ok, i finally got my data capable machine, so, instead of whining and wailing and gnashing my teeth about not having one, i can now be a PITA about something different...as in help with interpreting the data!
i tried to download jskinner's analyzer but no dice so far, and have emailed him...so...
if i may, i will post my numbers and maybe someone would kindly weigh in:
Sept. 28 (using my aura/twilight np/headrest)
OA 1.4
H 5.5
VS 54.3
AHI 6.9
Large Leak 3.5 mins (think this was talking to hubby in the a.m.)
0.07% of night
average leak 18.59
average time in apnea 4.1 mins
average time in large leak 7 hrs. 7 mins. (?!)
average AHI 6.5
sept. 29 (aura again)
OA 1.7
H 3.3
VS 37.6
AHI 5.0
large leak 5.5 mins (bathroom trip)
1.0% of night
average leak 18.96
Sept. 30 (switched to breeze interface)
OA 0.8
H 3.1
VS 32.0
AHI 3.8
large leak 0.0 mins (but shows two big spikes on graph...bathroom trip and talking to hubby in a.m.)
average leak 19.08
so, i think the AHI looks decent; i guess what i don't know about is the vibratory snore index; do i need to concern myself with this if i'm having minimal events? would this be related to the hypop's?
also, i know nothing about the leak rate stuff, so that's where i need some input
thanks in advance!
sharon
p.s. incidentally, the patient disconnect alert really does work with the breeze and the CL2, but not the aura...someone said there isn't enough built in leak rate and i have no idea what that means or where to get that info...at this point i'm just curious, although i would like to have that feature working since i do still take off my mask sometimes
help with data
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
help with data
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got...
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Wulfman...
Hi Sharon.
Glad to see you're finally seeing some data.
You didn't say what your pressure was, but increasing it by 1 cm. (at a time....for several days to a week) will more than likely bring down the AHI and snoring numbers.....or at least give you an idea of how much it affects them.
Lookin' good.....so far.
If you have the Pro 2 and EP 1.6i (showing in your profile) you can also use MyEncore v. 1.5B7. Here's the link to it......you'll have to put the h t t p colon slash slash in front of the link.....but I just checked and it WILL download. Then, you can also use James Skinner's program when you get it.
lewiston.mit.edu/myencore/myencore15b7.msi
Den
Glad to see you're finally seeing some data.
You didn't say what your pressure was, but increasing it by 1 cm. (at a time....for several days to a week) will more than likely bring down the AHI and snoring numbers.....or at least give you an idea of how much it affects them.
Lookin' good.....so far.
If you have the Pro 2 and EP 1.6i (showing in your profile) you can also use MyEncore v. 1.5B7. Here's the link to it......you'll have to put the h t t p colon slash slash in front of the link.....but I just checked and it WILL download. Then, you can also use James Skinner's program when you get it.
lewiston.mit.edu/myencore/myencore15b7.msi
Den
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
thanks den...i knew you'd help me out!
silly me, sorry, my pressure is 6
and actually my software is encore pro 1.8.49, but that didn't show up on the dropdown...can it still try that 'MyEncore...'?
thanks for your help!
sharon
silly me, sorry, my pressure is 6
and actually my software is encore pro 1.8.49, but that didn't show up on the dropdown...can it still try that 'MyEncore...'?
thanks for your help!
sharon
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got...
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Wulfman...
I'm afraid not. EP 1.6 was the end-of-the-line for MyEncore.sharon1965 wrote:thanks den...i knew you'd help me out!
silly me, sorry, my pressure is 6
and actually my software is encore pro 1.8.49, but that didn't show up on the dropdown...can it still try that 'MyEncore...'?
thanks for your help!
sharon
Yeah, I'd start bumping up the pressure, like I mentioned. I'll bet you'll see a dramatic drop in your numbers with some minor pressure increases.
Keep us informed.
Den
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Sharon........
I'm betting that your eventual pressure setting is going to be somwehere around 8 or 9 cm.
Once you get Skinner's software....and set it up so that you can view the drop-down "Pressure" figures in "line chart" format....you'll probably see that your apneas and hypopneas are mostly happening at your low pressure setting of 6 cm.
