What data do you find most useful?

[zipit555]

Hi all. I am new to the forum here but I have been lurking for a few weeks trying to gain some insight into this whole CPAP thing. I started my therapy last week and am a bit frustrated but not deterred. I am going through what I gather is normal in terms of adjusting to therapy. (Figuring out mask leaks, settings, and just plain getting used to wearing a nasel pillow) So far I don't feel like I am sleeping better so I am looking for some insight as to whether I need to just give it some more time or adjust something I am doing. Part of my frustration is the lack of being able to currently see the "System Leak", "AHI", and "Periodic Breathing" numbers under the "Info Screen" on my CPAP. (It's a long story .........but........long story short, after several calls between me and my DME, my DME who told me the info was not available and who initially got bad information from Respironics about that info not being available has finally seen the light and after my persistance has finally learned it is available and is sending me a new SD card that is supposed to enable me to see that info.)

Anyhow, I am looking to see what info you all use daily/weekly/monthly to see how your therapy is going. (I suppose this is less important if you are feeling well as that is the ultimate goal of therapy) Is the info from the screen enough since it is 7 & 30 day averages or is it better to get encore viewer or encore pro to look at the data on a daily basis. (Do they allow you to see those same numbers on a daily basis?) One of the things I am trying to figure out is if the numbers/data can tell you if you are opening your mouth throught the night. I don't believe I am but how can you be sure?

Thanks for any input and I look forward to becoming more active in this forum as I progress.

[Janknitz]

The LED screen information on Philips Respironics machines is only marginally useful. It's 7 and 30 day averages for AHI, so you can skew the data with one bad night, or have some bad time every night that doesn't really show up in the averages (but still needs to be addressed).

The "large leak" and periodic breathing averages are useless. If you sleep an average of 8 hours per night, you'd have to have a large leak the size of a jet plane's wash for at least 34 minutes to register only 1% large leak. Most people notice that kind of leak all by themselves (not everybody, if they are deeply asleep). The same goes for periodic breathing.

With these averages, the most you can hope for is trends. If you remember to check your AHI every day you might be able to detect a bad night, and certainly if the AHI is simply too high in general, but that's all.

To really have useful data, you MUST have the Encore Viewer software. With that you can see not only averages,but you can see REAL leak and pressure data and how it's distributed over your sleep cycle. If your problems are related to a particular pressure or time of night, you can see it on the charts.

For an example of the type of data you can see with software, you can go to my "Respironics Data Tutorial" on my blog.

[Goofproof]

The Dallies in Encore Pro or Viewer. Jim

[zipit555]

Janknitz....thanks. I checked your blog out for the data tutorial. I am having mostly bad nights now trying to adjust to the whole CPAP thing. Last night was particularly bad. I am wondering if I have been too afraid to over-tighten the straps on my mask and maybe that is part of the problem. I am committed to sticking with it but I am hoping the data can maybe shortcut the process? I am really curious to get a look at the leak and AHI numbers once I get my new SD card to enable them. How should the AHI numbers compare to the one I got on my sleep study in terms of accuracy? Also, is there anything that would be indicative of my mouth opening through the night? I don't think my mouth is opening but how do you really know? Is there a way to get a demo of the encore viewer to check it out before having to purchase it? Steams me that it seems like it would be useful to have but it is an "accessory".

[Tired Linda]

Welcome zipit555, you will need the Encore Viewer software if you want to look at your daily data. ($99 from cpap.com, our hosts) As far as I know there's not a demo available but the software is well worth the cost, in my opinion. If you have a newer computer or printer with a slot for an SD card, you can pop it in and check your data easily.

The data on the report is much more detailed than what is on the machine's screen, and there are a lot of people around here who can help you learn how to read the reports.

[HoseCrusher]

From my perspective the purpose of the xPAP treatment is to remove the obstructions to breathing while sleeping. The best indicator of this is O2 saturation.

Once you have the obstructions taken care of, you can then move on to address the other issues of sleep disorders.

Keep in mind that the goal is to get a good nights sleep.