CCan anyone tell me what the numbers mean?

[seasidegirl]

I confess I'm one of those people who just assume the sleep clinic have it all under control so I didn't go too deeply into how the machine works. When I first switch it on the numbers on the screen say 4.0. I've only ever seen it go above that to 5.00 in the night once. What does that mean?

[leswaller]

welcome seaside girl,
what machine have you got

[James @ Intus]

Yes, knowing which machine will help us help you.

Most machine display the pressure when turned on. This could be the prescribed pressure in older units, the actual current pressure in more modern units or if you have ramp enabled, could be the comfort pressure, a.k.a. ramp pressure, which will then gradually increase over time.

If it really stays at 5, that's quite low.

Also let us know whether you were mild, moderate or severe in terms of OSA.

[seasidegirl]

I've just read the top of it...

It's a Remstar Auto A-flex. I'm about to test it's durability by seeing if it survives being thrown out of the window. Not really, I'm doing a bit better now...

I'm told I have mild ODA with the warning that it will get worse if I put on any more weight.

In some ways, I think having mild ODA makes you less determined to master CPAP. I know I can survive without it, I'm just very tired. And as restless nights with the machine are making me tired anyway, there are less obvious benefits.

[seasidegirl]

Does this mean anything to anyone

I've just worked out how to read some of the figures on my machine. It says I have used for over 4 hours for 7 out of 7 days, average time 4.50 hours, pressure 9.18. I think I am getting more used to it, this is my third week, but is that bad or good?

[Tigers Fan]

Excellent, but ....

Hi seasidegirl

You seem to be doing very well for where you are at - and there's room for doing even better.

In the last week, you've used your machine every night, never less than four hours, average four and a half hours. your 90% pressure is 9.18 - meaning your spent 90% of the time at or above 9.18 cm H2O (a pressure that would support a column of water that high, force it up a tube.

The problems with surviving without CPAP and being very tired include poor health, poor relationships and not being able to drive lawfully.

But you are doing well and have all but cracked it!

Tigers Fan

[leswaller]

Just to add to TFs comments, 9.18 is quite a low pressure which, if everything is working properly, means that your OSA is probably relatively mild and so should be easy to get under control once you have sorted out your initial mask problems

[James @ Intus]

Yes, encouraging numbers at this stage, even when you may not yet be too pleased about them personally. Keep at it and you'll get there shortly.