Time for New Machine -- Overthinking it?

[ChicagoGranny]

The other issue (or maybe it is "the" issue) is that I just found my original prescription, which was for 12 cm max pressure, but my pressure is currently set for 10.2. There are probably multiple reasons I'd lowered it at some point to 10

What are your current pressure settings? It's not clear from what you wrote.

but I don't like that it holds at such a high pressure all night

You don't say why you don't like this. The algorithm only chooses higher pressures when the sensors show your airway is partially collapsing.

Data Needs: S8 provides data, which I only found interesting for about two weeks after I got it. Access to "great data" is not a priority for me in getting a new machine.

What is your recent AHI and leak level?

[hschlossberg]

The other issue (or maybe it is "the" issue) is that I just found my original prescription, which was for 12 cm max pressure, but my pressure is currently set for 10.2. There are probably multiple reasons I'd lowered it at some point to 10

What are your current pressure settings? It's not clear from what you wrote.

It's been at 4-10.2. Last night I upped it to 10.6 to see if it would leak and/or dry me out, and it was okay. I'll probably up it a little again tonight.

but I don't like that it holds at such a high pressure all night

You don't say why you don't like this. The algorithm only chooses higher pressures when the sensors show your airway is partially collapsing.

It feels to me that the S8 keeps raising and never lowers, and it always has, even back to when I first started (and the pressure was at the prescribed 12 cm max). Perhaps you're right and I do need it to be maxed all night. It just seems that I could set my pressure to a 20 cm max and it would just "need" to go and stay that high regardless of my needs...but I haven't tested that theory. This is one area, by the way, that I'm hoping the S9's algorithms are better than the S8's.

Data Needs: S8 provides data, which I only found interesting for about two weeks after I got it. Access to "great data" is not a priority for me in getting a new machine.

What is your recent AHI and leak level?

Last night's leak level was 0.56; avg for the week was 0.7.
Last night's AHI was 4.1; avg for the week was 4.6

It looks like last night's increased max pressure helped with AHI. I'll check it again tomorrow after increasing the pressure again, but I still think a newer machine with newer algorithms and a humidifier will help. I'm wondering: Can we tell from the AHI whether Resmed's method works for me versus Respironics?

Thanks again...
Howard

[ChicagoGranny]

I'm wondering: Can we tell from the AHI whether Resmed's method works for me versus Respironics?

Let's back way up.

It's been at 4-10.2

It's no mystery why --->

I've been often waking up not feeling "refreshed"

Your minimum pressure is set to the factory default of 4.0. This is almost certainly too low for good therapy. And, if you typically need pressures around 10 or 12, your machine is going to make some large pressure swings going from 4 to the required pressure.

This is why

Data Needs: S8 provides data, which I only found interesting for about two weeks after I got it. Access to "great data" is not a priority for me in getting a new machine. I may want to look at the data at some point

... is a mistake.

If you had been looking at the graph of your nightly pressure line, my guess is you would have seen that the pressure was spending very little time near 4.0 and most of the time at or near 10.0.

This does not make for good therapy.

So, can you look at the machine pressure graph for a typically night, or better yet, post it in this thread for the for the forum experts to critique? Instructions for Sleepyhead including how to post in forums --- https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead ?

Let's get your therapy straightened out on your current machine, then the decision on a new machine may look different.

BTW, do you have any other health problems? Take any medications?

[chunkyfrog]

Mattress/bed prices shock me; but they do put cpap expenses into perspective.

[hschlossberg]

Your minimum pressure is set to the factory default of 4.0. This is almost certainly too low for good therapy. And, if you typically need pressures around 10 or 12, your machine is going to make some large pressure swings going from 4 to the required pressure.

[snip]

So, can you look at the machine pressure graph for a typically night, or better yet, post it in this thread for the for the forum experts to critique? Instructions for Sleepyhead including how to post in forums --- https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead ?

Let's get your therapy straightened out on your current machine, then the decision on a new machine may look different.

BTW, do you have any other health problems? Take any medications?

According to your linked Sleepyhead page, my S8 machine doesn't appear to be supported. My machine is this one: https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd/unit?id=54. It also looks like I can't actually get data off the machine to use with ResScan software without buying a proprietary Resmed card reader, which seems kind of pointless now (if even still available).

So, I have access to efficacy data on the machine, which includes averages per day, week, month, 6 months and year. I have no other health issues other than being about 50 pounds overweight.

I'm sorry to have been so apparently clueless on all this. I guess the data DOES matter...ugh...

Howard

[palerider]

I guess the data DOES matter...ugh...

using cpap without the data is much akin to driving your car with the windows all covered with snow... sure, you know the alley is that way.. *points* now get to the store like that.

[Wulfman...]

According to your linked Sleepyhead page, my S8 machine doesn't appear to be supported. My machine is this one: https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd/unit?id=54. It also looks like I can't actually get data off the machine to use with ResScan software without buying a proprietary Resmed card reader, which seems kind of pointless now (if even still available).

So, I have access to efficacy data on the machine, which includes averages per day, week, month, 6 months and year. I have no other health issues other than being about 50 pounds overweight.

I'm sorry to have been so apparently clueless on all this. I guess the data DOES matter...ugh...

