new to cpaptalk, data question

[cpappilot]

Hello Everyone,
I'm posting a question for my husband, cpappilot. He has been using his cpap machine since January 21, 2010. Today we downloaded his 3 months worth of compliance data and would like to ask the group for their suggestions on where he should go from here.

For "Sleep Therapy Long Term Trend," his cpap pressure is 7, OA: 1.1, H: 1.3, AHI: 2.4.

Here's what concerns me: Vibratory Snore Index 20.5, Average Max Leak: 72.3, Average 90% leak: 31.8, Average leak: 25.6, Average large leak: 25 secs.

He rarely uses the humidifier and had successful deviated nasal septum surgery 38 years ago.

Thanks!

Jane

[GumbyCT]

1st how is he feeling? Any better? Or NO Change?

2nd - his leak rate should be better controlled. But to better see and understand look at (post if you can) his daily details pages which will show his pressure, events, and a leak line all on one page. With this you can see better how when the leaks are high it can trigger events (or not) because while there are leaks the effective pressure will drop allowing events to go unchecked or even unnoticed. Leading to a low AHI score because the machine hasn't detected many events that occur during the high leak periods.

3rd - always include which mask (and pressure) he is using. The pretty picture doesn't tell me which mask he has or used last during the period in question.

See some people pick the wrong mask picture and/or change the mask but not update the profile. We all forget. I prefer to see the equipment listed in text, words not unrecognizable pictures.

[cpappilot]

1st how is he feeling? Any better? Or NO Change?

2nd - his leak rate should be better controlled. But to better see and understand look at (post if you can) his daily details pages which will show his pressure, events, and a leak line all on one page. With this you can see better how when the leaks are high it can trigger events (or not) because while there are leaks the effective pressure will drop allowing events to go unchecked or even unnoticed. Leading to a low AHI score because the machine hasn't detected many events that occur during the high leak periods.

3rd - always include which mask (and pressure) he is using. The pretty picture doesn't tell me which mask he has or used last during the period in question.

See some people pick the wrong mask picture and/or change the mask but not update the profile. We all forget. I prefer to see the equipment listed in text, words not unrecognizable pictures.

He is feeling some better over the past three months but does often complain of feeling tired.
I got rid of the pretty pictures.
His pressure is 7.
I'll have to think about how to post his daily detail pages.
He's up for a free replacement mask. He's a mouth breather. Any suggestions for that?

[GumbyCT]

He's up for a free replacement mask. He's a mouth breather. Any suggestions for that?

I was/am also a mouth breather. I think most people are once they fall asleep.

I think I have trained myself to be aware of mouth breathing and keeping my tongue planted to my hard palate while holding a pillow under my chin to keep my jaw from dropping.

I still find air escaping from time to time but right now I am and have been impartial to the Aeiomed Headrest - a nasal pillows mask. A Much lighter mask and far more comfy for Gumby

Sealing around the nares is much easier since there is far less skin (sealing surface) contact.

Edit: RG's Links - viewtopic.php?f=1&p=475809#p475809

[Julie]

He likely needs a 'Full face" mask - nasal one extended to cover his mouth. There are many popular ones (look on Cpap.com) like the Quattro, Hybrid, Liberty, Ultra Mirage, etc.

[cflame1]

Question about the leaks... is he taking the mask off before shutting the machine off, or not. If not there could be actual large leaks in there, and therefore the numbers could actually be worse (or not).

[gpk111]

If there is some way you could install the ResScan software, you could then see when the leaks occur and how intense they are. A leak of (say) 20 for the entire night is very different than a leak of 40 for half the night. The average will show as 20, but the conclusions without the detailed data will be very different.

Oops. Didn't see you're not a Resmed user. The principle holds, however.