Does waking time with mask on distort readings?

[real]

Do all the hours I'm not asleep while my APAP is on distort the readings given on the machine?

[Julie]

Well they will, but you shouldn't be using the machine when you're up and about... it's one thing to use it when you're in bed about to sleep - however long it takes to get 'there', but another to not just wear the mask to get used to the feel but also have the machine on when not about to sleep. Your breathing patterns are very diff. when awake and why have anything on but the mask?

[Uff Da]

Well, I don't know what the situation is for the OP, but a couple of nights I lay there with the mask on for four hours without a wink of sleep. One night I might have managed 15-20 minutes sleep in a four hour period. And the other two nights my sleep time was still a small proportion of the time use. So I've had the same question, how does the actual sleep time compare with the awake time in terms of the numbers I see on the machine? At some point will I be able to get numbers to show the difference?

[Julie]

The numbers won't be valid. Period.

[D.H.]

Considering how many people put the machine in mothballs or return it, I don't wish to criticize anybody who tries to get used to CPAP, even while awake.

Also, as a point of information, this time will count towards compliance time!

[palerider]

Do all the hours I'm not asleep while my APAP is on distort the readings given on the machine?

Yes, of course, since the AHI is events divided by hours.

if you have 24 events in 8 hours of sleep, and you dilute the numbers by wearing the mask 12 hours... it'd make your actual AHI of 3 look like 2

[prodigyplace]

Do all the hours I'm not asleep while my APAP is on distort the readings given on the machine?

The number of hours in use is valid but the analysis of AHI, etc. will be incorrect because the machine is programmed to look at normal sleeping breathing. Our breathing patterns are different when awake. AHI will likely show higher than when asleep.

[palerider]

The number of hours in use is valid

Wrong

but the analysis of AHI, etc. will be incorrect

True

because the machine is programmed to look at normal sleeping breathing.

wrong

Our breathing patterns are different when awake.

True

AHI will likely show higher than when asleep.

Not necessarily, it could be much lower.

Please don't comment on things you don't know.

[32blownhemi]

At first I wore my mask when I was awake in order to get my compliance time in. I was having trouble sleeping all night with it on... My sleep therapist even said I could wear it when I was awake to get used to it.... DH mentioned that so many people just put their machine in moth balls that you should do whatever you have to do to get used to it... And since I've had my machine & have talked about it with friends? Two of my friends have mentioned they have it & haven't worn the mask in years....

[prodigyplace]

Please don't comment on things you don't know.

Please do not comment in threads without providing any useful information.

Most of us here are not omniscient and are open to learning. You provided no correct useful information in your post.

Before you go off on another tirade, remember I am just providing straight, factual information like you claim to do but failed in this case.

[Julie]

Would be a good idea to provide some data to back up your assertions.

[prodigyplace]

Would be a good idea to provide some data to back up your assertions.

The thread I quoted merely said I was wrong on some things without saying something useful, like what is correct, and possibly why. He provided the data to back up that assertions in that post.

Most people can disagree and provide advice without being disagreeable. PR, apparently, is not one of those people.

[ChicagoGranny]

Do all the hours I'm not asleep while my APAP is on distort the readings given on the machine?

Can you provide a specific example of what you are concerned about?

(The machine does not know whether you are asleep or awake.)

[palerider]

Before you go off on another tirade, remember I am just providing straight, factual information like you claim to do but failed in this case.

Only, you're *not* providing "straight, factual" anything.

You're providing *MISinformation". What you're saying is WRONG.

Yes, people are here to learn, and having MISinformation posted is a disservice to those that want to learn.

You weren't completely wrong, but the important parts of what you were saying was, at best, misleading and unhelpful.