Encore results Help!

[Carlton]

I've been on apap for around six months am feeling slightly better but not better. Anyway just got my encore software today and not sure if the results are good or bad.
My AHI is running between 6 and 11.7.
Si between 16-22.
The Obstructive Apneas at various pressures are usually much higher than the Hypopneas except at higher pressures (11-14).
Average nightly leak is around 30-50.

Don't think this is too good or is it.

I'd be greatful for any help/advice on this.

Thanks
Carlton

[ozij]

Carlton,
What was your titrated pressure, and what is the range you're using now?

An AHI between 6 and almost 12 is enough to get some people into treatment. That result, combined with the way you feel might indicate that you're not getting the pressure you need during the night. I too "don't think it's too good"

Can you give us more details?

O.

[Goofproof]

Without input as to your settings we are flying blind, however you need improvments. If you can find your 90% pressure ratem set the maching 2 cm under it and 2 cm above it, and check the numbers for a week, also your snore rate is high, thats generally a sign of to low a pressure, or leakage from the mouth. If so mouth taping or a FF Mask are the best answer. You should be able to get the AHI lower than 5, that's the goal.

[Carlton]

Ozij, I didn't get titrated just had the sleep study which had an AHI of around 40 then was put straight onto autopap, that was about six months ago, but I'm going to have to try and get these figures down sensibly myself as the original treatment cost me the equivalent of $4000 US and funds a bit low now a baby has come along.
Looking at the charts from encore my machine is running at pressures from 4 (on ramp) to 14 (only hits 14 for a few mins a month).
Runs under 11 cm for 90% of the time.The AHi seems to drop significantly when the pressure range is between 9 and 12.
However over twelve it rises a lot, is this because it only reaches this high when I'm having difficulty or is it the higher pressure causing it???
The obstructive apneas are always higher than the hypopnea's except at pressures between 9 and 11 and the only non responsive apnea's (rare) are recorded at the highest pressures.
I'd be grateful for any advice and comments, especially with regards to bringing these figures down.

Carlton

[Linda3032]

Carlton, it sounds like you are running your Auto too wide open (you speak of ramping at 4). What range is your Auto set for?

An Auto doesn't "ramp" in the true sense of the word, if you hit ramp all you are doing is reducing your pressure to the lowest pressure your auto is set at.

I would suggest you adjust your pressures to "3 below and 3 above your 90% pressure". That should reduce your AHIs. If that helps, then adjust your pressures again - to 2 and 2. That should help even more.

Isn't it great having the software to see how you're doing?

[Guest]

Yeah the software has been a great help already and only got it today. Didn't realise about the pressure range but have now changed it as suggested. Will see how it goes tonight. Hope I've got the idea right have set it two below and two above the 90% reading.

[Goofproof]

You don't want to make changes on just one day or two's readings. We all have our good and bad nights, If no major problems erupt 5 days, it gives you a good idea of what needs correcting. You can set the pressures by .5 CM steps. on straight CPAP 15.5 CM works for me, but at 16 Centrals go up. I've had a bad month, lots of stress, still there, but coming down some, I can see light at the end of the tunnel but I still can't hear the whistle. Three days ago, I had another AHI of 0.0, that's two in 10 months, kind of hard to get. Jim

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[Linda3032]

Jim, I based my post on the fact that Carlton has been on apap for 6 months, but just got this software yesterday. I am assuming that his smart card would have at least 7 days of detailed data, and 6 months of compliance data. So, I didn't make my recommendations on one or two day's readings.

[Goofproof]

[quote="Linda3032"]Jim, I based my post on the fact that Carlton has been on apap for 6 months, but just got this software yesterday. I am assuming that his smart card would have at least 7 days of detailed data, and 6 months of compliance data. So, I didn't make my recommendations on one or two day's readings.

[Carlton]

Thanks for the advice guys, I set my machine at two over and two under the 90% pressure like suggested. Anyway my AHI reading went down to 2.6, and the flow Limitation Index plummeted to 0.3 (Think thats good?).
However my average Apnea duration soared to over 60 secs (don't think that is good) and the snore index was still quite high at 17.
But overall I'm feeling better than i have in a while and the results are looking good.

Again many Thanks

Carlton

[Goofproof]

The duration at 60 sec if total isn't bad, but if it's AVG that's high! I've ran into that this month due to stress, but it leveled back out somewhat. I usually run about 12 sec per event on the AVG.

Jim