First Month on CPAP

[Jesse1952]

I just received my first month of data from my DME. Here are the average readings:
CPAP Pressure - 6.0
PB - 0.3%
Average CA index - 0.3
Average OA index - 1.1
Avg. hypopnea index - 2.9
Avg. RERA index - 1.0
Avg. AHI - 4.3
AVG FL index - 0.0
Avg VS index - 21.1
Avg large leak - 2 seconds

I also have the daily readings but hope this is enough.

I learned a lot from this forum but I'm not ready to fully interpret all of these readings. Would one of you please summarize what they mean?

[Pugsy]

The average snore index at 21 per hour would be the main one that looks higher than I would be comfortable with.
Would need to see some actual detailed reports to get accurate idea as to how they are really showing up.
The other numbers are within acceptable ranges and not hugely exciting. I would be happy with them if I was feeling decent and sleeping well.

What were you having problems understanding?

[Jesse1952]

Thanks Pugsy. I'm mostly interested in understanding if these readings are in line with receiving successful therapy. I thought that the AHI index should be lower but maybe not. Interestingly, the primary reason I had the sleep study was for my snoring and the CPAP has done a find job in reducing/eliminating that.

[Pugsy]

Generally the line in the sand for AHI is less than 5.
Yours qualifies.
Now some people might like to see it a little less and work towards that goal.
Your hyponeas seem to be the bulk of your AHI and doesn't surprise me given the snore index.
Your Flow Limitations are 0.0...are you using APAP mode or cpap mode? Is your pressure fixed at 9 or does it vary?
If fixed 9.0 cm in cpap mode that FL of 0.0 doesn't mean a thing because the machine simply doesn't even bother to flag Flow limitations in cpap mode. It only flags FLs in APAP mode because that is something the machine is supposed to respond to...that and snores. Given those snores...and 0.0 FLs it is a bit odd.

Your profile shows an APAP machine but your report looks like you are using CPAP mode. That's fine as long as you know what you are using and understand it.

I suspect if you were to reduce the snores (little more pressure likely) that the Hyponeas would also reduce.
If it doesn't come down with time or if it still concerns you then you might what to talk to your doctor about it.

Ooops....just read the top line in what you wrote....it is CPAP mode.

[archangle]

At one month, just being able to wear the CPAP all the time is great. Are you feeling good?

Nothing about your numbers looks particularly bad. You might be able to improve the AHI and hypopnea numbers a bit, but don't go to any great effort or inconvenience to do so if you're feeling OK.

[Jesse1952]

Thanks pugsy and archangle...yes, I've been lucky in that I've adapted well to the machine. I think that I feel a little better and feel better rested although I didn't feel that bad prior to the machine. Doesn't help that I've had a cold for the last 2 weeks so that may have something to do with how I feel. It has definitly helped my snoring and so far I have not woken up much during the night( used to be several nights a week) It is on a constant pressure of 6.0 and it is in CPAP mode. You've largely answered my questions. Now I'll work on lowering that AHI a little. I see my sleep doctor next month so I'll discuss all that with him.

[Pugsy]

Did you change your machine in your profile? I thought for sure it showed the Auto CPAP earlier (APAP) and now it shows the Plus which I know isn't correct because the Plus doesn't offer that data you just posted.

It doesn't hurt to leave the machine pointing to an APAP and use it in CPAP mode. We all understand about that and it happens a lot.

Respironics models. The 60 series have the heated hose option and have 60 in the model name.

The one you have chosen right now is the PR System One 60 series Plus with CFlex is model 260 and it doesn't offer any data beyond hours of use.

The next step up would be the PR System One 60 Series Pro with CFlex and its model number is 460.
The prior model without the heated hose is model 450

Then the next step up to the APAP models would be
PR System One 60 Series Auto CPAP...model 560
or the prior non heated hose model...PR System One Auto CPAP with AFlex...model 550.

Model numbers are on a sticker on the bottom of the blower unit... 3 digit number usually preceded by DS or REF but might have something else on it. Also on that sticker is an 8 digit number beginning with 2012....that is date of manufacture
format is year/month/day.

You might want to correct your equipment profile to avoid confusion later.
For some reason the machine choice for the 450 model...PR System One Pro CFlex...isn't wanting to work...link doesn't work to that model. Most of those users are just choosing the comparable 60 series machine.