What kind of machine to buy???

[dave5008]

Hello,

I am going for a new sleep study on Thursday and I am kind of hoping to get a machine that will record my sleep data so that the Doctor can see how I am sleeping at night. I am not very happy with my current machine. It's a remstar M series with heated humidifier. I bought it with cash outright. I am still waking up tired and still need a nap about every day. Could you all give me some advice on what machines work best and what to look for? Should I ask the Doctor for an APAP machine? What about one with a card reader and software? I am sick and tired of waking up sick and tired. (Pun intended.) My pressure is currently sitting at 12. This is what the Doctor recommended it be 5 years ago when I had my original study. Do sleep studies have to be performed every so often to ensure that the machine is working optimally? Like I said it's been 5 years since the last study. I am no longer living in the same area that my last study was done which is why I requested a re-evaluation of sleep and to see if my pressure needs to be raised.

Thanks,

David

[tangents]

David,

Sorry to hear that you've been 5 years on the hose and are still so tired. I think you're on the right track going in for another sleep study. Here's a couple of thoughts for you:

Is your mask leaking? The air has to physically splint your throat open, so it it's leaking out of your mask, your therapy won't be working.

Are you breathing out of your mouth during the night? Again, that would leak air and you won't be getting proper (or any) therapy.

A data capable machine will help you determine these things, along with your AHI results, and that's one of the reasons I really wanted one. An APAP gives you the flexibility to have straight CPAP pressure or automatically adjust to keep you breathing within a user-determined range. So if possible, get a data capable APAP. (I think all APAPs are data capable anyway!) I can only comment on my own machine, since it's the only one I've tried, but I like the PB420E just fine.

Good luck, and keep us posted,
Cathy

[dave5008]

Hi Cathy,

Thanks for the quick follow up. I am using a Respironics Opti-Life mask. http://optilife.respironics.com/

I think I am leaking at some. I am a toss/turn type of person and if I pull on the hose with my arm or if it's wedged under me then sometimes there is some tension. I've tried to lay perfectly still all night to get the best result.

I don't think that I typically mouth breathe because generally speaking there is a suction that forces my mouth closed when the CPAP is working. The opti-life mask also has a built-in chin strap although it doesn't work that well. The reason I had to go with this mask was because when I wore a regular resmed type mask I would have sores all over my face where I had broken out. Even after 1 or 2 nights of use. I had to discontinue that mask and cpap. Which is why I went out on my own and bought one off the internet and set the pressure myself.

I have also successfully had the pressure up to 15 with not really any change in performance or better sleep.

I probably need new filters and new nasal pillows for my current machine. I've been using this current machine for about 2 years now. I'm still using the same pillows and filters. I know that's moreless my fault for not keeping up with it better.

If I got a machine with software would this be something that I would manage and could look at on my own home computer or something just the Doctor would use. I've always been a computer/gadget freak so I'm always interested in learning about how these things work and getting the most use out of them.

Also what would be the benefit of getting an APAP machine...? I guess I don't know what the benefit would be in having the pressure varied versus a constant pressure all the time.

Thanks,

David

[Guest]

David,

Do you have the Remstar Pro or the Remstar AUTO?

Sounds to me like you do not have the AUTO and that is definately what you need, you will wake up feeling more refreshed as it will give you all the adjusted air you need all night long and it will automatically adjust your pressure to the desired level you need while sleeping, so whatever you purchase, get an AUTO with c-flex or a-flex (makes it easier to exhale) and DATA Capable (comes with a Smart Card) and you will also want to purchase the software and card reader so you can download it on to your computer..

I use the Remstar Auto M Series with A-Flex with the Heated Humidifier, and I have the Encore Pro 1.865 Software (it's not available any longer) along with the Infeer Card Reader with the usb connection. The new software to purchase is called: Respironice Encore Viewer and all of these items can be found at cpap.com ..

There are all kinds of Auto adjusting cpap machines out there, you just have to decide what you want and based on your own personal needs!

Goodluck in your decision and keep us posted!

SleepyNoMore

[dave5008]

I have a remstar plus with heated humidifier. This looks to be the basic of the basic. It doesn't have a card reader but atleast it came with c-flex whatever that is worth. I can't really tell much of a difference with c-flex or without. I'm so used to the machine now. By the time I wake up in the morning I can't even tell I'm wearing it. I still find myself waking up and not breathing. Although it doesn't happen as often now. But nontheless I still wake up with a steady stream of air blowing up my nose and I'm not inhaling or exhaling.

Also, do any of you know where I could find a list of error codes that the machine gives? I found some kind of manufactuer diagnostic screen (or so it looks) anyway. This is different than the clinical menu. It is giving an error code of E-8. That is what prompted me to go get checked out for another study and get a machine that has some recording capability.

