Smart Card Download

[Elephant Face]

Just received a copy of my Smart Card Download for the last 2 months. This was the 1st download b/c I'm new to this machine.

1. My Average AHI was only 4.2. Does that mean I don't really need the machine very much?

2. Average Leak was 33.5. What does this mean?

Whom should I ask these questions...Primary Care Physician, Pulmonologist, Maxillofacial Surgeon, or the company that sends me my supplies and downloaded the information? Thanks, atd

[slumberer]

1. My Average AHI was only 4.2. Does that mean I don't really need the machine very much? It is my understanding that this is your AHI WITH the APAP therapy. I would imagine your goal would be to further reduce your AHI thorugh adjusting your minimum and maximum limit. At any rate, don't stop the therapy without your MD being in on the loop.



2. Average Leak was 33.5. What does this mean?

As I get it this indicates the average amount of air leaking from the steady stream of air to the mask; of course, leaks are built into the mask to vent CO2. Every mask has its own "leak rating" as I understand it. I suppose you could subtract the anticipated mask leak from your average and get a rough idea if your leak is excessive. I also noticed that there is a category called "large leak"...If that is zero, I am happy.

[rested gal]

1. My Average AHI was only 4.2. Does that mean I don't really need the machine very much?

It means the machine is doing what it's supposed to do for you...keeping your throat open well enough to keep you from having very many apneas and hypopneas. The AHI you're seeing are the apneas and hypopneas that sneaked through anyway despite the machine working to ward off most of those kinds of events.

It means you should keep using the machine, every time you sleep. Any night you don't use it, you'll be having the same kinds of numbers you had at the sleep study when they found that you had sleep apnea.

An AHI under 5.0 while on cpap is a sign of effective treatment while using cpap. It is not a sign of "don't really need the machine very much."

CPAP isn't a cure in the sense that usage improves things so that you don't need it. It's an aid to keep the airway open so you can breathe while you sleep. Just like eyeglasses are an aid so you can read a phone book.

Gotta keep using the machine for every sleeping moment, including naps. Using something that lets us breathe while we sleep is good for us!

[Elephant Face]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I really was hoping this ment I could ditch the machine. But I guess not huh.

[sthnreb]

I try to keep my AHI to 2.0 or lower. I have the auto titrating bipap which does great. If I swap to straight bipap, I believe it would stay 1 or below. I work with settings to optimize my usage though. Like he said, if the large leaks are zero...no problem. I like for the charting to be fairly smooth with no big spikes or leaks. I also wear my headgear straps extremely loose and have a full beard. I find that the air pressure does most of the sealing and the headgear just keep it all in place. If you get it to tight, boy will the bridge of your nose hurt.