RESMED S9 Rookie with a Ton of Questions...Please Help

[mrflorida06]

Good Day,

I have had my RESMED S9 Auto with the humidifier for a few days now and I am not sure if I am using it correctly. I am a rookie when it comes to using cpap machines because I was just diagnosed recently with apnea. Many would consider me an expert in technology but this machine is kicking my butt, so any help would great be appreciated, so I finally can get the rest everyone speaks of using this machine.

The first question I have is how do you know when you have began it in treatment mode...should the start button be green or blue? I have looked everywhere online to find this answer but cannot locate it. If someone could tell me the easiest method to do this you would be a life saver. The rep told me to just breathe into the machine and it will automatically turn on which it does but then I see on the screen it is orange to set the humidity level. Some days I get a sleep report saying it has been used and some days it says usage 0 hours...am I reading this correctly?

I am waking up with headaches every morning, which I never experienced before till using this machine. I use my humidifier at level 4 because I tried using the mask without it but it was just too dry to keep on. The ramp was set at 20 minutes but I changed it to 45 minutes after reading some of the post on here saying that it helped with their headaches. Could it be the mask? I am not a fan of it yet because sometimes it feels like the pillow is not properly aligned with the nostrils and with the slightest movement I have to adjust it. I also hear a lot of times the air blowing which also is taking some time to get use to. I even changed the size of the pillows but it hasn't made much of a difference.

I also wonder is something wrong with the machine because I was told by the rep when I take off the mask in a minute or two it would automatically stop but when I take off the mask it will blow continuously for until hit one of the buttons, even after like 30 minutes.

Is there some type of software I am or can be using with this machine if so how do I get it?

Thank you for reading this and I hope someone can help me out please.

[Pugsy]

Tutorial on how to use the software...http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/

For software download info check Uncle Bob's signature line. While there get the clinician manual for your machine as it will help you understand it better..viewtopic/t60895/memberlist.php?mode=vi ... le&u=38643

For machine specific questions will have to wait for ResMed user as I don't use ResMed.

The proper angle for fitting the Swift Lt nasal pillows is found through trial and error. I used (and liked) that mask until the ResMed Swift FX was released. May need angle and headgear tension adjustment.

[Sheriff Buford]

The on-off button is the round button to the left of the screen. When you turn the machine on, the pressure settings will show up on the screen. I have mine in autoset mode with the lower setting at 11. When the machine starts, the machine is set at 4 and will be at 11 within about 3 seconds. You can feel the air blowin' out the mask when on. You can adjust all the settings using the clinical menu. Read it thoroughly. It will walk you thru the machine and settings. Check back in or hit "pm" and send me a personal email. I will walk you thru the machine.

Sheriff

[amos]

Your morning headaches may be you brain's way of saying, "Thank you for the oxygen!"

amos

[sleepnationtv]

Watch this video, it will show you all of the features of the S9 series cpap machine. When the machine is turned on the power button light will be blue. When turned off it will be green. I know it doesn't make sense. Here is the video link and let me know if you have any other questions.
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/machines.html

Thanks,

Dane

[hifein14]

The resmed is on when it's blue.

Don't ramp so high -- it will take longer to get to right pressure.

[Guest]

It may not be turning off because there is insufficient flow through the mask and the S9 thinks the mask is still fitted. This is a known issue with nasal masks if the pressure is below 7cm. This information is in the user manual.

You may get a usage of 0 if there is too much leak. Once you get used to the mask and get a good fit, this will probably not happen.

[Pugsy]

Some days I get a sleep report saying it has been used and some days it says usage 0 hours...am I reading this correctly?

Off the LED screen? What time are you checking? It resets to zero at Noon so need to look prior to noon. Software reports would show it all though and no need to check on screen before noon.

[ozij]

The Resmed display rolls over at noon and becomes all zero. Look at it before noon, and you'll see all the data for the last 24 hours. Look at it after noon, and it will only report what happened from today's noontime onwards. I bet your "0" days are when you looked in the afternoon or evening.

Remed has a gentle stream of air blowing through the mask for about an hour after you turn the machine off - that's there to clear the mask and hose from the night's high humidity. If what you're experiencing is a lot of air blowing out, then Auto Off isn't activated. If you're concerned about about the gentle stream, then you can unplug the machine.

[Tom R]

You could also press and hold the power button and the machine will shut all the way off without the "cool down" period..
good luck

[dsm]

MrFlorida06 hi - welcome aboard

Just saw your post & my 1st thought was to suggest you contact your doc/RT (whoever is looking after you medically) and mention the headaches.

The below link explains the term hypercapnia which means excess CO2 in the blood. This may not be your problem, but headaches are a classic symptom of it & seeing as you are new to the therapy my advice is get this issue cleared up quickly with your doc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Main_ ... xicity.svg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercapnia

See also this link re Centrals & hypercapnia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_sleep_apnea

Some times incorrect settings on a machine or even the therapy generally, can have the side effect of causing hypercapnia

Again, lets trust that this is not happening to you, but do get it checked.

Cheers

DSM