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Help with interpretation - mcfleong - 05-02-2020
[attachment=22526][attachment=22527][attachment=22526][attachment=22527]I have been trying out a Resmed Airsense 10 for a few weeks with the intention of buying one. I tried to to read up on the various guide but is having difficult understanding it. Would be most grateful if someone could have a look at my data and offer some advice on:
1. Would I be able to achieve an AHI of 5? And what do I need to do to get there?
2. I am using f20 full face mask and I am reasonable comfortable with it except when the pressure setting is 20. I get leak, loud noises and the lower mouth guard fall into my mouth.
3. I have tried a large size f20 and an f30i, is there another mask I should tried that are likely to solve my leaking problem?
Thanking all in advance,
RE: Help with interpretation - SarcasticDave94 - 05-02-2020
Welcome to Apnea Board. Let's see if we can get you on the right track including answering the questions.
Make sure you have the CPAP manual for your machine.
Also study the Mask Primer.
Just a quick tip on the mask, you should consider Pillows, nasal, then full face in this order to attempt to get the least invasive and least area of areas that can leak. Some have need of full face masks due to uncontrolled mouth leaks. You must choose the right sized cushion for your mask, and you have to adjust the straps correctly to minimize leaks. Tightening till it hurts is never the right answer by the way.
A 5 AHI is the least you should expect from your therapy. You should be able to achieve 2-3 consistently if you were given the right machine and you have mask fit and leaks well controlled. Anything above 5 is not going to help you rest well and healthy.
RE: Help with interpretation - mesenteria - 05-02-2020
Hi. I use my eyes to flick up and down the charts page, the first one, and the first thing I take note of are the events, if they cluster, and if they happen concomitantly with flow limitations. In your case, a guy at the back of the room shouted BINGO!!
Then, I look over at your 'tombstone data' at the left margin and see what your settings are. The first one, a minimum of 4, is quite a bit too low for all but the most masochistic among us. You should be at least as high as 6, and perhaps 7 would be a good start. Also, if you look over the 'average' height (related to pressure) of what wavy chart with the two significant peaky places, you seem to mostly be okay at around 12 cm, maybe as high as 15...we'll see in the next week or so.
Up at the top, you see clusters of events. That usually happens during the deepest stages of sleep where we are fully relaxed and some bad things happen to our heads and necks. If we roll over onto our backs, but it can also happen on our sides, we let our chins fall toward our chests and begin to pinch the airway. You'll get flow limitations and the machine will ramp up the pressure in response. Also, when we sag into the deepest sleep, we can deflect our masks, or deform them from contact, and the result will be a leak. Again, the machine attempts to compensate, and it'll do well until a certain engineered limit.
All this to day you might profit from the use of a soft foam cervical collar. There are many suppliers, including local department stores and medical supplies outlets. And, of course, on line. They can be intrusive at a time when your sleep, or problematic experiences with the machine and sleep, are already giving you fits. However, you will get used to them. And they mostly work, which is why we recommend them.
You'll get other more specific advice before long. Please wait for others to offer their opinions and observations.
RE: Help with interpretation - Sleeprider - 05-03-2020
I agree with Mesenteria and will add you need to change your ramp parameters of 4.0 cm for 45 minutes. That prevents you from getting any effective therapy for the first 45 minutes of each session. You didn't include the flow rate chart, but I can imagine it is a mess during ramp. Please increase the minimum pressure to what you tolerate, change the time to Auto or turn off Ramp. Once you are adapted to CPAP therapy, you will not need ramp.
RE: Help with interpretation - mcfleong - 05-03-2020
Thank you everyone for your advice. I increased the pressure to 6 and used an old neck collar for part of the night and managed to get 3.10. Very happy with that. Thank you again!