I now have my statistics off the ResScan downloads from my 10 day old ResMed S8 Autoset Spirit II and would like some tips as to what I am trying to achieve. I am tempted to leave all the settings alone and just look at the results occasionally to make sure the machine is doing its job.

For the last 10 days my AHI is 6.5 with AI of 0.4 Median pressure 6.2 and Median leakage of 6 L/min. All seems to be good as far as I can tell but I get the impression AHI of 5 or less is more ideal. The incidence of Apneoa's is decreasing and I now get the occasional night with zero apneoa's. The results have improved significantly over the first week with an APAP of AHI 9.1 on a trial machine of the same type which convinced me to buy it.

I wasn't aware of any severe or adverse symptoms- never dosed etc but my wife was sure I was stopping breathing as well as snoring during the night. When younger I used to wake up fresh with my mind instantly fired up. I attributed my slow fuzzy brain at wake up to just getting older.

I am mid 40's and was diagnosed as having moderate Sleep Apneoa from a full overnight hospital study early December 2007. From memory AHI 15 plus and really high during REM sleep. CPAP was recommended and a follow up full night "titration" session in February 2008 determined the best setting for me was 9 (cm H2O??). They also told me that I stopped snoring when the setting was 7.0 I am wondering therefore should I have the APAP range set from 7 to 20 rather than 4 to 20. My wife has noticed me snoring occasionally with the full mask on.

I have been using CPAP machines now for 6 or 7 weeks and I think I am now waking up with an active brain again and don't seem to need as much sleep.

My first CPAP machine trial was with a ResMed S8 CPAP at setting "10" for 2 weeks and then back to 9 for 2 weeks using a Mirage Quattro Full face mask and then trailing an Ultra Mirage II nasal mask. During the trials my biggest problem was getting used to wearing a mask. I prefer using the nasal mask but I often get blocked nasal passages and when this occurs I use a full face mask.

I eventually decided on a ResMed S8 Autoset Spirit II (APAP) machine which came with ResScan software and USB connector. It's really great to be able to see what is happening and review the stats. Just want to make sure I get the most out of reading the stats. I think the machine was a good choice as it runs through much of the night at around 5 to 6 cmH2O and is quiet etc. With APAP mode I don't seem to wake up with the air blowing out of the side of the mask when I have bumped it against the pillow which happened a bit with the CPAP model. I seem to get 6 hours 20min average usage of the machine per night and take it off for the last hour or so in bed and doze until it is time to get up.

Is there a web-site that sets out what the ResScan stats really mean? . [/b]

BUNCS,

I haven't found a site that tells you what the numbers mean from the smart card.  If you have a homecare provider, they can tell you what the numbers indicate.  My homecare provider told me that the AHI should be under 10 and yours is well below that.  I think that the best indicator is how you're feeling overall.  It sounds as if you're doing better and that's always a great thing.  

Curt

Thanks for your response. Getting a response from a forum like this lifts your spirits. People with the same type of problem sharing their thoughts.

I don't think we get a "home care person" here in OZ. my local doctor is not really aware of the sleep apnea side of things,

I will be seeing my specialist  this week for our final consultation but I am not sure if he is used to seeing the ResMed style reports. I hope so.

Regards

Well, they like to see your Leak Rate <=0.4 L/s (24 L/M). Bear in mind these devices cannot discriminate between mask leaks, mouth leaks and lip leaks (the lip flutters). Leaks result in a loss of therapy. These devices on the other hand can compensate quite nicely for most leaks. If you are using a Resmed mask on the proper setting the reported Leak Rate is minus the "allowed" or "built in" vent rate for the mask you are using. If you are using other than a Resmed mask then your Mask Selection should be the Standard mask setting and you need to do a bit of math to know your true Leak Rate. In the S8 models (the S8 IIs are not available in North America as of yet) the Leak Rate on the LED screen is reported in L/s but the charts in mask literature that accompanies each mask provide the "allowed" or "built in" vent rate in L/M. The Standard mask selection assumes an "allowed" Leak Rate of .24 L/s (0.4 L/M).

