Just got my first machine. Could use some assistance.

[The_Tool_Man]

Hey all,

I posted earlier this week about starting the process of getting a CPAP without going through insurance. Here is my original post: viewtopic.php?p=1324860#p1324860

I got my machine today. Worked out a deal to get everything below for $300.





N30i

P10


First impressions:

I've never seen any of this equipment in person before. The machine is much larger than I imagined and the masks are much less substantial that I pictured. For real, the P10 can't be more that $2 in material and it retails for $99!

I also got all the manuals. The stuff looks brand new. The machine has 7XX run hours, but also looks new to my eye.

Questions:

This is where I would appreciate the board's assistance. I'm good with technical stuff, so you don't have to hold my hand. But I just don't know what I'm doing with these settings. I was able to access the clinical menu and erased all the previous data. I've got OSCAR installed on my PC. Hopefully someone can tell me where to go from here. I'm 30/M, 6', obese (in case this info is needed for settings).

With the pillows I have, I think the N30i is going to be a better fit. I would like to try something like the Dreamwear Full Face or the ResMed F30 if needed.

Otherwise, thank you all in advance. I look forward to your input.

[tolson429]

Good Machine, same that I use. Just remember to always use distilled water in the chamber. I have a friend that always used tap and it killed his machine. I've got 12,000 hours on my machine and never a problem.

[NoOnesPerfect]

Meaningful settings are difficult without a sleep test, but setting a minimum of 7 and maximum of 20 would be a good start. After a few days of that, post your OSCAR charts and people can start helping you optimize the settings.

EPR is there if you have problems exhaling against the pressure - leaving it turned off or starting it at 3 (the two extremes) are both okay - you can always make adjustments later. They are strictly comfort settings. Same with ramp - if you have problems getting used to the pressure, use the ramp function set to auto with a starting pressure of 6 or 7. Again, it’s just a comfort setting.

Humidity and temperature are the same thing. I set them both to auto and forget about them unless I have a problem.

I’m sure I forgot some settings, but really everything is trial and error at first anyway, so don’t stress over it. Set it up, try it out, make adjustments as needed - and you will need to make adjustments.

[NoOnesPerfect]

And tap water in the humidifier chamber is fine as long as you empty the tank and let it dry out every day. Otherwise, you are likely to get nasty things growing in the tank. I do used distilled water 90% of the time, but it’s because I don’t want to bother with the chamber every day, or take the trouble of giving it a vinegar soak to get rid of mineral deposits.

[Dog Slobber]

I would set it up as follows:


Mode: AutoSet
Max Pressure: 14.0
Min Pressure: 7.0
Mask: Pillows

I'm a firm believer that eventually we want to set the maximum pressure to 20, the philosophy being, let the machine go where it needs to go. But during the early days of therapy, let's cap the maximum. I think it's more important that we do everything we can to increase the success of sticking with therapy. That may mean preventing required pressure, even if it's not optimal yet.

As you become more tolerant to therapy, we can increase the maximum. And we can adjust the minimum based on pressure needs, from future posted graphs.


Response: Standard
Ramp Time: Auto
Start Pressure: 6.0

This sets the initial pressure to 6.0 and until the device senses you're asleep then will ramp to the therapy pressures.


EPR: On
EPR: Fulltime
EPR Level: 3

This turns on Exhale Pressure Relief, drops the pressure while exhaling by 3 centimetres. Helps breath out while new, many including me, still use it.


Climate CTRL: Auto
Tube Temp: Auto

This sets the humidity to medium and will adjust the heated tube temperature to reduce the potential for condensation. This s a comfort feature and depending on how you feel we may want to increase or decrease humidity.


AB Filter: No

You don't have an anti-Bacterial Filter.


Essentials: Plus

This increases detail of information presented and allows aim comfort settings to be adjust without entering clinical mode.


SmartStart: On

This allows device to turn on by breathing deeply into mask and off should it detect you're not attached any more.


