Hello, New here, CPAP Issues

[jules]

I suspect the OP has major leak problems which is shutting him down but he doesn't want to face having to use a FFM hence all the nasty tone.

He has refused to find the software (which is out there in that in "cracked" version) and does not know the m series machine smart card needs a special card reader not just any old smart card reader on his PC.

Notice he hasn't posted any data even off the LED.

And I guess Bleepingbeauty is a pedophile (I will correct his misspelling) or porn addicts since she found a couple of really good machines on craigslist.

It has all been interesting but l please excuse me from this thread now, I have better things to do with my time than deal with temper tantrums.

[brazospearl]

bbc3, honey,
We really are trying to help, although it might not appear that way to you. Your situation appears to be quite complicated, and your anguish about trying to find a solution is obvious. Sounds like you need to get with your DME and find out if there's a mechanical problem with your machine. That's certainly not a typical situation, but it does happen. That is also something that can't be solved online. If that isn't the problem, try posing one question at a time. Your writings are a bit on the long side, and from your phrasing it appears that English isn't your first language so some of it requires some translating on the part of your readers. Not having received a satisfactory solution here does not equal we're not trying to help. We must all practice patience to solve our problems. Good luck.

[bbc3]

My posts were clear. My problems are clear. Why does everyone continue to blow me off???? While the air may be nice in Montana. Its not blowin to well here. Whats the problem? If you people are so blind as to not see the level of denial and disregard I hace received, you may be in montana inhaling the northern lights.

Why regular people like me are greeted with "we are not the DME", is beyond me. Thats an issue on their end, not mine. I knew nothing yesterday other than I am a less than one year diagnosed sleep apnea, and my machine is not working. So I get nothing but crap attitude from the guy who clearly owns a DME, or used to. And the Catwoman siting there discounting every single word I say. I am sure her patients appreciate her scrutiny. But after all, its not really them she is out to satisfy, is it? Not only does it satisfy her minimums to get her incentives from the manufacturers, it prolongs treatments thus provoking more $$appointments$$. A habit she picked up somewhere.

I am done ranting as I am intelligent enough to know when my questions shall go unanswered and become breathed in vain.
You are clearly the DMEs. You are clearly the docs receiving incentives and BC/BS payments. This whole thread stinks of common medical mistreatment, denial, and cover up. It is clear that as with all facet of life, a little handholding goes a long way for most. It also would apparently serve the same egos online as well. This has been the most rediculous endeavor for information at a web forum I have ever attempted, short of being at a quit smoking site where they just sit around chirping like parrots....

Dude...what is your problem. Relax.
Take charge of your therapy and you will be fine. Most everyone here is just a regular Jane and Joe helping each other out . I have the M series and it works flawless ... if it did not I would be retuning it. I also shelled out around 150. for software for my own peace of mind

[Julie]

For the record, I am not now, nor have I ever been a doctor, and have no intentions of becoming one in the future! You are new to the forum, not familiar with anyone here, yet you're going off like a rocket. We get that you have a problem, we really get it, and have tried to help, but you've obviously decided already what the problem is and don't want to hear anything else. What's the point?

[jules]

I am not and never have been a DME. I happen to have a Ph. D. in mathematics and worked at a state university for many years before retiring. I just happen also to be a cpap user - Remstar Legacy series.

I know something about interpreting encore output when presented. I'll take a graph any day over a garbled rambling sentence.

[JohnBFisher]

... My posts were clear. My problems are clear. Why does everyone continue to blow me off???? ...

I for one am and have often been a pain in the butt. So, I can recognize someone else who - like me - stops listening!

Listen, dude, NO ONE continues to "blow you off" !!!

The MOST COMMON problem with a M Series unit shutting off is mask leaks. Folks are telling you that you need to be certain that is not the issue. They tell you need to purchase the software to monitor your own therapy. This is NO different than if you had Type 2 Diabetes. You would get a blood glucose monitor to monitor your blood glucose. This ain't some conspiracy. It's a technique to survive.

But Hey! If you don't want to monitor your own therapy, Charles Darwin will be proven correct yet again.

But trust me, we really ARE trying to help you.

Now as to the M-Series units stopping on their own. Yup. They sure can. The number one reason? The leak rate becomes so high it shuts itself off. The number two reason? You stop breathing for so long that it thinks you are no longer wearing it. The number three (and very rare) reason is the machine has problems.

