Help with making sense of the data

[mikenz]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum, and having been diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea (around 23 I think), I was so glad that I could begin a trial, and now on my own Autoset S10. At 40y.o, not overweight, diagnosed with depression about 8 years ago, have pretty much been able to fall asleep anywhere/anytime for as long as i can remember - school, uni, work, in the middle of a serious discussion with wife once - woops!!) Doctors over last 5 or so years have put my sleepiness down to depression or meds. So glad to be finally diagnosed with S.A. In the two or so months have been on the APAP, I haven't been much below 5, but on the few days I have dipped below 5, wow, the feeling is great, easy to get up, motivation, etc etc.
I did have a good patch of 4-5 over a few days a week or so ago, but for the last week its been alternating between high 6s and 8s, been tired and grumpy and frustrated at not understanding why etc etc.

During first month trial I was on 5-11.
The sleep specialist set my machine to 5-12.

i was getting uncomfortable wind in stomach, so adjusted down, helped a little bit with wind, but probably not sleep. rather have wind and sleep well than the other way around.

What I'd really like help with is to be able to interpret the data so I can make the incremental adjustments in the right direction and not make things worse for myself.

My sleep specialist didn't really explain all the data for me, and I didn't ask all the right questions out of inexperience at the time.

On the bright side, Wife is happy that I don't snore anymore.

Also, The Resmed P10 nasal pillows, caused sores to begin with for first week, but after persevering with moisturiser creme, sometimes now i don't even feel that I have mask on, and sometimes have to open my mouth to check if it's working - so I'm happy with how that side of things are going. I tried the philips respironics dreamwear mask, which looked good in theory, especially with the tube at top of head as I toss & turn a bit it and was more comfortable around the nose that the p10 at first, but I didn't get a good seal and it was a lot louder than the P10, almost a whistle sound through the hole at the front - so they need to improve that, and so i prefer the p10, and I'm getting more used to tube placement at night.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Mikenz

I've attached the data I think may be relevant, (I'll have to post another set of data for snore & flow rates as the file is too big) - I think I also need help with attaching large files - or making the files smaller etc.

I think this was a fairly typical night(?)

attached other data:
overview of stats
Daily Stats - Pressure & flow

[mikenz]

Here is more data....

Actually - i tried to attach it, but error message says
"Sorry but you cannot attach this file because you have reached your attachment quota of 200 KB"

I also tried ingur, but got a error message saying that i couldn't post a link in the forum....

Thanks, mikenz

[justMongo]

It would be helpful to see your mask pressure along with your event graph.
Most troubling are the clusters of central Apnea (CA.)
I see you have your EPR set to 3. You might have fewer CAs if you reduce EPR. EPR at 3 will reduce expiratory pressure by 3 cm-water.
That can cause CO2 washout. CO2 is the primary respiratory drive during sleep.

[justMongo]

Here is more data....

Actually - i tried to attach it, but error message says
"Sorry but you cannot attach this file because you have reached your attachment quota of 200 KB"

I also tried ingur, but got a error message saying that i couldn't post a link in the forum....

Thanks, mikenz

One can only do an a cpap related attachment until 8 posts are made.
Then a link to an image hosting site link imgur or photobucket can be used. You are also limited as to attachments.
It's to help limit forum SPAM.

Member grades and privileges are explained here: http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...-explained

Paula explains here how to link to an image hosted on another server:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...g-an-Image

Also, since you just registered today, you are limited to 7 posts on day one. Second day, you can make that 8th post.

[sdb7802]

I'd try:

min = 9
max = 14
epr = 1

[mikenz]

Ok, thanks, will just need to do more posts, and attach the extra data tomorow...

[mikenz]

post #4

[mikenz]

I'd try:

min = 9
max = 14
epr = 1

Thanks sdb7802 for your suggestion, what I'd really like to know is how you came to your conclusion for those settings?

I've read the long thread about the dangers of DIY adjusting pressures, so i'd like to better understand the data for myself.

- and also, do i do the adjustments incrementally over a period of time (if so - how long) time, or just reset them in one go?

Thanks for your input,
mikenz

[JSL747]

I'd try:

min = 9
max = 14
epr = 1

Thanks sdb7802 for your suggestion, what I'd really like to know is how you came to your conclusion for those settings?

I've read the long thread about the dangers of DIY adjusting pressures, so i'd like to better understand the data for myself.

- and also, do i do the adjustments incrementally over a period of time (if so - how long) time, or just reset them in one go?

Thanks for your input,
mikenz

Not telling you to change anything, just things to look at

1) your min pressure is 5 and your Med Pressure is almost 9, your having large pressure changes

2) large pressure changes can cause CAs, but so can high pressure...just depends on the person

3) change EPR to 1 from 3, may lower CAs

4) high pressure can cause "wind" in the belly, as you put it...

[OpalRose]

Hi mikenz,
Ok, let me try this.
Look at your stats on the left of graphs. Your 95% number is 10.78. What that means is this: for 95% of the night, you are at a pressure of 10.78 and under. Note the "and under"...doesn't mean you were at that pressure all night. The medium pressure number works the same....for 50% of the night you were at 8.74 and under. Your start pressure of 5 is just too low to tackle apnea events.

So when setting a pressure range, we try to look at the 95% number and set the minimum pressure to start approximately 2cm below that number. Most of the time that ends of being almost the same as your medium pressure. Your start pressure should be set at 8.5 to 9cm. You can inch your pressure up a little at a time to get used to it.

I would leave the maximum pressure alone for now due to the fact that there are a few Clear Airways. These usually clear up after awhile.

Also, set the EPR at 2, and eventually 1.