Time for a New Machine?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Solameya
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Time for a New Machine?

Post by Solameya » Fri Sep 12, 2014 12:06 am

Hi!

I have been using CPAP for 6 years. After much trouble finding a mask that worked for me, I found that the CPAP helped me sleep and have more energy.

However, over time it seems to be working less and less well. I sleep excessively, sometimes up to 12 hours a night, and still feel tired. I often wake up several hours after going to sleep and have trouble falling back asleep. I want to feel better, and I am hoping that some new equipment might be helpful!

I recently had a sleep study, but I have no idea how accurate it was because I barely slept! I am hoping for at least an improvement to my air pressure setting (which is currently 11).

I would love some suggestions for getting better therapy with CPAP and for what type of new machine to ask for.

Thanks!

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Julie
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Julie » Fri Sep 12, 2014 3:46 am

Whether or not the machine needs replacing, you're obviously not being treated well, but the reasons for that may not be because the machine's old, but because it was not set up properly for your therapy and/or other reasons. Can you get a copy of the latest results from your doctor (yours by law) and come back here so we can see what's going on? What are the chances you mouth breathe once asleep, thereby losing a lot of therapy air that way so that possibly a full face mask would be indicated, or at least a chinstrap?

Can you download (free) SleepyHead software from this forum and post results via a link here to e.g. Photobucket, and we'll be able to see what's going on.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by chunkyfrog » Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:16 am

Do you have the card reader for the S8 models?
Others know where (and for how much) one can be had.
Note: does Sleepyhead work with the S8's?

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archangle
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by archangle » Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:56 am

SleepyHead doesn't work with S8 machines.

Solameya, if you get a data capable ResMed S9 or PRS1 machine, you can use SleepyHead with it and get a lot of data about how your therapy is working and try tuning it in better.

You might look on your local Craigslist for a good used machine at a good price. You'll have to watch for a while and will see a lot of people wanting ridiculous prices for old machines, but you may find a good one eventually.

Be sure to get a fully data capable machine. Check the links in my signature line for info on what machine to get.

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grayghost4
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by grayghost4 » Fri Sep 12, 2014 6:17 am

Over sleeping can be as bad as to little sleep!

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/gu ... ersleeping
If you're not part of the solution you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!

Get the Clinicians manual here : http://apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-press ... tup-manual

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Solameya
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Solameya » Fri Sep 12, 2014 11:05 am

I will get the copy of my sleep study results and return with those. I don't think I'm mouth breathing as my partner has never noticed it, but I am snoring when I am on my back. So I know my machine isn't properly titrated right now.

I do not have a card reader for my machine.

As far as getting a new machine, I have insurance that should cover a new one. So I don't think I need to go to Craigslist. I would like some direction to help get the best machine for me.

I know oversleeping isn't good for me. I have been working with my docs for several years to try to solve this issue so that I can function with less sleep.

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Julie
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Julie » Fri Sep 12, 2014 11:10 am

I imagine you're oversleeping because you still have more apneas than otherwise, not getting treated properly.

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bwexler
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by bwexler » Fri Sep 12, 2014 11:13 am

Assuming you need a straight PAP machine and not a more advanced BiLevel or ASV, I would look at the shinny NEW Resmed A10 for her.
There are several threads here about S10 A10 or Airsense. Do some reading and get your sleep study report and come back here with your questions.

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Solameya
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Solameya » Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:21 pm

OK, I spoke with my doc's office today because the DME keeps telling me they haven't received an order from my doc to change my pressure. The doc's office is in contact with the DME to straighten things out.

It seems my pressure is being changed from 11 to 9 with ramp time. Which, as I understand it means it will start out lower and raise to 9 eventually. My doc sets my machine up with ramp time every time she sets me up, and I hate it and end up changing it because I can't breathe with the ramp.

When I asked for the results of my sleep study, I was told that my optimum pressure was 9 with a ramp. She said I had 74 arousals (which the receptionist said was good?) and 0 leg movements during the study and that my oxygen was good.

That's all the information I was given. Should I be asking for more?

