Newbie needs help interpreting numbers

I figured out this morning how to get some of the data numbers from my relatively new CPAP machine. I've only been on therapy for about 5 weeks. I have been using my machine constantly since I got it but I've noticed that the last few mornings I haven't been feeling as rested as I had been. That may be due to other factors in my life but I'm wondering if maybe my mask isn't fitting as well or something. I have noticed that the pressure doesn't seem to phase me anymore and sometimes I have to pull the nasal pillows out to check and see if there's actually pressure there (there is!).

DAY:
Leak 0.04 (is this a measure of air leaking around the mask?)
AHI 4.3
AI .6
HI 3.7

WEEK:
Leak .08
AHI 6.0
AI .1
HI 5.9

MONTH:
Leak .10
AHI 4.3
AI .1
HI 3.9

The leak rate you're seeing is essentially an unintentional leak. Your machine takes into account the expected leaks (vent rates) for your mask. There are always going to be microleaks, and I don't think your leak rates are anything to be truly concerned about...

The AHI is the average number of events you have in an hour. This is essentially (but not exactly) adding up your apneas (both central and obstructive) and hypopneas, divided by the number of hours slept. AI is apnea index, HI is hypopnea index.

Untreated people with AHIs over 5 are considered to have sleep apnea. With treatment you should be below 5. I see that your average AHI is considerably higher over the last week than over the last month. This is likely why you're not feeling as much better in the last few days as you did in the beginning.

By the way, adjusting to the pressure and not noticing it's there is very common. I had to do the EXACT same thing after about the first week. You'll come to trust it after a while.

It's not uncommon to begin to adjust to the machine... It's going to take a while to find your true settings. It may be that as you adjust to your machine you are more relaxed than you were in the beginning, which can actually change your sleep habits and muscle tension. Some adjustment at this point is not uncommon.

I'm not familiar enough with your machine to tell you anything about how to adjust it, or what to adjust first. Your AHI is higher than it should be for the last week, and this is something you need to address.

Do you have access to the software for your machine? I know nothing of ResMed machines, so I'm honestly not sure if your machine is data capable. If it is, get the software. It'll give you a better idea of what's happening. In the mean time, I would have a follow up visit with your sleep doctor. Bring these numbers with you. They will know more about your personal situation and therapy than anyone here, and they will know how to make adjustments to get you back on track.

Don't give up! It's worth it!

Thanks for the advice and education! This is all so new and very complicated but I have seen the benefits already of the therapy and I want to make sure I am maximizing the benefits of this equipment.

I think I'm going to give my doctor a call and ask for an appointment. At this point I'm not due to see him again until next year and I don't want to wait that long. My machine has a data card and when I saw him at 3 weeks after getting my machine I took the data card in and they downloaded my data and he reviewed the report. He was pleased at that point with my compliance and my numbers and at that point I was feeling pretty good. It's really only been the last few nights that I've not been feeling as well as I had been.

Angela1981 wrote:I figured out this morning how to get some of the data numbers from my relatively new CPAP machine. I've only been on therapy for about 5 weeks. I have been using my machine constantly since I got it but I've noticed that the last few mornings I haven't been feeling as rested as I had been. That may be due to other factors in my life but I'm wondering if maybe my mask isn't fitting as well or something. I have noticed that the pressure doesn't seem to phase me anymore and sometimes I have to pull the nasal pillows out to check and see if there's actually pressure there (there is!).

DAY:
Leak 0.04 (is this a measure of air leaking around the mask?)
AHI 4.3
AI .6
HI 3.7

WEEK:
Leak .08
AHI 6.0
AI .1
HI 5.9

MONTH:
Leak .10
AHI 4.3
AI .1
HI 3.9

Your profile says you have an Escape II. How are you getting data off this machine. My husband has one and it doesn't collect anything but compliance information? Is there a trick I don't know about?

I agree you should bring this up with your sleep doc, he/she may want to look at your compliance data which may or may not require you to take your machine to your DME for a download. You may just need a slight bump in pressure. And jsut a word of caution, please dont try to adjust the pressure yourself.

Im not an expert but i thought your numbers looked pretty good over all.