(05-25-2014, 11:41 AM)tonksss Wrote: I am getting very good reports (ResScan and Sleepyhead) but have a question. My prescribed pressure is 9 but when I download and view my reports, both programs have a max and min pressure during sleep that is constantly between 5-7. Is this because the machine "Sees" that I don't need 9 to alleviate apneas.
My AHI is always well below 2 and I feel 100% better. Am I to understand that the "9" is a maximum and not necessarily the minimum? Sorry if this has been covered already!
If you change masks and want to check pressures, what pressure are you checking while wearing the mask? If you "Plug" the hose, I'm am sure you will be at prescribed pressure. I hope this makes sense as I need to try another mask soon.
Hi tonksss, welcome to the forum!
Twenty-five times a second your machine measures the pressure and the rate of airflow into the hose.
If the machine has been properly set for correct hose type then it knows the correct hose diameter and length. The pressure dropped/lost across the humidifier and hose will be a function of the rate of airflow and the type of hose.
The machine will calculate an estimate for the mask pressure, based on the measured pressure at the machine, the measured rate of airflow into the hose, and the hose length and diameter. The estimated mask pressure (which is the therapy pressure seen by us users) is what ResScan will display/report in the High Rate Pressure plot.
If there is a huge leak (such as if the mask is off) then the machine will not be able to reach its target mask pressure.
During inhalation ResScan should be showing the pressure quickly and smoothly rising to around 9, and during exhalation the pressure should be quickly and smoothly dropping to around 6,
If you cough or breath out hard the mask pressure may go higher than 9.
If you inhale quickly and hard, or if there is a sudden or large leak, the pressure may drop lower than 6.
(05-25-2014, 05:13 PM)tonksss Wrote: Average Pressure 6.38 6.38
Min Pressure 5.12 5.12
Max Pressure 7.66 7.66
90% Pressure 7.38 7.38
Average EPAP 5.99 5.98
Min EPAP 5.12 5.12
Max EPAP 6.00 6.00
Thanks for the response Zonk. These are the numbers that I see in SleepyHead. What am I looking at The EPAP doesn't bother me. The others do. As soon as I think that I understand something...LOL
Thanks for the help all.
The EPAP numbers look right. But the average, 95% and max Pressure (Pressure = IPAP) do seem way too low.
SleepyHead has been going through rapid revisions recently, and perhaps you are using the newest version which I think has some recently-introduced bugs. A new and better release will be available within a week or so, I think.
In the mean time, since you have a ResMed machine, ResScan can be used. I suggest double checking the data using ResScan to see if the 95% and max pressures look more reasonable using ResScan.
If upon double check, ResScan confirms these low average, 95% and max pressures, then either your Max Pressure setting is lower than prescribed, or huge Leaking is occurring all the time, or perhaps the machine is not operating correctly and will need to be checked by the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider who supplied the machine.
If the mask type is wrong in the machine's settings, the reported value of Leak will be somewhat off, but the delivered mask pressure would not be affected.
By the way, what are your Leak numbers?
By the way, might be good idea to also check the total machine hours to verify you were given a new machine.
Take care,
--- Vaughn
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The Advisory Member group provides advice and suggestions to Apnea Board administrators and staff on matters concerning Apnea Board operation and administrative policies. Membership in the Advisory Member group should not be understood as in any way implying medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.