The neat thing about Skinner's Analyzer is that it allows us to view the pressure at which our problems occur.....thereby allowing us to find the "sweet spot" area where we can set our pressures....and avoid bad AHI's.
Gerald
I'm betting that your eventual pressure setting is going to be somwehere around 8 or 9 cm.
Once you get Skinner's software....and set it up so that you can view the drop-down "Pressure" figures in "line chart" format....you'll probably see that your apneas and hypopneas are mostly happening at your low pressure setting of 6 cm.
The neat thing about Skinner's Analyzer is that it allows us to view the pressure at which our problems occur.....thereby allowing us to find the "sweet spot" area where we can set our pressures....and avoid bad AHI's.
Gerald
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
geraldThe neat thing about Skinner's Analyzer is that it allows us to view the pressure at which our problems occur.....thereby allowing us to find the "sweet spot" area where we can set our pressures....and avoid bad AHI's.
thanks for the response
but i'm on straight cpap (don't ask) and my pressure always 6, so this doesn't really apply to me, does it?
yeah, i can see myself bumping that number up, just like wulfman thought i might need to, months ago
den
james helped me out on the download, so i'll be figuring this stuff out in no time (i hope )...though i realized that those numbers i posted earlier are still not so great...the EPA showed me that my events for 3 nights were 59, 44, 35...divided by around 8 hours this is still close to 'normal' i suppose, if i wasn't being 'treated', but too many to be having if i'm ON cpap, ya know?!
well, i'm encouraged anyway...even if the last 9 months have been sub-optimal
thanks again
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got...
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rested gal
- Posts: 12880
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Sharon, the older REMstars like your Pro 2 always gave me a higher "reading" for the vibratory snore index than more recent REMstars do. I think (just my wild guess) that Respironics tamed down the way their machines notice vibrations in the airflow with later models.
When I was using one of the older REMstar autos before they added C-flex to it, I used to see a very high vibratory snore index on my downloaded data. At the same time, I could switch to my PB 420E auto, use same settings, same mask, and even the same humidifier (a separate F&P HC 150 humidifier)... almost no "snores" were shown on the PB data.
I decided that was just the way the REMstar was designed to interpret the vibrations in airflow, and that I probably wasn't having any significant snoring. Or, you could look at it the other way 'round and say that the PB's threshold to notice that kind of thing was higher. Given that the PB autopap was designed to note "cardiac oscillations" (heartbeat vibrations in the airflow picked up only if the throat was open, as in a central apnea, as opposed to closed throat with an obstructive apnea) I figured the PB was more likely right about whether I was actually snoring or not. The PB machine said I wasn't.
I simply ignored the vibratory snore data from the REMstar from then on.
All that said, the pressure of 6 you were prescribed is quite low, so it may be that you do have some practially inaudible snoring happening...some flutter of the soft palate. Raising your pressure a cm or two might reduce the vibratory snores index some, but I really wouldn't worry about trying to get that particular index down. I would want to get the AHI down a bit more, even though you're getting normal AHIs. A cm or two more might do that for you. But I'm no doctor.
When I was using one of the older REMstar autos before they added C-flex to it, I used to see a very high vibratory snore index on my downloaded data. At the same time, I could switch to my PB 420E auto, use same settings, same mask, and even the same humidifier (a separate F&P HC 150 humidifier)... almost no "snores" were shown on the PB data.
I decided that was just the way the REMstar was designed to interpret the vibrations in airflow, and that I probably wasn't having any significant snoring. Or, you could look at it the other way 'round and say that the PB's threshold to notice that kind of thing was higher. Given that the PB autopap was designed to note "cardiac oscillations" (heartbeat vibrations in the airflow picked up only if the throat was open, as in a central apnea, as opposed to closed throat with an obstructive apnea) I figured the PB was more likely right about whether I was actually snoring or not. The PB machine said I wasn't.
I simply ignored the vibratory snore data from the REMstar from then on.
All that said, the pressure of 6 you were prescribed is quite low, so it may be that you do have some practially inaudible snoring happening...some flutter of the soft palate. Raising your pressure a cm or two might reduce the vibratory snores index some, but I really wouldn't worry about trying to get that particular index down. I would want to get the AHI down a bit more, even though you're getting normal AHIs. A cm or two more might do that for you. But I'm no doctor.
