ResMed Flow Limitation Statistics - Informal Poll

My average over a typical ten days taken from SleepyHead daily details report -

Med. - 0.00
95% - 0.14
Max - 0.31

If you use a ResMed machine and SleepyHead, what's yours?

Thanks for participating!

(See also this discussion - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=94564&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... n&start=45 )

Sounds interesting, but I have no idea where to get those statistics.

Someone more knowledgeable than me please correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that a machine's ability to identify flow limitation and score it meaningful is someone debatable. My understanding is that flow is used in auto titration mode to help adjust pressure in the prediction of possible events. So, even if it is identified correctly, I think different manufacturers score it differently and therefore we don't know what any given score of flow limitation means. But, I could be wrong...probably am...

Christine L wrote:Sounds interesting, but I have no idea where to get those statistics.

It's a S9 SleepyHead report statistic.
The PR S1 machines flag/score FLs differently and I personally find that way a little more useful.
See an example of my really boring FL graph from my S9 VPAP below. I don't get FLs recorded on the Adapt. Just not offered at all.
I don't know how important it might be in the grand scheme of things but mine are nearly non existent and when I used a PR S1 machine...pretty much non existent then also.
If FLs are numerous...it's possible that they could be a factor in sleep disruptions and while auto (apap) mode will see the machine respond to FLs sometimes it doesn't respond sufficiently enough to get FLs nice and low.
If someone has "good" numbers elsewhere and still feeling crappy then FLs might be something we would want to look at on the off chance they are a potential factor in overall sleep quality like causing low level arousals. Usually addressed with maybe a little more pressure to see if it helps reduce large numbers.

bavinck wrote:I think different manufacturers score it differently and therefore we don't know what any given score of flow limitation means.

So yes, different manufacturers score them differently and we aren't ever really given any sort of guideline to help interpret what we see but in general if we see excessive numbers of anything..not good.

So here's mine and I have no desire to do any averaging...too much work and they all pretty much look like this anyway with very similar low median, 95% and max numbers.

Apologies to Respironics users. I edited the OP to show ResMed machines. No need IMO to start comparing the differences between machine makes.

I would just like to get a feel for where my results rank compare to other ResMed users who have successful or not-so-successful treatment.

Fair enough. I will take a peek tonight and get back to you.

see my posts here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=98136&p=909902#p909902

My FL stats have ranged as follows (min & max given for each):
Min 0.00-0.00
Med 0.00-0.00
95% 0.04-0.10
Max 0.14-0.38

I don't use SleepyHead, but my Flow Limitations graph in ResScan looks horrendous.

I have tried upping my lower APAP pressure to no avail.

My nightly AHI is never above 3, usually 1 or even less & made up only of hypopneas with no obstructive apneas. And I always feel fully rested, so I do not believe that the Flow Limitations are having any effect on me.

Is my ResMed S9 AutoSet just too aggressive in recording Flow Limitations?
Or, is this a real problem?

I have researched Flow Limitations to exhaustation & have never really found a satisfactory answer.

Here is a 5-21-14 article by ResMed Re a new algorithm for treating Flow Limitations in women. Guess us guys will have to wait for our turn.

http://investor.resmed.com/phoenix.zhtm ... id=1933185

StuUnderPressure wrote:Here is a 5-21-14 article by ResMed Re a new algorithm for treating Flow Limitations in women. Guess us guys will have to wait for our turn.

http://investor.resmed.com/phoenix.zhtm ... id=1933185

How could we take advantage of this alogrithm if we have a ResMed APAP? Is there any way to update the firmware?

StuUnderPressure wrote:Here is a 5-21-14 article by ResMed Re a new algorithm for treating Flow Limitations in women. Guess us guys will have to wait for our turn.

http://investor.resmed.com/phoenix.zhtm ... id=1933185

justinjustin wrote:

StuUnderPressure wrote:Here is a 5-21-14 article by ResMed Re a new algorithm for treating Flow Limitations in women. Guess us guys will have to wait for our turn.

http://investor.resmed.com/phoenix.zhtm ... id=1933185

How could we take advantage of this alogrithm if we have a ResMed APAP? Is there any way to update the firmware?

The way I understand this, the current algorithm fits a male profile and the new female profile would be inappropriate for the typical male.

For males, there is nothing to wait for. The algorithm is already designed for you. But not to say that as the science continues to develop any algorithm can be improved.

BTW, I will start a new thread because this information does not belong in this thread.

See viewtopic.php?f=1&t=98273

Here are my ranges over the last week. Please note: I use the weighted average rather than the median because I think it is a more informative number.

Min. 0.0
Avg. 0.03-0.05
95% 0.16-0.27
Max. 0.38-0.55

StuUnderPressure wrote:I don't use SleepyHead, but my Flow Limitations graph in ResScan looks horrendous.

My Flow Limitations are the same but I don't worry about it cause my AHI is usually zero or .1or.2 and I feel great in the morning. I figure my Adapt is doing what it is suppose to do take care of them by increasing pressure. I sleep right through it all. All I get is Hypopnea's, I've had 4 Apnea's since since last December the 11th when I started ASV.