David

[Hawthorne]

Those filters on your machine could be a major contributor to your tiredness!! The foam filters are reuseable and washable. They should be changed every couple of weeks. You should have had 2 of them with your machine so you always have a clean, dry one. The white filters are not necessary but helpful if you have allergies or live in a dusty area or have pets. They are NOT washable and should be changed every month, in most cases. The old, dirty white one should be thrown out.
Your mask also was not designed to last for 2 years - at least not the cushion (or nasal pillows) in the case of the OptiLife. The nose parts should be replaced at least once a year I would think and a spare mask to trade off with is also good. The mask should be washed in a mild soap (Ivory Liquid is good) every day. Special cleaning wipes for cpap equipment are also available to clean the nose pieces. Your face should be clean when you put the mask on. I was a "once a day -wash my face" person until I began to use the software and reader and saw what a difference a clean face makes, as well as a clean mask, as far as mask leak is concerned.
I enjoy doing things on my computer and have really found the software and card reader to be extremely helpful. I can get lots of imformation about my sleep every night (apneas, hypoapneas, etc) and make pressure adjustments if necessary. I can see how much my mask is leaking and take steps to correct it. You can see all that yourself with the software and reader. You can become quite expert at managing your own sleep therapy!
You should get a data capable machine. As others have said, an auto is the best since it can work in cpap mode as well as auto mode. All data capable machines come with a smart card that records all this and can be read by the card reader with the software on your computer.
People sometimes need a different pressure at different sleep stages. It is usually only a cm or 2 but makes a major difference. An auto can be set at a range around you pressure that allows the auto machine to change if needed.
Respironics Plus is NOT data capable. It is a basic machine.
You should push for a data capable machine, auto if possible. It will have a smart card. Your doctor may not be too happy about you getting the software and card reader but it's your health! I wouldn't mention it to him/her when you get the prescription - just ask for an auto. You have to buy the software and reader yourself anyway. After you get going with everything, depending upon the response you think you might get from your doctor, you may want to share your reports.
Good luck!

[Slinky]

Don't disregard a Resmed xPAP just because you couldn't tolerate a Resmed mask. You do NOT have to use a Resmed mask just because you have a Resmed xPAP.

That being said, just because an xPAP has a smart card does NOT mean that it is fully data capable. There are a few, one or two, xPAPs that use a smart card to report compliance only.

An autoPAP can be a nice xPAP to have -BUT - isn't a necessity. AND some people do NOT do well w/lthe constant pressure changes all night long and do better on straight CPAP. The NICE thing about an autoPAP is that it CAN be set in auto OR CPAP mode. They are versatile.

And don't just dump your current Respironics M Series Plus w/C-Flex. When you get your new xPAP, if you get it from a local DME supplier, ask them to take a look at it and see what is wrong w/it. Poor thing may well be just plain tuckered fighting to breathe thru those 2 year old filters!!!! Did you NOT READ the manual that came w/it??? Hopefully, this ole Pro will still work well as a backup xPAP should you have any problems at any time w/the new one.

When you get your new xPAP, for crying out loud, READ YOUR MANUAL! Change your filters as recommended!

Good luck w/your new sleep evaluation (and titration). Hopefully this time around they will hit on THE pressure you need and any other sleep disorders that you might experience and can get them all cleared up for you.

[bdp522]

As to the error code;

E-8 ERR_IRQ_STACK_OVERFLOW •Defective RAM chip •Replace Main PCA


Brenda

[Gerald]

David......

Regardless of what your doctor thinks, you need a data-gathering machine. Without recorded measurements every night, you're just guessing about the effectiveness of your therapy.

Looking at a computer generated report of your progress every day or so will go a long way toward maintaining effective therapy.

Also......one more thing to think about. The real purpose of CPAP therapy is to prevent your O2 blood saturation levels from dropping under 93% while you're asleep. Your CPAP machine doesn't directly measure this.

Data from a CPAP machine "infers" that you're "probably" getting enough oxygen (93% saturation or above).....so long as your AHI is under about 2.5. The only way to know for sure is to measure your O2 saturation levels all night with a recording oximeter. Without that tool, you're just guessing.

I realize that "everyone" says that you're "normal" if your AHI is 5.0 or below. But I've found that my O2 levels aren't satisfactory if my AHI levels are above 2.5.

Not too long ago, "everyone" (including doctors) said that ulcers were caused by "stress". They were dead wrong.

I predict that we'll finally see a good study that debunks the "AHI of 5.0 is normal" idea. People will start looking closely at their O2 saturation levels.
And they'll do what it takes to make sure they are getting the O2 they need.....all night....every night.

Gerald