Dreamstation AHI much higher than previous CPAP

[bigt3ddy]

Hello all,
I'm new here and had a question. If this has already been discussed/answered I apologize and mods feel free to link the answer and delete this post. Anyway to my question with a bit of background info. I'm a 35 yo male who has been using cpap therapy for about 7 years with good results. My initial AHI was 55 during my study. I have been using the PR System One machine for the entirety of my therapy. My machine recently started making a weird sort of buzzing noise that was keeping me awake and I made an appointment with my doc and brought the machine in. He looked at my data report from the machine (I check it myself using the dream mapper app, so I already knew results), and said my average AHI was 1.2 and I had 100% mask fit all the time. He said the machine was likely just old and I should probably replace it and could use it as a backup. My brother in law has the dreamstation and I thought it looked really nice and he's been really happy with it, so I ordered one and had it set to my prescribed pressure (7). So on to my current situation. I've used the dreamstation for 2 nights now and my AHI has been 6.1 and 8.7 and I just haven't felt very good the last two days, just a bit foggy feeling. I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced similar results just from changing machines and keeping the current pressure? And if so, what you did? The reason I just ordered the new machine was because my insurance wanted me to get another sleep study before they would help pay for a new machine. I didn't want to be tested again, because I didn't see the point since I already had a diagnosis and cpap therapy was well tolerated, and I'd still have to cover the lion's share of the costs due to my deductible plan and starting a new year, plus the copay for the test. Sorry to ramble on but this is just concerning to me since my numbers were so good with the system one and now are not so great and I don't feel like my normal self. Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Wulfman...]

Hello all,
I'm new here and had a question. If this has already been discussed/answered I apologize and mods feel free to link the answer and delete this post. Anyway to my question with a bit of background info. I'm a 35 yo male who has been using cpap therapy for about 7 years with good results. My initial AHI was 55 during my study. I have been using the PR System One machine for the entirety of my therapy. My machine recently started making a weird sort of buzzing noise that was keeping me awake and I made an appointment with my doc and brought the machine in. He looked at my data report from the machine (I check it myself using the dream mapper app, so I already knew results), and said my average AHI was 1.2 and I had 100% mask fit all the time. He said the machine was likely just old and I should probably replace it and could use it as a backup. My brother in law has the dreamstation and I thought it looked really nice and he's been really happy with it, so I ordered one and had it set to my prescribed pressure (7). So on to my current situation. I've used the dreamstation for 2 nights now and my AHI has been 6.1 and 8.7 and I just haven't felt very good the last two days, just a bit foggy feeling. I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced similar results just from changing machines and keeping the current pressure? And if so, what you did? The reason I just ordered the new machine was because my insurance wanted me to get another sleep study before they would help pay for a new machine. I didn't want to be tested again, because I didn't see the point since I already had a diagnosis and cpap therapy was well tolerated, and I'd still have to cover the lion's share of the costs due to my deductible plan and starting a new year, plus the copay for the test. Sorry to ramble on but this is just concerning to me since my numbers were so good with the system one and now are not so great and I don't feel like my normal self. Thanks in advance for any replies.

First of all, you need to verify the ACTUAL machine you're using with the one in your profile. The one in your profile doesn't give any information other than hours used. It's the lowest-end machine that P/R makes......AFAIK.
All of the Dreamstations have a model number on the bottom and the minimum model to give data is the 400 (Pro). You have a model 200 in your profile.


Den

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[bigt3ddy]

I've got the right model listed. The 200 one. It definitely uploads the info via Bluetooth.

[Wulfman...]

I've got the right model listed. The 200 one. It definitely uploads the info via Bluetooth.

What "info"? You need to be using "OSCAR" to see what's actually going on during the night.


Den

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[bigt3ddy]

Ok. I'm downloading OSCAR now. The info I'm talking about is just mask fit, hours, and AHI that's sent to the PR Dream Mapper app. I'm sorry that I'm a newbie, and I appreciate your comments. No need to sound so condescending.

[Pugsy]

OSCAR is likely going to be useless on a DreamStation model DSX200xxx.
You get AHI only via DreamMapper and hours of use.
You don't get any graphs or any event category breakdown...the DreamStation CPAP model DSX200xxx...only records extremely limited data. While not a total brick, it's what I call a half assed brick.

