Introducing myself and my sleep struggles.

[Friendlyman]

Welcome,
Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to join you all.
I hope you don't mind if I may please. To write a little about myself and my sleeping issue.
I apologize in advance if it gets to long.
I have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea for the third time this past November.
For those who understand the result numbers.
I got a 13, I know to many if you. This is considered a low number. But as my doctor put it. It doesn't really matter at this point if its a 13 or a 16. If you know you have it you know why your sleep is messed up. And not treating it in any case could lead to major problems or worse.

The reason why I'm up to my third test is because I have not had the support I now see is so important to get through this.
The first test was taken in a sleep lab. But I had no connection or understanding that I need to have a Doctor that I can comunicate with. About the issue.
That lab sent the results to my regular Doctor. The doctor prescribed a machine through a medical supply company and that was it.
I'm not the type of guy to give up. I treid and treid but just couldn't get it right. Eventually I felt worse because the machine woke me up.

After a year or more of not useing the machine. I went to my doctor and said I need help. I feel awful during the day. I need more sleep. He sent me to a different lab, much closer to home and they also diagnosed me. And this time they ordered a bipap machine.
I treid and treid, and believe me I treid. But the exact same thing happened. After trying for so long I just stopped useing it.

Now to current. In the meantime I found out that the doctor who is the Medfaon director of the sleep lab, is also one of the top leading pulmonary doctors affiliated with the hospital that owns the sleep lab. So I thought why don't I just make an appointment directly with him, in his office and talk to him about it.
So I told him my history, and what I tried before. The first question he asked me was, why I'm using a full face mask with a full beard on my face.
So, since I lost 90 lbs, the first thing let's test if I still have sleep apnoea.
The insurance only pays for the home study now. And since we already knew that I have sleep apnoea in the past. That would be enough.
Sure enough, it came back that I have it. The result number was 13. 66 hypopnias, and 22 apnea.
He suggested that I get an Auto pap and a nasal pillow mask.
I was very disappointed. I just couldn't do it anymore. My nose burned so strong that I wok up and took it of. But I don't give up so fast. I spoke to my brother and he said his doctor in Europe told him to use vasilne on the mask. I treid but it only helped a little for a short time.
I called the medical supplies company that provides my equipment. And the tech stopped by with a full nose mask. To make a long story short. It was worse. I kept on trying both but no luck.
And then this happened.
I thought of trying my full face mask again. Because I the more I started reading about the issue the more I got the feeling that it could be the reason why I was given full face masks in the first place. In the lab they probably saw that my mouth opens or at least gets dreid out.
And one more very huge factor came to mind. That most of the time the tech that stops by your house to give you the equipment dose not set the head gear and straps properly. Every time they had to come they just did it with me in my living room.
I learned that when it feels to tite or it leaks I should first try to reset it on my face. So I loosened up all the straps and pulled them back snugged two at the same time. So they are more less the same snugg on both sides.
I happened to be in the sleep lab with my son just a few weeks ago and I had a chance to chat with a sleep lab technician. She agreed with me about trying the full face mask and also suggested I try swapping the masks around and eventually see which one I get the best night of sleep with.
But I have to tell you. I do not swap them around because I get the best sleep with the full face mask.
I had an appointment with the pulmonary doctor and confirmed with him if it's okay to try the full face mask again. Since I'm not getting enough sleep, and the other ones are making me feel worse.
He agreed that I do that, and since I have autopap it will adjust accordingly no matter which mask I'm using.
So if your still reading, first I'd like to thank you again. And secondly I can use some help.
My machine is set for ramp 10 04-04 but since it's an auto I don't have to worry. Andi think I like that because it doesn't give me that costrafobic feeling when the strong pressure keeps on shooting in.
The only thing is that some nites I am aware enough not to take it off. And if I wake up and relize it's off I'll put it back on. And now much less, I'll find it off me in the morning.
The doctor said that if I get to sleep four hours with out interruption. He thinks it's great. On one hand I'm happy to say I'm making progress. On the other hand I still feel I might figure out another few ideas how to get more sleep because I still feel tired and exhausted alot. Even in the morning.
The mask I use now is a qautro full face mask. The humidifier is set on 3
Anyone that has any ideas on what I can do to improve my situation I'll appreciate it very much.
If you need any further details about my settings please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

[ChicagoGranny]

Welcome! That's very nice what your wrote. Can you go through it and carve out two to four bullet points on what you think your biggest current problems are? Often, when one or two big problems are adequately addressed, some of the smaller ones go along.

