New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Shinino
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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by Shinino » Fri Feb 12, 2016 1:43 am

palerider wrote:
Shinino wrote:Okay. I'm having a problem during setup. I was able to set the Max IPAP to 17, and the Min EPAP to 12, but my PS is supposed to be 6. There's a MIN PS and a MAX PS, but both are between 0 and 5. How do I set these?

I'm also not sure what to set for Bi-Flex (1-3), Humidifier (1-3), Ramp Time, Ramp Start, Resistance, Mask Alert, Mask Fit Check, Humidifier (I presume on), Split Night, Silent Mode,
well, there's a fundamental flaw in your prescription, in that it's not *possible*. 17/12 is a PS of 5, that's why the machine isn't giving you a higher possible number. it was written by someone that either doesn't know what they're doing, or wasn't paying attention.

you could set the max ipap at 25 and a maxps of 6, maybe minps of 4, and see how things go tonight.

biflex, humidifier ramp, ramp start are all comfort features, there's no 'right' setting.

resistance is probably best left at zero, mask alert on, or off as you like, mask fit check on, (lets you do a mask test to see if leaks are ok at that point) split night off, silent mode probably off, unless you like the thing making noises and beeps at you.
Okay, thanks for the information. So, my question then is this: If they meant a PS of 5, do I put min at 0 and max at 5? (I'll call the doctor's office tomorrow to verify what the actual prescription is supposed to be).

Also, what do the numbers mean for Bi-Flex, Humidifier, Ramp Time and Ramp Start?

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palerider
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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by palerider » Fri Feb 12, 2016 2:00 am

Shinino wrote:\Okay, thanks for the information. So, my question then is this: If they meant a PS of 5, do I put min at 0 and max at 5? (I'll call the doctor's office tomorrow to verify what the actual prescription is supposed to be).

Also, what do the numbers mean for Bi-Flex, Humidifier, Ramp Time and Ramp Start?
if that's what they meant, then yes... of course, that's all a guess, AND as someone else pointed out, it's defeating the purpose of an auto-bilevel machine.

if it were me, I'd leave maxipap at default of 25, and collect some data

as to what the numbers mean? for biflex, and humidifier, bigger numbers is more, and it's all wishywashy what they actually mean, respironics is very general about it. I suggest playing with different biflex settings while awake and seeing if you can tell a difference, and if so, which you like best.

ramp start is what pressure the machine starts at, and ramp time is how long it takes to get up to regular pressure. some people like starting out at a lower pressure, some don't. ramp, biflex, humidification aren't therapeutic, they're comfort... to be used, or not, as you desire.

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Shinino
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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by Shinino » Fri Feb 12, 2016 2:40 am

Okay, I'm going to give it a shot. I don't have bluetooth on this machine (Yet) so I can't use the mobile app.

I also think I'm going to take it by a DME in the next few days, one has offered to look at the machine and go over setup with me at no cost.

I've got the dial at 2, so we'll see how it goes.

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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by palerider » Fri Feb 12, 2016 2:49 am

Shinino wrote:Okay, I'm going to give it a shot. I don't have bluetooth on this machine (Yet) so I can't use the mobile app.
the mobile app is of limited use.

sleepyhead is where the data goodness is

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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by Shinino » Fri Feb 12, 2016 5:34 am

I Have a feeling I'm going to need to get a prescription to ambien for a little wile.

Got to sleep, woke up about 2 hours later with dry mouth, got a drink of water -- then couldn't relax again with the mask on.
Nothing wrong with the machine, just me quietly freaking out.

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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by Shinino » Fri Feb 12, 2016 10:31 pm

So I definitely have to adjust the mask or something. First night had 62% leak.

Now, I know when I took my mask off one time, the machine didn't shut off, so I probably want to enable auto-shutoff.

My question is, I was feeling a steady stream of air coming out of the front of the mask. I read that this may be expected, but I wanted to ask on here. Obviously, I want to adjust the leaks.

BTW: ONe night in, AHI went from the original diagnosis of 100...down to just over 10 I felt pretty damn good given I had about 4-5 hours of sleep.

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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by palerider » Fri Feb 12, 2016 11:24 pm

Shinino wrote: First night had 62% leak.... My question is, I was feeling a steady stream of air coming out of the front of the mask. I read that this may be expected, but I wanted to ask on here.
leaks aren't reported in a percentage. they're reported in liters per minute

again, get sleepyhead.

masks have holes in them, somewhere, for air to vent, it should be coming out there, and nowhere else.

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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by Guest » Sat Feb 13, 2016 12:41 pm

Shinino wrote:
Julie wrote:What are 'applicators' that you talk about - I'm unaware of any parts by that name. Are you referring to headgear (straps)? A mask is a mask and you just put it on... there's no 'applicator' needed, nor do you need both a full face and nasal mask (parts or otherwise), one will do the job. And I'm not sure what you mean by a 'monitoring device' - are you referring to an oximeter, or to software (free to download from the forum)? Oximeters are by no means part of standard therapy and are only incidentally sold by Cpap supply dealers in any case... I'd say the majority of us don't use them. And hoses are only a few bucks each... unless of course you're going for the specialty ones like the Climateline... again not necessarily standard and not necessarily 'needed' by any means. Same for a chinstrap. And to my knowledge humidifier chambers are usually part of the set-up, not separate items. Maybe try adding up what you actually need (or were prescribed) to use Cpap, rather than trying to get someone else to buy the whole menu for you. [removed because I'm not logged in] sells equipment at very good prices, and you should be able to get standard stuff that will do the job. Was the high deductible your choice or the company's?

Perhaps if you thought of yourself as just a patient, a person with a treatable condition like any other, rather than a "sufferer" you might feel less bad about the situation.

