Anyone have an Excel spreadsheet to help track?

I purchased my reader and software online yesterday so I'm still waiting to get them. In the meantime, thanks to the info here I was able to reset my M-Series to Auto and find out the AHI/leak info.

Background: My sleep study wasn't fully successful since they only titrated to 9 which got me to REM on my side, none on my back. They suggested I have another study in 30 days.

Sleep doc is against APAP. Last night was my 2nd night and 1st on APAP. I set the low pressure to 9 since that's what got me to REM. My AHIs at that pressure were 2.8 2 nights ago. I set the high to 18.

This morning, my average AHI was 2.3 which means it was lower last night. Don't know enough about math to figure out what it was last night. But, my 90% average (which would only be for 1 day) was 12.5!

I also set my humidity level to 3 (from 2) because yesterday I woke with a sore throat.

This morning with no sore throat. I took off the mask at 6 and went back to sleep until 7 when I woke up on my own!!!! (Now that's a first!!!) Lot less tired than yesterday morning too!

I'm feeling a little guilty for changing the settings but feel justified by the results. Am I wrong???

Thanks,

Linda

Changing setting is a guilt-free thing (it's your apnea, your treatment, your health).

Going back for a 1-hour snooze without your PAP is what you should be guilty about. You need to use any time you sleep ... sleeping w/o undoes the benefit of using it in the first place.

As for changing settings ... you should try and collect data for at least a week at a time to normalize bad nights ... changing settings on a nightly basis will turn you into a dog chasing its tail. Be patient ... with AHI under 5 you are doing very well ... don't sweat it ... relax and enjoy your new life.

Oh and welcome to the hose gang!

...and forgot ... the data to keep track of are the following:

Date
AI or OAI
HI
Leaks

Make a column for each and start collecting your data.

I agree that your numbers seem pretty good. I also agree that you should track your numbers for at least a week before you change the settings.

My only other comment is that your top number (18) seems a little high. It is usually recommended that the range on an APAP be 2 to 3 setps below your titration number and 2 to 3 above the titration. I was titrated at 12, but my doctor ordered a range of 7 - 15. After watching my numbers for several months I have raised the lower number to 9 and am doing much better. My 90% has been around 10 for a couple of months, so I'm thinking about raising the bottom to 10.

As I understand it, the problem with having too high a top number is that it can CAUSE central apneas. You might want to do a search on that subject and perhaps discuss it with your doctor.

PM sent. Jim

Thanks Linda and DS. So, DS, even if I take a short nap during the day I should still wear the CPAP? I was doing fine today until around 1-ish so I ended up napping for about 1/2 hour. I guess I should have become the masked avenger

Linda, as far as my minimum number, the doc ordered a straight CPAP machine set at 9. That was my logic for setting it there to begin with. I thought about a lower setting (7 or but then reasoned if he was willing to have me on straight 9 then it should be OK and not cause central apneas.

Can't wait to get my hands on the software so I can have some of those pretty charts and graphs

Thanks for the advice!

Linda

lpady -- Just to clarify, my concern was not with your low number of 9cm, rather with the high number of 18 cm. I've read in other threads that having the top number too far above your titrated level can actualy end up CAUSING central apneas. My pulmonologist/sleep doctor reaffirmed that a little bit when she said it was okay for me to raise the lower setting a little, but she did not want me messing with the top setting without consulting her.

Thanks Linda B. I realize now what you were saying. When we type an 8 followed by a parens it turns into the smiley wearing glasses! I'll bring the top number down and see how it goes.

Thanks!