Help with BiPAP Settings
I'll try to keep this short/"succinct":
1/ I am 69 and for my 1st 15+ years used a Respironics Virtuoso "Smart" CPAP that had internal memory only and because of this and the limited data it recorded, was of little use in monitoring my sleep performance...
2/ For 2 years I used the Philips/Respironics BiPAP equip. shown at left with a full Fisher&Paykill mask.
3/ A major contributor to my OA is that I also suffer periodic obstructions to my nasal passages & these come and go!
4/ I received my pressent BiPAP from Kaiser Permanente (KP) which has a "reasonably" good "Sleep Lab" department. I am no long with KP as of 1/1/2013.
5/ In the past 2 weeks while trying to sort out why my BiPAP's humidifier had quit I accidently ran upon and downloaded SleepyHead v99.3 which has been a revolation. With good support and attitude from my primary care MD I am scheduled to see 1 of 2 specialists with Redwood Pulmonary Center/*.net here in the S.F. Bay Area.
6/ My initial take of the information provided me by SleepyHead "Statistics" & "Records" data screens is that my worst Rx period has occured since I left KP's care. Although the BiPAP's "Mode" of operation has remained the same, but somehow the "EPAP", "IPAP" & "PS" settings had been significantly changed just before I left KP:
EPAP - 6"-vs-8" // IPAP - 25"-vs-18" // PS - 19"-vs-10".
7/ I have "hacked" "Setup" parameters and returned all but one of the BiPAP's settings to what they were just before I left KP [ the "Best" Rx period according to SleepyHead... for 313 days.
8/ As I indicated above my "Mode" is still the same... "BiLevel" as shown by SleepyHead.
9/ The one parameter that remains different different is shown in the field under "Pr.Rel." by SleepyHead... which I want to assume means "Program Release" by the author!!??
10/ - My current greatest problem has been constant for many years and it is that I only average ~5.5 hrs sleep per night because it is very difficult to return to sleep after my 2-to-4 a.m. arousal & trip to the little boys room!
11/ - After resetting my BiPAP's parameters the "Pr.Rel" reads "A-Flex 2x" now -vs- "Bi-Flex X1" before... during the 300+ days "Best" Rx period SleepyHead shows!
Q/ - Does anyone know for certain what SleepyHead's "Pr.Rel." data-filed is?
In closing I'm really happy to be a "Newbie" here because I spent a long time on another unrelated FORUM that used the same software.
Next I'll figure out how to post graphics that are worth many boring words!
Regards,
Sam Ross... aka "MrSafety"
1/ I am 69 and for my 1st 15+ years used a Respironics Virtuoso "Smart" CPAP that had internal memory only and because of this and the limited data it recorded, was of little use in monitoring my sleep performance...
2/ For 2 years I used the Philips/Respironics BiPAP equip. shown at left with a full Fisher&Paykill mask.
3/ A major contributor to my OA is that I also suffer periodic obstructions to my nasal passages & these come and go!
4/ I received my pressent BiPAP from Kaiser Permanente (KP) which has a "reasonably" good "Sleep Lab" department. I am no long with KP as of 1/1/2013.
5/ In the past 2 weeks while trying to sort out why my BiPAP's humidifier had quit I accidently ran upon and downloaded SleepyHead v99.3 which has been a revolation. With good support and attitude from my primary care MD I am scheduled to see 1 of 2 specialists with Redwood Pulmonary Center/*.net here in the S.F. Bay Area.
6/ My initial take of the information provided me by SleepyHead "Statistics" & "Records" data screens is that my worst Rx period has occured since I left KP's care. Although the BiPAP's "Mode" of operation has remained the same, but somehow the "EPAP", "IPAP" & "PS" settings had been significantly changed just before I left KP:
EPAP - 6"-vs-8" // IPAP - 25"-vs-18" // PS - 19"-vs-10".
7/ I have "hacked" "Setup" parameters and returned all but one of the BiPAP's settings to what they were just before I left KP [ the "Best" Rx period according to SleepyHead... for 313 days.
8/ As I indicated above my "Mode" is still the same... "BiLevel" as shown by SleepyHead.
9/ The one parameter that remains different different is shown in the field under "Pr.Rel." by SleepyHead... which I want to assume means "Program Release" by the author!!??
10/ - My current greatest problem has been constant for many years and it is that I only average ~5.5 hrs sleep per night because it is very difficult to return to sleep after my 2-to-4 a.m. arousal & trip to the little boys room!
11/ - After resetting my BiPAP's parameters the "Pr.Rel" reads "A-Flex 2x" now -vs- "Bi-Flex X1" before... during the 300+ days "Best" Rx period SleepyHead shows!
Q/ - Does anyone know for certain what SleepyHead's "Pr.Rel." data-filed is?
In closing I'm really happy to be a "Newbie" here because I spent a long time on another unrelated FORUM that used the same software.
Next I'll figure out how to post graphics that are worth many boring words!
Regards,
Sam Ross... aka "MrSafety"
