New to CPAP/OSA - skepticism, questions, observations

Pugsy wrote: The software for the pulse oximeters is all Windows based. Only way to use it on a Mac is if you set up some sort of virtual Windows on the Mac.

This is crazy - you mean that there are no decent pulse oximeters that i can use with the Mac without running windows? Would I be able to transfer the data from oximeters directly to sleepyhead on Mac without running windows?

I have parallels and windows do could do it if i have to but its just more hassle
Thanks

Someone could write it, but the demand seems to be not great enough.
Institutions used to use UNIX, as MS was not reliable enough (not that it is now-- )

- i am using the auto setting with a range of 4-20mmHg - my morning reports state a pressure (i presume to be the average overnight?) of between 8-10 - would you recommend i change my range and can i do this myself on the S9 (how do i do it?)

Most people would set their range from 7 - 14 in your situation. It takes time for the machine to work its way up from 4 to 8-10 and this could be where your events are coming from. The 14 would keep the machine from chasing its tail if you have a large leak.

Pugsy has links to the manuals.

DougalMcDougal wrote:This is crazy - you mean that there are no decent pulse oximeters that i can use with the Mac without running windows? Would I be able to transfer the data from oximeters directly to sleepyhead on Mac without running windows?

I don't know of any pulse oximeters that have Mac software available...I only am familiar with the CMS overnight pulse ox.
There may be other brands that will record over night and work with a Mac but I haven't ever seen one...I sure don't profess to know about all the brands BUT the CMS brand is the only one that SleepyHead supports.
Having the report in SleepyHead isn't a deal breaker though...the regular software shows you what you need to see if you can find one that has Mac software.

I think one other Mac user tried to hook the CMS 50 (forget which model) directly to her Mac and was going to try to import to SleepyHead directly but I don't think the Mac would ever recognize the device and there wasn't any way to update the Mac for that device.

DougalMcDougal wrote: - the data clearly demonstrates that OSA has important deleterious effects on numerous physiological parameters and increases morbidity/mortality (especially stroke) amongst sufferers and this seems to be what drives many people to recommend/use CPAP
- but the data is much less convincing and largely absent that CPAP actually has a major impact on reversing or preventing the morbidity/mortality associated with OSA

First off, welcome to the forum!

While many of the longer-term items BP, weight, etc. are difficult, in my opinion to clearly tie to CPAP therapy, one area that is CLEARLY helped is the increased oxygenation of the blood. I think you can agree that having significant O2 in the blood is a good thing. By using a recording pulse oximeter for a number of weeks before being diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, and then for some weeks after starting on an Auto-CPAP machine, I can clearly see the improvement in my O2 saturation date, as shown in the graphs in the link below:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=81012&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... 15#p737808

I've been on Auto-CPAP for about 100 days now. My SpO2 is significantly better. I do not feel like superman now. Before CPAP I rarely suffered from daytime sleepiness, or many of the other symptoms usually associated with OSA, other than the snoring and stopping breathing. Some have said I caught it fairly early (I'm 48) and that if I continued, the effects would have been worse over time. My BP is no worse than before, but not better. I have actually GAINED weight (about 6 pounds) since starting CPAP, but I think I've determined that I've been eating more so I'm trying to reduce my diet, as well as exercise more.

But, for me, the improvement in blood oxygenation is enough reason to stick witch CPAP therapy.

Good Luck!

John

This is the most persuasive reason I've come across so far to continue with cpap (although still imperfect as we don't really know if the level/overall duration of the hypoxemia associated with OSA is clinically relevant)

What was your AHI pretreatment when u were getting the desats?

The other reason is that I'm quite enjoying the cpap when using the pillairo as it makes me feel more relaxed and helps me fall asleep easier

JohnO wrote:
While many of the longer-term items BP, weight, etc. are difficult, in my opinion to clearly tie to CPAP therapy, one area that is CLEARLY helped is the increased oxygenation of the blood. I think you can agree that having significant O2 in the blood is a good thing. By using a recording pulse oximeter for a number of weeks before being diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, and then for some weeks after starting on an Auto-CPAP machine, I can clearly see the improvement in my O2 saturation date, as shown in the graphs in the link below:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=81012&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... 15#p737808

I've been on Auto-CPAP for about 100 days now. My SpO2 is significantly better. I do not feel like superman now.

John

DougalMcDougal wrote:What was your AHI pretreatment when u were getting the desats?

Here is the data from the pre-CPAP portion of my sleep study:

Respiratory Events: 130 Obstructive apneas, 0 central apneas, 10 mixed apneas. A total of 29 obstructive hypo apneas and 168 RERAs were noted for an RDI of 53.4 and an AHI of 51. The REM AHI was 10.4. ** Lowest O2 Saturation was 75% **

John