First two nights and questions

[KATHRYN]

Hi, I have read a lot on this site, but only registered when I got my sleep study results and prescription. I don't have the detailed sleep study report yet, but should get it in a few days. My AHI is 113.5 and I was ordered a Cpap machine with heated humidifier (Respironics Remstar C-flex). I asked the Dr to add data capable machine or smart card and she wrote it on the prescription also. I am wearing a chin strap and a fp401 nasal mask.

The machine does not have a slot for a card, although in the book it says a module can be added. Has anyone had a information on this? Can one be added, if I ordered it separately and pain for it. Evidently my insurance would only pay for this machine that does not have the card, just a space where one would be.

I had difficulty the first night, the chin strap was uncomfortable, hot, covered my ears, the mask was ok. My pressure starts at 6cm for 30minutes then works up to 15cm which is my treatment pressure from the study. I slept about 5 hours the first night.

The second night I was very tired and was able to wear both the chin strap and the mask and slept approx 7 hrs, though the last few hours was still struggling with mouth opening even with the chin strap. Do you think I should keep trying this set up or see about getting a full face mask.

Any information about making the machine I got data capable would be helpful. Otherwise I will have to see what the DME can do. I asked the Dr to prescibe an auto machine, but she said it needed to be CPAP only.

[mymontreal]

Hi Kathryn

Welcome to the forum - I am relatively new (been using my machine for a month) but you have certainly come to the right place for assistance.

There are plenty of experienced people on here who will be able to provide good feedback, but I can at least help with the following:

- Congratulations on sleeping 5 hours the first night & 7 hours the second night - that's great - a lot better than most of us do during first few days!

- Your AHI Value is pretty high, but you are now on the right track to improve your health in leaps & bounds

- Getting your detailed sleep study will be critical to getting the best advice from this forum

- Your Dr prescribed a "data capable" machine - don't be fobbed off with anything less!! A machine with a "slot" for a data module & no provided SmartCard is NOT a data capable machine - go back to the DME and insist on having a data capable machine.

- Pity your Dr wouldn't agree to an Auto machine - The Remstar Auto CPAP with A-Flex (which I have) is a great machine and has a card slot and a SmartCard - you could try contacting your Dr again to ask about getting the Remstar Auto CPAP - most (if not all) of the Auto machines can also be run in CPAP mode and you would be guaranteed a data module and SmartCard & it's a better machine!

Hope this helps
Mike

[Hawthorne]

Looks like you got the old "tank" model of Remstar. It looks like it is just a "plus". There is nothing wrong with the "tank" model as opposed to the newer M Series. In fact some people prefer the tank.
BUT!!!!!!! -if it is a plus, which it appears to be, there is NO WAY to make it data capable.
If your prescription says "data capable and smartcard", that is NOT what you have.
You need a Remstar "PRO". A Pro is not an auto but IS a data capable machine. Yours is not.
If it is a Plus, you need to go back and ask for what your prescription says - "A data capable machine with smartcard". That would be a Remstar PRO. It will have a slot and a card.
You may have to demand it. If your prescription says "Data Capable" you should just have to point that out to the DME or whoever sold you that machine.

[larbabe]

Another congrats on doing so well the first few nights. Many have to work up to where you are. Kudos!

I have the Remstar Pro, and it has the smart card. If the dr put that on your prescription you need to raise a ruckus at the DME, or at least tell them nicely. They often have a habit of making changes for price and convenience when their first priority should be what's best for you. So don't let them get away with it. Get the right thing now, no regrets later.

There are some really nice velour covers out there for hoses and straps. I got mine on Ebay. But if you just can't manage the chin strap, a combination mask may be better for you. My Mirage Liberty covers the mouth, with pillows for the nose. I tried half dozen other nose and full face masks before I settled on the Liberty. Does your Sleep Dr. have someone who can help you with a fitting? You can spend a few minutes with several kinds and see what fits you best. Then they can change your prescription so you can change the mask at the DME.

Best of luck!

[CorgiGirl]

Hey, Kathryn, welcome to the board. 5 hours at a stretch is better than I did the first few nights, so I'm impressed!

I tried pillows with a chin strap and hated it. I also tried the Mirage Liberty but the pillows wouldn't stay put and I felt like my mouth was being inflated all the time. I finally settled (so far) on the Flexifit 432 fullface mask. It has a soft cushion inside the seal and doesn't leak when I sleep on my side (most of the time.)

Hang in there. You're doing well.