I have no clue what I'm doing

[MssDarla]

A few years back I had a sleep study,, well ended up with a c-pap machine,, used it for a little while and then got stored, Well I am have issues now with night sweats and morning headaches and other issues, So I am trying to use it. Trouble is I wasn't really taught in the first place, I dont even know if my medicare buys replacement parts, I thought I would shop around, anyways I am a mouth breather when I sleep, so I have the full full I guess but it hurts my face, So now I want to shop for more supplies mask longer hose, anything that can make this better for me to keep up. I do think I might have issues with not breathing and I know its dangerous, however its so uncomfortable, I watch TV to go to sleep and then fall asleep before putting mask on,, I'm working on that problem.
I dont like the part on my forehead at all, and I need a longer hose. I see people here talking about numbers on the machine and I have no clue what that means, I read the instructions and have learned about somethings though. This just all confuses me at this point, but better then when I first got the machine.lol my bp has gone up, Night sweats are horrible, my ears are raw from the sweat, morning headaches are bad, Numbness in L hand and foot, can't think clear or remember crap. things are getting tough. dr has ran bloodwork in case other health issues going on, meanwhile I want to use the c pap, I need sleep. is there a way to monitor if I am having issues while I am asleep? like oxygen levels or something? I do wear a bp watch and it shows my sleep quality too. I need to know, can anyone help me?? and I do have machine but everything else needs replaced. Thank you so much
PS how do I find a supplier?? I am on Medicare thx or do I pay? clueless here

[ChicagoGranny]

You have made the first excellent steps on the way to better health - registering and posting!

Please fill out your equipment profile - https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=prof ... pment_info

Do you know what your diagnosis was from that sleep study?
Do you know what your prescription said? Do you have a copy?

[linuxman]

First thing to do is let us know in detail what machine you have. There should be a model number somewhere on the machine. From that, we can see what's possible in terms of data from the machine (including what's available right on the display).

Do you have results from your old sleep study, by chance? That might be useful as well to just see where you were generally and something to compare to if therapy results are in fact available from your machine.

On supplies, yes there are a number of good cpap supply places online. I'll let others more familiar with medicare speak to your options for equipment. Do you have your original prescription? Is it still valid? You may need that to purchase some items, like complete mask kits. If your prescription is no longer valid, you may have to go back through the sleep study processes to get medicare to pay for things.

[MssDarla]

no sorry sleep study was done years ago and all I was told is a machine would help you, I will go write down the machine info and come back,,,
Also how do women with long hair handle those head straps? and find a good mask, Do all mask fir to the hose? so I can try different ones? See so many questions

I did see a number in the menu a 4 and I can go higher,, I dont know what it means, I will go get machine info now ,

Ps I wrote to dr about who pays for supplies?

She no longer has the sleep study info because she moved to a new office working for another practice, BRB thx so much

[MssDarla]

Machine info

Rem star plus M series heated
Humidifier Dom
Model 1022334

Settings I see

Ramp start 4.0H20
C flex is set to 1
Altitude set to 1
mask alert off

I was never told anything about the machine,, they fitted a full mask and gave me the machine,, I have never touch any settings because even in read the manual, I dont know what anything means. I didn't want to mess it up lol

[Hopeful50]

First off, I suggest you read everything in the ANNOUNCEMENTS section of the main forum page. There is a wealth of information here that covers many topics . . . how to use your equipment, tips on how to get used to having an alien on your face at night, how to download and interpret the data from your machine, how to use this forum as a support system, and much much more. Once you've read those threads, THEN ask questions that are specific to your needs.

Medicare does cover CPAP machines and supplies, but they require a very specific process. First a face-to-face visit with a doctor (preferably a sleep specialist, but not requred). Since it's been a few years, the doctor will likely prescribe a new sleep study, after which you'll probably get a prescription for a new machine and all the go-with equipment. The doctor's staff should be able to refer you to an equipment supplier (DME) in your area that is contracted with Medicare. These are few and far between. (I live 50 miles south of San Francisco, and there are now only a couple of Medicare-approved DME companies within 100 miles.) You're then required to have another visit with the doctor 30-90 days after receiving your equipment. At that appointment, the doctor must verify that you have used the machine at least 4 hours per night for a minimum of 21 out of 30 nights. After that, Medicare requires annual follow-up visits with the prescribing doctor. It's a bit of a hassle, but after a year on CPAP it hasn't cost me a penny. (I do have a Medicare supplement that covers what Medicare doesn't.)

The best thing you can do for yourself is read and educate yourself, and decide that your CPAP treatment really is important.

Good luck!

[Pugsy]

Did you have Medicare when you got your machine a few years ago?

[Pugsy]

All masks can be used with all long hoses and all machines as long as any needed adapters are still available.
Some masks have little adapters that are easy to lose.

[MssDarla]

Thanks so much,, I will keep reading and I've been watching You Tube videos.

Yes was on medicare when I got the machine,

I don't mind doing another sleep study but not at the hospital,, it was the worst experience for me,, I never go to sleep at 9 pm.. The lady fussed cause I didn't fall asleep till after 5 am. But I was there cause I don't sleep lol I have fibromyalgia.

Anyways waiting to hear back from Dr,, mean while I will keep reading

Hoping this may solve my health issues I am dealing with now.

[Taney]

When I had long hair, I pulled it back into a loose ponytail and threaded it through the back of the straps. It kept my hair off out of my face and off the back of my neck, which were two major irritations for me.

[Pugsy]

Yes was on medicare when I got the machine,

Then Medicare should have your prior medical history on record that met the requirements of getting the machine initially.
They might not require you to have another sleep study.

[chunkyfrog]

My ponytail is only temporary, the band comes out after the headgear is in place.
This way, my scalp gets to rest from wearing a ponytail all day.

[MssDarla]

Can someone tell me what a oxygen sensor will tell you and would it benefit me to own one? I have nightly sweats to the point of inside of my ears are raw,, change night clothes most nights.. morning headaches.

What kind of info can I get by using a oxygen sensor? Does anyone else use one? Thank you

[ChicagoGranny]

Can someone tell me what a oxygen sensor will tell you and would it benefit me to own one?

You would be much better off putting your efforts toward getting a data-capable CPAP machine and getting your CPAP therapy optimized. Blood-oxygen sensors can be helpful to people who have lung diseases and use supplemental oxygen.

I have nightly sweats to the point of inside of my ears are raw,, change night clothes most nights.. morning headaches.

Long apneas can cause these symptoms. There is an urgent need to get your CPAP therapy working well.

[Julie]

Your machine, while being old compared to so many newer ones, may still work well, but as it's a 'Plus' model, won't give you all the useful data that the newer ones do (using the Sleepyhead software - or any other - most use too).