New here with a couple questions

[erika]

Hi All,

I just started using my machine 4 nights ago. I'm lucky in that my husband has been using a CPAP for the last ten years (with *no* follow-ups- my doctor said he should be seen every year so now he has an appointment scheduled soon.) He's been helpful and since I knew what I was "getting myself into" it hasn't been too hard mentally.

I had a rough night for my first sleep study and slept a little bit better the second study with the mask. They first tried to give me a mask with nasal pillows but I thought I was going to suffocate the second I put it on. Instead she gave me a mouth/nose mask and that worked well enough for the study.

After having my set-up appointment with my therapy people, he suggested a nose mask only which I tried on the first night. In the morning, I woke up with little white blisters all up and down one side of my nose by my cheek that have been disgusting for the last few days. That morning, aside from the blisters, I had a very clear nose and could breathe very well. The following night, I went back to the nasal pillows and tried to use them with some tips from my husband. It worked ok- I'm not feeling 100% rested at night but I'm not giving this up either. I know it is a long process.

I think my main problem is that I have nasal allergies and see an allergist for them. I take OTC allergy meds, get allergy shots and also use a neti-wash and nasal steroid spray. I also have chronic nose bleeds. I don't feel like my nose is completely clear when I use the nasal pillow mask. Last night I woke up twice with nose bleeds (I've had this particular blood vessel cauterized three times.) I also have those white dots on the outside part of my nostril, but they don't seem as bad at the other area. What are these spots?

I have tried upping the humidifier setting- but it seems as if after switching to the pillows, the humidifier isn't working as much. In the morning, there is barely any water missing from the tank compared to the morning where my nose felt clear. My husband thinks this is because the air is only taking as much water as it needs for my nose and not to fill up the mask too. The metal disk on the tank also does not feel hot in the morning, but there are warnings all over my paperwork to let the machine cool down before taking out the humidifier. I haven't and it is cool to the touch.

Thanks,

Erika

edited- Those pictures do not look like my equipment.
I have a REMstar Pro C-Flex+ with a System One Heated Humidifier.

[Janknitz]

Are you sure that the machine and humidifier in the pictures are the ones they gave you? That machine is at least two generations "old"--it's not even sold anymore by our hosts, cpap.com. It does have data (you will have to buy a proprietary card reader AND software), but it seems pretty limited, and the algorithms for dealing with "events" have been improved in later machines. Further, the data won't help you distinguish central apneas vs. hypopneas, and that is often helpful if problems arise. Newer machines are supposedly quieter, too. They must have dug far back in their inventory to find this machine for you.

Why does this matter? Your insurance company probably pays one set amount, regardless of what machine you get--the cheapest one in stock or the most expensive. So the DME company had this old machine hanging around and decided to foist it on you. Meanwhile, more savvy customers are getting the newest machines which can deliver more data and easier care. Now, some people here are using these machines (often because they've had them for 4 years or so since they were the cutting edge) and like them just fine, so if you find the machine is OK, then no problem. But you should understand what your DME pulled.

I don't know about the humidifier on that old machine, but the newest Remstar (Philips Respironics System One) machines don't seem to heat the water at all. They have sensors to adjust the humidity by measuring the ambient humidity in the room, and run very cool (a bit too cool for me!). However, everyone is saying this is NEW technology, so your old machine should work in the traditional way to heat the water. You might want to see if this old dinosaur of a machine is perhaps not working that well because of the length of time it must have sat on your DME's shelf

As for the skin issues, sounds like your skin is pretty sensitive. Take a look at Remzzz's (http://www.remzzzs.com) which you can put between your face and the mask to protect your skin--it also reduces leakage. Some people make their own out of old T-shirt fabric. Since you have that bleeder in your nose, the direct air might not be ideal for you and perhaps a nasal mask rather than a nasal pillow mask might be best.

[elena88]

hi,
about the nasal pillows..

I heard of people feeling suffocated, but never felt that till I switched nose pillows..

I had the opus 360 headgear with f and p pillows..

then I tried the swift fx, and I LOVE it, but it certainly seems that I can tell a huge difference
in how much air the fx lets in vs the opus..

I would want to turn up the pressure on my machine at least two notches for the fx.

I have tried both masks on two different machines, and got the same result..
the fx feels like Im suffocating, and the opus does not. but the fx is so soft, I love it,
so will change pressures accordingly..

So, in my small experience, not all nose pillows feel the same way.

[erika]

Thanks Janknitz -- You must have been replying when I switched my machine info. I didn't see what I have listed, but I have the I have a REMstar Pro C-Flex+ with a System One Heated Humidifier. I also have the Swift LT for Her. Your explaination of the humidity makes perfect sense.

My husband used to do the old tshirt trick with his forehead on an older mask, but I didn't know you could put something between your skin and the seal. I'll check into those remzzzz.

elena88- Thanks also. They told me to try these for a week. I'm going to try it over the weekend and call Monday if I'm still having trouble. It is funny, the attempt in the hospital was not successful but after using the pillows for a couple of days, I don't even like using the ramp.

[cflame1]

It's listed under PR S1 in the hardware list.

[erika]

Thanks! that helps a lot.

Now what software would I need? I'm guessing EncoreViewer 2.0 from what I've read here, but want to make sure.