REMstar to Dreamstation Auto - Issues

Hello,

I am new to this site, and what a site it is. I'm looking forward to reading through the posts. But first, I was hoping I could get some advice.
I have had sleep apnea for a number of years, and for the past 7 or 8 years I've been using the REMstar Plus legacy cpap. It has it's quirks and it's certainly not new technology, but I am so familiar with it I have no problems. Mine just died, however, and when I went in to my Apnea doctor for my checkup they replaced it with the Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP with Heated Humidifier. I went through the entire tutorial with the technician and I understand about the unit and how it operates. It is pretty amazing, with the auto adjusting of air pressure based on my prescription, and the wi-fi, etc. But after trying it last night I have to say that I have mixed feelings about it. I tossed and turned for 3.5 hours last night trying to get used to the air pressure, or lack of same. My REMstar simply shot out the air pressure according to my prescription, which is/was 8. After last night's issues, I realize that I became dependent on that fairly strong current of air to get me to sleep. I wasn't real pleased with the headset and mask, either, but that's a different story. I'm wondering if there is a way to bypass this auto adjust feature on the Dreamstation and just leave it at it's continuous air pressure of 8, like my old REMstar. Or should I give it a few more nights a see if I get used to it? I really miss my old machine. Any advice from others who have noticed this same issue would be most appreciated.

Thank you,
Cliff
Seattle

I too just started on DreamStation a week ago.

One major problem is that it is too new for Sleepyhead software and therefore my Advisors on this site are unable to review my daily data.

I have had 2 or 3 completely sleepless nights in the last week since getting it.

See my latter posts at "Need Some Advice Please"

I am missing my loaner CPAP but both my Doctor and one of the major Advisors on this site recommended an Auto BiPAP.

Hopefully fine tuning will get me where I need to be.

You could look in the clinical settings to find out what mode it is in and what the settings are. Here is a guide. http://www.apneaboard.com/dreamstation- ... structions
It may have a low ramp setting or low minimum that you are not used to using.

salish wrote:Hello,

I am new to this site, and what a site it is. I'm looking forward to reading through the posts. But first, I was hoping I could get some advice.
I have had sleep apnea for a number of years, and for the past 7 or 8 years I've been using the REMstar Plus legacy cpap. It has it's quirks and it's certainly not new technology, but I am so familiar with it I have no problems. Mine just died, however, and when I went in to my Apnea doctor for my checkup they replaced it with the Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP with Heated Humidifier. I went through the entire tutorial with the technician and I understand about the unit and how it operates. It is pretty amazing, with the auto adjusting of air pressure based on my prescription, and the wi-fi, etc. But after trying it last night I have to say that I have mixed feelings about it. I tossed and turned for 3.5 hours last night trying to get used to the air pressure, or lack of same. My REMstar simply shot out the air pressure according to my prescription, which is/was 8. After last night's issues, I realize that I became dependent on that fairly strong current of air to get me to sleep. I wasn't real pleased with the headset and mask, either, but that's a different story. I'm wondering if there is a way to bypass this auto adjust feature on the Dreamstation and just leave it at it's continuous air pressure of 8, like my old REMstar. Or should I give it a few more nights a see if I get used to it? I really miss my old machine. Any advice from others who have noticed this same issue would be most appreciated.

Thank you,
Cliff
Seattle

Since you were using straight pressure for that long, it's quite probable that the changing pressures are disturbing your sleep.
Go to this site and download the clinicians manual and get the instructions how to get into your new machine. You need to know, anyway (regardless of what your doctor or others may say). It's your machine and your therapy.
Set your new machine up as close to the way the other one was configured. Then, get Sleepyhead software when they get it modified to read the Dreamstation data (they don't yet, but it's good software and free).

http://www.apneaboard.com/dreamstation- ... structions

But, in the meantime, you should be able to see some nightly data in the LCD screen.


Den

.

Encore Pro 2 is now available to use with Dreamstation. It will generate graphs and data similar to what you would get with Sleepyhead. I've found it very useful when working with the respiratory therapist at the DME suppler trying to dial in effective settings on by Dreamstation. The information should also be very helpful when I meet next week for a 3 month followup the sleep specialist. Go here to find how to get a copy of Encore Pro 2.