So even if you see the AHI and it's higher than your old machine....we don't know what kind of apnea events you are having or might be higher.
What kind of events are making up that AHI is really important.

How has your sleep quality been the last couple of days? Sleeping soundly or waking often and spending a lot of time with mask and machine on?

Do you still have the PR S1 machine? Do you know which model it was?

[bigt3ddy]

Do you still have the PR S1 machine? Do you know which model it was?

Well that's unfortunate that I won't be able to use OSCAR. Yes. I still have the system one. Not sure how to tell what model it is. It says REMstar Auto DOM ref 560 P on the bottom, if that helps??

[Wulfman...]

Ok. I'm downloading OSCAR now. The info I'm talking about is just mask fit, hours, and AHI that's sent to the PR Dream Mapper app. I'm sorry that I'm a newbie, and I appreciate your comments. No need to sound so condescending.

If I was, I apologize. I'm a "brief-and-to-the-point" type of person.
But, as far as your issue with the machine (noise), I would suggest trying to listen to the (old) machine on when you're hooked up to it to try to figure out where the noise is coming from. Did/do you have it sitting on something like some old mouse pads or rubberized shelf/drawer lining (to absorb any noise or vibrations)? Had you taken it apart to check of something hadn't gotten put back together correctly? Can you pinpoint the precise time when the vibrations/noise started?
Since we don't all sleep the same each and every night, variations in AHI and other things can occur. Yours seems to be a little severe, but who knows? Lots of things can affect these numbers. I've experienced them myself.

Anyway, I think it would be advantageous to have at least the "Pro" model or the Auto (they can be set to straight CPAP mode).


Den

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[Wulfman...]

Do you still have the PR S1 machine? Do you know which model it was?

Well that's unfortunate that I won't be able to use OSCAR. Yes. I still have the system one. Not sure how to tell what model it is. It says REMstar Auto DOM ref 560 P on the bottom, if that helps??

That's a fully data-capable Auto machine! P/R System One Model 60. That's a good one. If you can figure out where the noise is coming from and/or getting it fixed, you'll be doing great.


Den

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[Wulfman...]

This is the place I would recommend to fix it.

https://acbio.com/

They're a member of the forum under the username "Accurate". And, they're an authorized repair station for P/R and ResMed.


Den

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[Pugsy]

It says REMstar Auto DOM ref 560 P on the bottom, if that helps??

Yes...the 560 part tells me what it is.
PR System One Auto CPAP model 560....it's a full efficacy data machine. It has 2 modes of operation...fixed cpap mode and auto adjusting (apap) mode.

The DreamStation CPAP machine model DSX200xxx is a fixed pressure only machine...one mode fixed cpap mode. It is NOT a full efficacy (detailed data) machine.
At best you get a generic AHI with no event category breakdown, hours of use and maybe some sort of leak report. That's it.

It's NOT the same kind of machine....it is a cheaper machine in terms of what the supplier paid for it...but your insurance paid them the exact same amount that they would have paid if they had given you a full data machine that was exactly like your old PR S1 machine.
The newer model which is like your old machine....DreamStation Auto CPAP model DSX500xxx (the xxx part is usually letters and numbers referencing heated hose vs non heated hose and aren't important).

My suggestion....return it and tell them you want one just like you had.

It's real important to know what kind of events you are having.....and you simply cannot get that information from the half assed brick.

[bigt3ddy]

This is the place I would recommend to fix it.

https://acbio.com/

They're a member of the forum under the username "Accurate". And, they're an authorized repair station for P/R and ResMed.


Den

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Thank you very much!!

[Pugsy]

Did you pay out of pocket for this machine or use your insurance?
How much?

[bigt3ddy]

Did you pay out of pocket for this machine or use your insurance?
How much?

Out of pocket unfortunately. $650. Damn I feel like a dumbass. Wish I'd have found this forum a bit earlier.

[Wulfman...]

Along the lines of what Pugsy told you, in the very worst case.......I would suggest keeping the 200 for a spare/emergency machine.
Either get the 560 fixed and/or get a Model 500 Series Dreamstation. You can never have too many XPAP machines.

Den

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