07-31-2013, 01:07 PM
RE: Full Face Mask Leakage?
(07-30-2013, 10:52 PM)Mark Risley Wrote: I don't want to continually harp on this, but why so much concern about data? Learn to get comfortable with your unit. Learn which mask is best for you. Learn how to handle leakage issues. Learn to get 8 hours of sleep a nigh. Then when you can do all that, you will have time to tweak these data and software issues and improve even more. Data issues are not the main concern when you can't even get comfortable with your new therapy.
Hi Mark,
I do completely agree that brand new CPAP users should concentrate on being what the industry calls "compliant" (using the CPAP every night for the entire night if possible)....
But, there is something to be said for taking the bull by the horns and becoming informed as to what all the data means on one's CPAP machine. Should new users obsess over all the data? No, definitely not. Probably shouldn't even look at the data for the first week or two at all.
However, if part of the problem with comfort or compliance is due to an improperly titrated pressure in an uncomfortable, unfamiliar and distracting sleep lab, checking the overall AHI on the machine after a couple of weeks of use can be helpful and can reveal all sorts of issues. Using PC software programs like SleepyHead and ResScan help tremendously to fine-tune one's therapy.
If one uses a data-capable CPAP or APAP, slowly adjusting one's pressure to minimize AHI (as described here) such measures can actually help a lot - especially when sleep doctors and technicians are too busy to provide individual assistance in a timely manner.
That's sort of why Apnea Board exists - sleep apnea patients helping one another. We believe in patient empowerment - because no one is as interested in providing proper therapy for OSA than the patient. There is no knowledge that is privy only to the medical elite - we can gain that knowledge ourselves in many cases. Doesn't negate the need for medical advice from time to time, but generally, a more knowledgeable and engaged patient will have a better chance at treatment success.
SuperSleeper
Apnea Board Administrator
www.ApneaBoard.com
Apnea Board Administrator
www.ApneaBoard.com
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OSCAR - Open Source CPAP Analysis Reporter
Change your own pressure - Get the Clinician Setup Manual for your CPAP here
OSCAR - Open Source CPAP Analysis Reporter