would anyone interpret my data for me? :)

Hi!

I am quite happy. As I'm sure you know, it's really not too fun getting used to this bipap thing... sigh. But I knocked up my pressure a bit more and managed to sleep 3+ hours last night (plus another hour that was basically me tossing and turning). I have never been able to fall asleep immediately at bedtime, and it's only aggravated with bipap.

Anyway, would someone be able to take a look at my data and see how I'm doing? Granted, the slice I am providing to you is only a little over four hours and I was awake for probably about one hour or so during that time (about half an hour at the start of each of the two segments), but it looks, ummmm... not all that great. I think I'm seeing more OSA and HI markings than I should be.

Two things to note: My IPAP/EPAP was originally set at 9/5, but I bumped it to 11/6, it seems to work better in practice. Additionally, any MAJOR leaks you see is me taking off my mask to scratch my nose. Yes, I really did do it that much!

This is my link... http://www.scribd.com/doc/8696807/Encore

Thanks a million!
Grace

Its too early to be changing your pressure settings. We don't breathe the same whilst awake as whilst sleeping. Those nights I lay in bed watching TV w/xPAP and mask on or just not able to sleep my AHI is always higher than if I don my gear and drift off to sleep w/in 10-15 minutes. Plus you need to get your leaks under control for your data to have any real relevance. And you obviously need to "make nice" w/your mask or exchange it for a "friendlier" one.

So, first things first: find a mask you CAN wear all night, get your leaks under control. (Aggravating, isn't it??)

Grace, I'm not a doctor or anything in the health care field, and I do agree with Slinky on all her points.

However, knowing me, even while working on the leaks, I'd be inclined to go ahead and change those pressure settings right now. I'm a big believer in setting the min EPAP up to where it can prevent most apneas right from the get-go. If it were me, I'd give these settings a try for a week or so:

Auto Bilevel (Auto-titrating bipap mode)
Max IPAP 20.0
Min EPAP 9.0
Max Press Sup 8.0
Bi-Flex Setting 3 (or whatever feels smooth)
Autoramp time 0:00 (or set a ramp time, if needed.)
Mask Alert Feature OFF
Auto Off Feature ON
Split Night Time - Off
Show AHI/Leak Feature ON
Patient Reminder OFF

Good advice. However, this particular day does seem to be kind of an anomaly in the leaks department. Usually I am right on target for my mask's leak rate (I think it's 36 or so... indeed, the random night I just checked had me at a 36.8 average for that night).

I mainly changed my pressure because I was having problems breathing on xpap, dropping off to sleep and waking up gasping, etc... basically changed it not for me waking comfort but for my sleeping comfort. My mask is quite comfortable... the best one I have tried so far!