And yes, we need to know more about your machine settings ---> the maximum pressure, the minimum pressure and the ramp starting pressure and time.

My machine is set for ramp 10 04-04

That doesn't compute.

[CowFish]

Welcome! That's very nice what your wrote. Can you go through it and carve out two to four bullet points on what you think your biggest current problems are? Often, when one or two big problems are adequately addressed, some of the smaller ones go along.

And yes, we need to know more about your machine settings ---> the maximum pressure, the minimum pressure and the ramp starting pressure and time.
My machine is set for ramp 10 04-04
That doesn't compute.

+1

RESmart™ Auto CPAP Machine with RESlex with Heated Humidifier

Welcome! You have come to a very helpful place.

That machine you have is what is known as a "brick". A brick does not record any data that is useful to manage your therapy. Data is very important.

How would it hit your finances to buy a data-capable machine? We can help you find one for probably around $400 - 500.

[LSAT]

QUOTE..."Anyone that has any ideas on what I can do to improve my situation I'll appreciate it very much."

Get a better machine

[ChicagoGranny]

That machine you have is what is known as a "brick". A brick does not record any data that is useful to manage your therapy. Data is very important.

How would it hit your finances to buy a data-capable machine? We can help you find one for probably around $400 - 500.

+1

[Friendlyman]

Hi,
Can you please tell me what information you need?

So interesting that you mentioned that this machine dose not collect data.
I took the SD card out last time I went to the doctor. I was hoping he could see my sleeping patterns.
He tells me that the card only records if I'm complying and useing it. Nothing more.

This is a brand new machine. And I do not have the right to sell it. It's under an insurance contract.
Which auto pap machine would you recommend?

[lilly747]

Hi,
Can you please tell me what information you need?

So interesting that you mentioned that this machine dose not collect data.
I took the SD card out last time I went to the doctor. I was hoping he could see my sleeping patterns.
He tells me that the card only records if I'm complying and useing it. Nothing more.

This is a brand new machine. And I do not have the right to sell it. It's under an insurance contract.
Which auto pap machine would you recommend?

Sorry the DME has stuck you with a BRICK. If you have not had it very long, you might be able to make them take it back. I did. I had a fit and got a new ResMed S9 Autoset out of them 3 months after they stuck me with a BRICK. If that does not work you could buy a lightly used machine for around 350. Grayghost4 here on this board could help you, just PM him. Lots of people have bought from him including me... very happy. The BRICK you have would make a nice back-up machine. It's always nice to have a back up...good luck

Go after the DME...can't hurt Also I would let my Dr know how unhappy I am with him/her too

[yaconsult]

Sorry for all the difficulties you've had so far! You've come to the right place - people here can help you.

You are going to need a data-capable auto cpap machine that is supported by the wonderful, free SleepyHead software.

I agree with others that you should try to swap out the brick they stuck you with. Especially if you actually need a bilevel machine, those are much more expensive than the regular auto cpap machines.

[tazmania]

Friendly,

Follow the advice of these great people. I've found that they are far more experienced than my own sleep doctor and offer non-biased opinions which I'm of the opinion Drs are influenced by their own pocket books.

The doctor said that if I get to sleep four hours with out interruption. He thinks it's great.

