Oscar Reports (Dreamstation 1)

[ChicagoGranny]

Also I notice the 95% pressure and the max pressure is 10.80 to 11.82, but you have your max pressure set at 16. You might try a setting closer to the 95% setting just to see what the results would be, maybe set you max at 12 or 12.5 instead of the 16.

On the night in question, since the machine never went above 11.8, changing the machine max pressure setting to 12.0 from 16.0 would have had no effect.

The machine will not go any higher than it needs to. Most of us leave our max pressure setting at 20.0. Pressure needs can vary from night to night. If more pressure is needed on a particular night, the machine is able to provide it with a max pressure setting of 20.0.

Exceptions would include users that are trying to eliminate aerophagia by limiting the pressure.

[Morgoth]

I may order a mask or something, and it could get confiscated by the customs...

Yeah...they might or they might look at it and let it pass because there is no benefit to them to steal it.
I don't know about Serbia but a few years back I sent a large box of used masks to someone in need in Romania. He had ALS and was on cpap because he needed it to help him breathe...and no money of course. So I sent masks and someone else sent a machine.
My box of masks sat in customs in Romania for 6 weeks and then they release it to the guy. The machine they released after a couple of weeks. The machine was worth a lot more than the masks. I didn't know of any pertinent laws but the guy's wife told me that theft was common in Romanian customs.

Spain also has some rather stringent medical import rules and Brazil...and Japan...so you aren't alone but yours are the most stringent I have experience with. Japan made a guy show a copy of his RX from his doctor to release a machine he bought in the US and had sent to where he lived in Japan. Lots of trips to customs office involved and he finally had the copy of the RX and they released the machine and didn't even charge and import duty. Go figure that one.

I assume your laws also prohibit such "gifts" from outside your country. ???

Looks like you need to make a little trip outside Serbia and come home with some extra "used" stuff.

Well, since US is a world for itself, I'm not sure how much are you informed about European economic-political situation... Basically there is this economic-political union of 27 countries (like Germany, France, Italy, Spain etc...) called European Union (EU), Great Britain was in EU as well but there was this BREXIT and they left . Romania is in EU as well, so as far as I know, and I'm not an expert, people and goods are flowing freely inside EU between the member states, but once something comes in from the outside of the EU I guess it's under the state's laws jurisdiction... Romania is a country that is prone to corruption problem, Bulgaria as well...

And Serbia, Serbia is like corruption heaven, everything is achieved threw corruption, and we are not an EU member... Also the state favors import lobbies and various lobbies and let the importers and distributors to rip us off with various stuff... It's not just a medical equipment, that's just a tip of the iceberg, everything is more expensive here, from clothes to gadgets, tech in general etc... The only thing I believe is not expensive is basic food, like fruit and vegetable, and that's changing as well, again because state favors import lobbies to domestic manufacturers... The most banal example is that we grow a lot of raspberries, and few years ago our raspberry growers were destroying their harvest because the redemption price was less than 2$ per kg, and if you'd like to buy some raspberries from the market you have to pay 16$ per kilogram, and a lot of times you would see that it's actually imported from somewhere, which is actually exported from here and re-imported... Everything is going threw corruption at the expense of common people for politicians pockets... So yes, the things are really screwed here...

There is this internet CPAP store based in Bulgaria cpapstore(dot)eu that has good prices on machines and masks, but they haven't responded on my mails when I asked them about some products... For example their Resmed cpap price is around 850$, so cheaper than here...

Hi guys,

I was really struggling last night waking up, I have to get accustomed to the mask yet, I felt that I had leaks while I wasn't and was resetting it up all the time in the begging.

I had low AHI, low events but almost every time after an event I woke up. Is it possible that I was waking up every time I had this "obstructive events", is that normal ? Is it possible for a person with severe OSA not to have any ?

When you wake up are you removing your mask? I notice you have 'Smart Start' on. So when you remove your mask it shuts the machine off. What do you do for the 15 minutes to half hour that you are awake? If I am wrong on this please correct me. The reason I bring this up is this. It would be interesting to see what happens to your pressure numbers if you left your mask on.

Also I notice the 95% pressure and the max pressure is 10.80 to 11.82, but you have your max pressure set at 16. You might try a setting closer to the 95% setting just to see what the results would be, maybe set you max at 12 or 12.5 instead of the 16. And try to leave your mask on even if you wake up. That way you could see what correction the pressure would make when reacting to the obstruction. Just a thought.

Hey Dan_McD !

I'm still fairly unexperienced with all of this. So I wake up, I get up, usually I think that the mask needs a resitting, or go to bathroom, or drink water because I'm a mouth breather and it tends to get dry or something... Sometimes I try to pull in the air thew my nose and I feel this small silicon piece that separates two nostril holes gets sucked into one of my nostrils so I have to tweak the mask and I'm not sure if I broke the seal afterwards...