I'm thinking of getting the Dreamstation. What do you think of using Encore Pro? I was told that not having software would be a "deal breaker" for a machine. (I'm a complete for CPAP but am computer literate.)

jimsp1 wrote:Encore Pro 2 is now available to use with Dreamstation. It will generate graphs and data similar to what you would get with Sleepyhead. I've found it very useful when working with the respiratory therapist at the DME suppler trying to dial in effective settings on by Dreamstation. The information should also be very helpful when I meet next week for a 3 month followup the sleep specialist. Go here to find how to get a copy of Encore Pro 2.

jonny515 wrote:I'm thinking of getting the Dreamstation. What do you think of using Encore Pro? I was told that not having software would be a "deal breaker" for a machine. (I'm a complete for CPAP but am computer literate.)

The program was designed for an office monitoring several patients so much of it you won't use. Under the patients tab there is a therapy tab were you can generate very useful reports. These reports they are generated in a pdf format so you can save them to view or share later without opening the program.

The detailed report is for one or more nights. For each night it creates different graphs showing the pressure, events(CA,OA etc), and leakage. It also creates night to night graphs for each type of event so you can see trends.

The Wave Report is for a single night and creates flow charts that show every breath you took(or didn't) during the night. They also mark events and a have line showing the pressure. It's laid out in 10 rows of graphs on each page. Each row is for 6 minutes so each page is for one hour.

If I could attach something to the post I could show you examples.

jimsp1 wrote: If I could attach something to the post I could show you examples.

This will show you how.
https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

Sometimes if you have used the fixed pressure setting inside of a CPAP acclimating to auto titrating units can be pretty difficult. However, most of the time the pressure can adjusted to help you acclimate for sure. Also, the Dreamstation comes with a feature called "FLEX" and most of the time this setting is set to three. What FLEX does is help you with your exhale against the inspiratory air. For seasoned CPAP patients it doesn't always help and only causes a problem. Until you can get the sleepy head software for the Dreamstation or have a download through Encore Anywhere/Encore Pro then that could be a very simple solution. Hope this helps!

Sounds like the use of a professional program then, that sounds okay. I've heard they charge for it, how much is it? (Though that part doesn't sound like a deal breaker depending. I am getting the machine at the beginning of the year and may be using my deductible.

jimsp1 wrote:

jonny515 wrote:I'm thinking of getting the Dreamstation. What do you think of using Encore Pro? I was told that not having software would be a "deal breaker" for a machine. (I'm a complete for CPAP but am computer literate.)

The program was designed for an office monitoring several patients so much of it you won't use. Under the patients tab there is a therapy tab were you can generate very useful reports. These reports they are generated in a pdf format so you can save them to view or share later without opening the program.

The detailed report is for one or more nights. For each night it creates different graphs showing the pressure, events(CA,OA etc), and leakage. It also creates night to night graphs for each type of event so you can see trends.

The Wave Report is for a single night and creates flow charts that show every breath you took(or didn't) during the night. They also mark events and a have line showing the pressure. It's laid out in 10 rows of graphs on each page. Each row is for 6 minutes so each page is for one hour.

If I could attach something to the post I could show you examples.

Welcome to the forum.

I use an auto machine at home, but my travel machine is straight cpap and blows at straight pressure of 11. The straight pressure bothers me the first night for a couple of hours and vice versa when I get home, but that's about it. You will acclimate to the auto quickly, but if you find that you prefer straight pressure, then change your auto to work in straight pressure... no big deal. You have an auto so it will work in both methods....... two for the price on one .
Cheers
Nan

jonny515 wrote:Sounds like the use of a professional program then, that sounds okay. I've heard they charge for it, how much is it? (Though that part doesn't sound like a deal breaker depending. I am getting the machine at the beginning of the year and may be using my deductible.

Just follow the link. You're not going to be charged for it.

Well something at least.

jimsp1 wrote:

jonny515 wrote:Sounds like the use of a professional program then, that sounds okay. I've heard they charge for it, how much is it? (Though that part doesn't sound like a deal breaker depending. I am getting the machine at the beginning of the year and may be using my deductible.

Just follow the link. You're not going to be charged for it.

Here is what some of the charts from the detailed report look like. If you want you can have several days in one report.

This is what the Wave file looks like. It prints 10 rows per page which would be 1 hour.