I suffer from Central Sleep Apnea - a pretty bad case of it - and even in MY case I had to get the leaks under control. And I've got lots of graphs that show that without a good fit the unit is useless.

So, people say you need to check on leaks. They suggest you get the software. If you don't want to do that, take your SmartCard to your DME to have them create a report of the data. That will show if you have problems with a leak rate that is too high. It will show if you have a lot of apneas. Data is what you need to help sort out the situation.

And that is all that anyone is trying to do here .. get you to look at the data to see what you need.

[cflame1]

bbc3... if we were trying to "blow you off" as you say... would you have gotten any responses? No.

Right now... you're just making the folks trying to help you mad.

Stop accusing people... and start reading their whole posts.

[Nord]

Wow... I'd say that bbc3 is in serious need of some sleep.

While reading this thread, I couldn't help but think, he didn't seem to really want any help. Perhaps his sole intention was to disrupt and create a negative feeling. I certainly got that negative feeling.

Hopefully everyone is able to let it "run off their back" and "write it off" for what it was: just a short loud rainstorm. I'm going back to some more positive threads.

Here's some smiles for everyone...

Nord

[bbc3]

It seems to me some stickies would serve well here. Again, clearly this would appear to be a forum run be medical forces, or they would be. Who is this forum really serving? I read some of the crock about too much air causing CNS events, whatever... ANYONE can tell when they are being aggrivated by too much airflow. Its simple enough. They will set it where it needs to be. Oh, you believe there is some real medical science to this. Wake up, they are just on board the money train. User education could go a long way here, with a simple caviat, "If you are a halfwit that cant hold a spoon without coddeling, dont try this at home". Again, stickies...? They would save a lot of miscommunication. But then again that would limit the requests to self serve your egos.....

To the gentleman whom apparently understands my "jackass" nature.. I am hearing you and everything everyone has said. I do appreciate YOUR unassuming posts to date. You seem normal in that aspect and I appreciate same.

How can any of you interpret my issues as leak related when I tell you all that I awake only to find myself sucking on the nose piece to kickstart? The term sucking would imply a pretty good seal. It also implys that the reason I was awakened was due to the fact that the machine had stopped allowing me to breath. Since you wont answer my question about whether the machine will kick down to a flow rate lower than the minimum setting, I am going to assume it does. As I have awaken many mornings to find myself breathing normally through it with no apparent assistance.

I mentioned that I get into a VERY deep sleep pattern with a very low breathing rate. I also stated early on that I have a tendency to stop breathing as well. This would apparently be indicative of some CNS related shutdown. The bottom line is that even as a layman, I can tell you that there should be NO OCCASION when a slow breathing rate should trick the machine into turning off, it should only prompt help if it is astute enough to know the normal pattern as it relates. How could I even expect it to assist with a CNS related event in that case? Of couse people's breathing rate will subside to almost nothing prior to the brain not signalling to breath???!!!? That disorder is not just going to occur at as a sudden hault type issue. AND finally, I know whenever I have lost a proper connection as whenever it rarely occurs, I am usually still in a lighter state of sleep as still moving and I am awakened by the air in my face.... This is not the problem.

When I am slow breathing the maching simply stops. It actualizes as a gradual and unalarming wakeup usually in that as that slow a rate of breathing, I can get enough partial through the exhaust vent to suffice for a slow wakeup. I then wake to a sealed nose piece not allowing me to breath and apply a really good breath suction with my nose to kickstart it. It beeps, back to sleep with a mild grumble. The obstructive occurance the other night that occurred while in this slow state of breathing is not the norm. It also should make sense to you as my breathing rate would be so slow that it would increase the likelihood of an obstructive type event. Isn't that the whole point of the machine.?

Did I miss some techincal reference of sticky type postings for basic info and prechecks prior to posting. If I did I certainly apologize!! Why dont you re-read my first post and then take a look at the responses. I am thinking a proper protocol would go something like this:

"what are your settings? What mode are you in? Here is how you check them..
Did you know your maching could shut down due to high enough leakage when the auto off is on?
Now could you please read the data on the leak rate? Here's how.
Oh well in that case you should go have you doc, or DME get you a readout, or get the software for HERE and come back"

BUT, you did read clearly didn't you? And you knew I have a perplexing situation apparently real and serious. I left not much to guess....

