Sometimes a change IS good. :)

My company issued machine was a PRS1 560. Pressures, were, of course, 4-20, After a month of that, and being told by the DME that I was basically SOL, that was my "prescription", I followed some advice I'd read on here, got into the "super secret menu" and went to town. I bumped the pressure up a little at a time. Hmm...better. Got up around 11cm, and really noticed some positive changes. Slowly up til around 10, then some pretty noticeable perks when I got past 10.
Then I thought...well, maybe Den and his plot to drag everyone to the stone age, even if just for a visit might be onto something. So I tried straight CPAP for a few days. Hmm...notsomuch. Well, I TRIED.
THEN...the Sparkly Platinum Carrot got dangled in front of my face. Oooohhh....an S9 VPAP. All sorts of settings to play with...and since using these little miracles the past couple weeks, I can say that AGAIN, I have noticed a MARKED improvement in the way I feel. Well, unless PMS is hitting me with a brick. In that case, Midol is my BFF, and a sharp stick is the friend of anyone trying to get within arms reach. So, my Magical Journey has brought me to the land of bilevel machinery...and pressures higher than I'd thought I would EVER use (11/18, 4.6PS)...but I am NOT gonna complain. Since the climatelines BOTH showed up now, I also tested that...OH.MY.WORD....I feel like singing. But I won't put most of you through that. So, count yourselves lucky, and take the cotton OUT of your ears.

Yay!

Just ordered myownself a BiPAP to play with. Can't wait to give it a go!

Warning: There are a lot of interesting and entertaining adjustments that CAN be made on the VPAP Auto...but it's kinda tough to really figure out which SHOULD be tweaked, unless you're familiar with IPAP/EPAP, PS, all the timing for inhale/exhale....this is DEFINITELY one where if you are going at it without a doc to tell you where to start with settings, grab a forum buddy who knows his/her ass from an elbow, and pick their brain. You need to have a starting point, probably relatively near to your existing pressures, and go from there.
BUT...if you already knew this, feel free to tell me to stuff it, and carry on.

Tatooed Lady wrote:Warning: There are a lot of interesting and entertaining adjustments that CAN be made on the VPAP Auto...but it's kinda tough to really figure out which SHOULD be tweaked, unless you're familiar with IPAP/EPAP, PS, all the timing for inhale/exhale....this is DEFINITELY one where if you are going at it without a doc to tell you where to start with settings, grab a forum buddy who knows his/her ass from an elbow, and pick their brain. You need to have a starting point, probably relatively near to your existing pressures, and go from there.
BUT...if you already knew this, feel free to tell me to stuff it, and carry on.

Not at all! I will definitely be needing to peck...*ahem* pick...a few tasty brains. I've been reading as much as I can around the board, but will certainly want to get some more specific help adjusting things from the more experienced folks here.

I find I do better in general with higher pressures and max EPR, but pressures of 13+ tend to blow my mouth open and cause some aerophagia. Bilevel seemed like the thing to try, so try it I shall.

Yes it is!!!
Had I NOT changed my initial setup (to 10 cm.), I'd still be struggling with and trying to adjust to 18 cm. of straight pressure.
But, being the non-conforming A-hole I am, I quickly found better therapy with more comfort and with a fully data-capable machine.


Den (singing....."I did it MY way.....")

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Wulfman... wrote:Yes it is!!!
Had I NOT changed my initial setup (to 10 cm.), I'd still be struggling with and trying to adjust to 18 cm. of straight pressure.
But, being the non-conforming A-hole I am, I quickly found better therapy with more comfort and with a fully data-capable machine.


Den (singing....."I did it MY way.....")

.

I think I've heard you called that somewhere...I'll have to look, you non-conformist. You are lucky. You can "go cheap" for your therapy and LOVE it. I, however? Typical.

Tatooed Lady wrote:

Wulfman... wrote:Yes it is!!!
Had I NOT changed my initial setup (to 10 cm.), I'd still be struggling with and trying to adjust to 18 cm. of straight pressure.
But, being the non-conforming A-hole I am, I quickly found better therapy with more comfort and with a fully data-capable machine.


Den (singing....."I did it MY way.....")

.

I think I've heard you called that somewhere...I'll have to look, you non-conformist. You are lucky. You can "go cheap" for your therapy and LOVE it. I, however? Typical.

Picture the shocked look of "Kevin" from the movie "Home Alone" after he applies the aftershave.......




Den (thankful that my "condition" and therapy are not terribly complicated)

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Wulfman... wrote: Picture the shocked look of "Kevin" from the movie "Home Alone" after he applies the aftershave.......

that very image keeps coming up in conversation with her... *ponder*

Tatooed Lady wrote:I think I've heard you called that somewhere...I'll have to look, you non-conformist. You are lucky. You can "go cheap" for your therapy and LOVE it. I, however? Typical.

so, what you're saying is that you're much more "high maintenance" than den, eh?

I have low grade, simple OSA. My body loves expensive stuff.

Tatooed Lady wrote:I have low grade, simple OSA. My body loves expensive stuff.

I'm extremely dubious that there's anything *simple* about you

Shhhhh....you'll blow my cover.

Tatooed Lady wrote:Shhhhh....you'll blow my cover.

quite, yes, sorry... btw you need more canned tuna in your truck pantry.