Newbie (worried)

[Pugsy]

I chose the Resmed S8 for my profile. I see in actually checking my machine, it is in fact an S9 Escape? with EPR. That's all the info I find from the bottom and back of the unit. The paperwork from Apria says Respironics CPAP unit S9 Escape W/O HH...whatever that means. The nameplate on the unit says Resmed though.

The link to the ResMed S8 machine is broken...so choosing it means nothing shows up.
The model names for the S9 machines are easily seen on the top of the machine up by the LCD screen.

You are aware the S9 Escape is a machine that only gathers hours of use data? No useful data? How long have you had it?
You might want to read this, especially the part near the bottom of the blog "help, I have been given a brick".
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

[Bama Rambler]

I got my cpap machine on May 28th and I am keeping it on all night but I keep waking up alot still and I am still so tired, it`s very concerning how long does it take to feel better?

Your thread has gotten a little sidetracked by Ups4's issue, but I'd like to say that since you've only had the machine a few days, take it back to the DME and demand a Pro (DS460) model. Make sure it says 460 on the bottom of the unit. You could try to get a a 560, but a 460 is a full efficacy data machine.

Don't be intimidated by them about it. Press hard if you have to. Even enlist the help of your doc if you have to.

[Janknitz]

Remember that old "waa waa" sound on sitcoms? I could actually hear that sound with both of you newbies. As others have said, you are both stuck with bricks.

[lsigler0001]

So the machine we have is considered a brick? Does that mean it doesn't work like its supposed to?

[HoseCrusher]

No, the machine does what it is supposed to do. A Brick just provides therapy. It doesn't provide the data needed to monitor the therapy. If everything is going great then a brick will work just fine. If adjustments are needed then a brick does not give you the data needed to make adjustments.

[zoocrewphoto]

It just means that it provides no data.

Everybody has different needs. so, while the machine will do exactly what it is set to do, how do you know if those settings are right for YOU?

For example, your machine is set at 10, and that may be perfect for you. But maybe it isn't enough, and you are still having obstructive events. Some people get worse when sleeping on their back or when they are in REM sleep. That may not have been determined well in the sleep study. Or maybe it is too much for you, and you are having central events. Without the data, there is no way to know. It is also impossible to see if you are having a lot of leaks. Too much leaking, and the machine can't accurately determine events and prevent them all. Even at a low leak rate, if you are sensitive, they could be waking you up. If we had a leak graph, we could see if your wake up times coincide with a bunch of leaking.

There are a lot of things that can be seen with the data and graphs, but can only be guessed at with a machine that doesn't provide data. Unfortunately, the DMEs (equipment providers) prefer to sell the cheaper machines, and usually won't provide a data machine unless the doctor specifies. And many doctors don't know or don't care.

[lsigler0001]

Thank you all so much for the very helpful info

[chunkyfrog]

Sleeping with a brick is like treating diabetes without a glucose meter;
and with the same result!

[lsigler0001]

So since I have a brick 260 what machine would be best, since its been less than a mouth, I think I have a better chance to swap it out? I also wonder what would be a better mask than the mirage quattro?

[Pugsy]

If staying with the Respironics line and the 60 series so that you can use the humidifier you have (if you paid for it up front which is often the case) then at least the PR System One 60 Series Pro CPAP model 460 machine
or the PR System One 60 Series Auto CPAP model 560 machine if you can swing it...the model 560 has both cpap and apap modes available and apap mode sometimes comes in handy.
And yes, the longer you keep this machine the harder it is to get a swap done.
Both the 460 and 560 machines are full efficacy data machines and software is easy to obtain and use and free.
Changing brands like to the S9 Resmed Elite or AutoSet might be a harder swap...depends on what your DME carries in stock.

Full face mask ideas? Sorry, I have zero experience with any full face masks. Will need to wait for those who have personal experience to chime in. Mask preferences are highly personal and individual. What one person hates another person might love and one person loves it and the next hates it. That's just the way it goes with all masks.

So since I have a brick 260 what machine would be best, since its been less than a mouth, I think I have a better chance to swap it out? I also wonder what would be a better mask than the mirage quattro?