Need help understanding my numbers and a big thank you

[Andy99]

I have been on CPAP for 2 weeks now and I downloaded my number for the first time today. I would like some help understanding them. I also want to thank everyone on this Board. I have gotten no help from my ENT, The sleep study facility or the equipment supplier. If it wasnt for all the helpful people on this site I would have stopped using my C-pap the first week. I have received no phone calls from anyone asking how i'm doing and My Dr. hasn't even asked me to scheduled a followup appointment. It was pretty much heres your Cpap.

After two weeks here are my number. Please help me understand what Im looking at.
They have my pressure set at 10.

Average obstructive apnea index is 1.6

average hypopnea index 1.1
Average AHI 2.7

Average vibratory snore index 1.8

Average MAX leak 95.8
Average 90% leak 63.0
Average Leak 50.6
Average large leak 38.6 minutes


Thank you in advance

[ziggytosh]

Hi Andy. Others have much more experience and knowledge than me, but I can at least tell you about the AHI. You're doing great!! That's what your AHI numbers mean. The treatment is working and your apnea is now well within the "normal" range, which is anything below 5.0 AHI. I think if you continue sticking with it, you'll be feeling more energetic and getting more of the health benefits in no time.

[Andy99]

Im glad to hear it.

When I saw the leak numbers I was worried. they seemed high to me? but I dont know

[Wulfman]

Im glad to hear it.

When I saw the leak numbers I was worried. they seemed high to me? but I dont know

They (leak numbers) are a little high for your pressure.
Could be mouth leaking......
Make sure you are shutting the machine off BEFORE taking your mask off.

This next one is a little troublesome, too:

Average large leak 38.6 minutes

Were these stats for the last two weeks?

Den

[Andy99]

Yes for the last two weeks

[Wulfman]

Yes for the last two weeks

Are there "black lines" on your nightly "Details" reports? Or, is there some other explanation for that many minutes of Large Leaks?


Den

[Andy99]

My wife says sometimes I have air leaking out my mouth when I sleep.
I do have some small black line but nothing major.

[echo]

Andy, i hate to be a party-pooper, but if you've got really bad leaks (either from the mask or through your mouth), then your AHI will be a bit meaningless. If you have large leaks from the mask, then your machine won't be able to detect events. If you're leaking through your mouth, then the pressure is not therapeutic (it's going out your mouth rather than keeping your throat open), and you'll get arousals, events, and very bad dry mouth/throat. You may not even realize that the mouth leaking is happening (most of us don't, even though it's really loud).

If you post a detailed report which includes the leak line, we might be able to give you better feedback on the leaks.

If you even suspect mouth breathing, I would suggest to either try taping for a night or two, or to get your hands on a full face mask asap.

[Andy99]

I would be interested in trying a Hybrid what do you think of that?

[echo]

The Hybrid is very very popular (as is the Hybrid's cousin the Liberty).
If you cannot get one from your DME, then check out pjwalman's Hybrid test drive (i think her waiting list is a bit long at the moment, but just send her a PM, or get on the Liberty test drive too in the meantime) : phpBBFolk.php?mode=search&tag=%22mask%20test%20drive%22

[Andy99]

I dont know how to post the leak Line? How do you do that

[echo]

Andy, first save your report or chart in PDF or JPG format. Then, upload it to a free service like photobucket. You can then link to the file in the post (there is no way to attach files to a post - the file has to be physically located somewhere else online). There have been some previous posts with detailed instructions but I couldn't find them back. If you need additional help for generating the PDF or creating a JPG then please ask (but I don't have the answer to that because I don't use your equipment, but others will).

[Andy99]

Bump

[Wulfman]

Andy,

Instead of using the "Average" numbers (which might be misleading), try resetting the LCD display settings and get some nightly data to look at. (Instructions are at the bottom of these)

Den


REMstar M Series Pro Setup

Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the little power cord in the back, wait for 2 beeps release buttons. Then press the + key to enter setup mode, use the <- -> buttons to move to the next field, use the -/+ keys to decrease/increase values, when set press the On/Off button to exit Setup.

Therapy Mode = CPAP
CPAP Pressure = NN
C-Flex Setting = Off, 1, 2 or 3
Ramp Time = (0:05 to 0:45)
Ramp Start Pressure = 4.0cm (can be from 4cm to AutoMin pressure).
Mask Alert = On/Off (beeps on large leak, mask removal).
Auto Off = Off (turns off machine on large leak/mask removal) Suggest leaving it "Off"
Show AHI/Leak = On (enables logging to display) Suggest leaving it "On"
Patient Reminder = Off (days to remind you that you get a new mask w/Insurance).
returns to Therapy Mode =



==========Resetting LCD Display Data====================

To reset LCD Therapy data (does NOT erase any data from SmartCard):

1. Hold down the (<-) (->) buttons while plugging in the power on the back,
wait for 2 beeps or 5 seconds, release buttons.
2. Press the (->) key and navigate to Therapy screen.
3. Press and HOLD down the (-) minus key for 5 seconds and/or until therapy data is reset to Zero.
4. Press the (->) key to scroll back to main menu, press (+) key to enter Setup or
On/Off button to exit.

[echo]

Andy, did I miss something? There was another thread from you about having trouble with the card reader. Are you unable to get the software/card reader to work? In that case I would go with Den's suggestion.