Help with reading stats and question about machine

[crushing]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for the time and effort that goes into this site. I've been on CPAP for 4 years now. It's very effective for me and I've never really thought about joining an online community, but after my machine started going bad I ended up here.

I called the office that originally gave me my machine. They said it was still under warranty and that they would repair it. They gave me a brand new one to use while it was being serviced. That was about a month ago and I haven't heard anything. I'm happy with the new machine so I haven't put much effort into calling them back. Luckily, I downloaded all of my data to Sleepyhead before I took it in. In case it doesn't show up in my profile, it is a F&P icon. I use a full face mask- the Quatro and I do have a padacheek (thanks for the suggestion to get that).

After learning more about the issues surrounding CPAP and reading the response to other people's post, I was hoping someone can give me some advice. When I am falling asleep, I am having a lot of flow limitations. I originally had the ramp turned on but after reading information on this site, I turned that off. Pressure is set to MIN and MAX of 8 based on my sleep study. A screenshot of last night is below. It is fairly typical. I do not have a copy of my sleep study. Doctor has retired and no one can find it. I am thinking of getting another one next year (5 years from the first) and getting a different machine.

As you can see, there are some FLs right when I fall asleep. I'm thinking that I should either 1) leave well enough alone or 2) set the max pressure to 10 to see if that helps. Also, I don't see all of the charts that user guide says to show- like the flow volume. I am assuming the F&P doesn't have that unless someone can tell me how to get it to show up. I am pretty computer savvy and didn't see the chart anywhere.

I generally feel pretty good. I can't say that I feel tired a lot- more just run down from the grind of being older and running 3 kids around.

Thanks.

[Wulfman...]

Looks pretty good to me.
If you're going to change pressures, I'd stick with setting them both to the same pressure......like you've been doing.


Den

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[crushing]

Thanks Den.

Will upping the pressure help with those FLs?

Is there a long term drawback to upping the pressure?

[Wulfman...]

Thanks Den.

Will upping the pressure help with those FLs?

Is there a long term drawback to upping the pressure?

It all depends on what's causing them. Sometimes we just breathe shallower than at other times.
But, it MIGHT help. We never know till we try. One of the old sayings on the forum is "If we change pressures and things get better, we know we're going in the right direction."

You're already doing pretty well, so whatever you do from this point will be frosting on the cake.


Den

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[Pugsy]

Increasing the pressure just a little might help those FLs...and it might not. You could try maybe 0.5 to 1.0 cm more and see what happens. It's the only way to know for sure.

That said...if the only time you see that sort of clustering is right when you first go to bed...if it were me I wouldn't worry about it. I never get too excited about anything that shows up right next to known awake times.
These machines often will flag awake/semi awake breathing irregularities by mistake and they don't really need treating if they are simply awake breathing irregularities.

If you are having some nasal congestion right when you go to bed...that might also explain the FLs.

So if you are sleeping decently and feeling decent during the day then I don't know that I would worry about a little clustering of FLs if the only time you see them is at the beginning of the night.
Those other random FLs...not enough to warrant a second look.

I don't know enough about the Icon's software reports and SleepyHead compatibility to know if the lack of the graphs, you think would be there but aren't, is the machine not gathering the data or SH having a problem.
I haven't seen an Icon user guide either.
If you want to maybe try the official F & P software to see what it shows send me a PM and I will point you to it.
Windows only though...and a royal PITA to install and use.
People say that Respironics Encore Pro is for masochists.. it's a walk in the park compared to InfoSmart.

[crushing]

Thank you. I will take you up on the offer for the F&P software. I couldn't find it to download it.