Posted by Bird Watcher on October 21, 2008 at 08:09:56:In Reply to: What do the graphs show and mean? posted by Riv on October 18, 2008 at 22:48:44:
You're new to this all and probably unsure and a bit nervous about the reports, settings, and even the diagnosis. Don't take what I'm about to say as negative. Look at it constructively.
The most important thing to do is to use the machine every night for as many hours as you possibly can and be sure the mask isn't leaking during that time. Make the machine work for you and don't obsess about what the machine is recording or any report made by the machine.
The report you were given was generated by what's called the Clinical Interfacd Package for the machine. This package consists of the media card or download cable, the software for windows, and a complete instruction manual describing the features of the s/w and the reports.
The Clinical Interface Package can be purchased on the internet, but it is not recommended, required, or even marketed to the patient. If is for the doctor or the service provider (aka DME) to keep tabs on the patient's therapy from time to time. Otherwise, they would have know way of knowing if you're using the machine and for how long, etc.
The Clinical Interface is a far cry from the accuracy of the equipment in a proper sleep lab. Some in the industry go as far as calling the Clinical Interface a marketing gimmick. There also isn't really good support from the manufacturer for this package in the case of s/w problems. Many medical providers dismiss this package as a useful tool and lean on repeat lab studys as a better indication.
Perhaps the best information from a clinical interface report is leak data. Masks can slip off during the night without a person knowing it and the machine will record that leak. Seeing this report then should alert the provider and the patient to work harder to getting a better fitting mask. There may also be some benefit to the pressure records, EPAP-IPAP for auto Bi-PAP's like your machine to see where these pressures are trending or if the limit settings need adjusting. As for the AHI or apnea readings, the machine is programmed to suppress and treat apneas before they occur, so the data on this isn't too useful to know the underlying condition.
To specifically answer your questions about what the graphs show or what the times mean, you need to see the manual that comes with the package, and it's unlikely the dr will give that up to you. There maybe someone out here on the internet who has a manual or knows what the manual says, but that's unlikely too??? Even if there is someone here on the forum who has a manual, you'd need to know the s/w version and see a scan of the graphs. This forum doesn't support pictures or file inserts into the postings. Emails are prohibited.
What I'm saying is kind of negative, but if there is someone else reading this who has better information, pleae jump in. I'm not a doctor, but my best advice would be to focus on getting into better health through diet, exercise, and changing any lifestyle habbits that can negatively affect sleep. You should maybe ask or discuss these factors with your doctor.
You can also search on the internet for other sleep apnea chat forums that have updated sites that can support emails and file postings.