FINALLY got my order, what do you think?

[LikwidFlux]

So I FINALLY got everything squared away with Apria/Cigna/My Doctor.

They just put in the order (At Apria) to have my machine delivered, I got.

REMStar M Series
Heated Humidifier
Pressure Min 4
Pressure Max 13
Auto- Titration ON
CFlex ON
Ramp ON

ConfortSelect Mask with fitting kit.

They said if I don't like the mask I can call anytime and have a new one sent to me, (and since I have an EPO I won't pay any of that).

Any thoughts? How'd I do for my first CPAP machine.

[wading thru the muck!]

A min pressure of 4cm most likely is too low... 5 or 6 would be more comfortable. Many people feel like they could use more air at 4cm.

I prefer to use a nasal pillow interface... they are much less invasive. Take a look at cpap.com. They have a very comprehensive selection with loads in information... just remember it's nasal pillows.

[SelfSeeker]

Congrats LikwidFlux.

That is a good machine.

Will you have the smart card with it. Hopefully yes.

My only concer with the pressure set, when You get your mask, look at the manual, it will give you a minimu pressure that the CPAP need to be set at to clear the carbon dioxide. Make sure your machine is set to that minimum.

The Auto starts at 4, I think that is a low pressure for many people. They will say they can not breathe or get enough air.

Do not give up on getting a good fit with the mask, that is the hardest part of the treatment.

[oldgearhead]

REMStar M Series
Heated Humidifier
Pressure Min 4
Pressure Max 13
Auto- Titration ON
CFlex ON
Ramp ON

I assume it's a RemStar M series Auto, because you have indicated Min/Max
pressures. What do I think? Way too much range (4 - 13). It's a strain for me to inhale through the mask a 4 cm/H2O. I would set it for 7-13 and ramp off. But then what do I know? I'm not a medical professional.
Furthermore, don't hold down a couple of keys when you plug in your unit, or you may find yourself in the set-up menu, and you might be able to control your own treatment.

Great mask deal! Who pays for your insurance?

[LikwidFlux]

I understand your thoughts about the minimum pressure.

I just told them to use the minimum that the sleep center used.

Since it's an auto-titrating machine won't the pressure quickly rise if I'm not getting enough oxygen? Plus, I can just turn off Ramp

Great mask deal! Who pays for your insurance?

Cigna is my provider, my employer pays a good chunk and I pay the rest.

The coverage I have is 100% for DME.

Although, I'm switching to a different insurer next year with an 80%/20% plan. But, I figure I can get a mask or 2 this year before I switch over.

[oldgearhead]

I would think it would be a bit difficult to check for leaks at 4 cm/H2O.

You said the ramp was on. So what is the starting pressure? How long is the ramp time?

Another problem with 4cm/H2O is the check valve used on all faull-face masks. This "safety" valve requires a certain level of pressure (usually 5 cm/H2O) to keep it sealed.

[wading thru the muck!]

Since it's an auto-titrating machine won't the pressure quickly rise if I'm not getting enough oxygen? Plus, I can just turn off Ramp

The pressure will not increase for that reason. It will only rise if it detects breathing patterns that it interprets as precursers to apnea or hypopnea.

>>>Edited out incorrect info<<<

When they deliver the machine see if they will adjust the min pressure to 5 or 6cms... if not feel free to PM me about how to do it yourself.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Ramp, Hypopnea, auto

[LikwidFlux]

According to the Web site Ramp starting pressure is adjustable from 4 cm to CPAP.

Couldn't I just set my ramp starting pressure at 5-7 cm and then let Auto take over after 45 minutes?

*wonders if he spent WAY too much time researching*

[oldgearhead]

Sorry that's "full-face mask" not "faull". I should always use the spell checker.

Just give it try and decide for yourself. xPAP treatment is very personalized.
What would dive me nuts, is the best thing since sliced bread for another user.

After, you have found you CAN do it, just buy the software and then it becomes a hobby..

[oldgearhead]

An Auto machine does not have a "ramp" feature to turn off.

...I though the M series APAP, unlike the older model, did have a true ramp feature.

[oldgearhead]

I though

There is that spelling problem. Sub in "I thought" in my last post..

[GoofyUT]

Ask Snoredog. He's the resident expert on the M series. If I'm not mistaken, he reported that there is, in fact, a new "auto-ramp" feature to be found on the M series Auto, unlike its predecessor, The Tank.

But check with him.

Chuck

[Wulfman]

I believe the M Series Auto DOES have ramp in Auto mode, but I believe the ramp has to start lower than the minimum starting pressure......that's the theory behind "ramp" is that it ramps up to your starting pressure.

I concur with the others about your minimum starting pressure.

If it were ME......I'd set the minimum pressure at 8 (which would still be too low for me). Then you could set your ramp at whatever you want below that. Chances are, you wouldn't need ramp at that low of a pressure anyway.

Best wishes,

Den

[Snoredog]

I believe the M Series Auto DOES have ramp in Auto mode, but I believe the ramp has to start lower than the minimum starting pressure......that's the theory behind "ramp" is that it ramps up to your starting pressure.

I concur with the others about your minimum starting pressure.

If it were ME......I'd set the minimum pressure at 8 (which would still be too low for me). Then you could set your ramp at whatever you want below that. Chances are, you wouldn't need ramp at that low of a pressure anyway.

Best wishes,

Den

M series AutoRamp:

You can set up your Min. and Max pressure to say a range of 8.0cm to 10.0cm.

Then you can have a AutoRamp set up to go from 4.0cm to 8.0cm from 5 to 45 minutes. You can set it to go from any starting pressure up to the Min. pressure setting. So you could also have 5.0cm to 8.0cm or 6.0cm to 8.0cm in .5cm increments.

If you don't set a AutoRamp range and set it to the same Min. 8.0cm pressure then it delays therapy response until the Ramp timer expires.

[TXKajun]

Since no one else yet has come right and said it, let me be the first:

CONGRATS ON A GREAT SYSTEM AND A FABULOUS DEAL! WELL DONE!

Kajun

This therapy WORKS!!!