Another Newbie - and some questions

[enzoweb]

I had a sleep study about 3 years ago but due to various circumstances have only just got round to getting the equipment.

I've read through a few posts here and have gone through the "Our Wisdom" section which answered many of my questions. However, I was hoping someone could give me some advice, particularly about the machine I have (Resmed S8 Autoset Spirit II).

There doesn't seem to be any 'advanced' settings menu, especially with regards to setting / checking the pressure. The sales person said she had set it, but I want to make sure it's OK and to be able to change it and experiment. Is there a magic combination of button presses that will enable me to see the pressure settings, or is it completely automatic? At times the force of the air seems very high, or is that just because I'm not used to it?

I have a humidifier but still experience a dry mouth. Is this normal, or do I need to adjust the settings?

I was supplied with the Resscan software, which is good but is clearly aimed at medical personnel. Is there any other software that's compatible with the machine that is a bit easier to interpret? Or would it be possible for me to provide this forum with the information and have someone give me an idea of what I should be looking at? Or perhaps someone could tell me the most useful information that it logs.

This is a great resource and very useful to those of us just starting out with the gear.

So far I've had it a week but only manage 3-4 hours before I have to take it off. It's getting better, and I'll stick with it.

[jnk]

I had a sleep study about 3 years ago but due to various circumstances have only just got round to getting the equipment.

I'll assume there were good reasons for that, because if I don't, I'll sit here and shake my head about it.

Is there a magic combination of button presses that will enable me to see the pressure settings, or is it completely automatic?

I think that holding left and right arrow buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds or so should let you see more info. If you want to go deeper and risk messing up the settings, there is a way to do that too: http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=130

I have a humidifier but still experience a dry mouth. Is this normal, or do I need to adjust the settings?

Turning up humidity may help. You have a full face mask listed, so you're probably breathing through your mouth. Here is a nice discussion on humidity: http://www.resmed.com/en-us/patients/im ... u=patients

I was supplied with the Resscan software, which is good but is clearly aimed at medical personnel. Is there any other software that's compatible with the machine that is a bit easier to interpret? Or would it be possible for me to provide this forum with the information and have someone give me an idea of what I should be looking at? Or perhaps someone could tell me the most useful information that it logs.

I am jealous that you have the software. I don't. But I'll set that aside to say, as far as I know that software is the only software that will work on that machine. You can get most of the information you really need from the lcd window, but there are advantages to learning to understand how to use the software, since it can map when events happen, for example. For now, learn the meaning of what the lcd screen says in evaluating your therapy. There are very smart people who post here, with various and specific expertise, who can help you with all of that. (Velbor, Snoredog, and a host of others)

The most important info the machine gives you is an estimated AI, the apnea index, or how many times an hour on average that you virtually stop breathing. The machine will also estimate your AHI, which, for this machine, is the AI plus how many times per hour on average the flow of air was significantly less than it should have been. Those two numbers tell you most of what you need to know to get you a good portion of the way there. And those numbers are available from the machine's screen.

This is a great resource and very useful to those of us just starting out with the gear.

Yes, that it is! And for those not just starting out, too. Sorry that no one got to you earlier. We'll try to do better.

So far I've had it a week but only manage 3-4 hours before I have to take it off. It's getting better, and I'll stick with it.

Please do. Try to get up to 7 or 8 hours a night with it. And keep posting questions if your continued research doesn't answer all your questions. Then stick around to help others. Don't let any of our quirky personalities throw you off. I've found that all the longtime posters here are amazingly helpful. Just watch out for the newbies who tend to wade in just a bit over their heads, like me.

[enzoweb]

Many thanks for the answers, really helpful.

[Virtus Velox]

Many thanks for the answers, really helpful.

Just wanted to support JNK's suggestion about dry mouth. We are in the dental health field and the issue of dry mouth is a very real problem for dental health. When I first arrived here and saw the thread about 'mouth taping', I laughed..."Ha! ya like that's going to happen!" It happened and boy am I glad I set aside my preconceived notions and gave it a try I use the paper tape method and may have 1 event of dry mouth per month. At least I do not have those nasty chin strap marks on my face when I go to work
As JNK said, keep it up and keep coming back...it IS worth it!
Virt