ResMed S9 VPAP Auto (ASV)
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
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Wulfman...
Sharon,
Maybe you already know how to get into your setup on the Pro 2.....but just in case.....here they are again.
By the way, for the first year, I had low AHIs but high snore indexes (like, in the "hundreds"). I really didn't pay much attention to the snore index....but.....at the point that I finally raised my pressure from 10 to 12, my snores became almost non-existent (same type of machines that you have). Those two cms of pressure really didn't have much of an effect my AHI numbers (they've always averaged less than 1.0), but sure knocked down the snores.
Den
REMstar Pro 2 Setup
When in the Setup Menu, the humidifier ^ and ramp v buttons operate as up and down keys to change the settings, the left/right user buttons < > allow you to go to the previous/next question or setting, and the pressure start/stop button is used to exit the Setup Menu. Holding the humidifier or ramp buttons down will cause the values to change more quickly.
To enter the Therapy Setup Menu, hold the two top user buttons < > down while plugging in the power cord.
Continue holding the buttons down until the REMstar Pro 2 with C-Flex beeps twice.
Note: The word "setup" will appear on all of the screens indicating that you are in the Therapy Setup Menu.
If you press the Pressure start/stop button, you will exit the Setup Menu.
a. Compliance hours/nights: (recommend leaving alone, but CAN be cleared at this point)
Select next setting with >
b. Therapy mode: (CPAP or CFLE) select with ^ or v
Select next setting with >
c. CPAP or CFLE pressure setting: Select with ^ or v
Select next setting with >
d. C-Flex mode (if you chose CFLE mode): Select setting 1, 2 or 3 with ^
Select next setting with >
e: Ramp time setting: Select with ^ or v
(ramp time will be turned off with a setting of 0)
Select next setting with >
f. Ramp pressure setting: Select with ^ or v
Select next setting with >
g. Patient disconnect setting: 1 = on 0 = off Select with ^ or v
Select next setting with >
h. Buttons lights setting: 1 = on 0 = off Select with ^ or v
(Last setting. Use On/Off button to exit Setup)
Maybe you already know how to get into your setup on the Pro 2.....but just in case.....here they are again.
By the way, for the first year, I had low AHIs but high snore indexes (like, in the "hundreds"). I really didn't pay much attention to the snore index....but.....at the point that I finally raised my pressure from 10 to 12, my snores became almost non-existent (same type of machines that you have). Those two cms of pressure really didn't have much of an effect my AHI numbers (they've always averaged less than 1.0), but sure knocked down the snores.
Den
REMstar Pro 2 Setup
When in the Setup Menu, the humidifier ^ and ramp v buttons operate as up and down keys to change the settings, the left/right user buttons < > allow you to go to the previous/next question or setting, and the pressure start/stop button is used to exit the Setup Menu. Holding the humidifier or ramp buttons down will cause the values to change more quickly.
To enter the Therapy Setup Menu, hold the two top user buttons < > down while plugging in the power cord.
Continue holding the buttons down until the REMstar Pro 2 with C-Flex beeps twice.
Note: The word "setup" will appear on all of the screens indicating that you are in the Therapy Setup Menu.
If you press the Pressure start/stop button, you will exit the Setup Menu.
a. Compliance hours/nights: (recommend leaving alone, but CAN be cleared at this point)
Select next setting with >
b. Therapy mode: (CPAP or CFLE) select with ^ or v
Select next setting with >
c. CPAP or CFLE pressure setting: Select with ^ or v
Select next setting with >
d. C-Flex mode (if you chose CFLE mode): Select setting 1, 2 or 3 with ^
Select next setting with >
e: Ramp time setting: Select with ^ or v
(ramp time will be turned off with a setting of 0)
Select next setting with >
f. Ramp pressure setting: Select with ^ or v
Select next setting with >
g. Patient disconnect setting: 1 = on 0 = off Select with ^ or v
Select next setting with >
h. Buttons lights setting: 1 = on 0 = off Select with ^ or v
(Last setting. Use On/Off button to exit Setup)
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
ok, bugging you guys some more:
my numbers for last night, 7.18 hours, bumped pressure up to 7 cm
AHI 8.1
OAI 3.5
HI 4.6
SI 21.9
total events 58
total OA 25
total H 33
total snores 157
large leak 0 secs.
so, i need to leave it at that for about a week, right, and see how it goes...but should i be worried about the numbers being up, esp. the OA'S?
thanks
sharon
my numbers for last night, 7.18 hours, bumped pressure up to 7 cm
AHI 8.1
OAI 3.5
HI 4.6
SI 21.9
total events 58
total OA 25
total H 33
total snores 157
large leak 0 secs.
so, i need to leave it at that for about a week, right, and see how it goes...but should i be worried about the numbers being up, esp. the OA'S?
thanks
sharon
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got...
