Flow Rate Graph - Now I See It and then Now I Don't

[First Reviewer]

Hey Everybody.

I'm a little confused as to why my Flow Rate Graph shows up some mornings when I download my Nightly CPAP Data to my Computer, and at other times it doesn't.

I don't do anything differently, but between the Event Graph Strip and the AHI Graph Strip at times I see my Flow Rate Graph, and then other days it's not there.

I checked the Preferences Bos and it is checked and I've never changed it, so I don't understand what's going on with the chart.

While I'm on the subject of Flow Rate what does that tell me? How many times I breathe, or how hard the CPAP Device is working, I haven't a clue??

[Pugsy]

The Flow rate graph...the fuzzy black part of the line...that particular piece of data the SD card has to be properly seated in the machine for that data to be recorded to the SD card.
The other graphs the machine will store in its internal memory and write that stored data to the SD card if the card has been out of the machine and then put back in.

If you are sure that your SD card was indeed properly seated in the machine (and you visually see the machine recognize the SD card when you insert it) then we may have a problem.

Can you navigate to the SD card using your my computer and go into the P series folder and find the P0 folder?
Look inside the P0 folder for a file type with .005 extension ...that's the file that is needed for the flow graphs to show up in SleepyHead..... the date would be the date after the night in question because that is when the final bit of data is written to the SD card. So last night's reports will have today's date.

If you find the .005 files present for the night's that SH is missing the data then maybe the file was corrupted for some reason and SleepyHead couldn't read it.
If you don't find the .005 file...then the machine didn't put it on the SD card.
Either the card wasn't in the machine...or there's a problem writing the data to the SD card.
Maybe get a new blank SD card just in case there's a bad spot on this card...cheap generic will work...doesn't have to be name brand.

[First Reviewer]

Pugsy that's the Problem.

I usually just insert the SD Card sometime during the Day. Most of the time the cards not in the machine when it running.

I will make sure that the card is in the machine tonight before I turn it on. I'll also let you know tomorrow if that's was the problem.

Again my Thanks.

Have a Great Week,

[First Reviewer]

Pugsy, left this out of my note to you a minute ago.

I did look in the PO folder that you suggested and yes the file ext. .005 was there on the days that the Flow Rate Data Downloaded.

Again Thanks!

[Pugsy]

The Flow graph data...the SD card must be in the machine for that.
The other stuff you can get it by putting the SD card in the machine anytime the next day but you won't get Flow rate.

The flow rate data file is a large file and there just isn't enough room in the machine's internal storage for it (I guess that's why they don't store it on the machine)...it's a really big file.

Leave the SD card in the machine overnight and you will have the flow rate available.

[First Reviewer]

Pugsy, You were on top of this one also.

I downloaded my Data this morning and the Flow Rate Data Graph was on the Chart, along with 5 other Graphs that I really hadn't noticed before.

Res. Rate,
Tidal Volume,
Minute Vent.,
Insp.Time,
Exp. Time

Pugsy if you know of a book/video that explains all these different charts in layman's terms I would like to get a copy, because I would like to get up to speed on what all these charts mean.

I'm going to see my Doctor next week and I am going to bring up to him who do I go to for technical assistance. Certainly I appreciate all the Sleep Apnea Boards on the internet, and of course along with your excellent assistance, but I wonder who would others go to for assistance if they didn't have a Computer?

In light of that I have contacted our local Hospital's Education Department and they are considering putting on a Sleep Apnea Program for the public. We have a Very Pro-Active Hospital so in due time I believe they will come up with something that will put more people in the Sleep Apnea Knowledge Loop. I have attended some of their programs and they are very informative.

Pugsy on the subject of CPAP Modems I have talked to both Respironic's and ResMed's Company Customer Support Personnel by phone, and I found both to not quite understand what I was referring to, when I ask them about purchasing a modem from them for my CPAP Device. More than likely Pugsy they both may have been doing their own rendition of "Please Don't Ask Me About A Modem Dance" with me.

After much discussion I found out from them that, yes, both Companies have Modems for their Devices, but only a certain few that are in the business can obtain one on them for their information. Certainly I can understand both companies not wanting a sleepy head cpap patent fooling around with the settings on their cpap devices, but on the other hand with proper software in place I see no reason for their device users not to have access to one of their modems.

I certainly don't believe that asking for a modem only to download last night's cpap data is asking too much, especially when I'm more than willing to pay for it out of my own pocket. I would think, or at least hope that as technology evolves in the World of CPAP Devices that we all would be able to connect up to not only our Sleep Doctor, if that's indeed what they're known as, but also our CPAP Suppliers.

Anyway if anyone can take the lid off of the Tightly Sealed CPAP Device Modem Jar and get one out, get me one out too; I'll make it worth your while.

Everybody have a Great Day,

First Reviewer

[Pugsy]

Res. Rate,
Tidal Volume,
Minute Vent.,
Insp.Time,
Exp. Time

Pugsy if you know of a book/video that explains all these different charts in layman's terms I would like to get a copy,

There isn't any useful resource that explains all these details in a nice compact little book or video that I know of.
It's stuff that someone in the medical field would have learned with time and experience.

Res rate...Respiration Rate..that's pretty easy...how many times you are breathing per minute..and there's a wide range in normals. You can google it and find that information. In all honesty..for most of us it isn't going to be a critical piece of data unless we are having significant problems.

Same thing with Tidal Volume and Minute Ventilation...there's a hugely wide range in norms for these values...Google them to fine the Web Wiki definition and you will see. Wide range between men and women..short or tall.. and even altitude where we live will impact will impact what our normals are. My normals being a short woman is going to be different from your normals.

Again this data is probably not critical to evaluation of the overall sleep unless there's a problem with lung function and if there was a problem with lung function it is very likely that a person would already know about it.
This is going deeper into the report data than is probably needed for the bulk of cpap users.

Insp time and exp time....I don't really understand their significance at all or even why it is reported...for those of use not using the ASV models of machines this data is really rather meaningless...now if we used one of those high dollar ASV machines that actually will kick and and try to help us breath...it becomes a factor.

Regarding modems....Even if you had one you would have to access the internet web source software and that is for the doctors and DMEs. I don't know about ResMed but I know a little about Respironics...theirs is called Encore Anywhere.
I have no idea what data that modem transmits to the software in the sky but access to it involves a monthly fee and a professional organization. I think you are wanting something that you aren't going to be able to get and if by some chance you finally got it I don't think you would be happy with it. Whatever data that is obtained is going to be the same data you see on your reports and still takes a person looking at it to evaluate it. If you were thinking that the modems transmit to software that automatically analyzes things and kicks out an automated report that actually include an in depth evaluation...it doesn't work that way. 99% of the modem use is for remote tracking of hours used for compliance purposes and that is why they are removed after compliance has been met. It isn't so they can see how well you are doing..it's to see if you are using the machine the required number of hours.