Another Newbie - No choice given for machine / mask

[Jcastle]

Slinky, I only have access to setting the altitude and ramping menus. I have not seen where I have access to any Efficancy Data. I will have to try your trick and see what happens. Will let you know.

[Guest]

I forgot to add when pushing the Right and Left buttons down to access the Efficacy Data you do have to hold them down for 3-4 seconds.

Slinky

[lvwildcat]

I use an S 7 Elite and was also told the the clinician menu was "taboo". Thanks to a forum I was told how to access this and feel this menu is the most important piece of info I have with regards to how my treatment is going. Just my opinion.

[snoregirl]

You can indeed change pressures yourself. I don't have an M series, however I am quite sure someone here can help. If you need to you can get the correct manual (the one the DME withheld) on ebay for $6 or so.

I thought that I may have recalled someone saying the data you want has to be set so you (patient) can get it? But as I said, I don't have the M series.

Comments anyone on this?

[snoregirl]

As far as data on the card, you need the card reader and software to read that yourself. Can purchase from cpap.com.

Yes, what you said about reason to get you into the DME office.

[Guest]

Ed,

I started cpap in mid December and received the exact same equipment as you. I also was a stomach sleeper and have found it difficult to sleep now because I'm forced to sleep on my back.

I contacted my DME and went in today to get a new mask. Despite the usual "6 months before you can get a new mask" my DME actually let me get a Swift AND documented it as an "exchange" (even though I got to keep my Ultra Mirage FF) so there was no cost to me! I HIGHLY recommend telling DME that you aren't happy with your mask-they might let you "exchange" it.

As for my cpap experience so far........Not going so great, but tonight is a new night with a new "mask."

Good Luck!
Amanda

[Jcastle]

While trying Slinky's advice on accessing the Efficiency Data, I noticed I was issued a Resmed S8 Escape and not the Elite as I originally stated. My apologies to the group. I have updated my profile accordingly.

To access the clinicians menu: hold down the down and right buttons for 3-4 seconds. I can now access hours, serial numbers, etc. I now get to figure out how to interperate this new data. Hey!

[snoregirl]

Amanda,

While I love my swift dearly, I can't imagine how someone would stomach sleep with it. It vents right in front of you and if you slept on your stomach, I would think the pillow would block the vents. Let us know how you do stomach sleeping.

[shippy]

I too was not given a choice as to my equipment, my sleep doc and his partner's own the sleep lab and also stock and sell the equipment. I picked up my machine and mask (which is the same as your's) on 12/01/06 they said i was 100% covered as far as insurance for the cost of the equipment (i find this hard to believe as my insurance is 80% 20%) and have yet to see any bill's in the mail for any of my part of the costs. Don't know if it was purchased or leased and i should ask them for a summary bill so i don't get surprised with a big bill. I have a follow-up appointment next week at my sleep doc's office and will inquire then. In my case (and probably a lot of other newbie folk's out there) i would not have known the difference in machine's anyway (found this cpap forum after the fact) and i think the supplier's know this too so they just give you what they want. Even though i am new to this i am satisfied with my machine, but the guy who issued the equipment kind of held a mask up to my face and asked me how it felt and he didn't measure my face, he just kind of eyeballed the fit. Seem's like i may not have the right size mask because i fight leaks a lot, When i replace the mask in three month's i will be armed with measurements thanks to the size guide on this site. Anybody know if there is a size stamped on a Mirage FF mask i have looked around on my mask and can't find the size on it and i don't know what size i have ?

Dale

[sleepyWI]

Unfortunately the Escape does not collect any data except compliance. It will tell you how many days you have used it and how many motor hours there are on the punp and that is about it.

[michael_schaap]

Well I was not given any choice either. I called them every other day and talked to the tech and I believe I basically bothered them to the point where they perscribed me a more advance machine that gives me the data. Squeky wheel gets the grease

[Wulfman]

Anybody know if there is a size stamped on a Mirage FF mask i have looked around on my mask and can't find the size on it and i don't know what size i have ?

Dale,

The size is marked on the rubber seal. It should be on the side that is on the right side of your nose (near where it meets the plastic)......also there may be a letter on the bottom center of
the seal......mine has LARGE on right side and L on the bottom.

There's a mask sizing guide on CPAP.COM's website. Use #5 for sizing the UMFF. Also, check the measurements listed on that guide. My measurement was about on the borderline between Medium and Large. I went with the Large and was glad I did.

Hope that helps.

Den

[jskinner]

your prescribed pressure is 5 ?

My thoughts exactly. Anyone else ever hear of a titration this low?

I was titrated at 6cm. However after struggling for 2 months I eventually upgraded to a machine that could record detailed data. This allowed me to confirm that my pressure was too low. I attempted to find the perfect pressure by manual adjustment but eventually upgraded again to an M Series Auto. Turned out my necessary pressure was actually about 9cm.

[Guest]

[/quote]Yes, my level is 5 and it says that on the panel when I turn it on.

Does the word RAMP also appear when you turn it on? If so, thats not your actual pressure. These machines have a ramp feature where for a set amount of time it slowly works it way up to your prescribed pressure... for example... your prescribed pressure may be 10, the ramp setting is turned on so when you hit the start button it starts out at 5 and for the next 15 minutes it works it way up to 10. Its a feature to help people get adjusted to the pressures, but most people turn that feature off because the difference in the initial low pressure and your final pressure is so different, you won't be able to get your mask sealed and adjusted properly.

[garyb1966]

You have almost the exact same setup that I do. My advice: Just stick with it! It will take awhile (maybe weeks), but you WILL get used to CPAP. And you'll be a better person for it. In my opinion, the equipment given to you is excellent, but I am not you. If after awhile you still don't like the mask, call the company that sold you them machine. Most companies allow a mask exchange within a certain time period.

You might try taking a Tylenol PM (or 2) before bed. I did this until I was able to fall asleep without them. And stop taking the mask off during the night! You're not helping yourself by doing this. Force yourself to wear it.

I promise it will get better.