Then tomorrow describe how your feel, post some graphs and we can start tweaking. Your first few days are likely not to be indicative of your usage as you get accustomed to things so there may not be much to change initially.


Try on your masks and the various nasal pillow sizes, run Mask Fit to help you adjust it until you get no leaks.

[NoOnesPerfect]

I'm a firm believer that eventually we want to set the maximum pressure to 20,

Good point. Starting off lower can make it easier to get used to therapy, and it can always be raised if charts show the machine consistently wants to go higher. I know I have mine set a 16 since anything higher bothers me enough to wake me up, and only seems to be needed if I sleep on my back.

[Jas_williams]

Great recommendations from DogSlobber

[The_Tool_Man]

I would set it up as follows:

Thanks to Dog Slobber for the settings. I had it on for a little over two hours last night. I will post results below. I'm not sure how to interpret them. I used the N30i, but I don't think I have the right cushion size.

[Dog Slobber]

When I tried the N30i nasal cradle, I found it difficult to get a great seal. Your Leak Rate isn't that bad. I preferred the p10, but have now switched to p30i.

Consider:

• Turning off Calendar (upper Left)
• Turning off Pie chart (left side)
• Turning off Navigation panel on right
• Moving either Mask Pressure or Pressure off screen, displaying instead Flow Limitation and Snore

Displaying graphs is discussed in the pinned topics.

You can also turn off the accidental session with the on/off switches bottom left.

There's not a lot of data to look at and our initial 7-14 is not out of line. Get some more sleep tonight. Set a goal to wear it all night, and keep up the good work.

[The_Tool_Man]

When I tried the N30i nasal cradle, I found it difficult to get a great seal. Your Leak Rate isn't that bad. I preferred the p10, but have now switched to p30i.

Consider:

• Turning off Calendar (upper Left)
• Turning off Pie chart (left side)
• Turning off Navigation panel on right
• Moving either Mask Pressure or Pressure off screen, displaying instead Flow Limitation and Snore

Displaying graphs is discussed in the pinned topics.

You can also turn off the accidental session with the on/off switches bottom left.

There's not a lot of data to look at and our initial 7-14 is not out of line. Get some more sleep tonight. Set a goal to wear it all night, and keep up the good work.

Thanks for the tips. What's the big difference between the N30i and the P30i? They look pretty similar to me.

[Dog Slobber]

The N30i/P30i mask frame and hook ups are identical and the nasal cradle/pillows are interchangeable between the two.

The N30i cushion cradles around the base of the nose. The P30i has the two prong like pillows. Similar to the pillows on your P10.


N30i



P30i

[The_Tool_Man]

The N30i/P30i mask frame and hook ups are identical and the nasal cradle/pillows are interchangeable between the two.

The N30i cushion cradles around the base of the nose. The P30i has the two prong like pillows. Similar to the pillows on your P10.


N30i



P30i

I see! I think I would like the P30 better. Might have to order one.

[Auntducky59]

I use tap water in my tank, but I do have my tap water hooked up to a water softener & filtered. The water is very hard where I live. If your tap water is not too hard, you may be able to get away with it. Otherwise, use distilled water if you are unsure. I have been using tap water for over a year now with no issues with my machine or my water tank. I am not sure "how" the water can damage the actual machine. It just goes in your tank. Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most people do just fine with tap water?

[palerider]

I use tap water in my tank, but I do have my tap water hooked up to a water softener & filtered. The water is very hard where I live. If your tap water is not too hard, you may be able to get away with it. Otherwise, use distilled water if you are unsure.

The *proper* answer is "if your water is hard, rinse out the tank every day, and use vinegar now and then to remove any mineral buildup, you CAN use distilled water *IF YOU WANT TO* but it's not necessary, merely a convenience to avoid having to do the vinegar rinse".

[Auntducky59]

ohhh. my answer wasn't "proper". geez louise!