This is probably a dumb question

[Pugsy]

it'll play havoc with the 'compliance' and lead to a bunch of questions

Well...insurance only cares that it be used at least 4 hours and who cares if it takes 2 people to get the 4 hours. From the sound of things and hubby's difficulties...hitting the 4 hours was going to be difficult right now anyway.
And with one machine there's only 1 compliance issue to deal with.
Tell the DME the truth if there are any questions.

It's not an ideal situation to have one machine and 2 people using it but it isn't an impossible situation either.
Evaluating the therapy will take a little extra work but again it isn't impossible.
Hopefully the 5 to 15 settings will work well for both but if it doesn't there are ways to fix that little hurdle too.

Nothing is impossible if someone wants to do a little extra work.
But I wouldn't mess with 2 cards...just use one card because they are going to end up with pretty much the same data on them anyway.

[CoupleCpapUsers]

I just looked at both of our prescriptions and all it says is that the pressure has a min and max of 5-15. It is the same on both of our machines.

Would it be possible to just swap out the SD cards? Or does the machine adapt to you as an individual.
We will get a second one but I'm just talking about for a short time so that I can have SOME treatment while waiting.

all this has been answered already.

I was specifically asking about the pressure prescriptions. People were asking me if we had similar prescriptions and I wasn't sure if there was another number I should be looking for.
I still don't really understand how the machines work so I was confused if it only put info on the SD card or if the machine itself adapts and records/keeps information.

I guess I will just have to talk to the provider about it being a temporary solution - now that I know that it is theoretically possible, just a bit complicated.

[palerider]

I just looked at both of our prescriptions and all it says is that the pressure has a min and max of 5-15. It is the same on both of our machines.

Would it be possible to just swap out the SD cards? Or does the machine adapt to you as an individual.
We will get a second one but I'm just talking about for a short time so that I can have SOME treatment while waiting.

all this has been answered already.

I was specifically asking about the pressure prescriptions. People were asking me if we had similar prescriptions and I wasn't sure if there was another number I should be looking for.
I still don't really understand how the machines work so I was confused if it only put info on the SD card or if the machine itself adapts and records/keeps information.

I guess I will just have to talk to the provider about it being a temporary solution - now that I know that it is theoretically possible, just a bit complicated.

you've already found that the default settings for your husband aren't working, you've no idea how bad those default settings will be for you.

the machines keep basic information in them.

[Malinalli73]

Not dumb question at all.
In theory it should work, although you'd need to keep an eye on things not to mess up.

1. You need both of your prescriptions, dr. Should've specified each of your min and max pressures.
2. You then can try and reach the clinical menu in your machine and change the pressure settings morning and night. How to reach it changes from brand to brand but you can google the one you own.
3. You need to change the card morning and night as you say.
4. Each of you should have their own mask.

Be aware that, technically we're not supposed to fiddle with the clinical settings...but to be fair we all do it here.

I hope thing$ get better and soon you can afford both of your machines.

[D.H.]

It's not recommended. However, if you know how to change the pressure settings, and do it twice each day, it should theoretically work.

After reading some of the subsequent follow-up, it appears that both of you have identical prescriptions at this time. While it's still not the best possible practice, it's probably doable. I would suggest using different masks, though.

[chunkyfrog]

EVERYBODY should wear the best mask for their own comfort.
Even identical twins may not want the same mask.

[tlohse]

Not that it matters but alot of CPAP have a little arrow button that allows the machine to start low and ramp up to your pressure setting to help you get used to it. I personally don't think its a good idea to share cpaps. each unit has it own data and settings depending on the user. SD card is just there to hold your data.

[Gasper62]

Scour local and nearby craigslist listings for a second machine. They can be a real bargain sometimes. Check in here for info and opinions on potential ones before you buy it. Doing so might save you some trouble, or dollars, or both. Good luck. PS: I'd ask what your total, final expense will be on your current machine. Rent-to-own doesn't usually end up being a fair deal. (IMO)

[Jay Aitchsee]

3. You need to change the card morning and night as you say.

Why?

Be aware that, technically we're not supposed to fiddle with the clinical settings

Reference?