Yeah, I'll try with max pressure 12 tonight... Thanks !

A couple of things. If you are having dry mouth you need to bump the number up on the humidifier. The ResMed you're using goes from 0-8. The Dreamstation was 1-5. The ResMed gives you a little finer tuning on the humidifier. I also have dry mouth and snore and have to use a full mask. I noticed your humidifier is set at 4. If I were you I would try a 6 on the humidifier and see if that doesn't help your dry mouth a little. Only use distilled water also. If you have "rain out" or water in your tube at 6, You might consider buying a heated tube/hose so you can keep the humidifier number up and not have water in your hose.

The pressure settings on the ResMed will set in 10ths I think. I wouldn't go all the way down to 12 to start. See if the high setting will set at 12.5 or 12.6. Little changes vs. big changes will help you find the 'sweet' spot sooner that will work better for you. If your AHI goes up too much then you might need a 13 or 14. I would try at least 2 nights on any change you make to see if it is consistent.

There is a guy on YouTube, his name is Nick. His YouTube videos are under the name of CPAP REVIEWS. He is a Biochemist and has spent several years helping people with breathing and sleeping problems. He has a very good video on setting pressures that was helpful to me. Over time, the closer you can get your minimum and maximum pressures together the more accurate and consistent your readings will be. God Bless

Hey, I wasn't using humidifier, I mean I didn't hook up the water chamber, I don't know why is the humidifier number at 4, I wasn't touching it... I don't really like hot air to be honest, it makes my nose soft tissue more swollen and I breathe more heavy on hot air, but I'll try with your advice !

I know about Nick, I'm following his stuff, I'll check that video, thanks !

I'm wondering if Phillips Dreamwave fullface would maybe work better for me since it doesn't have that small silicon piece separating the nostrils, it's just one big hole... As I said I've been sucking that piece into my nose while breathing, or maybe should I try wide cushion ? But while I have really large nostrils, I can stuff two fingers in a nostril lol, they are not that wide, W cushion looks too wide for my nose.

[Dan_McD]

Also I notice the 95% pressure and the max pressure is 10.80 to 11.82, but you have your max pressure set at 16. You might try a setting closer to the 95% setting just to see what the results would be, maybe set you max at 12 or 12.5 instead of the 16.

On the night in question, since the machine never went above 11.8, changing the machine max pressure setting to 12.0 from 16.0 would have had no effect.

The machine will not go any higher than it needs to. Most of us leave our max pressure setting at 20.0. Pressure needs can vary from night to night. If more pressure is needed on a particular night, the machine is able to provide it with a max pressure setting of 20.0.

Exceptions would include users that are trying to eliminate aerophagia by limiting the pressure.

I disagree with you, but I won't argue. All I know is it improved my numbers and my sleep. What ever works for you.

[ChicagoGranny]

All I know is it improved my numbers and my sleep. What ever works for you.

My comments were not about what works for me. They were about how CPAP works.

I'm skeptical that you considered all the variables in what improved for you.

[Pugsy]

Thanks for the history/geography lesson. I had a general idea how things work over there and semi familiar with the BREXIT thing.
It always seemed to me like the UK was cutting its nose off to spite its face but I know they have their own reasoning....so what do I know.

Don't feel like the lone ranger though when it comes to corruption...we have more than our share here in the US...they are just sneakier about it. They hide it well because they have had lots of practice. Lies, lies, half truths and avoiding a direct answer to any question...that's what our politicians are experts at.

I wish I could help you out with mask experiments because I have several donated masks (some brand new still in unopened package) that I could just gift you but it sounds like you would never see them most likely or get charged some enormous import duty.
Like I think I have several of the DreamWear nasal cushions in various sizes you could try out...and I think I might even have one of the DreamWear full face masks with all cushion sizes. Save you some money and at least help you recover a bit of money they screwed you out of with forcing you to buy from only suppliers in your country.

Oh...and CG is correct....if a person never ever goes above 11.8 max pressure then reducing the max pressure to 12 won't do a darn thing.
If the machine could go to 100 and you set it to 100...and all it ever went to was 11.8 then the max setting (whatever it is) is a moot point. Just thought I would chime in on that. Some people think it makes a difference but it's like me and my machine...the max is 25 but it has never gone beyond 18 and even that was very brief...If I set the max to 19....it still would never go above 18 and the max setting has absolutely nothing to do with any auto adjusting algorithm. They don't have different algorithms for different settings.

[Dan_McD]

Morgoth: Hey, I wasn't using humidifier, I mean I didn't hook up the water chamber, I don't know why is the humidifier number at 4, I wasn't touching it... I don't really like hot air to be honest, it makes my nose soft tissue more swollen and I breathe more heavy on hot air, but I'll try with your advice !

