first night on S9 Autoset -- have data!!

Just got S9 Autoset, will install software today and download full data, then try to figure out how to post here.

My first night's onscreen data are:

AHI = 4.3
AI = 2.5
Central = 0.0
Usage = 9.1 hrs
Leak rate = 30.0 L/hr

I know the leak rate seems high, but my mask fit result was good, and when I fell asleep there were no perceptible leaks. I did wake up once for bathroom after sleeping about 5 hrs, took off mask and left on bed with machine running and put it back on 2 mins later and went back to sleep. Does this affect leak rate?

Incidentally, I only slept for such a long time since it is a weekend. My normal weeknight sleep time is closer to 6 hrs.

I assume that AHI is ok since it is less than 5, I'm not sure yet how to interpret Apnea Index of 2.5. Is that good or should I think about doing something to improve it? I will post full night's report prob later today if I can figure out quickly how to do it after downloading card data.

Thanks to any who can offer advice!

RandyJ wrote:Just got S9 Autoset, will install software today and download full data, then try to figure out how to post here.

My first night's onscreen data are:

AHI = 4.3
AI = 2.5
Central = 0.0
Usage = 9.1 hrs
Leak rate = 30.0 L/hr

I know the leak rate seems high, but my mask fit result was good, and when I fell asleep there were no perceptible leaks. I did wake up once for bathroom after sleeping about 5 hrs, took off mask and left on bed with machine running and put it back on 2 mins later and went back to sleep. Does this affect leak rate?

Yup. When you get the software installed and look at your leak line, you'll see it go up to about 80 l/min. Because you only had the mask off for two minutes, this will only affect the 95% leak rate a little, though. What that stat is telling you is that more than 5% of the time, the mask was leaking so much that your machine couldn't tell OA from CA. But you're just getting started. As you gain experience (and fuss, and curse, and fuss, and perhaps switch masks, and curse, and fuss) you'll figure out how to get the leaks down.

I assume that AHI is ok since it is less than 5,

Maybe, maybe not. You need to take a look at your data and pay attention to how you feel.

I'm not sure yet how to interpret Apnea Index of 2.5. Is that good or should I think about doing something to improve it?

See above. It's definitely not bad. You need to find out how much your mask was leaking the other 95% of the night, but for a first night, that went well.

Yup. When you get the software installed and look at your leak line, you'll see it go up to about 80 l/min. Because you only had the mask off for two minutes, this will only affect the 95% leak rate a little, though. What that stat is telling you is that more than 5% of the time, the mask was leaking so much that your machine couldn't tell OA from CA. But you're just getting started. As you gain experience (and fuss, and curse, and fuss, and perhaps switch masks, and curse, and fuss) you'll figure out how to get the leaks down.

Thank you, Otter.

Actually I've been using this mask and cpap with a non-data capable machine since March. My impression of the mask is that it was fine, so this leak rate is news to me.

Ah, well if that was your first night on CPAP, it would be very impressive.

It's possible that your leak line is pretty good most of the time. But it's definitely worth looking into. Dateless machines. Bah!

Here is the data that goes with onscreen info I posted above, I have tried to put it all, there may be some redundancy as I am seeing some of the same graphs in upper and lower parts of screen. But I took screen shots in order to hopefully include all data. Will try to get better at this.





Thanks for any feedback from experienced data readers.

those leaks have to stay under the red line. Otherwise the data isn't completely valid.

It's interesting to see the full picture.

First my disclaimer, I'm only another interested user who knows nothing about your personal situation.

Your leaks are very high and you do need to do something about this. It will be affecting your other readings.
I was reading an article the other day from an Australian manufacturer of custom nasal masks. These masks are only available in Australia, but I thought his comments on full face masks was worth reading. See the below link
http://www.acurest.com.au/truefit-custo ... face-mask/
Its much harder to get a perfect seal on a full face mask compared to nasal pillows, have you ever tried something like the ResMed Swift FX?

Your still getting a moderate number of events, all obstructive, a high snore index, and a Flow limitation graph that's kicking up. All these indicate that machine would increase the pressure if it was allowed to. You have the pressure at a fixed value of about 16 ?, it would be interesting to see what happens in APAP mode with a narrow pressure window of say 14 - 18 and then let this be a guide to your correct pressure.
Please only make these adjustments if you feel confident to do so.

greg-g,

Thanks so much for your very helpful feedback!!

I suspect the high leak rate from Fri night may be due to 5 days' beard growth preventing a good seal; I shaved last night before bed and got a leak rate of only 12, much better.

AHI was higher though at 5.6 so I will have to print out and see full data, perhaps will post but not until tonight as I have a lot to do this morning and afternoon. AI was 1.7 and CI was 0.1 and sleep time 6.8 hrs.

I slept with an oximeter on my finger all night so I could record saturation dips as well and have to download that.

What you say about an APAP range is very valid and I would definely be open to trying it.

Thanks again,


RandyJ

Snoring tends to confuse some detection algorithms. They will slowly increase the pressure until it goes away. Control that and you will get more reliable data. Smooth and steady breathing makes it easier for the machine to respond to events in a timely manner.