New user

[Maryd]

Hi everyone, I have been using my cpap for 1 week. Is there something on the machine that tells about apneas or do I put the program on my computer? I'm wondering if I'm using the mask correctly.

[JDS74]

its best if you get the software so all the details of your treatment are available.
Can you update your equipment list to include your machine and also to select TEXT as the display mode.
The pictures all look alike so its harder to tell.

The LCD display does give some useful information but the software give better.
Welcome to the group.

[library lady]

We can help you get the software, but it depends on what machine make, and model number (there are several different S9 models) which software you will need to get. So, if you could post your machine info, that would be helpful. As for your mask, please tell us what issues you are having with it so we can better help you with that.. or difficulty with the headgear or hose.

[kaiasgram]

Mary, there is a brief tutorial on the S9 machines that is helpful as a first step, to familiarize yourself with the menus and settings (including the comfort features). Use the link below in my signature box to access the tutorial.

The software that people are referring to will only help you if you have a data capable machine -- what does it say right above the Start/Stop button on your machine? In the photo you can see that machine is an Autoset. Does your machine say Escape, Elite, Autoset, Escape Auto, or something else?



If your machine records treatment data you can set it up (from within the menus) to display information on the LCD screen. The software allows for even closer examination of your data but not everyone is ready to jump right into that when they're just getting started.

First let's find out which machine you're using.

[Maryd]

Hi I have a ResMed s9 and use nasal pillows. I have been using this since March 31. Since then my largest amount of episodes was 13 and that was my second day, which I had mask problems. Since then most have been under 3. What's the difference betffween AHI and an event? These numbers seem to differ. What is the difference between obstructive, hypopnea, and clear airway apneas, and unclassified? What is a normal amount of leakage? Thank you. I'm new to this and trying to understand,

[palerider]

Hi I have a ResMed s9 and use nasal pillows. I have been using this since March 31. Since then my largest amount of episodes was 13 and that was my second day, which I had mask problems. Since then most have been under 3. What's the difference betffween AHI and an event? These numbers seem to differ. What is the difference between obstructive, hypopnea, and clear airway apneas, and unclassified? What is a normal amount of leakage? Thank you. I'm new to this and trying to understand,

there's at *least* thirteen different models of resmed s9. which do you have? look above the big on off button.

an event is something happening, ahi is how many events you've had, on average, per hour of sleep.

for the rest of the questions, (so far) watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gie2dhqP2c

try to keep it under 24lpm of leak.

[Pugsy]

http://sleepyhead.sourceforge.net/wiki/ ... p/Glossary
Check out the above glossary for definitions
Unclassified event is some sort of apnea event but the machine couldn't determine exactly what kind. Most often with the S9 machine this happens when leaks are excessive.

Check out Sleepyhead software..links in my signature line
You can also use ResScan if you have a Windows computer...send me a private message if you want to try SH
Here's a tutorial that will show how to use ResScan and give you an idea what you can see
http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/ Tutorial

Leaks....24 L/min on the ResMed S9 machines is the beginning of large leak territory.
The leak number on the machine's LCD screen is what we call a 95 % number and all that means is for 95 % of the night the leaks were at OR below that number. People tend to forget the "or below" part of the definition.
Before changing masks or using chin straps or doing anything extraordinary I would make sure that I understood just exactly what the leak situation was.

Even if someone does go into large leak territory it isn't the end of the world. How bad leaks are....all depends on how far into large leak territory a person goes and how long they stay there and do the leaks wake a person up.

Check out the SleepyHead tutorial that I have composed. It offers some basic information on what data your machine gathers and how to understand what you are seeing.

Also it would help greatly if we knew exactly which model machine you are using. Some models gather an extensive amount of data and some gather a very limited amount of data and some only gather hours of use.

[Maryd]

Thank you very much for all the information. It says AutoSet on my machine. I have Sleepyhead and am trying to understand everything. The graph that shows leaks has a red line. I'm assuming that the leaks should be below that line. Most of my leaks are below the red. It's so hard to get in a sleep position where the mask is not moving or sliding. I do keep my nasal pillow mask on in a comfortable (as comfortable as it could be) position. I did have one night of the AHI being 6, otherwise mist have been under. I'm assuming this is good. I think I read somewhere that the AHI should be under 5. The six was my second day of use, which I think I had the nasal pillows on upside down and fought with the machine all night. I tried for 3 hours and then gave up.

[Pugsy]

Yes the red line in SleepyHead is the 24 L/min line and if your leak is staying below the red line for the bulk of the night then the machine can handle the leaks.
Now any leaks (even tiny leaks) that wake a person up need to be worked on but because they are disturbing sleep and not because of a negative impact on the therapy itself.

AHI....always evaluate the AHI to include the event category breakdown. Is the AHI is primarily obstructive in nature (Obstructive apneas and hyponeas) or is it primarily central in nature. If primarily central then we don't do anything but watch it.
If it is primarily obstructive then sometimes a bit more pressure is needed.
Example AHI of 5.0 that has a central index of 3.0....we wouldn't worry about it but if the central index was 0.6 that means the obstructive index would be 4.4 and that's getting a little close to 5.0 and may want to be improved on.

When you have time can you add your machine to your profile? It will save confusion later. The S9 AutoSet CPAP machine would be the correct choice since you say your machine says AutoSet on it.

If you are having trouble fitting the Swift FX nasal pillow mask and figuring out the nasal position pillows...have you watched the fitting videos available for it? If not I would suggest that you watch the video.

[library lady]

Mask liners may help you with mask comfort, and they will help keep leaks to a minimum. I forgot what mask you are using, I seem to remember you are using pillows. It might also be that your mask is not the right one for you; many people need to try many masks before they find THE one. Others are fortunate to find the first one comfortable. Mask comfort is the most difficult thing to achieve when starting this journey into cpapland.