]. ...

Of course - as you know - the diabetes makes the pancreas (and all other organs) more likely to develop problems. Medications can trigger it. So can the high blood glucose. Since the pancreas helps create the insulin higher blood glucose (common with Type 2 Diabetes) can make the pancreas more sensitive to problems.

... I'm sorry that I'm not savvy about my machine, I don't even have the book to it anymore. ...

Look, that was why we were trying to be certain we had the right information. We were not attacking you. Just offering suggestions and trying to clarify our understanding of your unit.

... I was just seeking some help. I'm sorry about everything. Thank You all for your advice. Good bye, Good Luck, and God Bless. ...

Lighten up, please. We are honestly trying to help.

I repeat my question. Do you have the software and card reader? If not, post back here or PM me.

Also, since you need the manual, I will PM you a pointer to an online version.

[Judy R]

yes, I do have the software and the card reader. That's where the data came from at the very beginning of this post, that's what I was reading it from, was from the end or the total if you will of all of the data. Mind you, the card I have, had three years worth of data on it. I won't pretend to know what it all means, because it's all greek to me. That's why I posted it. Thank you for trying to explain it to me, it did help. And I do appreciate everyone trying to help. And yes, I would like a link to find the book for my machine, if that's possible. I would greatly appreciate it. My apologies, but I "do" wear my heart on my sleeve, I may seem tough on the outside, but I'm not, I admit that openly and honestly.

[shippy]

Judy

The AHI number is what you need to keep an eye on, your one night AHI number of 2.0 is good and if it stays around 2.0 each night your doing good. and I would'nt worry about any other numbers right now until you stick around here a little longer and learn. I myself was just like you when I started treatment but I have learned many useful things about my treatment from Wulfman, Snoredog, RG, Dreamstalker and countless others who I am grateful to for the help so just stick around here and read and learn, hope your other medical issues work out o.k.

Good Luck

Dale

[Judy R]

Judy

The AHI number is what you need to keep an eye on, your one night AHI number of 2.0 is good and if it stays around 2.0 each night your doing good. and I would'nt worry about any other numbers right now until you stick around here a little longer and learn. I myself was just like you when I started treatment but I have learned many useful things about my treatment from Wulfman, Snoredog, RG, Dreamstalker and countless others who I am grateful to for the help so just stick around here and read and learn, hope your other medical issues work out o.k.

Good Luck

Dale

Thanks Shippy, I really appreicate your help. And I will, I promise, to hang around and learn as much as I can.

[JohnBFisher]

... yes, I do have the software and the card reader. ...

Yup. So I gathered by reading some earlier posts. Sorry I had not done that earlier.

... Mind you, the card I have, had three years worth of data on it. I won't pretend to know what it all means, because it's all greek to me. That's why I posted it. ...

You will find that regardless of what everyone else says, you may be different. For example, some people have more problems hypopneas than apneas. If their hypopnea numbers are higher, then they feel miserable the next day. And for others, it's just the other way around.

So, you will find that as you look at the data and see how you feel the next day there is a correlation to the numbers. That's why it's important for you to get to know the numbers.

Right now, the numbers (your AHI and Leak values) tell us that your sleep is probably not all that bad.

But that may not be true. That's also part of why we were asking questions. You could be sleeping poorly and not have issues with breathing. For example, if you have restless leg syndrom (RLS) or periodic limb movements (PLM) that might make it that much harder for you to get good sleep. And of course, your CPAP won't touch those issues.

So, if your numbers say your are sleeping well and your body just laughs, we will hunt for other issues that you may need to manage.

For example, I mentioned that I *know* from my own personal experience that high blood glucose at night can make my sleep bad. So, I try to keep it in line. And of course that's easier done if I feel better. (It really can be a vicious cycle!!)

... And yes, I would like a link to find the book for my machine, if that's possible. I would greatly appreciate it. ...

PM with the pointer to the manual sent. Please don't post the address in the forum. You can get the PM by clicking on the "new messages" link in the upper left corner of this forum.

... My apologies, but I "do" wear my heart on my sleeve, I may seem tough on the outside, but I'm not, I admit that openly and honestly. ...

I hear you. Feeling horrible (due to illness and poor sleep) tends to make even the best of us much more irritable. We all understand. It's why we want to help. We know how bad sleep can impact you. It's made our lives miserable. And we want to try to sweep whatever obstruction away to allow you to reach a good night of sleep.

[ozij]

For people who need bigger fonts: just beneath the dark blue band across the top, there is an option to choose the font size in which you will see all posts on the forum, your own, and those of others - that makes all communication easier.