I came here looking for some help because while I was getting close to 4 hours of sleep using my CPAP it wasn't enough to make me feel better. So while you may feel better if you can use it for 4 hours I strongly recommend you shoot for more. Thanks to the good folks here I was able to rectify a few small issues in my sleep patterns and I am now getting more than 6 hours of sleep using my machine. This week 7+ hours Woo hooo!! And I feel soooooo much better. 4 hours you can survive on but I think most of us need a lot more than that. So shoot for 4 but then don't stop there. Hang in there and good luck.

Oh and my first course of action they recommended here ... get a machine that allows you to monitor your own statistics. I did and it makes a huge difference. May AHI is now around .17. Heheheh.

[Sheffey]

This is a brand new machine. And I do not have the right to sell it. It's under an insurance contract.

Take it back and demand a data-capable auto machine. Tell your doctor you were screwed.

Which auto pap machine would you recommend?

I recommend one of these:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... idair.html
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... ifier.html

[Friendlyman]

Hi,
Sorry for the delayed response. I need to get used to getting on here more often.
I'm wondering if they would be even interested in exchanging it.
After all I didn't pay for it. And they might say that this is what the insurance pays for.
I'm not sure if telling them I want a machine that records the sleep is a good enough claim?

Now, other than the recording, what would make a different machine better than the one I received.
Resmart Auto BMC.
Is anyone familiar with this model? Is it true that the only thing the card records is compliance?

Another thing, even if I would buy a machine. If I pay for it I'm stuck with it. At least this one. If I have a good claim against it that would make life easier.

What exactly makes it a brick.

Thanks

[Friendlyman]

To clarify my question is icode for data or just compliance?

[Julie]

"Bricks' record only enough data to show you've used them for so many hours x so many days - that's what the insce. co's require to keep paying for them. The machines we use (except for unlucky instances or a handful of people without access in distant countries) record all sorts of important data you can use to see why you're not sleeping well, what factors are working and not, and give you the option to e.g. make pressure setting changes, or sleep hygiene ones, or mask changes to more effective ones, etc. etc. and can alert you to serious problems you otherwise might never know about. I'm sorry I can't tell you about icode or other tech aspects as well as others could because I use a slightly different (but as effective) machine than the majority (who use Resmed and Phillips Respironics models) but you'll get lots of help any minute now.

My machine gives data, but in a different way than those do (you can look at all on Cpap.com) and it works for me because my OSA is very consistent, uncomplicated and my machine gives me enough info. when I do check that I am fine as things are (some of this has to do with why I have apnea in the first place relative to why others do).

[lilly747]

If you want a better machine you will have to fight for it.......the cheaper the machine the DME gives you, the more money they make off your insurance. I would suggest you go back and reread all the replies you haven gotten above.

This is the machine the OP was given:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmar ... ducts.html

Here is a description of icode:

Access advanced data remotely! The RESmart iCodes are displayed in the patient menu View a sample of the RESmart iCode Report showing:
Days of Therapy Greater Than 4 Hours
% of Days with Therapy Greater Than 4 Hours
Average Daily Compliance
Average Pressure for 95% of Treatment
Mean Pressure
AHI Apnea-Hypopnea Index
SNI Snore Index

[Friendlyman]

Thanks, that is the machine I have and I did manage to get the icode report my self playing around with the machine. I could also print it. But as I think some have posted. It gives a very not detailed report. Very generalized.
I did call the provider and asked if they have other options. Of course they said no. And even had the nerve to tell me. If you want more info on how to get reports I should look up the manufacturers number and call 3B and ask them to explain the process to me.
I think I figured it out my self. But I will call tomorrow to see what they say.

I'm also wondering if anyone knows the rules about an older machine I got in 2011? Insurance paid for it then, but I stopped ordering the Supplies way back because I couldn't get used to it.
Before my doctor ordered the auto machine he said that usually after a year the Supplier only makes money on the equipment so probably no one cares if I have it..
It's the Fisher and parkel style 200 cpap series. I have it here collecting dust. I'm wondering if I'm allowed to trade it somewhere? If someone would even want it?
I'm afraid that with the current provider I will not get anywhere with the claim about the report.