First night with a BIPAP unit.

[Snore-King]

Last night was my first time to try my unit at home. Picked it up yesterday. I had a problem getting to sleep as the sinus drainage was making me feel like I needed to swallow or clear my throat. Then i would not be able to sleep. I finally fell to sleep but would wake up needing to take a deeper breath. I lasted only 2hrs and then stopped the process. Has this happened to anyone else, and I'm wondering how long it will take to adjust?

[Sheriff Buford]

Snore: please place your equipment in the equipment profile.

People adjust to cpap therapy at different ways. From what I could tell from your post, even though you had issues, you did fairly well. I've seen people here go years and never really seem to adjust. Keep going forward. You may take one step forward and two steps backwards. Hopefully in a few weeks, you'll be hooked.

Sheriff

[Pugsy]

Please add your equipment to your profile. Here's how if you don't know wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

Do you know the settings on your machine?
Is this your first experience with any xpap therapy or just BiLevel therapy?
You may need to take something to help with sinus drainage. Decongestant or antihistamine.

If you are completely new to xpap therapy...yes it is common to have adjustment issues and it can take some time to sort out any little problems that keep you from sleeping through the night on the machine.
How long? Anyone's guess. Some people take to it from night one and others it may take several weeks or months.

Best thing to do is try to isolate your issues and see what can be done to limit them.

[Snore-King]

Thank you Sheriff and Pugsy for your input.

This is my first experience with any type of therapy. I will stay with it as I know I need to.


Snore-King

[Pugsy]

Does your machine really look like the one you have chosen in your profile?
That one is quite old and hasn't been supplied for a long time.

Also the software you have chosen doesn't go with the Respironics brand of machines.
AND if you do have a BiPap Plus machine... it doesn't have any data to use with the software.

Perhaps you need to rethink your equipment choices from the drop down equipment menu.. Start by looking at the machine in my profile link.
Just the look of the machine does yours look like mine?
If so.. your machine is a PR System One BiPap and I hope it isn't a Plus because it offers zero data to help you figure out any problems.. can't even see if leak is bad or not.
If it is the "Plus" and no data.... I would be having a long discussion with the supplier about getting me a better machine right now..
Please read this to explain why I feel this way. "Help, I am stuck with a brick". Scroll down just a bit to see that blog.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

[Snore-King]

Pugsy I found the machine that I have. I will go throuh the manual and see where to get the reading for the software. This unit does have a smart card installed.

[teknomom]

Snore-King, Last night was my first night with my ASV also but I was able to keep the nasal pillows on for 8 hours. No sinus problems for me so I hope you have better luck when that clears up. My NP told me that 15 minutes would be an OK first night so 2 hours is good. Hope you have a better night tonight!

[jamiswolf]

Snore-King,
Two things have to happen with an ASV...
You have to learn how to breath with the machine.
The machine also learns your breathing patterns.

Leaks can mess things up and cause the machine to cut off an inspiration too soon. That's the auto-trak at work. A Respironics thing.

And also, that machine has a setting for inspiration time. Ti and if it's set too short for your breathing patterns...it WILL cut your inspirations short. Goes from 1 to 3 seconds or can be set on auto.
Jamis

[Snore-King]

Jamis thanks for the info. Can you tell me how to find the software number that is installed in my unit?

Snore-King,
Two things have to happen with an ASV...
You have to learn how to breath with the machine.
The machine also learns your breathing patterns.

Leaks can mess things up and cause the machine to cut off an inspiration too soon. That's the auto-trak at work. A Respironics thing.

And also, that machine has a setting for inspiration time. Ti and if it's set too short for your breathing patterns...it WILL cut your inspirations short. Goes from 1 to 3 seconds or can be set on auto.
Jamis

[jamiswolf]

Snore-King,
You're talking Firmware? Not sure why you would need that info since it's not user upgradable. But, I believe the firmware version flashes on the LED screen when you first power the machine up (after unplugging it). I have the Provider manual for that machine. PM me an email address and I'll send it to you...if you don't already have it.

Is that a private purchase machine or a rental? Those are not obsolete, but they aren't the latest machines either. The System One ASV advanced is the latest model. But your machine will do everything the S1 will do...except has no waveform data. That's how I understand it.
Cheers,
Jamis


Edit: I re-read a few posts above. Are you talking Encore software that will read your Smartcard? Encore Pro 2.4 should do the job but that's software to install in your computer. You will also need a smartcard reader...about $40

[Pugsy]

Snore King please check your private message box. I can help with Encore software to read your smart card.

This machine now shown was the latest model of the ASV machine until just a few months ago when the PR S1 ASV was released so some of the DMEs are clearing off old stock before supplying the newest model. You might could press for a new one...if you wanted to push.

Your only choice with this older model machine is Encore software but you do have data and a good machine even if not the "latest and greatest" and I can help you with the software to get you up and running with it.