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Wulfman...
Hi Sharon.sharon1965 wrote:ok, bugging you guys some more:
my numbers for last night, 7.18 hours, bumped pressure up to 7 cm
AHI 8.1
OAI 3.5
HI 4.6
SI 21.9
total events 58
total OA 25
total H 33
total snores 157
large leak 0 secs.
so, i need to leave it at that for about a week, right, and see how it goes...but should i be worried about the numbers being up, esp. the OA'S?
thanks
sharon
Well, I'd at least leave it for a few nights. Sometimes it takes a night or three to get used to a new pressure. I'm a little surprised to see your OAs being higher, though. This is why it's good to leave it for several nights....in case there are variations in one's nightly sleeping patterns and events.
Did I see you mention in another thread that you had other health "issues"?
If so, could you please refresh my memory on what they are?
Den
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
hi cathy!
long time no see! hope you're doing well
yeah, i finally got a new machine...the doc just wouldn't give me an rx for an auto, and the runaround i was getting to get a copy of my original script was giving me the fits...then again, the runaround i was getting to get this machine wasn't exactly my idea of a fun time either, but they did end up taking back my original machine (after 9 months!!) and letting me have this one, with me paying the difference of $300...i was ok with that, since i would have had to do so even if they had given me this one in the first place...SO!! here i am, a neophyte once again, with lots to learn, but thankfully in good hands with really good people, right?
take care, cathy! thanks for the congrats
sharon
long time no see! hope you're doing well
yeah, i finally got a new machine...the doc just wouldn't give me an rx for an auto, and the runaround i was getting to get a copy of my original script was giving me the fits...then again, the runaround i was getting to get this machine wasn't exactly my idea of a fun time either, but they did end up taking back my original machine (after 9 months!!) and letting me have this one, with me paying the difference of $300...i was ok with that, since i would have had to do so even if they had given me this one in the first place...SO!! here i am, a neophyte once again, with lots to learn, but thankfully in good hands with really good people, right?
take care, cathy! thanks for the congrats
sharon
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got...
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sharon1965
- Posts: 1232
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:59 pm
- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
me, too!! in the other reports, the hypop's were higher than the oa's, tooI'm a little surprised to see your OAs being higher, though
Did I see you mention in another thread that you had other health "issues"?
If so, could you please refresh my memory on what they are?
hi den!
SURE!! as someone who could never get anyone to listen, i am delighted to tell you about my issues as much as you can stand! LOL
before the severe OSA dx, i was diagnosed 12 years ago with fibromyalgia; 3 years ago i suffered an adrenal crash, with sudden muscle weakness, rapid weight gain and constant crushing fatigue; since the osa dx, i've also been diagnosed with severe periodic limb movement disorder (with the rls component) and am now on requip and prescription iron supps, due to outrageously low ferritin; i also sleepwalk and act out my dreams although i don't think it qualifies as rem behaviour disorder, as i don't get violent; spontaneous arousals showed up on my psg as well, but i suppose that's true for most people
on the other hand, i eat a very healthy diet, don't smoke, and drink very rarely, and even then very little
so yeah, that's it for now...thanks den, i know i can't keep making tweaks left and right so i'll just have to be patient
sharon
_________________
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If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got...
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Wulfman...
Maybe that's the problem...... (no, don't change....I'm just kidding)sharon1965 wrote:on the other hand, i eat a very healthy diet, don't smoke, and drink very rarely, and even then very little
Well, you COULD make changes left and right.....but they'd probably mess up any meaningful data you're trying to collect.sharon1965 wrote:so yeah, that's it for now...thanks den, i know i can't keep making tweaks left and right so i'll just have to be patient
sharon
Take care. Will be looking forward to seeing the future stats.
Den