New to cpap and doing well,need a little advice

[keving]

Hi i been on cpap for a few weeks now and i think i am doing well,i am sleeping better and have a few of the normal getting used to things like mask fits and i am not taking the mask off as much all those things are improving.I use a nasal mask .My issue is i go to the Va who just basically gave me the machine and will not return my calls for advice,luckily i am a nurse so i was able to figure some of this out, i am searching for a private pay person(md) to take this over but i do need some help.I think my numbers look good based on my sleepy head data I recently changed my max pressure to 16 because i was getting a blast of air when my mask came off at night,this stopped with the pressure change.If anyone can be of help it would be greatly appreciated.Thanks
I had ro resize the images hope they are viewable
Kevin

[PaytonA]

I do not see any images. You may have to post for a while before you can post images. Hang in there.

[OpalRose]

Yep, no images. I believe you need at least 8 to 10 posts to put up images.
In the meantime, you could just physically type some of your numbers here.

AHI
Breakdown of AHI...hypopneas, obstructive, clear airway, etc.
90% pressure reading
Average pressure reading
Leak rate and flow rate data.
RERA's

You can get all of this info off of sleepyhead.

[keving]

i was able to upload a screenshot on a new post here are some numbers i do appreciate it

Most Recent Last Week Last 30 Days Last 6 Months Last Year
CPAP Usage
Average Hours per Night 06:32 07:42 07:28 07:28 07:28
Compliance 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Therapy Efficiacy
AHI 0.61 1.39 2.49 2.49 2.49
Obstructive Apnea Index 0.00 0.39 0.80 0.80 0.80
Hypopnea Index 0.61 0.93 1.51 1.51 1.51
Clear Airway Apnea Index 0.00 0.07 0.18 0.18 0.18
Flow Limitation Index 0.92 0.35 0.44 0.44 0.44
Respiratory Effort Related Arousal Index 0.46 0.41 0.54 0.54 0.54
% of time in Periodic Breathing 0.00% 0.25% 0.31% 0.31% 0.31%
Leak Statistics
Average Leak Rate 3.30 3.41 4.92 4.92 4.92
90% Leak Rate 9.00 13.00 16.00 16.00 16.00
% of time above Leak Rate threshold 2.04% 0.25% 0.09% 0.09% 0.09%
Pressure Statistics
Average Pressure 10.74 10.73 10.91 10.91 10.91
Min Pressure 7.00 6.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Max Pressure 14.10 16.00 18.90 18.90 18.90
90% Pressure 14.10

[Sleeprider]

Looks like great results, especially early on in your treatment and adjustment. With the few CA you have, you can pretty much ignore that part of your AHI as it most likely comes from changes in position, arousals or that sleep/wake transition. OAI is good and showing improvement. H and RERA are all within acceptable range.

There is no reason to change anything, and your priority needs to be to get comfortable with the mask, and improve the leak rate. Since you are using a nasal mask, leaks could be through the mouth, and this would be disruptive. If you can control that, I think a nasal pillows mask is actually more comfortable, but that is my subjective opinion as a fan of the Resmed Airfit P10.

I don't recommend changing anything in terms of pressure if you are comfortable. The only modification I would make for myself is a 1-2 cm pressure increase on the minimum pressure. Your average pressure is 10 and your therapeutic pressure is in the 12.5 to 14.5 range. A slightly higher minimum pressure might stop some hypopnea, and RERA, as well as head off some flow limitations that lead to pressure increases. That's my 2-cents. I think it is a great idea to work with your general primary care physician to support you in XPAP therapy and provide prescriptions as needed. I doubt you'll need a sleep specialist given your progress.

[keving]

Looks like great results, especially early on in your treatment and adjustment. With the few CA you have, you can pretty much ignore that part of your AHI as it most likely comes from changes in position, arousals or that sleep/wake transition. OAI is good and showing improvement. H and RERA are all within acceptable range.

There is no reason to change anything, and your priority needs to be to get comfortable with the mask, and improve the leak rate. Since you are using a nasal mask, leaks could be through the mouth, and this would be disruptive. If you can control that, I think a nasal pillows mask is actually more comfortable, but that is my subjective opinion as a fan of the Resmed Airfit P10.

I don't recommend changing anything in terms of pressure if you are comfortable. The only modification I would make for myself is a 1-2 cm pressure increase on the minimum pressure. Your average pressure is 10 and your therapeutic pressure is in the 12.5 to 14.5 range. A slightly higher minimum pressure might stop some hypopnea, and RERA, as well as head off some flow limitations that lead to pressure increases. That's my 2-cents. I think it is a great idea to work with your general primary care physician to support you in XPAP therapy and provide prescriptions as needed. I doubt you'll need a sleep specialist given your progress.

[keving]

Thank you very much
I really appreciate it i was thinking of a nasal pillow also, i have a chin strap i may try that for a few nights.But i will try that later and leave things alone for now,thanks for relieving me of some worry about "numbers"