All the subtle accusations, and propogation of continued forced ignorance could have been dropped from there, and my other questions as to the operation of the machine could have been answered, if anyone actually knew how to explain them. And NO, I dont know how to read out the basic screens. Why would I even know they exist? The only reason I know the setup menu is because clearly someone has disservised me from the start. I called the rep back out the first night. He then gave me the nose pillow. I told him it was hard to breath through. Do you really think he was going to take my word and go get another one.?? The industy is trained to put me off. They dont want a bunch of service related action on a sale. He told me to call him with problems. How would a new person know what they are. And why would I think calling him would get me anymore help than I had already. He saved the "you may have to bring it in to let us look", why? Because really he would have to come get it!!! So I am punished and kept ingnorantly denied and limited in information....

Not, "We are not the DME".. I am Joe Blow with an "air machine" for God's sake. Why would I have even though a DME to be less than scupulous in the first place? You put the idea in my head. Why would you think I thought you were, or take anything I said as personal, or even an attach on any RESELLERS. If my BC/BS wants to pay them exhobidant sums of money for the service, thats up to them. I am sure they get a nice kickback or have some kind of incentive as they would not be paying it. On the surface it would appear a cheap way to get medical service without having to pay the lazy "doctor", or generate another position in the field to service the issue. The 1500 - 2000 profit would clearly be spent running a store, having a rep drive them around, and saving the bazillions they would otherwise be paying the spoiled and LAZY medical profession of Docs offices for this initial set up. FINALLY, I hold one person accountable, and that the manufacturer. Period. To concern with the DME is retarded, and a crear paradigm of distraction that has been created to serve the purpose of shielding them. This clearly being the most valuable service they provide to the industry for their $$$...

I have said nothing unclear or illegeable. Perhaps just above some heads.?? My Engrish is fine.....

We got to the point where the Catwoman insisted that I have a "pro" or "plus" written on my machine and then she left me hanging with scutiny. Never even explained why mine doesn't. What? Is it a counterfiet? She seems faily capable of pointing out the ehibited ignorance of the layman, but then only seems to show her own when replying with detail and asking for more??? She tells me that CPAP and AUTOPAP are two entirely different points, but then cant explain the detail of the (3) AUTOPAP settings. Where does this leave me other than confused.? And the further aggrivated by Captian Abraisives smart ass remarks. His ego he serves well here. OBVIOUSLY I dont have to go to Craig's list as my machine will do basic CPAP as well. OBVIOUSLY I am going to lite up the DME. AND FYI, advising Craigs list to common folks is not all that much of a safe practice. This is new country and full of scammers. These machines are obviously highly intricate with great detail to the operation. Even a basic CPAP could not be flowing up to speed, or turning off unexpectedly. . SO WHY IN THE HELL WOULD I RISK MY HEALTH TO CRAIGS LIST WHEN THEY ARE ONLY 1/5TH THE COST ONLINE AS RELATED TO A DME????? YOU are going to get some poor soul SCAMMED and killed by a defective machine!!!!!!!!!!!!! The anonyminity that comes along with internet sales just happens to draw criminal activity like flies to crap....... Use your head.... Is that really worth saving a couple hundred dollars. Hell I think I read a new CPAP only machine a only a couple hundred dollars. YOU CLEARLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH LOGIC. For a math person thats quite an enigma....

[jules]

you remind me of my experiences with msn technical support

I was given the "best" tech they had at their level one call center - she told me how to use the mouse - wow - whippee - she didn't listen to what I had to say

I was finally given the level three tech support number which I used to cancel my internet service with msn and went elsewhere.

You feel we aren't listening. We wanted to know machine you had (pro and plus are two models people commonly have but you have the aflex model that you don't have a pro or a plus)

We wanted information about your data. You have refused to provide that. You hadn't bothered to even research what is needed to get data from your machine.

You complain about machine shutting off yet have done nothing to help us resolve your problem.

This forum doesn't have many stickies. It is owned by cpap.com. Perhaps you want to call them about your problem and perhaps they have the technical expertise to solve it. If you want to complain about lack of stickies, they are also the people to complain to.

As someone said we are just "joe" and "jane" ordinary users here for the most part. We try to offer support. A few people here have technical expertise but our backgrounds and experiences vary.

