Escape vs Elite II

[woodg]

I'm glad I found this thread. I just got my machine yesterday and got the same deal. I did specifically request a fully data capable machine when I talked to the DME last week and didn't realize that I had the Escape until I got home and started researching it.

Fortunately, I'm pretty well tied in with folks in the healthcare industry and I live in a small town. Because of that, I know people, who know people and I have a close connection to the supervisor at my DME, so we'll see how the trade up thing works out. Even if I have to buy one on my own nickel, I'll probably do it. I've found Elite II machines for around $500, which I would rather not spend, but if that's what it takes, then I will. I also travel a great deal for my work, so I wouldn't mind having one machine for home and one for on the road either.

Again, thanks for the info and I'll be following this thread to see how it works out for you.

[carbonman]

I've found Elite II machines for around $500, which I would rather not spend, but if that's what it takes, then I will.

FYI
You may want to check the auction.
I just scored an S8 Autoset II for $200+change....
new, unopened, no hours.

Many more options w/that machine.

[cybermom53]

My Elite II finally came in and the DME told me I still wouldn't be able to read the data myself. But I followed the instructions on this post and got some numbers off of it this morning (after my second night using it instead of Escape). Now can someone please tell me what the numbers mean or what I should be looking for. Here's what it said: Leaks: 0.12ls, AHI: 3, AI: 0.4, Hi, 2.6. I have no idea what is good or bad or anything like that. I know my initial sleep study had an index of 17 if that makes any sense? Thanks.

[Slinky]

Those are wonderful results!!!

We like to see the Leak 0.4 L/s, the AI below 1.0, the AHI below 0.5

Your AHI is the number of apneas and hypopneas you experieced PER HOUR that night.
Your AI is the number of apneas you experienced PER HOUR that night
Your HI is the number of hypopneas you experienced PER HOUR that night.

A hypopnea is a partial obstruction of your breathing
An apnea is a cessation of breathing due to complete obstruction of your airway

The Leak rate is the amount of leak due to poor mask fit or mouth leaks over the amount of allowed leak built into your mask to allow escape of your "used" air and excessive C02.

[KatieW]

My Elite II finally came in and the DME told me I still wouldn't be able to read the data myself. But I followed the instructions on this post and got some numbers off of it this morning (after my second night using it instead of Escape). Now can someone please tell me what the numbers mean or what I should be looking for. Here's what it said: Leaks: 0.12ls, AHI: 3, AI: 0.4, Hi, 2.6. I have no idea what is good or bad or anything like that. I know my initial sleep study had an index of 17 if that makes any sense? Thanks.

Well, you're smarter than your DME Good for you, for enabling the Smart Card Data.

Your results look good, you're well on your way. I like to keep a notebook with the daily numbers, for comparison.

[DreamOn]

We like to see the Leak 0.4 L/s, the AI below 1.0, the AHI below 0.5

Great info from Slinky, as always, but I think she made a typo. I believe she meant to say that target AHI should be below 5 (not 0.5). And, to clarify, Leak should be 0.4 L/s or less, as close to 0 as possible.

~ DreamOn

[cybermom53]

Should I be concerned about 0.12 leak rate? Or that the AHI is 3? My husband said he heard it leaking last night when I turned over. I had been using the elastic fix to keep the pillows in place better that someone on the forum suggested with the Swift LT. But when my pap-a-cheeks came in we took the elastic off. I'm thinking maybe we should put it back on because I think it helped hold it in place when I turned over. Thanks again for your help. This forum has been a lifesaver. The DME, who obviously wanted me to stick with the Escape, made it sound like I would only get data if I took the machine in to them. Even the nurse practitioner that I saw last week didn't think I'd be able to get the data myself.

[Slinky]

Thank you for clarifying, DreamOn. I'm still queasy and not at my best from the wrong (for me) drug cocktail Friday.

To repeat, correctly this time, I hope

We like to see the Leak BELOW 0.4 L/s, the AI below 1.0, the AHI below 5.0

0.12 is considerably lower than 0.4 (to take it one more, 0.12 is lower than 0.40) so you are good to go as we've all said.

[rested gal]

Should I be concerned about 0.12 leak rate? Or that the AHI is 3?

No, you shouldn't be concerned at all about that nice low leak rate. While zero is ideal with a ResMed machine, 0.12 is very low. Probably just a few random tiny leaks from the mask now and then during the night, that I wouldn't be worried about in the least.

With a ResMed machine, if the AI is below 1.0, I would not worry if the HI was anything all the way up to HI of 8.0 or 9.0.

All your numbers look great, cybermom. If I were you, I'd relax now, and enjoy the good treatment your machine is giving you.

I personally don't expect an AHI below 5.0 from a ResMed machine, in order to be getting excellent treatment from a ResMed machine. Any AHI of 9.0 or less IF THE AI PART OF THE AHI WAS BELOW 1.0 would be fine with me.

The usual rule of thumb that the AHI should be under 5.0 can make ResMed users (whose HI might be what's contributing to a higher AHI than 5.0) think there is something wrong with their therapy and that they need to change a setting. When, in fact, they are getting quite effective treatment and don't need to change a thing.

With other brands of machines, certain flow limitations might still be considered "just a flow limitation...not yet a hypopnea", while a ResMed machine might score that SAME FLOW LIMITATION as a hypopnea. It's a matter of the definitions each manufacturer builds into their machines. They don't all use the same definition for "hypopnea." With other brands of machines, that rule of thumb "AHI should be below 5.0" applies; but not so much so, imho, to a ResMed machine.

Velbor's chart -- definition of hypopnea Respironics and ResMed:
viewtopic.php?p=353046#p353046

[DreamOn]

I'm still queasy and not at my best from the wrong (for me) drug cocktail Friday.

Sorry to hear that, Slinky. I hope you're feeling better by tomorrow.

[cybermom53]

Thank you for all the help and the clarification!

[DreamOn]

Thank you for all the help and the clarification!

Cybermom,

When you get a chance, be sure to update your equipment profile, so everyone will know that you have the full-data capable Elite II. I think you're going to like it!