Should I be satisfied with these results ?

shippy · Post by **shippy** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:04 pm

O.K. I was just looking at my Encore Pro Sleep Therapy Long Term Trend report and it looks like this.

Data from 07/05/07 to 08/19/07

Straight CPAP pressure of 16cm

Quattro FF medium sized mask

Avg. Obstructive Apnea Index 1.6

Average Hypopnea Index 1.1

Average AHI 2.7

Average Vibatory Snore Index 48.2

Average Max Leak 100.0

Average 90% Leak 68.8

Average Leak 57.8

Average Large Leak 8 mins.

Would like to get that AHI down even lower but it may not be possible with a straight cpap at my high pressure, feeling pretty good after 8 1/2 months
of treatment still get drowzy sometimes in the afternoons but still have a lot of sleep loss to make up.

Dale

jrfoster · Post by **jrfoster** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:17 pm

Dale,

I would be very happy to keep my AHI down to 2.7. Anything under 5 is good therapy according to the 'experts' but others in the forum somehow get their down to under 1! Don't see how they do it. If my AHI could average out under 2 for most of the time I would be extremely happy!

My sleep doc said that AHI's are such that they fluctuate from time to time so not to get too upset if every once in awhile they go higher then what yo normally experience. If you can maintain 2.7 or lower I would be happy with those numbers. But that is my opinion, and I am sure others will have different ones!

Jeff in TN

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:22 am

An Average Max Leak 100.0

Average 90% Leak 68.8

Average Leak 57.8

Average Large Leak 8 mins.

An average large leak of 8 minutes' duration seem very very high to me. That means a average total loss of therapy time for 8 mins. a night. Do you let the system run witout you frequently, or use it for hose/mask drying ?

Because if that's not the reason for that major leak, than you've got some major leak control work to do -- which, I realise, is not so easy at 16 - but still, is worth trying.

O.

WilsonVilleUSA · Post by **WilsonVilleUSA** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:45 am

shippy wrote:
Avg. Obstructive Apnea Index 1.6

Average Hypopnea Index 1.1

Average AHI 2.7

I have managed to keep mine under 2 for going on 2 years. Usually in the 1.1-1.3 range. My initial sleep study before therapy had an AHI of 114.

Average Vibatory Snore Index 48.2

Average Leak 57.8

These seem high to me. My SI is usually less than 10 with the occasion reading btwn 10-15.

Mask leak avg for me is in the 32 range. Of course I am on APAP and spend most of my time around 10-11 cm so it may just be because of your higher pressure.

One thing I have noticed on my data, is there is a point around 15-16cm where my SI and AHI actually increase. I changed settings to limit it to 15cm instead of 18cm.

Regardless, it may be time for a re-check and possible adjustment. My doc originally had me set for straight CPAP with a pressure of 12. As I learned more about OSA, I pretty much TOLD him that I wanted APAP and took control of my own therapy. He didn't have any problems with my assertiveness and I have been very pleased with my results.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, AHI, Hypopnea, APAP

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:26 am

shippy wrote:Average Large Leak 8 mins.

This is the only thing in your stats that would concern me. There's no sense stressing or even looking at your AHI numbers until you get those leaks down.

What that stat says is that you're probably rolling over and your mask is disloding. You might see if there's a way to adjust the mask so it won't leak as much, or try other masks/cushions to see if you can get that leak down.

Something that I certainly feel is necessary in my treatment is that I can put the mask on, lay down, and then not have to touch my mask again for the entire night. You shouldn't even really have to fiddle with it as you're falling asleep because this means that when you do actually fall asleep, you'll dislodge it just as when you were awake, but you won't be awake to fix it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:21 am

A suggestion would be to lay down when being fitted for a mask. The DME that I use leans you back in a recliner unless you insist on laying down. I like to lay down for 15 minutes, turn from side to side to see what happens leak wise.

shippy · Post by **shippy** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:20 am

O.K. I agree the leaks are worse than i thought

I just went back and reviewed each daily report on Encore Pro Analyzer and out of 46 nights (07/05 to 08/19) there was a large leak on 14 of the nights the largest being 1 hour and ten mins. down to a low of around three minutes. Wow didn't realize it was that bad until i looked again thats 30% of the reported nights with a leak. I have been trying to sleep each night on my side because i have a lot more events on my back (AHI's not as good while sleeping on my back) I have woken up to some of these leaks ussually caused by the mask laying on the pillow which pushes the mask away from my face. Probably need to invest in a form fitting or pap type pillow and see if the leaks improve.

Dale

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:28 am

Once again, definite proof that having software to assist in evaluating your therapy is invaluable.

Best of luck to you in finding and eliminating your leaks. It sounds like you're feeling better, but I'd bet that once the leaks are gone, you're gonna feel great!

Kajun

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:45 am

Dale
I have probably tried as many mask's as most people here, including the CPAPpro(nightmare to adjust), Hybrid (leaks like a sieve) ULMM (a heavy leker also., and many others. Mostly full face mask's because of a problem with mouth leakage. There is no way for a dme to detect this in a mask fitting.
What finally worked for me is an Ace bandage, under the chin and over to top of the head. Utilizing this method I have been able to go back to the Comfort Gel Nasal mask. Now I have completely done away with the Ace bandage and my leak rate is around 26. I have had less leakage problems with the Comfort Gel mask than any other that I have tried.
When you see people extolling the values of a particular mask, remember that your face shape may not be like theirs and your sleep positions probably vary from theirs.
My sleep doctor doesn't sell mask's, but the mask manufacturers provide him all the mask's for fitting. His techie allows me to lay down on a bed with the mask on.
_________________

shippy · Post by **shippy** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:52 pm

What finally worked for me is an Ace bandage, under the chin and over to top of the head.

O.K. Pearl I assume this illeminates jaw drop, but did it stop you from mouth breathing? I might try the bandage and see what happens, also thinking i might need to clean excess oils off my face each night, with a teeny bopper type acne wipe, face and nose areas very oily in the morning when i get up.

Blarg hows Sydney going do you miss the states?

Dale

Should I be satisfied with these results ?

Should I be satisfied with these results ?

Re: Should I be satisfied with these results ?

Re: Should I be satisfied with these results ?

Machine	Mask