Newbie with LOTS of questions

[Equine Mom]

I had a sleep study done about a year ago, which showed borderline OSA. No idea what the numbers were, but opted not to do anything more at that time. A year later, I'm sick of being tired, so my PCP wanted me to go back to the sleep specialist, who had me do a titration study over the weekend. I was AMAZED at how much better I felt.

I am going to go back tomorrow for my follow up and to get an RX for my machine. In the meantime, my BFF gave me her 2 year old machine (Respironics REMstar Pro C-Flex+) that she no longer uses. I'm taking it with me - figure that I'd just as soon not have to buy something if my insurance is not going to kick much in. This machine came from the same doctor, so they should be familiar with it.

Are there any questions I need to ask the doctor? I don't know what I don't know!

[D.H.]

I assume that BFF is “best friend forever.” Find out what pressure she has the machine set at, as it seems to be working for you. It’s good to know this in case the prescribed pressure doesn’t (then you can set this one). In addition, if you find the mask you’re using now comfortable and effective, try to stick with it.

Note that the severity measured in a sleep test might not correlate with the perceived severity of you symptoms. First, you want to feel better. Second, Sleep Apnea is associated with health risks such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and glaucoma.

[Pugsy]

Go here and figure out exactly which Respironics Remstar Pro with CFlex + you have.
There have been several with that model name. The Remstar part of it was on every machine Respironics ever made until their recent DreamStation model line.

http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual

Once you figure out exactly which model then you can request the clinical/provider manual from the link above and learn exactly what the machine can do.
Plus there's some other additional educational material in that manual that will help you understand what you might see on the data the machine provides.

Depending on the model number....you may be able to use SleepyHead software to get even more details. The information available on the LCD screen is rather limited.

If unsure exactly which model you have...look on the bottom of the blower for a model number....and tell us what it says and we can point you to exactly which model Pro you have.

[Equine Mom]

I'm hoping that my doctor's office will do all of that for me! She had all of the manuals with it and the humidifier, so hopefully that helps. Here is what it is...

Is there a huge difference between this one and something that is new? She used it for a very short time prior to weight loss surgery, and it's been sitting since. I did like the mask I used at the sleep center, so am planning on getting that one. It was the Dreamwear Nasal mask. I was worried about feeling claustrophobic, and the tech suggested this one. I hardly noticed it.

[Pugsy]

I can't see the image.

The manuals normally supplied with a machine are for the "user".
There's a special manual for the provider that has more information in it and normally says "remove this manual before giving to the patient".
There's stuff in it they don't want you to know about.

See if one of these looks like what you have.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machines/cpap ... e.php#:::1::

[palerider]

I can't see the image.

The manuals normally supplied with a machine are for the "user".
There's a special manual for the provider that has more information in it and normally says "remove this manual before giving to the patient".
There's stuff in it they don't want you to know about.

See if one of these looks like what you have.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machines/cpap ... e.php#:::1::

it's a 460.

[palerider]

I'm hoping that my doctor's office will do all of that for me! She had all of the manuals with it and the humidifier, so hopefully that helps. Here is what it is... https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-0l-h ... sp=sharing

don't put the 'img' tag around anything that doesn't end in .jpg or .png.... what you had up there was a url, not an img

[Pugsy]

it's a 460.

Thanks. It wouldn't load for me....guess who has already maxed out their download allowance again.
Won't renew until 4/11....it's going to be a long 2 weeks.

Nice machine the 460. Should work out nicely and the price is sure right.
Full data...SleepyHead will work great with it.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

You are going to want to erase any past user data from the machine and the SD card...so that the old data doesn't get mixed up in your data.

[Equine Mom]

That woudl be great if this is a nice enough machine to keep. If my insurance does pay for a new one, I'll do it, but if not, this will get used again! I think the doctor's office will set everything up for me, based on the study last weekend.

Are there any other questions that I should ask that I may not know to ask?

[Pugsy]

Ask about whatever mask swapping policy they might have available in case you hate a mask.
Often they allow only a set number of swaps within a set time period. Make sure you know the rules ahead of time so you can make use of any swapping ability you might have..

[palerider]

That woudl be great if this is a nice enough machine to keep. If my insurance does pay for a new one, I'll do it, but if not, this will get used again! I think the doctor's office will set everything up for me, based on the study last weekend.

Are there any other questions that I should ask that I may not know to ask?

if you want to be most successful at this, then you need to get out of the mindset of 'my doctor will do everything for me', because while that does occasionally happen, it's a rarity.

the question you should be asking is "do I really want to make this work", and if the answer is "yes", then you need to educate yourself on how to take charge of your own treatment, and do whatever is needed to succeed.

[Equine Mom]

They said that this unit is a nice one, and should work fine for me. I"m so excited that I don't have to spend a bunch of money on this. I am all set to start using it tonight! The doctor and tech were very helpful and gave me a lot of good information. They want me to use it for a couple of weeks and then check my card to see how it's going.