Questions about Sleepyhead and 90% pressure

[ramblingasian]

Hello everyone!

I have severe obstructive sleep apnea (AHI of 115+).

I have spent two nights in the sleep clinic. 1st night was a straight test that resulted in the 115+ events an hour. On the night of the titration, they titrated me on a range of 5-12, only to realize that at 11, I still had an AHI of 35+.

So my sleep doctor has prescribed me a APAP rental (Resmed Airsense 10) on a scale of 8-20cm to see whether I qualify for a BiPAP/VPAP as I live in Ontario, Canada. I'm currently using Sleepyhead and I'm pretty well versed with it. However, I have a couple of questions about it that I hope you can help me with:

(1) Does 90% pressure normally equal the level that a CPAP should be set?
(2) I'm realizing that on the statistics tab, the 90% pressure only shows up for the last session. Is there a way to bring up the other days 90% pressure?
(3) If I have a 90% on the average between 19.5 - 20.0 and APAP and CPAP machines only go up to 20, is that an argument to get a BiPAP/VPAP?

Thanks in Advance!

[zonk]

1) Does 90% pressure normally equal the level that a CPAP should be set?
(2) I'm realizing that on the statistics tab, the 90% pressure only shows up for the last session. Is there a way to bring up the other days 90% pressure?
(3) If I have a 90% on the average between 19.5 - 20.0 and APAP and CPAP machines only go up to 20, is that an argument to get a BiPAP/VPAP?

Thanks in Advance!

Hi ramblingasian and welcome
1- 95% pressure ... pressure was at or below this number for 95% of the night
2- click on "Daily" (next to statistics) and choose a date
3- Not sure about the protocol in Canada

AHI and leak are important to keep an eye on and of course hours using the machine each night

[pholynyk]

1) I think there is room for discussion here. On straight CPAP, I think you need to balance the reduction of OA and O2Sat levels against the creation of pressure induced CAs (at least for some people). In general, you probably would not be too far off using 90% pressure - if you must have CPAP. I prefer APAP for myself.
2) I have 171 days on my Statistics tab, and the Most Recent, Last Week, and Last 30 Days are all different. Since I have less than 6 months, both the Last 6 Months and Last Year are irrelevant. If you want to see the last 6 days, you can use File->Export Data-> CSV Export Wizard. Select the Daily Summary, and Custom Dates, then browse to create a file name. Then Save and Export, and open the CSV file in Excel or LibreOffice. The column you want is labeled Pressure 1%, but that's a minor labeling bug; it really is 90%.
3) As long as you don't have major Large Leaks, you really are topping out on what the APAP can give you. I believe the BiPAP/VPAP machines can go to 25cmH2O, so you could have a good case.

[ramblingasian]

Hi ramblingasian and welcome
1- 95% pressure ... pressure was at or below this number for 95% of the night
2- click on "Daily" (next to statistics) and choose a date
3- Not sure about the protocol in Canada

AHI and leak are important to keep an eye on and of course hours using the machine each night

Thanks for your help, Zonk!

1) I think there is room for discussion here. On straight CPAP, I think you need to balance the reduction of OA and O2Sat levels against the creation of pressure induced CAs (at least for some people). In general, you probably would not be too far off using 90% pressure - if you must have CPAP. I prefer APAP for myself.
2) I have 171 days on my Statistics tab, and the Most Recent, Last Week, and Last 30 Days are all different. Since I have less than 6 months, both the Last 6 Months and Last Year are irrelevant. If you want to see the last 6 days, you can use File->Export Data-> CSV Export Wizard. Select the Daily Summary, and Custom Dates, then browse to create a file name. Then Save and Export, and open the CSV file in Excel or LibreOffice. The column you want is labeled Pressure 1%, but that's a minor labeling bug; it really is 90%.
3) As long as you don't have major Large Leaks, you really are topping out on what the APAP can give you. I believe the BiPAP/VPAP machines can go to 25cmH2O, so you could have a good case.

Thanks pholynyk!

I'd like an APAP too, but since I'm in Ontario, I'm at the mercy of OHIP and their tight rules, since my private insurance won't kick into next year. I guess at my levels, I'll probably be put on a BiPAP/VPAP. Hopefully I can get an auto VPAP like the Aircurve 10 V Auto.

[trish6hundred]

Hi ramblingasian,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Much success to you with your CPAP therapy and hang in there for more responses to your post.