An AHI (apneas + hypopneas per hour) of <5 is considered normal for sleep.

Generally, a pressure range of 4 cms to 20 cms really is too wide a range for the xPAP to be as effective as it could be. Very few people can even breathe comfortably w/a mask on at 4 cms of pressure. The lower the minimum pressure at the start of an "event" the longer it takes the xPAP to reach the needed higher pressure to prevent or stop the "event". The xPAP builds up the pressure in increments when an "event" starts until the "event" stops.

The more knowledgeable doctors will set an auto pressure range about 4-6 cms between the lower setting and the higher setting based on the titrated pressure during the titration study. 1-2 cms below the titrated pressure and 2-4 cms above the titrated pressure. Keep in mind a high leak rate can cause the xPAP to "run up" the pressure chasing a leak since it really can't determine between a leak and the start of an event which is the reasoning for narrowing the pressure range.

The Resmeds report the 95th percentile of pressure and leak via the LED screen. The 95th percentile is the pressure AT OR BELOW which you spent 95% of the night.

While I prefer Resmed's method and easy access to the nightly data via the LED screen I do wish they would provide the equivalent of Respironics' Daily Events Per Hour chart w/their software. That is the only area where I consider Respironics' software superior to Resmed's. *sigh*

If one is skilled at using Excel and is using AutoScan 5.7 one can Export the data to Excel in .csv format and eventually "build" a Daily Events Per Hour chart .... but ... I sure am NOT that skilled w/Excel and for some unknown reason, Resmed in their "infinite wisdom" has NOT made provisions for EXPORTING a file from ResScan 3.4. I've not been using ResScan 3.4 but for just a couple of nights now and altho 3.4 makes provision for IMPORTING a AutoScan 5.7 file I've not had any success doing so just yet. For all I know it is importing the file and I just can't find it once imported.

Understand that in the USA we are much more restricted w/our CPAP therapy than on the Continent, in Oz, and etc. The software for our xPAPs is "restricted" for sale to "professionals" only, i.e. sleep labs and durable medical equipment providers. We patients aren't "allowed" to have access to the software. Of course, obviously, innovative patients interested in taking an active part in their healthcare, including CPAP therapy, manage to obtain the software and cable reader.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Chronnie.

Fantastic response. Improved my knowledge level heaps.

Thanks again for your answer. I think I am headed in the right direction.

The ResScan software is definitely designed for a Doctor to give reports back to their patient rather than for patient use. And I note that it is restricted in the US. They gave me my USB connection and software with the machine at no extra cost. It is full on line read out minute by minute.  It is great especially for seeing whether I am having bad leaks.

Yes I am using a ResMed Mask mostly the full Quattro face mask and have the settings for the right mask set each time.
I have managed to find a comfortable fit that keeps the leakage well below the 24l/ and lowers the AHI.

My titration level was 9 and that I would snore at less than 7.  Therefore setting it at 7 sounds like a sensible idea and I will check it out with my specialist this week. I suspected that a tighter range would be better and I will try it out.

The ResScan software is great for figuring out the masks and whether I have got the settings right. I can see what the impact is from a review of the nightly stats.

I have a nasal mask = the Ultra Mirage II but it seems to make too much noise when the higher pressures kick in. The air blows down the tube and seems to create a wind tunnel type noise. Might be able to figure that out over time.

I am still a bit annoyed that I have Sleep Apnea but I have used the machine every night and I can see from the graphs etc that it is doing its job.

Regards

Buncs

Oh I SINCERELY BELIEVE that having access to our data greatly enhances our willingness to comply w/CPAP usage. I know I really look forward to waking up each morning and checking my data via the LED screen, and then of course a little later in the morning do a download and check the full data via the software. I think Resmed fully understood this when providing that access via the LED screen. Its too bad so many of the educated idiots in the FDA and medical profession, especially the sleep profession, don't understand that in this country. Duh!!!

I'm one who had great difficulty at first w/CPAP therapy and mask comfort and fit. Just 10 nights ago I was finally switched to a bi-level. Man! I NEED that daily "fix" of checking my data! Fortunately, I've had a sleep doctor and sleep lab that understands that.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.