I know about Nick, I'm following his stuff, I'll check that video, thanks !

I'm wondering if Phillips Dreamwave fullface would maybe work better for me since it doesn't have that small silicon piece separating the nostrils, it's just one big hole... As I said I've been sucking that piece into my nose while breathing, or maybe should I try wide cushion ? But while I have really large nostrils, I can stuff two fingers in a nostril lol, they are not that wide, W cushion looks too wide for my nose.

I'm using a 4 or 5 on mine and I don't notice any heat. Actually when you get it all dialed in right you probably won't notice anything except a goodnights sleep.

If you have the water chamber installed and the humidifier is set at 4, see if the little heat icon is lit up in the lower right corner of your screen. I wouldn't swear to it, but if that is true, you are heating that chamber anyway. When you finish using your APAP in the morning is there a green smiley face icon next to humidifier. Also when you shut it off there will be a flashing blue like snowflake in the upper right corner. That means the humidifier is cooling down.

As a side bar: Using pressure higher than needed creates sore throat, dry nasal passages and will create mask leaks that can be alleviated.

[Pugsy]

People won't feel much heated air just from the humidifier selection for humidity because it doesn't really warm the air all that much unless they are also using the heated hose and they crank up the hose air temp.
But using the humidifier, without a heated hose, at a setting of 4 or 5 or 6....won't heat the air that hits your face all that much.
You will get room air temp and maybe 1 or 2 degrees warmer at your face and that will depend on the starting room air temp.

[Morgoth]

Thanks for the history/geography lesson. I had a general idea how things work over there and semi familiar with the BREXIT thing.
It always seemed to me like the UK was cutting its nose off to spite its face but I know they have their own reasoning....so what do I know.

Don't feel like the lone ranger though when it comes to corruption...we have more than our share here in the US...they are just sneakier about it. They hide it well because they have had lots of practice. Lies, lies, half truths and avoiding a direct answer to any question...that's what our politicians are experts at.

I wish I could help you out with mask experiments because I have several donated masks (some brand new still in unopened package) that I could just gift you but it sounds like you would never see them most likely or get charged some enormous import duty.
Like I think I have several of the DreamWear nasal cushions in various sizes you could try out...and I think I might even have one of the DreamWear full face masks with all cushion sizes. Save you some money and at least help you recover a bit of money they screwed you out of with forcing you to buy from only suppliers in your country.

Oh...and CG is correct....if a person never ever goes above 11.8 max pressure then reducing the max pressure to 12 won't do a darn thing.
If the machine could go to 100 and you set it to 100...and all it ever went to was 11.8 then the max setting (whatever it is) is a moot point. Just thought I would chime in on that. Some people think it makes a difference but it's like me and my machine...the max is 25 but it has never gone beyond 18 and even that was very brief...If I set the max to 19....it still would never go above 18 and the max setting has absolutely nothing to do with any auto adjusting algorithm. They don't have different algorithms for different settings.

Hey Pugsy !

Thanks for your generosity, I'm so positively surprised!

But, please, don't worry! I have tried Phillips DreamWear nasal, the distributor had it, and the price was good, but I just can't suck in enough air threw the nose all the time... With the f30i, yesterday I wake up with my mouth closed, meaning I was breathing threw my nose, I really like the feeling of pressurised air threw my nose, it makes me breathe threw the nose like never before, but this day I woke up with my mouth opened, and I remember I had difficulties breathing with my nose last night, one side was congested, usually the side I'm lying on... Resmed Mirage Liberty looks nice to me, but I read it has leaking problems... The Resmed distributor have it here, so I can try it, I think that I would tolerate nasal pillows and just by looking at them I think they would seal better with my nose and maybe deliver more "focused" pressure... I'll see, I'll try some more masks, these Resmed guys have F&P masks as well, the girl who do the selling shown me a big but very light F&P mask with very thick cushion, I don't like over the nose bridge masks, but on the other hand I tried Amara Fullface only and it's not very enjoyable, I may like some classic fullface solution from Resmed or F&P... But I would really like to try some hybrid nose pillows/mouth fullface mask if there is something like that.

[ChicagoGranny]

As a side bar: Using pressure higher than needed creates sore throat, dry nasal passages and will create mask leaks that can be alleviated.

Using higher pressure than needed is caused by setting the minimum pressure too high. Setting the maximum pressure wide open will not cause a higher pressure than is needed.

[Morgoth]

I'm using a 4 or 5 on mine and I don't notice any heat. Actually when you get it all dialed in right you probably won't notice anything except a goodnights sleep.

If you have the water chamber installed and the humidifier is set at 4, see if the little heat icon is lit up in the lower right corner of your screen. I wouldn't swear to it, but if that is true, you are heating that chamber anyway. When you finish using your APAP in the morning is there a green smiley face icon next to humidifier. Also when you shut it off there will be a flashing blue like snowflake in the upper right corner. That means the humidifier is cooling down.

