Interpretation, Please? *Blink*

I know there is controversy about the accuracy of the Sleepyhead program, but still I see a trend I am wondering if I can do something about?

See below:

http://www.thomasamckean.com/Data-12.jpg

This is from last night. As yew can see, apneas are in little "clusters" throughout the night. This is common for me. I am no doctor, but my own interpretation of this is that I am moving around during the night into positions that don't quite suit me, then moving back.

Of course, this could be totally wrong.

Can anyone here give me a more educated guess as to why the clusters? If I could get those under control, I would have it made.

Interpretation 1: Gosh, that's a high AHI! Any mention from your doc about increasing your pressure?

Interpretation 2: Wow, look at that leak! The data that is recorded when your leak is that high may not be valid. Plus, with a leak that high you are just asking for a higher AHI (although interestingly, you did not have a ton of events during the times when your leak was high). As a point of reference, the only time I ever saw a leak that high was the night that I pulled the mask off in my sleep and stuffed it under my pillow.

Interpretation 3: Clusters of events may be related to a particular position, or they may be related to a particular sleep stage. Impossible to know which is which without more data.

Bottom line: Get the leaks under control, then work with your doctor to make sure that your pressure is adequate to control your events across the whole night (in all positions and sleep stages).

Thank yew for those thoughts. Yes I thought the leak was rather high, myself!

I am not sure where it is coming from? Maybe I had better adjust the mask tonight.

As yew may have seen, this data is from a PR System One Auto. It is new and I just bought it after my ResMed S8 Elite II broke. The ResMed has since been repaired and returned to me. It was common for me to have 0.3 on the ResMed and I am wondering why I can't get that on the auto? I even took it out of auto mode and set it at my prescribed CPAP pressure, which is way too high for comfort, which is why I wanted to try an auto.

I am thinking about going back to the ResMed. Do these machines do pressure differently? Let's say I am a 12. Does that mean 12 for one is not 12 for the other? CPAP sure can get confusing at times!

Hi Thomas,
I didn't look at your data, so this is more of a general comment:
If you're leaking so much more on one machine than on the other, check all the connections:

• all parts of the mask
• both sides of the hose
• the humidifier to machine connection

If you have the leak controlled, and get worse results with one machine when both are on fixed pressure that could be because of the way do pressure relief: EPR and A-Flex work differently, and that makes a difference for some people.

Normally, in fixed mode (CPAP mode) a 12 is a 12.

You've got so much leak, the data is probably not that correct.

Please put your equipment in your profile. There's a link at the end of this post if you need help. What mask do you use?

archangle wrote:You've got so much leak, the data is probably not that correct.

Please put your equipment in your profile. There's a link at the end of this post if you need help. What mask do you use?

I was hoping to avoid that, but I suppose it is now necessary! Adding equipment now...

ozij wrote:If you have the leak controlled, and get worse results with one machine when both are on fixed pressure that could be because of the way do pressure relief: EPR and A-Flex work differently, and that makes a difference for some people.

Normally, in fixed mode (CPAP mode) a 12 is a 12.

Yes that data I provided is the Auto on a fixed pressure of 12. So it should be okay?

I will check for leaks when I am done writing this.

I tried the A-Flex in demo mode soon as I got the machine. I didn't like it! Then I tried C-Flex+, I didn't much care for that. either. I do like reg'lar C-Flex, but I am guessing that might be because it is closest to EPR, at least it seems so to me.

I have the ResMed back and packed away, but I don't really want to go back to it. Mind yew, if it is necessary, I certainly will!