Why do I have the feeling you've been here before under another name? A LOT of times?
Why do I have the feeling that people who have asked you for help have run screaming for the hills? I mean, seriously. What a first comment. It honestly makes me want to log right out and go back where people actually bother to help.

I know, I know, I used the generic word 'help' instead of the proper words like 'advice' or 'suggestions' or 'tell me what the heck all these things on my prescription /are/.

You were doing sorta-okay, until you got to those last two lines. I don't know who peed in your cornflakes, but honestly, you don't know jack about me or my situation, so thinking I"m some other person really doesn't do anything but make me ignore anything you say.
Why would ANYBODY respond the way you just did? She gave you all this helpful information and then you blast her. Using the particular slang you did, I would agree with her that you have been here before and responded exactly the same way to someone else who tried to make suggestions.

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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by Lucyhere » Sat Feb 13, 2016 12:59 pm

Guest wrote:
Shinino wrote:
Julie wrote:What are 'applicators' that you talk about - I'm unaware of any parts by that name. Are you referring to headgear (straps)? A mask is a mask and you just put it on... there's no 'applicator' needed, nor do you need both a full face and nasal mask (parts or otherwise), one will do the job. And I'm not sure what you mean by a 'monitoring device' - are you referring to an oximeter, or to software (free to download from the forum)? Oximeters are by no means part of standard therapy and are only incidentally sold by Cpap supply dealers in any case... I'd say the majority of us don't use them. And hoses are only a few bucks each... unless of course you're going for the specialty ones like the Climateline... again not necessarily standard and not necessarily 'needed' by any means. Same for a chinstrap. And to my knowledge humidifier chambers are usually part of the set-up, not separate items. Maybe try adding up what you actually need (or were prescribed) to use Cpap, rather than trying to get someone else to buy the whole menu for you. [removed because I'm not logged in] sells equipment at very good prices, and you should be able to get standard stuff that will do the job. Was the high deductible your choice or the company's?

Perhaps if you thought of yourself as just a patient, a person with a treatable condition like any other, rather than a "sufferer" you might feel less bad about the situation.

Why do I have the feeling you've been here before under another name? A LOT of times?
Why do I have the feeling that people who have asked you for help have run screaming for the hills? I mean, seriously. What a first comment. It honestly makes me want to log right out and go back where people actually bother to help.

I know, I know, I used the generic word 'help' instead of the proper words like 'advice' or 'suggestions' or 'tell me what the heck all these things on my prescription /are/.

You were doing sorta-okay, until you got to those last two lines. I don't know who peed in your cornflakes, but honestly, you don't know jack about me or my situation, so thinking I"m some other person really doesn't do anything but make me ignore anything you say.
Why would ANYBODY respond the way you just did? She gave you all this helpful information and then you blast her. Using the particular slang you did, I would agree with her that you have been here before and responded exactly the same way to someone else who tried to make suggestions.

Both of the posts you speak of were back in December. Why in the world would you bring them up again?
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Shinino
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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by Shinino » Mon Feb 15, 2016 4:38 pm

palerider wrote:
Shinino wrote: First night had 62% leak.... My question is, I was feeling a steady stream of air coming out of the front of the mask. I read that this may be expected, but I wanted to ask on here.
leaks aren't reported in a percentage. they're reported in liters per minute
They might be reported that way in Sleepyhead, but on the machine itself in 'Data', there's a section that says Major Leak that /is/ reported in percentages.

That said, I'll put everything into Sleepyhead later this week, but things are already doing fairly well. My AHI last night was sub-4 (according to the data on the machine), and I only woke up twice due to dry mouth. I couldn't find the dry mouth gel everyone is talking about, and ended up buying a rinse from CVS. I took it right before going to bed and it worked for most of the night (probably about 6 hours). Definitely sensing some leakage on the mask though, mainly when I have to swallow and while exhaling.

Anyway, more to come and thanks for the help, folks!

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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by palerider » Mon Feb 15, 2016 5:28 pm

Shinino wrote:
palerider wrote:
Shinino wrote: First night had 62% leak.... My question is, I was feeling a steady stream of air coming out of the front of the mask. I read that this may be expected, but I wanted to ask on here.
leaks aren't reported in a percentage. they're reported in liters per minute
They might be reported that way in Sleepyhead, but on the machine itself in 'Data', there's a section that says Major Leak that /is/ reported in percentages. !
well, if you had 62% major leak, that's really really really horrible.

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Shinino
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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by Shinino » Tue Feb 16, 2016 7:46 am

Not arguing that.

I'm wondering if too much pressure (i.e. my settings) might cause part of the leaks. I'm noticing that if I press my finger lightly against the mask, I get a great seal. Release, and *psssh*. Doesn't matter how I set or tighten the mask, and I've woken up a few times the past 2 nights with the mask having slide up to where the bottom edge is between my lips.

I'm up 3 hours early today, and woke up 2 times prior to that due to dry mouth (either the leaks are causing this, or the rinse I bought is useless). AHI tonight was much worse at 8, probably because of that (I think?)

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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by OkyDoky » Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:41 am

You can try a liner to stabilize your mask from moving and for some a liner decreases leaks. http://padacheek.com/ makes nice ones and RemZzz will give you a free sample pack. viewtopic/p1057667/Especially-for-newly ... l#p1057667 PM Becky at RemZzzs. Or you can make your own liner out of old tee shirt material.
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Shinino
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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by Shinino » Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:08 pm

I'll look into that, thanks. The PadaCheek won't work with my mask, but the other one will.

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Re: New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

Post by OkyDoky » Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:12 pm

Shinino wrote:I'll look into that, thanks. The PadaCheek won't work with my mask, but the other one will.
PadaCheek works with the F10 that you have listed, my husband uses it. http://padacheek.com/PACAirFitSeries.html
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