I'm confused and frustrated, and I just want to cry. I'm not sleeping well, and I'm snoring. I slept until noon today, I'm exhausted, and I'm not able to do the things I need to do. So, how is lowering my pressure supposed to help? I asked the receptionist this, and she said to try this out for a couple weeks "see how it goes" and talk to the doc if there are any problems.

My next appointment with the doc is on Oct 20th. It keeps getting postponed because I'm not getting my pressure adjustment/equipment from the DME, and the doc wants to evaluate how things are going after the pressure adjustment.

I don't actually know if I'm able to get a new machine or not. Apparently, the doc ordered one, but I will only actually be given one if my insurance approves it. I'm supposed to get a call from the DME tomorrow, so I will ask them about this then. I will ask for the NEW Resmed A10 for her if this is a possibility. Any other suggestions if this one isn't approved by my insurance/DME? I have medicare. So, I may have to accept whatever they approve.

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Julie
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Julie » Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:44 pm

Apparently no one bothered to tell you that you can just turn off the ramp feature forever - it's not therapy, just something that some use early on with Cpap to help adjust to higher pressures. You don't 'need' it at all and if you turn it off, you may feel a lot better. But I'm a bit concerned from your note that you may not understand the whole pressure setting thing... in other words you may be confusing ramp settings with prescribed pressure settings - the ones your machine's supposedly set at to keep your airway open, which is what Cpap's all about. Your settings should be fixed - e.g. at 8 and 12 (sample #'s only, if very common ones) and what the ramp does or does not do has no bearing on those. Before I go any further, tell me if you do know all that and that your note just confused me, so I won't go on lecturing you for nothing!

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Krelvin
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Krelvin » Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:48 pm

Solameya wrote:When I asked for the results of my sleep study, I was told that my optimum pressure was 9 with a ramp. She said I had 74 arousals (which the receptionist said was good?) and 0 leg movements during the study and that my oxygen was good.

That's all the information I was given. Should I be asking for more?
Yes, you should get the copy of the actual sleep study report, not a verbal summary of it.

It will have all the details on it that show what happened including the diagnostic and titration part. You have a right to it under the HIPAA Privacy Rules. There really is no excuse for not getting a copy of it just like any other lab test you might take. I would seriously have problems with a Dr that didn't do that without any hassle. The Dr works for you.

BTW Ramp is a Patient setting. If the dr keeps setting it after you say you don't want it... again a problem with the Dr.
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Solameya
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Solameya » Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:51 pm

I turned the ramp off when I first got the machine, and every time I get a new setting, I turn it off because it drives me bonkers. I know it's not my actually pressure setting.

My pressure setting has been 11 for 2 years. It's being changed to 9, which, as I understand it, is a lower pressure than what it's been for the past two years, when I have been snoring.

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Wulfman...
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Wulfman... » Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:53 pm

Your current machine is fully data-capable and will display a fair amount of information about your nightly details in the LCD screen.
You could also have it checked by your DME to see that it's putting out the proper pressure.

It sounds like it's way past time to take control of your own therapy.


Den

.
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Solameya
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Solameya » Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:56 pm

Krelvin wrote: Yes, you should get the copy of the actual sleep study report, not a verbal summary of it.

It will have all the details on it that show what happened including the diagnostic and titration part. You have a right to it under the HIPAA Privacy Rules. There really is no excuse for not getting a copy of it just like any other lab test you might take. I would seriously have problems with a Dr that didn't do that without any hassle. The Dr works for you.

BTW Ramp is a Patient setting. If the dr keeps setting it after you say you don't want it... again a problem with the Dr.

I had a feeling this was the case. I will see if I can get a copy of the report from the DME when they call tomorrow.

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Solameya
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Re: Time for a New Machine?

Post by Solameya » Tue Sep 30, 2014 2:02 pm

Wulfman... wrote:Your current machine is fully data-capable and will display a fair amount of information about your nightly details in the LCD screen.
You could also have it checked by your DME to see that it's putting out the proper pressure.

It sounds like it's way past time to take control of your own therapy.


Den

.

I'm confused about the data it's displaying.
Here's what I see:

Ramp: off
Used Hours: 15270
Usage: 2093/2295
Mask: Standard (I have an option to change this, but my current mask is not an option)
SW: SX4800100

If I'm not eligible for a new machine, I will ask the DME to check this one.