Just got my new machine!

[Mr. Smiley]

First Id like to say thank you! This place has so much usefull information!!

I started off on this rocky road, First sleep study Dec 6, had no idea of the results till Jan 28, then went for another sleep study on Jan 31. I did get two free masks out of that deal. A Resmed nasel mask which didnt fit to wellbecause it left a rather sore red spot on the bridgeof my nose thatstayed for a little less then aweek. I alsoended up with a Resmed Ultra Mirage mask. I only wore it to get used to the machine, and when it was time to go to sleep it was on with the nasel mask.

When they came in at 5 A.M. to get me up I was told i can slip out with both masks as they would just be tossed in the trash, and my number is 12.

I called the DME that was chosen for me that following monday and was told that they had to call ME? So Tuesday theycalled me and said my machine was ready tobe picked up and when could i stop in. I asked all sorts of questions over the phone, and when i asked which machine it was She said Remstar M series Plus.

I Asked for the Resmed Elite II and was told no,it was tomuch and they would have to verify that my insurance would even pay for it
I said that i can just take my script and go to another supplier,and thats when she had someone who could look at my insurance and tell me what i could look to spend. As it turns out she quoted me all Full MSRP prices... The "Wharehouse" guy told me icould get everything for just over $1100 before it got sent to the insurance.

So i said i want the Resmed and the warehouse guy told me no problem, he would get that and a humidifier on the way.

I got the call Tuesday that my machine was ready to pick up, so i made the appointment for today. I walked in and there it was the thing of beauty sitting there on her desk She went through how to clean the humidifier, use the machine, when and how to clean all the other parts. I asked about the Resmed Liberty mask, and was informed that they have to special order that mas since they have a very high return rate on them.

However i did end up with twomasks, the Resmed Swift LT and the Resmed Mirage Quattro. She connected both to the machine and when i mentioned that the Swift was hard to breath through she advised me that once i fill the humidifier (H4i) with water it will help, but that i did have 30 to return or exchange my masks.

So i get home and start looking at my new machine before i have tohead off for work,and let the Ferret out to play. He walks right up to the hose and CHOMPS down and puts 6 dimples in the hose I plugged off one end with my thumb and blew air in with my mouth on the other and did not feel any air at all so im hopeing im safe. Little bugger.

Imlooking forward to getting off work to try my cpap and see if it works for me.

Thank you for reading my rambleings.....

Mr. Smiley

[Georgio]

Now Mr. Smiley will be living large!

[bunkit]

That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you.

I'm looking to feel that joy soon myself. Can you post again after a few uses? Let us know how it's working?

One of my next questions was going to be, does insurance cover the machines? I guess you kind of answered it for me. It pays for part of it?

[tattooyu]

Congrats. Stick with it... it will be weird for a while. I'm on week two and just starting to settle in.

You're going to feel like a new person!

[Mr. Smiley]

That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you.

I'm looking to feel that joy soon myself. Can you post again after a few uses? Let us know how it's working?

One of my next questions was going to be, does insurance cover the machines? I guess you kind of answered it for me. It pays for part of it?

I was told my insurance plan is a weird one, Ive already met my $1900 deductable (WOW!) with the sleep study. So now i am in the glorious land of 80% 20% So hopefully it will only cost me around $200 to $300

Congrats. Stick with it... it will be weird for a while. I'm on week two and just starting to settle in.

You're going to feel like a new person!

I was told that it will take about 1 week or so for the mask to conform to my face so i think i will start with the full face mask for a week and a half then switc to the Swift and take it from there.

[Mr. Smiley]

Do i need to leave my card in the machine or is it just used todownload my information? While i was at the DME she slid the card inside the machine, Not in the Card slot.. We were able to get it out And i was also informed that the filters are not washable.

Can I use the inline allergy filter? Even if i am useing the heated Humidifier?

