Go my new BiPAP machine, I have questions

So I finally got my new Bipap machine. It is very similar to what I used to have.
What I WAS using: Philips Respironics System One P150 CPAP with NO Auto Pap. Only a ramp and a heated humidifier. And it came with some kind of data card. I still have the data card. Originally incorrectly titrated to 19. Once I found out that I couldn't breath out with 19, and within one week found out that I'm claustrophobic and can't use the "PR True Blue" face mask - I put this CPAP Machine on the self - for two years.
I retry it in summer of 2013 this time with a new DME that introduced me to PR WISP mask. I feel inlove with the mask. Still incorrectly titration due to another split sleep study at home. I went online to find out how to change the freaking pressure myself. I set it to 7, then 9, then 10, 11, 12. Once Dec 2014 came and found out in need 15/11 - I set it to 12 since I notice . . .I can't breath out easy if it is higher than 12. GOD it is amazing having more pressure.

NO one showed me how to clean my machine properly in 2011. No one showed me how to clean it (Or tell me) in 2013 so I NEVER cleaned the one grey filer in back of machine. Tonight will be my first night using my new Bi-Pap machine. I never imagined that I'd be so excited .

I was told today to clean out my humidifier once every 3 days with soap and distilled water. Told that I could "break" my machine if I don't wash the filter AND I was told that my CHRONIC SINUS ISSUES could be due to NOT washing that filter each week. I NOW have a PR System One Bi-Pap Pro DS660 with Bi-Flex. I guess it was made in 2012, even though the bottom is marked with 2015. (perhaps that is shipment date?) I'm told it does hold "data", but I don't see ANY data card IN IT. Is this normal? Could I put the other card from my other machine in it? I don't want to have to go out and purchase a new data card if I don't have to.

If I do need to go out and get a new data card --- I have no idea what kind of data card I need to purchase. Do I need one of those SD cards that cost $20? or are they $40? Or do I need some other kind of card? This machine has a screen like the other one - the only difference is THIS MACHINE does tell me my AHI. The other one didn't. But I want ALL of the data when I use this "sleep weaver" thing. I'm not sure if this machine can do that.

I also need to know how to do get Sleepweaver? Is it something I can download on my computer (I don't own a smart phone) for free or must I pay for it? I told the lady at Life Care Solutions about Sleepweaver and she had no clue as to what it was. So I can someone help me with this?

footballgirl13 wrote:I WAS using: P150 ... I NOW have a DS660 ... Could I put the other card from my other machine in it?

yes.

To figure out when it was made look on the bottom of the blower unit and there's a little silver sticker with the 3 digit model number on it. On that same sticker is an 8 digit number which is the manufacture date.
Example 20150101 would be Jan 1, 2015.

Pressure of 19 on straight cpap? Damn. Not surprising you gave up. I had no idea you could do a split night sleep study at home, since I thought the point was to decide if you needed xpap based on the first part of the night.

footballgirl13 wrote: Once Dec 2014 came and found out in need 15/11 - I set it to 12 since I notice . . .I can't breath out easy if it is higher than 12. GOD it is amazing having more pressure.

What is your pressure now? your Bipap should have 2 pressures IPAP for when you breath in and EPAP for when you breath out? Also, I use distilled water in the humidifier but clean it with mild baby shampoo and tap water. No need to waste your distilled water to wash your humidifier.

Pugsy wrote:To figure out when it was made look on the bottom of the blower unit and there's a little silver sticker with the 3 digit model number on it. On that same sticker is an 8 digit number which is the manufacture date.
Example 20150101 would be Jan 1, 2015.

Thanks! I used my machine last night and I was blown away at the difference in the way my mask feels. My pressure on CPAP was 12. But my pressure on my BiPap was 15/11. I had a ramp - which started at 10/7 or 11/7.5 or so. The second I put my mask on (same exact mask I was using before) it felt like a brand new mask that I never used before. I was pleased with my 1st night experience.

OkyDoky wrote:

footballgirl13 wrote: Once Dec 2014 came and found out in need 15/11 - I set it to 12 since I notice . . .I can't breath out easy if it is higher than 12. GOD it is amazing having more pressure.

What is your pressure now? your Bipap should have 2 pressures IPAP for when you breath in and EPAP for when you breath out? Also, I use distilled water in the humidifier but clean it with mild baby shampoo and tap water. No need to waste your distilled water to wash your humidifier.

Oh, thanks. I was wondering about using distilled water to wash my humidifier. That's a big relief since I've heard from some that it is not good to wash with tap due to chemicals in tap water. I heard it defeats the purpose of washing it out. Not sure - may be RT told me that yesterday. But I don't like to use distilled water when I don't have to. Do you know if Palmolive dishwashing soap is okay to use? It "cuts through grease" so I'm thinking it would get that slime off. . .

My pressure now is 15/11, but I have a ramp and I set the ramp to begin at 11/7 or 12/7.5 or something like that. It is a unique feeling almost like I don't have any mask on due to the lower pressure upon exhale. The machine made a little noise but I was able to fall asleep 1st night within half an hour. It almost felt like I had an oxygen organism with so much air. I checked the data and after 1 night it said my AHI was 3.9 or 30 days average was 4.5. I guess I can't rely on that due to one day use. But 4.5 AHI is way better than 18.5 AHI.

footballgirl13 wrote:I checked the data and after 1 night it said my AHI was 3.9 or 30 days average was 4.5. I guess I can't rely on that due to one day use. But 4.5 AHI is way better than 18.5 AHI.

Sounds like your machine was used by someone else so your data is going to be mixed in with someone else's data.
I bet the DME didn't erase the prior user's data from the machine. You can do that yourself if you wish by going into the clinical setup menu Info area and finding the "reset data" choice...I think you have to select it and hold the button down for maybe 10 seconds (or until it beeps).
You are also going to want to erase the SD card to remove any old data.

If no one else had used it then your 30 day and 7 day would equal the first night data.

Congrats on the new machine. Sounds like you're off to a better start this time. Distilled water...never used it. Judge for yourself if you get deposits or not.

BiPAP is a great way to feel better with higher pressures. It would be interesting to go through the clinical menu and look at blower hour information and see what is on that particular machine.

Get Sleepyhead software. http://sleepfiles.com/SH/index.html?TestingVersions