[Jay Aitchsee]

I think using one card with two profiles in SleepyHead would work pretty well. Open a profile, download the card, turn off the session(s) of the other user - Daily Sidebar, Details, Session Information (click from green to red). These sessions will stay off in this profile and the resulting reports (overview, statistics, daily) should then reflect only the data for a single user. The card would be downloaded twice, once for each user.

The card could be downloaded once into a single profile and then the appropriate sessions switched off an on, but I think two profiles would be easier to manage and view.

[palerider]

3. You need to change the card morning and night as you say.

Why?

Be aware that, technically we're not supposed to fiddle with the clinical settings

Reference?

agreed, both of those things are wrong.

[CoupleCpapUsers]

A quick update
My husband switched out and got a different mask this morning.
He now has a Resmed Mirage FX Nasal Mask. He slept for 5 hours with it - the most he has yet to do in once stretch. We think this mask is the one. He seems to like it.
He would have slept more but having to go and get the mask he got to bed later than usual.

We paid $341 for the hose/mask/humidifier and actually will be paying $45/month.

I don't know how to use the SD card to look at data or what it connects to. My husband might know but I wasn't at his appt.

I changed the settings so that Ramp is off and the pressure starts at 7. It seemed to be around 8 when I was checking on him.

[Malinalli73]

Ok, I apologize for starting a new thread. I'm used to a much different posting style on other message boards.

My husband is saying he can't breathe with the mask on. I think he is panicking about yesterday. He woke up after 2 hours gasping for air.

I raised the pressure to 7 and turned off the ramp. He has already given up on it for today but tomorrow he will try that. We also switched out the nasal mask for the next size up. He said that seemed to help a little bit.

I wonder if a full face mask would be beneficial or not. He always complains of having a stuffy nose. He is naturally a mouth breather.

Yes! For me it made a huge difference!
I started with pillows but I felt I couldn't breath. My nose gets stuffy and breathing through one nostril was horrible, not to talk about me trying to open my mouth and swallowing air like crazy...burping and passing gas all morning the next day.
After a week I went back to the provider to get a full face mask. It took a couple of days to get used to it, as it's more bulky, but I'm a happy camper since then. The right mask can be a game changer.

[Gasper62]

A quick update
My husband switched out and got a different mask this morning.
He now has a Resmed Mirage FX Nasal Mask. He slept for 5 hours with it - the most he has yet to do in once stretch. We think this mask is the one. He seems to like it.
He would have slept more but having to go and get the mask he got to bed later than usual.

We paid $341 for the hose/mask/humidifier and actually will be paying $45/month.

I don't know how to use the SD card to look at data or what it connects to. My husband might know but I wasn't at his appt.

I changed the settings so that Ramp is off and the pressure starts at 7. It seemed to be around 8 when I was checking on him.

$45/month for how many months ??? I strongly suggest that you find out exactly how much money they're planning to bleed you on that equipment for. As an example, I paid approximately $325 once as my insurance copay for my APAP machine. My mask copays are around $29-$34 per mask. If your insurance is a bad deal, you might be better off buying outright, just sayin'...... Good luck !

[CoupleCpapUsers]

A quick update
My husband switched out and got a different mask this morning.
He now has a Resmed Mirage FX Nasal Mask. He slept for 5 hours with it - the most he has yet to do in once stretch. We think this mask is the one. He seems to like it.
He would have slept more but having to go and get the mask he got to bed later than usual.

We paid $341 for the hose/mask/humidifier and actually will be paying $45/month.

I don't know how to use the SD card to look at data or what it connects to. My husband might know but I wasn't at his appt.

I changed the settings so that Ramp is off and the pressure starts at 7. It seemed to be around 8 when I was checking on him.

$45/month for how many months ??? I strongly suggest that you find out exactly how much money they're planning to bleed you on that equipment for. As an example, I paid approximately $325 once as my insurance copay for my APAP machine. My mask copays are around $29-$34 per mask. If your insurance is a bad deal, you might be better off buying outright, just sayin'...... Good luck !

We are looking into it. Right now we are just focusing on getting my husband used to it. He just came home from work and says that he feels really good - which normally with 5 hours he would have felt awful. So that is great

The problem is we don't have the money to pay outright for one right now. Eventually we can but right now it isn't an option. I will call the insurance company and ask them about the renting term.