BiPAP new therapy

[Sleeprider]

It's pretty remarkable that most people will experience a higher rate of CA events at this level pf PS. You seem to be doing just fine and respiratory statistics look to be in the normal range with only a minor increase in tidal volume, but your minute vent is higher due to a higher respiration rate compared to a graph I compared at January 30 with PS 5.4. Still looks good and apparently feels good. In your case flow limitation is generally positional and used to result in apnea without the machine PS assist. I don't know that this artifact will fully disappear, but you tolerate it much better now.

[pholynyk]

>>>I am assuming 95% Pressure is the IPAP.  Am I right?

you are correct. Pressure and IPAP are the same.

The 'Set ...' columns are from the Respironics machines. Currently we use a single combined file layout, but this may change.

[DanEm]

First, I can say I am feeling good and could just leave everything as it is.

But...

Being more perfectionist than not and always looking for solutions, I do have a few points I'd like to clear up.

I have doubts about the data (CSV files) I am using.
I did submit a question in the Software Support Forum (posted here) for which I do not have a reply. Is my question being looked over?

Comparing my last month using a CPAP with the first month of BiPAP usage, I see a 9% decrease for AHI and 49% decrease for Flow Limit. Pretty good, no complaint here.

With the BiPAP results I have drawn a graphic [AHI_vs_FL.png] showing AHI against Flow Limit. It is obvious there is 0 (zero) AHI for Flow Limit lower than 0.1. Thus, efforts to reduce further my Flow Limit. would be worthwhile. I don't think you would disagree with that.

To find what I should do to lower FL, I have drawn a graph showing FL and PS against time [FL_PS_vs_TIME.png]. 

Strangely, I am not able to see a clear correlation between FL and PS. Can you see one?

Also, sleep and head position were mostly the same. I went to sleep on the left side and usually wake up on my back without the bed being messed up. I used the collar for all sessions and my head cannot tilt forward with the collar.

Any ideas about what I should try?

Again, I am satisfied with the results, but if there is a chance they could improve, why not go for it.

P.S. All data comes from Oscar exported CSV files.

[Sleeprider]

I have seen members dive down the data rabbit hole, and I advise against doing this. Once your therapy is optimizer for comfort and efficacy, seeking "perfection" is rarely rewarding or productive. Your analyses may provide a path to possibly improve results, and it is fine to try changing variables one at a time to evaluate whether the result is better or worse in terms of your numbers and how you feel. In your case, I think the numbers can help give early warning when your soft cervical collar is wearing out.

Your best results were for PS between 5.4 and 6.0 and I think your chart picks that up. I don't know that the increasing PS above 5.4 has yielded improved results in comfort or numerical efficacy, and your data/chart seems to confirm that. Before "going for it", consider what the objective is and how you will measure improvement.

[DanEm]

I have seen members dive down the data rabbit hole, and I advise against doing this.  Once your therapy is optimizer for comfort and efficacy, seeking "perfection" is rarely rewarding or productive.  Your analyses may provide a path to possibly improve results, and it is fine to try changing variables one at a time to evaluate whether the result is better or worse in terms of your numbers and how you feel.  In your case, I think the numbers can help give early warning when your soft cervical collar is wearing out.

Your best results were for PS between 5.4 and 6.0 and I think your chart picks that up.  I don't know that the increasing PS above 5.4 has yielded improved results in comfort or numerical efficacy, and your data/chart seems to confirm that.  Before "going for it", consider what the objective is and how you will measure improvement.

Thank you Sleeprider. I really appreciate your comments and I agree with them.

I will go back to the PS 5.4 setting and keep it for a while to see how it goes. 
It is not much trouble to do and my comfort there was good.

I think my charts are good tools for me to "measure" improvement or lack thereof when changing PS.

My only question left concerns the discrepancies between Oscar Daily View and the values in the CSV files.
Hopefully some comments will come from the Software Support Forum

[Sleeprider]

We have a number of members that do in-depth data analysis. I don't find that's my lane, so when things get to that point I tend to bow out. I do understand that some have seen value in doing this, and the Software forum might be a better place to find those that enjoy shredding data and experimenting with settings. Here is a thread where I think the user has lost the forest for the trees, and is worth a look just to see what happens when you reach the deep end and go for it. http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...dy-results

[DanEm]

Sleeprider, for at least one instance in the values I checked for discrepancies, there is a gap of 260% between CSV and the Daily View.
That is a lot and I found discrepancies that range from 12% to 260% in 10 cases.  I did not check all.
All the sessions I checked had discrepancies so I can suspect that many or all such data is flawed.

I am not doing in-depth data analysis but rather checking the trustworthiness of the data from exported CSV files.

[Sleeprider]

One of the developers would be in a better position to discuss discrepancies in the CSV export data and daily view. Might be worth trying there.

[DanEm]

My last results get me closer to wanting to throw in the towel.

I had 2 nights sleep with PS down to 5.4 and all other things the same.

Looking at my screenshots, you can see FL going from 0.04 to 0.33.

This morning, I feel rather disappointed but physically OK.

Is it still a positional thing?

Should I just throw the machine out the window and forget about the whole thing? 

[Sleeprider]

In your case, I think the numbers can help give early warning when your soft cervical collar is wearing out.

Is it positional?  Of course it is.  It is the only variable we can't really control.