Your problem is deeper than we are able to help with as you have refused to provide what has been asked for - DATA. You seem to want to take what we can offer and spew it back as vomit.

Please look elsewhere for help - locally.

[Huffer]

It seems that you think your machine is defective.If you are worried about that, take it back. This community is not a manufacturers complaint desk. I'm not a machine mechanic or a RT or a doctor, but if I know if something is driving me that crazy, and my life is involved, I'm going to get someone who does this for a living and knows what to do, to fix it. If you want to vent at someone, yell at them, not us. we are all breathing through a hose and trying to make the best of it, with shared user info and experiences, not profiting from each other.

[Madalot]

I am a relatively new user with equipment and this forum and have to be honest with you -- I am horrified at some of the things being said to the people on this forum. I think every response to the OP has been aimed at helping -- that is until the OP decided to start ranting, raving and attacking those same people.

I'll say the same thing I say to my 14-year old son -- we have two ears and one mouth for a reason -- to listen twice as much as we talk.

An internet message board is an excellent place to educate ones self and then use that information to get the most out of our situation. It is NOT a place that will immediately solve all the problems.

And as I've been told (and I agree with), anyone that chooses to use this kind of forum has to be willing to listen and take away from it what is helpful and discard the rest.

Ranting, raving and accusing of inappropriate behavior and ulterior motives doesn't serve anybody -- least of all the person looking for answers.

Just my two cents --

To the OP -- for what it's worth -- my experience and journey through this nightmare of sleep apnea, cpap machines and such has been anything but easy. I, too, have encountered unusual problems that people cannot easily explain. But rather than attack those trying to help, I listened and learned as much as I could and got a lot of answers (and changes in equipment) to try to resolve my issues.

The people here are NOT your enemy.

I'm back to the land of the ventilator --

[bbc3]

I have taken nothing out on the community. I have only responded fairly if you read the full post. I am not venting here just for the purpose of fixing my machine. I serve to HIGHLIGHT the fact that there are problems, and inappropriately addressed. Why should Remstar machines be allowed to be sold with a defecting auto-off feature anyway? What does that say about the accuracy the the machines other functions. I find this a disguisting show of medical manufacturer muscle!!! You people should realize this and start helping to fix the situation, rather than flop around trying to self-medicate whilst they spend our $$ on the finer things for themselves. How apathetic.... You are correct and I am addressing through proper channels. This is not an attack. Consider it a wake up call. I could have walked off in dismay but then I would not have served my fundamental nature. THE REMSTAR MACHINE DOESNT WORK RIGHT. THE REMSTAR MACHINE IS GARBAGE AS THE AUTO OFF HAS NEVER WORKED. There...... These are words that find their way out onto the internet an create cause for change. Thats one reason you should be here as well!! Or do you just like sitting back whilst others live high on your money for nothing...?

It seems that you think your machine is defective.If you are worried about that, take it back. This community is not a manufacturers complaint desk. I'm not a machine mechanic or a RT or a doctor, but if I know if something is driving me that crazy, and my life is involved, I'm going to get someone who does this for a living and knows what to do, to fix it. If you want to vent at someone, yell at them, not us. we are all breathing through a hose and trying to make the best of it, with shared user info and experiences, not profiting from each other.

[bbc3]

To CatWoman #2, I have not attacked anyone. I was FIRST ATTACKED by your treasured Jules, who is apparently Johnny-on-the-spot, with his witty banthering insults!!!! So perhaps if you read, and consider the order of events, you will understand my position.

I have not said anything rude or abusive to anyone. Slight miscommunication has taken place thus exasserbating. And one apparent refusal on info has lead to another. There is also an incredible rush to throw 2 cents my way without consideration of giving the whole quarter. Dont come off so innocently offended. These are just words as a means to an end. You know that of course I can empathise with your situation. A layman like myself would think that your problems could be resolved at a min by the use of a basic CPAP as Jules mentioned. Personally, I would like to benefit from the technology I paid for. So I wish you the best in your search for air. I just hope you did not listen to Jules and go out on Craigs list to buy them. If any one machine you purchased was defective or malfuntioning, your whole quest would have been in vain as skewed by one single failure, hence further confusing you. Which is why the importance of proper function, and the importance that the manufacturers own up.

