Newbie questions! Respironics heated hose? Machine switch?

[andalex]

First off, thanks to all for creating and maintaining this community! I've read through a bunch of threads already and found a lot of answers. However, I still am feeling somewhat overwhelmed and I'm not sure if I should just batten down the hatches and stick with what I've got, or try to change some stuff up. Hopefully I can keep this vaguely coherent! Here goes:

My history: 1 night sleep study in 12/13 showed "mild OSA". I didn't think that was all that accurate, but lacked the perseverance and emotional fortitude to pursue it any further.
1 night sleep study in 3/15 showed "severe OSA". Subsequent titration study got me set up with a prescription for CPAP 8. I have the one sheet summary from the study and it has me at a nadir of 78% sat with an RDI (is that right?) of 39/hr. Yikes! My doctor ordered the CPAP from the DME company she typically works with and they came out and delivered my machine on Friday, 4/10. I've been wrangling with it ever since.

I have a Respironics System One something or another. For my titration study, I had a Nuance Pro nasal pillow. They had me use a medium but the RRT who delivered my equipment recommended a small. I've been using the small, but I'm not convinced. I've had a pretty significant rainout problem (just in the mask) so contacted the DME to ask for a heated hose. They responded that they are not available for the machine I have, and that I'd have to buy some sort of converter as well as the actual hose (since they've already billed my insurance for the standard one) for a total out of pocket expense of around $100. Could this be possible? From what I've read elsewhere on the forum, heated hoses seem almost standard! While I'm trying to learn more about that, I've been able to temporize by keeping the covers partway over my face, but that's not going to work as the weather gets warmer. I can't stand the idea of increasing the room temperature. I like it cold! So, while the rainout isn't so bad anymore, it's not super comfortable and my sinuses are pretty unhappy. I really want more warmth. I looked everywhere on the Respironics website that I could to try to find out if heated hoses are available for my model, but wasn't able to come up with much. There's something on Amazon for around $40, but I don't know if it will work.

Another issue/question is about software. I got the Sleep Mapper app on my phone, but my machine is not bluetooth capable. The RRT from my DME said that you have to have special software to read the cards...but I really want day to day feedback on what the numbers are looking like. Many other posts have mentioned Sleepyhead. I think that software is compatible with my machine, but I'm not certain. Is it only available for desktops/laptops? How do you actually read the card?

Sooooo...I guess what I'm grappling with now is whether it's feasible to overcome these issues with the machine I have, or whether I should pursue switching to something else. I recognize that much of this process involves getting used to new things, and I've been trying to do that. What I'm finding works best for now is setting the humidity at 5 (high, I know, but otherwise my sinuses feel like they've been replaced with concrete blocks), pulling the covers up to my eyeballs, using the ramp setting to start at 4, keeping the straps as tight as possible otherwise the thing just kind of slides off my face, and doing my best to distract myself until I fall asleep.

Thanks for any guidance you're able to provide!

[kaiasgram]

andalex, it will help others to help you if you give us the specs on what that "something or other" model is -- it makes a difference. There should be a model number on the underside of your machine, something like DS560S or a number that starts with REF...

[Julie]

Hi - the first thing to do (for us, so we can try to help) is to tell us what the 'something or other' model of your machine is.... and you can probably find it on the bottom of your machine - BUT do not tip it over til you empty the water or you'll fry the machine . There should be a number like 560, or 460, etc... plus there should be a name on top apart from PR 1 I believe. You should enter those on your profile (go to User Ctl Panel - tiny writing - under the main logo) along with all info on your mask, plus prescribed pressure setting(s). I know you said you're set at 8/Cpap, but are you sure you don't have an Apap machine, possibly set to Cpap mode? That's important and we can explain, but first get that info done (it'll all appear under your posts in future) and then we can try to help you get set up properly.

And depending which model you have, it's likely you can download (free) SleepyHead software from the forum to track things overnight.

[andalex]

I will add the rest of the info about my machine once I'm home and can look it up. For right now, the model number is DS460HS.

[Pugsy]

The upgrade kit for the PR S1 60 series humidifiers involve more than just the heated hose.
You need a different lid, different power supply as well as the heated hose.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-hea ... e-kit.html
It's easy to retro fit it...I did it and if I can do it anyone can.

Now there are stand alone heated hoses but none are cheap and you don't get the humidity control available with the integrated heated hose and you don't get temperature control either (it's either on or off and no in between)....so I would suggest put the money with the upgrade kit.
Insurance will pay for it but sounds like your DME won't do it until you are allowed a replacement hose.

SleepyHead is compatible with the PR S1 60 series machines.
Let's hope you have a machine that gathers more than hours of use...so it's important to know exactly which model you have and that's where the model number comes in.
https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead

A word about rain out in the nasal pillows...sometimes that comes from the moisture in our exhaled breath despite a heated hose and there are ways to limit it but I suggest a heated hose first...it's a bit easier and lets the person keep the bedroom temp and humidity levels like they want them.
I explained the options for rain out control here in this thread...posts number 2 and 3 I think.
viewtopic/t94035/Pugsys-Pointers-3Deali ... -road.html

Edit...
Model 460
that's the PR System One 60 Series Pro CPAP
and the correct humidifier choice would be
PR System One 60 Series Heated Tube Humidifier with Heated tube (even if you don't have one right now because the other choices in the profile equipment menu won't even work with your machine).
It is a full data machine....get Sleepyhead and have some fun looking at your results.
Using the SD card and the software won't hurt the data on the SD card and no one at the DME office will ever know unless you tell them.

[andalex]

Thank you Pugsy! I have already read many of your posts, including the ones on rain out that you linked I checked out the upgrade kit and directions. It sounds pretty simple, and I'm usually pretty good with stuff like that. So I will give it a go. I don't think I can get insurance to cover it at this point (until, as you mentioned, I'm due for a new hose) but I think it'll be worth it to get sooner rather than later. I think I am technically renting the machine, so I will just have to be careful that I can undo anything I do to it. Shouldn't be a problem.

I will check out Sleepyhead. I wish it had an app for a smartphone, but it doesn't appear to.

Thanks! I'm so glad this forum is here.

[andalex]

So, I ordered the upgrade kit/heated hose. It was cheaper to order it myself than to go through my DME. It should arrive early next week. I kind of can't wait...I'm still having some rain out and my sinuses are really unhappy.

I downloaded Sleepyhead last night and managed to upload my first 5 nights of data. I played around with the reports a little bit, but wasn't able to learn much as I didn't have a ton of time. This evening I should have some more time to look at stuff and figure out how to tweak and post it here--I'd love to get feedback on the data.

I get how important CPAP tx is for me, and I am committed to it and thankful for its benefits. At the same time, I am struggling a bit--I really really want to feel better, and it's hard to be patient. I woke up this morning with a wicked headache yet again, and am just having a hard time functioning. Okay, venting over...thanks for reading!