Resmed S8 Hours of use.

[EwanJon]

Hi there,

This may sound like an odd question but I'll ask it anyway...

My average night means mask on at 11pm ish, lights off and sleep time.

Wake up at 6ish, mask off at 6.45 and up for work etc.

How then does my machine say I average just over 4 hours use per night?

I keep getting shouted at by my doctor but I can't see how this can be so?

Am I being dim or something?

Any assistance would be gratefully received!!

Thanks,
Ewan

[Tigers Fan]

My guess is that 'large leak' time is deducted from total usage time.

TF

[silvercarper]

You are not getting confused with the number of days with greater than 4 hours use. It could look like Days > 4hrs.
What does the display actually say ?

[symmit]

By the way, if your doctor is **actually** shouting at you I'd request a change of doctor. Supportive medical professionals are the ones you want!

[EwanJon]

Thanks for the replies.

My machine gives number of nights actually used, number of nights since first use ( I missed a few at the start when I couldnt get used to it) and then hours of use.

Dividing either figure by hours used gives just over four hours per night.

When I had my last review before it went to annual review, he had a right go at me saying that if I don't increase the number of ours I used it then he would take it off me! He didn't believe when I told him how I used it, just said I was mistaken.

I think I may actually request a change of specialist. I have my next review in october.

I just don't see how it can be 4 hours average when it's on for at least 6/7 hours a night?!?!?

What does "large leakage time" mean?

Many thanks,
Ewan

[EwanJon]

Thanks for the replies.

I actually wrote a reply earlier today but it does not appear here for some reason?

Anyway, my machine shows days used, days since first used and total hours.

If you divide the hours used into either days used or days since first use it averages just over 4 hours, despite the number of hours I use it for?

I'm somewhat confused.

I think I may well change doctors as last time when they calculated the 4 hours average use he told me that if that didn't improve they would take it of me. He didn't believe that I used it for longer every night, just said I must be mistaken. Had a right go actually. I'm due back in October.

Please can you explain what you mean by "large leak" time?

Many thanks,
Ewan

[silvercarper]

I found this old post with a similar problem

http://forums.cpap.co.uk/showthread.php?t=994

It does not give a answer but if others have the same problem it could be worth giving Resmed a ring

[EwanJon]

Many thanks for that.I think I will contact RESMED and see what they say as I KNOW I'm using it for 6/7 hours a night.

I am having a few problems with the mask fit so maybe that's causing leaks. I know it's causing me some grief so I may see if they have a different mask I could try.

It's been fine for ages and now it's causing problems again. grrr.......

[Sparticus]

Sorted

I had this problem and thought I had a faulty machine. The problem with the S8 is that it takes its readings at a strange time and then deletes them at midday, I have slept some days over 10 hours with my mask on and it said I had had it on for a few hours. I wrote to my clinic and to resmed and it is being recorded properly its just that you wont see it as its in hidden menus. Hope this helps

[puggster]

my resmed s8 escapeII did that the first night i had it, i was sure i slept more hours, but seems to work on par now

[Tigers Fan]

Hi ewanjon

Sorry for my tardiness in replying.

'Large leak time' is pretty much what it says in the title! The machine detects that it is working overtime and not maintaining pressure - due to a large leak rate - at a time when you are not having an event and logs this time. Clearly, you are not getting the pressure that you need to prevent apnoeas and so are not getting adequate therapy to be in compliance - the machine only records compliant time.

The cure is 'easy' (to say) - fix the mask leaks! Good luck with that!

TF

[EwanJon]

Well, I contacted Resmed and they said that the machine will not register as being in use when there are leaks or if your breathing is too shallow.

They sent me a data card which I have downloaded my data onto and sent back to them.

Hopefully they can give me an idea. I do suffer with leaks quite badly and my breathing is quite shallow so at least if they can confirm that it means the hospital wont give me grief and hopefully can find me a different mask.

18 months on and still having issues. hmmm...

Cheers,
Ewan

[James @ Intus]

Annoying problem, not seen that with the REMstar and SleepCubes which we regularly analyse data of.

I can slightly understand the doc's response as it is well reported that CPAP usage is overreported in the average user. Sleep itself is generally underreported in those with sleep issues. Somebody one day, not based on evidence, stated that CPAP should be used for 4 hours per night, 5 nights a week at least. That has stuck as gospel and insurance/reimbursement/NHS protocols have been based on it ever since.

That's why docs start getting funny when it gets too close to 4, as they could make somebody else hapy with the machine.

But if the machine is underreporting, and not you, you're in a sticky situation. To prove your point, you could film yourself one night with the machine on and marry that tape with the data from the machine. That way, you get him off your back hopefully.

[EwanJon]

Well, I got the data card, downloaded and sent it back, and they sent it back to me with a print out.

There are gaps all over the place which shows there are issues with leaks.

I'm going to contact the clinic techs and see if they can help out as it's not working as it should. The mask is the problem so it seems. Bad leaks and I'm also getting a lot of discomfort again.

I'm wondering if a gel mask might be better for me, better seal and no more painful nose?


Ewan

[James @ Intus]

Gel tends to offer exactly that. Especially gel masks like the Mojo, which can be reshaped all over, not just the gel seal. If you haven't tried a gel one yet, it may indeed be a good option to try and this stage.