You come off like a defenseless mother, and an innocent victim. My word should not feel insulting or rude. You have no ownership in these companies. Why would you feel bashed on.? You should not take that as an insult, just a call to reality. To sit back like a stepping post is to get stepped on. Empowering yourself is the solution to your problems.... If you are just play the righteous card and laying down opossum, sorry but that doesn't work with me....

I am a relatively new user with equipment and this forum and have to be honest with you -- I am horrified at some of the things being said to the people on this forum. I think every response to the OP has been aimed at helping -- that is until the OP decided to start ranting, raving and attacking those same people.

I'll say the same thing I say to my 14-year old son -- we have two ears and one mouth for a reason -- to listen twice as much as we talk.

An internet message board is an excellent place to educate ones self and then use that information to get the most out of our situation. It is NOT a place that will immediately solve all the problems.

And as I've been told (and I agree with), anyone that chooses to use this kind of forum has to be willing to listen and take away from it what is helpful and discard the rest.

Ranting, raving and accusing of inappropriate behavior and ulterior motives doesn't serve anybody -- least of all the person looking for answers.

Just my two cents --

To the OP -- for what it's worth -- my experience and journey through this nightmare of sleep apnea, cpap machines and such has been anything but easy. I, too, have encountered unusual problems that people cannot easily explain. But rather than attack those trying to help, I listened and learned as much as I could and got a lot of answers (and changes in equipment) to try to resolve my issues.

The people here are NOT your enemy.

I'm back to the land of the ventilator --

[Madalot]

To CatWoman #2, I have not attacked anyone. I was FIRST ATTACKED by your treasured Jules, who is apparently Johnny-on-the-spot, with his witty banthering insults!!!! So perhaps if you read, and consider the order of events, you will understand my position.

I have not said anything rude or abusive to anyone. Slight miscommunication has taken place thus exasserbating. And one apparent refusal on info has lead to another. There is also an incredible rush to throw 2 cents my way without consideration of giving the whole quarter. Dont come off so innocently offended. These are just words as a means to an end. You know that of course I can empathise with your situation. A layman like myself would think that your problems could be resolved at a min by the use of a basic CPAP as Jules mentioned. Personally, I would like to benefit from the technology I paid for. So I wish you the best in your search for air. I just hope you did not listen to Jules and go out on Craigs list to buy them. If any one machine you purchased was defective or malfuntioning, your whole quest would have been in vain as skewed by one single failure, hence further confusing you. Which is why the importance of proper function, and the importance that the manufacturers own up.

You come off like a defenseless mother, and an innocent victim. My word should not feel insulting or rude. You have no ownership in these companies. Why would you feel bashed on.? You should not take that as an insult, just a call to reality. To sit back like a stepping post is to get stepped on. Empowering yourself is the solution to your problems.... If you are just play the righteous card and laying down opossum, sorry but that doesn't work with me....

I am a relatively new user with equipment and this forum and have to be honest with you -- I am horrified at some of the things being said to the people on this forum. I think every response to the OP has been aimed at helping -- that is until the OP decided to start ranting, raving and attacking those same people.

I'll say the same thing I say to my 14-year old son -- we have two ears and one mouth for a reason -- to listen twice as much as we talk.

An internet message board is an excellent place to educate ones self and then use that information to get the most out of our situation. It is NOT a place that will immediately solve all the problems.

And as I've been told (and I agree with), anyone that chooses to use this kind of forum has to be willing to listen and take away from it what is helpful and discard the rest.

Ranting, raving and accusing of inappropriate behavior and ulterior motives doesn't serve anybody -- least of all the person looking for answers.

Just my two cents --

To the OP -- for what it's worth -- my experience and journey through this nightmare of sleep apnea, cpap machines and such has been anything but easy. I, too, have encountered unusual problems that people cannot easily explain. But rather than attack those trying to help, I listened and learned as much as I could and got a lot of answers (and changes in equipment) to try to resolve my issues.

The people here are NOT your enemy.

I'm back to the land of the ventilator --

BTW -- my name is not Catwoman or anything like that. You don't have to call me by name, but at least have the decency given to billygoats to use the "right" name or just address me as Ma'am.

And a response exactly like expected -- like my 14-year old son. So at least I wasn't disappointed!! At least there is hope for my 14-year old because he's still a "work in progress" and not done cooking yet!!

Editted to add: bbc3 -- people here are only going to take your attitude so long. It may already be too late. I would strongly suggest you change your tactics and start treating people here with some respect.