MyEncore data

Wow... this falls under the category of "Becareful what you ask for". I just received Encore pro and also down loaded the (thanks to Derek) MyEncore.

I was amazed at how much information I am able to look at. Now I just have to figure out what some of these things are. Can anyone help me understand which plot line I should be concerned with for the the "Daily Mask Leakage Rate". The maximum leak plot line seems very high compared to the other 2.

I would also really be interesting in what would be considered good or bad for the index's: Obstuctive Apnea, Hyponea, Snore Index, Flow Limitation and Average Apnea Duration

Here is some information about me:
My Study before APAP:
Obstuctive apnea: 11
Central Apnea: 0
Obstuctive Hyponea: 210


After APAP Average:
Obstuctive Apnea: 8
Hyponeas: 6.5

Obviously the results are much better with Apap. I am still feeling tired somedays but I just take it in stride.

I can hardly wait to show all this data to the my sleep doc next week. His response will be interesting. I have already told my RT that I upped my pressure from 4-15 to 5-15... she didn't say too much

Thanks to anyone that can help!
Best,
Teri

tlc,

Wow, looks pretty good so far to me. You have definitely benefited from therapy. Your leak rate that you want to keep an eye on would be two things, your large leak rate and your average leak rate. Remember, on Encore Pro, you're dealing in lpm (per minute), not seconds, like Silverlining software on the PB420e. So if you hear someone say .12, don't be upset if you have a 28 or 30. Different measurement. Doesn't apply.

Your AHI is so individual that it's hard to say what is good and what is bad. From what you show, you already have drastically cut down on your hypops per night. That is wonderful. And your OA rate is lower, too. How long have you been on it? If you're anything like me and most of the other "lab rats" on this forum, you will be experimenting with the settings until you find what works best for you. Someone on-site told me that an AHI of 5 or lower is considered normal, actually. So if you wanted to strive for a figure, I guess you could use that. But it's really how you feel and how much improvement you're making.

The rule of thumb everyone has told me is to leave your new settings in place for at least a week before changing them again so as to get a real view of what is going on at that setting since things change from night to night. I just have spent a lot of time fooling around with mine and I find that straight CPAP works best for me. So I am now going back to the titrated 10 cms that seems to give me the lowest AHI and no snores. I also feel best at that pressure, and that is what I am realizing really counts.

One word of advice? Don't be like me and become obssessed with your data. I realize that figures aren't everything and you can really get caught up in them once you have the ability to see them. If you are feeling good, that is what's most important. I'm not saying don't try different settings to try to get better results, but the results should best be measured in just how good you're feeling.

Best of luck.

Hi Lori,

Thanks for your response. I have been on APAP since 3/05 and like just about everyone else, was pretty frustrated in the beginning.

I didn't realize that the Encore pro lpm was in minutes and not seconds. That does make a large difference. In my last sleep study (on 8/30) the technician told me that he would recommend 10 cms. But he was talking about CPAP and not APAP. I tried CPAP and that resulted in way too much air in my system...

Thanks for the tip on "not becoming obsessed" on my data. I really just want to understand what it all means. I have become addicted to this site though! At least there are people out there that understand and have the same or similar frustrations or triumphs!

Thanks agin for your kind words.

Best,
Teri

Teri,

Two things I want to reply to.

I tried CPAP and that resulted in way too much air in my system...

Went on OTC medication last night for just that problem, if you know what I mean, and I know you do. It helped great, thank goodness .

I have become addicted to this site though!

Would you please look at the date I joined and the number of posts I have? They just recognized me yesterday with a thread for my almost 1000 milestone. If I wasn't so touched, I'm be humiliated!!! Talk about addiction?

You have become one of the "resident experts" in a short time. Please don't be humiliated. You are really helping people much like Rested Gal, DMS, Rock & Roll and all the others!

Best,
Teri

You have become one of the "resident experts" in a short time. Please don't be humiliated. You are really helping people much like Rested Gal, DMS, Rock & Roll and all the others!

Aw, what a sweet thing to say, and to put me in such great company. Thank you!