Mr. Smiley

[DreamStalker]

Do i need to leave my card in the machine or is it just used todownload my information? While i was at the DME she slid the card inside the machine, Not in the Card slot.. We were able to get it out And i was also informed that the filters are not washable.

Can I use the inline allergy filter? Even if i am useing the heated Humidifier?

Mr. Smiley

For ResMeds you only need card in machine to download data to PC. For Respironics you need to have card IN machine to record data and download to PC

[dsm]

Mr Smiley

Good for you for getting the machine you wanted & I got a laugh re the ferret immediately seeking to sabotage your therapy

Electrical tape will work on the hose but it tends to get loose after about a year or so, but another lot will then last another similar period have fixed two hoses that way & survived.

Good luck & have fun (but try to ensure the ferret doesn't have his at your expense )

DSM

[Mr. Smiley]

Mr Smiley

Good for you for getting the machine you wanted & I got a laugh re the ferret immediately seeking to sabotage your therapy

Electrical tape will work on the hose but it tends to get loose after about a year or so, but another lot will then last another similar period have fixed two hoses that way & survived.

Good luck & have fun (but try to ensure the ferret doesn't have his at your expense )

DSM

I let Him out to play and didnt thinkanything of it, he usually goes right fot the cat But i had something new and not for him, and thats not allowed! Tonight before i go to bed i will wrap that small section of hose with electrical tape, i have plenty around the house Thank you for the idea DSM

[lynx]

In the first two days I tried to disconnect the the mask hose from the rest of the hose and pulled on the wrong side, I stretched it out pretty bad but didn't break it. When I went in to buy a insulating hose cover I told them what I did and they just handed me a new one, no charge.

[Mr. Smiley]

Ithink my first night went okay. i slept with the Quattro. I had a few leaks that woke me up, So i pulled the maskoff to reset it to my face and the Elite II starts beeping like mad! I wasnt informed she turned the mask off alert on I woke up feeling about the same. I ended up using almost all the water in my humidifier on a setting of 2.5 and still feel i want to bump it up. When i get home after work ill post my numbers that i can access from the menu.

Mr. Smiley

[hose head]

You should know that on that machine the numbers go away after 12pm. You need to read the menu early in the day or get the card, reader, and software to retrieve your numbers.

[Mr. Smiley]

Well I got my numbers first thing this morning. And a question. My numbers are Leak: 0.08 L/s AHI 8.4 AI 1.0 and HI 7.4 Is this good? I was wondering is anyone knows how to change the settings in the Elite II Mine are as follows

Mode: CPAP
Start CPAP: 4.0
CPAP: 12.0
Max Ramp: 45
Mask: Ultra
Tube Length: 2m
H3i
Smart Start: Off
Leak Alert: On
EPR: Ramp Only
EPR Level: 1
EPR Inhale: Med
EPR Access: Off

From my take on this, i only have the EPR during the 25 min ramp to my full pressure. Id like to have it all night, as when i woke up last night it was more difficult to go back to sleep with out taking a sleep aid. Please correct me if im wrong, I was told that the Dr. ordered a level 3 on the M-Series plus machine and that it is a level 1 on the ResMed, the highest setting. I read in the user manual that level 3 has a better relief then level 1?

I have pushed the two side buttons of course, else i would have this info, but how can i change the EPR setting? Ive no intrest to change my pressure just EPR, Smart start, till i obtain the software and card reader.

Mr. Smiley

[ozij]

I don't have a direct answer to your question, Mr. Smiley - but why not press the ramp button when you go back to sleep? Doesn't your machine have one? I thought they all did, since ramp is a comfort feature.
O.

[Mr. Smiley]

I don't have a direct answer to your question, Mr. Smiley - but why not press the ramp button when you go back to sleep? Doesn't your machine have one? I thought they all did, since ramp is a comfort feature.
O.

I can do that. Being the middle of the night i didnt think of that. Ill try that tonight if i do wake up

Mr. Smiley