Howard

Which specific model? If you have the Elite or Autoset, they're both data-capable and have SOME data available via the LCD screen (if checked in the morning before Noon).
Somebody ("Hobbs") recently was offering a compatible card reader to anyone who wanted it.......an ACR38.
(but, I just did a search and it's no longer available)
But, I think they're still available if a person does some searching for them. Try the following search link:

https://www.google.com/search?q=acr38+s ... 8&oe=utf-8

Anyway, there are still resources available and/or newer machines can be acquired pretty reasonably.


Den

.

[hschlossberg]

Which specific model? If you have the Elite or Autoset, they're both data-capable and have SOME data available via the LCD screen (if checked in the morning before Noon).

I have the autoset. My numbers from this morning:

Last night's leak level was 0.56; avg for the week was 0.7.
Last night's AHI was 4.1; avg for the week was 4.6

(I increased the max pressure last night from 10.2 to 10.6, which likely explains why last night's AHI was lower than the week's average.)

[Wulfman...]

Which specific model? If you have the Elite or Autoset, they're both data-capable and have SOME data available via the LCD screen (if checked in the morning before Noon).

I have the autoset. My numbers from this morning:

Last night's leak level was 0.56; avg for the week was 0.7.
Last night's AHI was 4.1; avg for the week was 4.6

(I increased the max pressure last night from 10.2 to 10.6, which likely explains why last night's AHI was lower than the week's average.)

Those older S7 and S8 APAP machines used the old A10 algorithms which were problematic with going over the pressure of 10 cm. (hence the name of the algorithm) because the designers were afraid that they would create pressure-induced Centrals.
So, in many cases, those Autos treated just as well when used in straight pressure. The minimum pressure being the most important (actually, that's true with all APAPs) to be set where they prevent the vast majority of events.


Den

.

[cpapernewbie]

I am a CPAP user since 2007.
Started with the Tank on loan from DME, then 3 months later bought the Respironics Auto M. Use this for 2-3 years and bought PR Series One model 50.

The introduction of Resmed S9 made me switched to Resmed - then after about 1 year switched to PR System One Model 60 - tried the Auto and also the BIPAP.

Now using Resmed S10.

Beside the higher price of Resmed CPAP vs Respironics these were my observations:

1. I got much better AHI with Resmed CPAP. Average AHI with Resmed is 0.2 and frequently got AHI=0. Using Respironics, my AHI average 2
2. The display of Resmed is much easier to read (color and viewing angle)
3 The Resmed travel bag is much better design and much better quality than Respironics
4. I like the Respironics' humidifier design better than Resmed's
5. When it came to heated hose, the design is better in Resmed's - no need to buy new power bar and new interface for humidifier

So the score is 4-1 for Resmed
If you ask me in a blind test whether I can tell the difference between the 2 CPAP device, NO, I frequently switched between the 2 and frankly cannot tell the difference between the two.

[ChicagoGranny]

I'm sorry to have been so apparently clueless on all this. I guess the data DOES matter...ugh...

No need to apologize. One of the main benefits of this forum is that new members (and onlookers) can learn that data for the user is available and that data can make a big difference in therapy effectiveness and comfort. Not to fail to mention that your professional medical team may not have your machine settings at optimal levels for you. Usually, they only have one night to get it right. You can spend some days finding the right combinations of settings.

What are you thinking at this point? I am thinking you should get a new machine and install SleepyHead on your PC. Then, let forum members help you get your therapy optimized. I favor ResMed machines, but Respironics machines are also good.

[SewTired]

Just a note: You can get an S9 Auto for Her for $549 at our sponsor right now! It is the SAME machine as the regular S9, only pink. The Airsense and Airsense for Her are more expensive, but the same price - but the For Her model has an additional algorithm, which you may or may not need.

If price is an issue, consider getting an Out-of-box or used model with low hours. Call our sponsor (cpap.com) to see if they have any specials for the models you are interested in or check out secondwindcpap.com. While you can search on Craigslist, many people have an unrealistic idea of the value of their machine and price ridiculously high for a used machine with no warranty.

If data is not important to you, also consider an Intellipap. It's less costly, but still a good auto machine. People are happy with them. Not compatible with Sleepyhead as far as I can see however. I don't need a backup machine at this time, but if I needed one in a hurry, this is the one I would choose. I don't really need the data information when I'm traveling or with a backup machine. The ICON appears to be prone to problems. I really like the S9, but during the brief time I had one, my cat kept stepping on the on/off button while I was sleeping.

[KillingMe]

If data is not important to you

WT???? I thought the most important thing out of this thread is he now realizes how important data is???

Sometimes you should just refrain from replying if you don't want to read the thread to see what is going on.

[LAGrandpa]

If data is not important to you, also consider an Intellipap. It's less costly, but still a good auto machine. People are happy with them. Not compatible with Sleepyhead as far as I can see however.

The Intellipap is compatible with Sleepyhead if you have the optional smartlink module. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/devilb ... odule.html

[KillingMe]

The Intellipap is compatible with Sleepyhead if you have the optional smartlink module. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/devilbi ... odule.html

He's not going to buy an Intellipap. That idea was just thrown out there by someone who doesn't have a clue.