Fisher and Paykel Machines

[cpapmask]

I finally got my new Fisher Paykel 254, fully data machine last week. I want go into the hassels I had with DME's getting the machine I actually wanted. Had to go through the salesman to locate a manchine. I really like them and had to buy from a brick and motor location because of insurance, since they cover 90% of the cost. I got my machine and the FP Forma ff mask. Which I do like the mask. I was able to get the software thanks to another cpaper on this forum. You know who you are so Thank You for the help in secureing the software. I have been downloading each day now, but I have a question of the users of this software or maybe other software users may be able to ask. I understand the reports but my question i am trying to answer is on the reports they show my actual numbers (pressure, system leaks) they also show them as a for example 90 percentile. What do these percentile %'s mean. Also in the settings i can set my pressure and i can aslo set a apnea cap. I currently have both settings set to the same number. Should these be set the same or should the apnea cap be set maybe to a higer number. If any pap ers out there can help me to understand these 2 things It would be a great help to me. This is the first auto machine I have owned. I have always used Fisher Paykel machines and will continue with the machines as I do like them. Hope someone on here can help with the answers or know where I may do the research to find them.
Thanx
Ce Papers

[Hawthorne]

For Remstar M Series the 90% means you spent 90% of your night at that pressure or less. It may be (probably is) the same on Fisher & PayKel auto machines.

Most autos can be set in auto mode ( a range of pressures) or cpap mode (1 straight pressure).

With my M Series auto, I use it in auto mode and have a narrow range set. I have the minimum pressure set just slightly below my titrated pressure and the maximum set just 2 1/2 cm above that. With your machine, it is probably a good idea to set your minimum at or near (as I said I have mine set just below - my titrated pressure is 11 cm and I have my minimum set at 10.5 cm) your titrated pressure. Just starting with the auto you may want to set a slightly wider range than mine untill you see what your 90% is and at what pressures you are spending most of your night.

If I want to use cpap, I usually use it it auto mode with the minimum and the maximum pressures the same. That's because I get more complete detailed data that way. If I set it straight cpap mode, I am missing Flow Limitations and I want to see those. I don't know if that would be the case with F & P autos and software or not.

I rarely change my pressure settings though. I keep that narrow range with the minimum just 0.5 cm below my titrated pressure and my the maximum just 2 1/2 cm above that. That may work for you in time but it may be better to leave your maximum higher for awhile,as I said until you see what your 90% pressure is. If you are prone to central apneas, you may want to start with a narrower range of maybe 4-6 cm between the maximum and the minimum.

I arrived at my pressure settings with a bit of experimentation (using the data from the software) and some suggestions from forum members when I posted data some time ago. It has worked well for me for some time now. My AHI is almost always below 1.

Hope this is some help. I expect the machines are similar at least.

[cpapmask]

What would the max pressure and the apnea cap pressure be or mean??

[drubin007]

as a fellow F&P user, I am also happy with the machine, and glad to hear that you were able to secure the software....

What I do is every few weeks download the data (I started off doing it every day, and have more recently run out of time).

I look at the data for the prior weeks and determine if I need more (or less) pressure from there. I do not remember now, but think I have my settings between 9 and 13cm? I can only assume the 90th percentile is the majority of your time spent there...
Max pressure I would assume is the highest level reached. With the software you can of course set the min pressure as well as the max pressure. If I see I am hitting the max a lot of the time I would increase it. So far I have not had to...

It sort of stinks, us with the F&P machines are the minorty in this forum, so we have limited lifelines and need to figure out a lot of things ourselves

[MedEdGuy]

Good Evening,

Just diagnosed with OSA and had my titration, and was looking for some info on the F&P machines. I came across this thread, and since it was a rather generic title, I hope you don't mind my slightly off-topic questions.

I haven't received my Rx or machine yet, but I was told by my sleep specialist that she recommended the F&P 254 APAP machine. As a previous poster said, it seems there are a dearth of users of the F&Ps compared to other brands. Everything I've read seems quite positive, but I do have a concern/question.

I travel frequently, and this seems like one of the larger machines, especially when compared to something like the IntelliPAP auto machine--which is also significantly less expensive.

Has anyone used both of these machines? I know price isn't always indicative of quality, but frankly the IntelliPAP just seems too cheap--even though seems like everyone is very happy with them. Also considering if it would make sense to get the F&P for home, and the other for travel.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Hawthorne]

Lots of people here, including myself, have a backup/travel machine. Mine happen to be both the same machine but others have a different type/brand for backup/travel because of size and sometimes price (cheaper machine for travel).

I have never used the Fisher & Paykel or the Intellipap but they seem to be very good by the accounts on the forum. The fact that thye are both autos is a positive thing because they both can be used in auto or straight cpap mode.

[Uncle_Bob]

I used to have a Fisher Paykel SleepStyle 608 but i got rid of it once i found out it was not data compatible. I do however miss the humidification on that machine, it even had a built in heated hose to help with rainout.

Now the Fisher Paykel 254 is released with all the bells and whistles except the heated hose