Searching and Reading for days.........

When I went to the DME Nov. 18, 2011, I have to say I was clueless about all this. I was more worried about trying to get a mask that I could tolerate and just excepted the cpap machine that she put out for me to take…. RS REMstar System One Pro C-Flex+ Auto IQ with heated humidifier. Now after finally reading more about what is available, should I try to get a prescription for a better one? I don’t know that I can, when I called the DME, she said I would have to talk to the sleep lab and my doctor. I have medicare and supplement insurance and will need to see my doctor before Feb.16 for the 90 day compliance. By reading on this forum, I found out how to get into the clinical setting and I don’t think the Auto IQ was ever turned on, just straight cpap set at pressure of 6 and ramp at 4. My split-night sleep study report was diagnosed as Extremely severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. AHI was 72.1 per hour, REM AHI was 0.0 per hour & REM Supine AHI was 0.0 per hour. The lowest recorded oxygen saturation was 78.0%. I have had sinus problems ever since I started on cpap & that has been a big hindrance and just now getting over a very bad head congestion cold that I caught from my husband. I have been meeting my compliance and trying to make this work trying to get more hours each night. My AHI numbers aren’t good ranging from 7, 8, 9. I started with the Swift FX mask and just thought there might be something better, so I was allowed to try a new mask every 7 days but I had to turn in the old one each time. I finally kept the Mirage FX nasal mask, but wanted to try the Swift FX again, so I just ordered one on my own and just got the Bella to go with it, I used them last night and liked them, I have been making my own headgear because I can’t even stand to wear a hat on my head. Also been ordering other things to try to make things more comfortable. I’ve got to see what is available through the DME and demand what is allowed to me, they have not been any help except for the mask deal.
Last night I changed my pressure to 7 and ramp to 5, C-flex+ is on 2 and that was pretty comfortable, I don’t think I used the ramp though. I have felt too bad to try to deal with downloading any software, so just using what the screen shows on the cpap. It says in the manual that the AHI’s are listed for each session used, but I wonder if that is per hour. If this machine doesn’t work out, I will just try to do my homework and buy one online. Sorry, didn’t mean to write a book, but as you know, there is so much to learn, you are all very kind to take the time to help each other, I know it has been a big help to me. I have three grandchildren and I would like to be around longer for them or at least know I am there. I was waking up with pretty severe headaches and have been tired for years. Thanks ahead of time if you would have any suggestions, Marce

I use a fisher and paykel head gear for my resmed mirage fx. Use what works for you.
An AHI of 70+ is bad. An AHI of 0 is oddly low.

Real colds are a problem. I had odd nasal problems for the first few days. If you have allergies, get the hypo-whatever filters for your machine. The tubes for your sinus will be dealing with different pressures with CPAP and it may take some getting used to but if you have a real viral cold, I, I have no idea about how to deal with that.

Thanks Tim,
I think that 0.0 is because they said I didn't have any REM Sleep, so nothing could be measured there, not sure on that. I do dream some now, wish I could do that more often.
I quit taking any over the counter cold medicine, it was bothering me, so I have found that using a warm salt/baking soda nasal rinse with a small squirt bottle really helps more than anything. Was awful at first, but the improvement is worth it.

Hi,

Sent you a PM.

Your machine shows only the AHI averages for 7 and 30 days on the LCD screen...So yes, that is a per hour average number based on the usage for the past 7 and 30 days.

Look in my signature line for SleepyHead information. It is really quite simple. It will show the nightly AHI and give you an better indication if pressure is not quite where it needs to be.

Regarding the Auto IQ. While I am not fond of the limited APAP time it is still a good machine and the data that you can get to using the software is huge. Not everyone needs APAP all the time. Not everyone even likes APAP all the time. It is nice to have it available and a few people do seem to do better on APAP.
But it isn't the end of the world having either a machine with no APAP or limited APAP days.

If money permits you can always get a backup machine that is a full time APAP if you feel like you are missing something. If you stay with the Respironics PR S1 then you don't need a different humidifier so it can cut your costs down. If you want the ResMed S9 Autoset...you will need a humidifier.

Marce wrote:Thanks Tim,
I think that 0.0 is because they said I didn't have any REM Sleep, so nothing could be measured there, not sure on that. I do dream some now, wish I could do that more often.

No REM sleep on the PSG does indeed mean that there is nothing to measure. And some labs do use the more misleading REM AHI = 0.0 instead of the more appropriate REM AHI = Not Available. And obviously, no REM means no Supine REM, and hence the Supine REM AHI = 0.0 on the report.


As Pugsy says, the System One Pro Auto IQ is a good machine. It's a bummer that the Auto mode is limited to 30 days, but the machine does record full efficacy data, which is the more important thing. Plenty of folks do well on straight CPAP; some folks do better on fixed pressure than auto adjusting. So I wouldn't worry about having a Pro Auto IQ at this point---you've got the data you need in case things need to be tweaked farther down the line.

I quit taking any over the counter cold medicine, it was bothering me, so I have found that using a warm salt/baking soda nasal rinse with a small squirt bottle really helps more than anything. Was awful at first, but the improvement is worth it.

Sounds like you've discovered the NeilMed Sinus Rinse bottle or a generic equivalent. It does make a huge difference for dealing with nasal congestion for many of us.

Thank you Grand-PAP, Pugsy & robysue,
It's good to know that I will be able to get all the info. I need from the card on this machine. Sounds like I just need to learn more about all of it and download the software. There is an adjustment for the hose, so I ordered the size 15 Slimline and I like it. Made a cozy for it and keep it under the covers, didn't like it overhead. Also made covers for the nasal pillows, all learned from this site. Every bit of info. helps make this journey a little easier, it takes you through some trying times.
Pugsy, I probably don't live too far from you, I was in Springfield, MO just last week with my sister for her Dr. appointment. Thanks again, I feel better about the cpap machine. It has been working ok and pretty quiet.

Marce wrote:Pugsy, I probably don't live too far from you

I am about 45 minutes west of Springfield. I will be in Springfield tomorrow. Have to take my mother for her pre surgery visit with anesthesiologist tomorrow afternoon late and she doesn't see well enough to drive home when it gets dark.

Let me know if you run into trouble with the software. Read the User Guide and pay special attention to the part about the drive letter for the download and you should be fine. It is really pretty easy software to use. I have used various versions of the Respironics Encore software for nearly 3 years now and SleepyHead runs circles around Encore.