For katie, and others who have slow internet connections:
A click on the users name brings up their profile, where you can see all the equipment in one screen, in icons, and in text. I find that single click very helpful when I want to know what equipment a person has, I prefer that to the clicking on the equipment in the signature.

For newbies, wondering at the storm:
Everybody is welcome to this forum, no matter how they put their equipemnt in their siganture.
Everybody is welcome to express their opinions -- and there are many disagreements among us - about many issues.
Everybody is responsible for the suggestions they decide to accept from any member of this forum, be they about how equipment is presented, or about how pressure should be set up.

And you can't get the information you need from this forum if people don't know what specific equipment you have. Whether its an M series machine or an older is not a matter of opinion. The setups and configurations work differently on various machines.

I am sorry you are having such a hard time, JudyR, and glad you decided to stick around. I hope using the larger fonts option will make things easier for you.

Katiew, I am sorry Judy's hard time made her lash out at your sincere attempt to help. I always appreciate the clear, concise way in which you manage to say important things.

O.

[Judy R]

For people who need bigger fonts: just beneath the dark blue band across the top, there is an option to choose the font size in which you will see all posts on the forum, your own, and those of others - that makes all communication easier.

For katie, and others who have slow internet connections:
A click on the users name brings up their profile, where you can see all the equipment in one screen, in icons, and in text. I find that single click very helpful when I want to know what equipment a person has, I prefer that to the clicking on the equipment in the signature.

For newbies, wondering at the storm:
Everybody is welcome to this forum, no matter how they put their equipemnt in their siganture.
Everybody is welcome to express their opinions -- and there are many disagreements among us - about many issues.
Everybody is responsible for the suggestions they decide to accept from any member of this forum, be they about how equipment is presented, or about how pressure should be set up.

And you can't get the information you need from this forum if people don't know what specific equipment you have. Whether its an M series machine or an older is not a matter of opinion. The setups and configurations work differently on various machines.

I am sorry you are having such a hard time, JudyR, and glad you decided to stick around. I hope using the larger fonts option will make things easier for you.

Katiew, I am sorry Judy's hard time made her lash out at your sincere attempt to help. I always appreciate the clear, concise way in which you manage to say important things.

O.

Thank You Ozij, that was so very nice of you to do this. I truly didn't mean to lash out at anyone, but as you all can see, sometimes illness makes us a bit grumpy. My sincerest apologies to everyone, I hope that we can all start a new.

[Judy R]

I think now, I will wipe my eyes, blow my nose, and go to bed. Good night all, and God Bless.

[Cobalt Panther]

For people who need bigger fonts

Ozij,
Thank you! Thank you!! THANK YOU!!! I loved reading Judy R's posts because hers were always the right size for me. Now I will be able to read everything easier!

I hope that we can all start a new.

Judy R,
Considering I am sure that we have all felt as you did (for one reason or another) at some point, I think it is a no brainer that we will accept a sincere apology and move forward. Sometimes the frustration wins and sometimes we do. I hope that as you receive the help that you need from here, you will be the one winning. I am sorry to hear of your other health issues. Hope you find a new Dr. soon. Just remember to get your questions and concerns taken care of.
Cobalt Panther

[KatieW]

For katie, and others who have slow internet connections:
A click on the users name brings up their profile, where you can see all the equipment in one screen, in icons, and in text. I find that single click very helpful when I want to know what equipment a person has, I prefer that to the clicking on the equipment in the signature.

Thanks ozij! Knowing I can see it this way, solves that problem for me.

[DoriC]

Perfect! Ozij to the rescue again! Thanks for that tip!

[Guest]

For people who need bigger fonts

Ozij,
Thank you! Thank you!! THANK YOU!!! I loved reading Judy R's posts because hers were always the right size for me. Now I will be able to read everything easier!

I hope that we can all start a new.

Judy R,
Considering I am sure that we have all felt as you did (for one reason or another) at some point, I think it is a no brainer that we will accept a sincere apology and move forward. Sometimes the frustration wins and sometimes we do. I hope that as you receive the help that you need from here, you will be the one winning. I am sorry to hear of your other health issues. Hope you find a new Dr. soon. Just remember to get your questions and concerns taken care of.
Cobalt Panther[/q


Thanks Cobalt Panther, that means a lot to me. I too like the bigger font, it is much easier to read, even with my glasses on . I don't like getting into arguements with anyone, especially people I've come to care about. I just hope that we can all forget this whole mess, and be friends once more.