As a side bar: Using pressure higher than needed creates sore throat, dry nasal passages and will create mask leaks that can be alleviated.

People won't feel much heated air just from the humidifier selection for humidity because it doesn't really warm the air all that much unless they are also using the heated hose and they crank up the hose air temp.
But using the humidifier, without a heated hose, at a setting of 4 or 5 or 6....won't heat the air that hits your face all that much.
You will get room air temp and maybe 1 or 2 degrees warmer at your face and that will depend on the starting room air temp.

Ok, that all makes sense what you say. I was told both by Phillips and Resmed distributors that there is no need to use humidifier in the summer because the air is already humid enough, is that true, or is it giberish ?

[Okie bipap]

Ok, that all makes sense what you say. I was told both by Phillips and Resmed distributors that there is no need to use humidifier in the summer because the air is already humid enough, is that true, or is it giberish ?

I use the added moisture from the built in humidifier all year long. Yes, it is very humid outside right now, but I don't sleep there. I sleep in the house which is air conditioned and the air is much dryer than the air outside.

[Pugsy]

had difficulties breathing with my nose last night, one side was congested, usually the side I'm lying on..

Common enough complaint. Normal nasal cycle thing. Sometimes it bugs the crap out of me but fortunately not often.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_cycle
The side down always a trouble maker.
When I get it I turn over to the other side and give it a few minutes and it will usually clear up.

The Mirage Liberty...very old school...it was around back in 2009 when I started treatment and in fact I have one in the donations box...size large I think it is but only have large pillows...it's horrible looking...Very hard compared to the F30i.
It's been around so long and fallen out of favor I wouldn't be surprised to see ResMed discontinue making it.
And you have to order the exact size cushion.
Now the Innomed/Respcare Hybrid is similar but it comes with all 3 sizes of cushions in the package...It's been around for ages as well.
It is a lot cheaper than the Liberty as well.

The DreamWear full face mask....a much, much improved version of the Amara View IMHO. MUCH MORE comfortable..softer silicone and much easier to get sealed and stay sealed. Less plastic hard frame that holds the cushion.

Amara View on top....DreamWear on bottom



On this image below...DreamWear on left...Amara on right

[zonker]

As a side bar: Using pressure higher than needed creates sore throat, dry nasal passages and will create mask leaks that can be alleviated.

Using higher pressure than needed is caused by setting the minimum pressure too high. Setting the maximum pressure wide open will not cause a higher pressure than is needed.

+1

[Pugsy]

I was told both by Phillips and Resmed distributors that there is no need to use humidifier in the summer because the air is already humid enough, is that true, or is it giberish ?

I vote gibberish.... they have no idea what humidity your nasal mucosa needs to be happy.
When the nasal mucosa get angry...they swell up and we get congested.
They can get angry with either not enough moisture or too much moisture...it's another one of those YMMV things.
Do you live in a rain forest where the humidity is 95% all the time??? If you did then maybe you wouldn't need added moisture.

Where I live the humidity ranges normally around 50 ish...when it rains it's higher of course.
I have my humidifier set on max of 8 and sometimes I wish it could go higher. When I lower the setting I start getting all sorts of allergy like symptoms....congestion, drainage, sneezing, etc. My nasal mucosa doesn't like being dried out at all....but that's me and my nose.

I know of couples (both on cpap) where the husband might need very little or no added moisture but the wife is like me and would snort water if she could. Everyone has their own personal needs/preferences when it comes to what is needed to keep the nasal mucosa happy.
I know people living in the high desert where it is ultra dry in terms of humidity who don't even us added moisture...and I know people in Brazil in the rain forest who need added moisture. Go figure that one.

Humidity needs or not...that is something you have to figure out for yourself.
Google "cpap rhinitis"...start reading. Most people need at least a little added moisture and some people are like me....need more than they can get sometimes.

[Morgoth]

I was told both by Phillips and Resmed distributors that there is no need to use humidifier in the summer because the air is already humid enough, is that true, or is it giberish ?

I vote gibberish.... they have no idea what humidity your nasal mucosa needs to be happy.
When the nasal mucosa get angry...they swell up and we get congested.
They can get angry with either not enough moisture or too much moisture...it's another one of those YMMV things.
Do you live in a rain forest where the humidity is 95% all the time??? If you did then maybe you wouldn't need added moisture.

Where I live the humidity ranges normally around 50 ish...when it rains it's higher of course.
I have my humidifier set on max of 8 and sometimes I wish it could go higher. When I lower the setting I start getting all sorts of allergy like symptoms....congestion, drainage, sneezing, etc. My nasal mucosa doesn't like being dried out at all....but that's me and my nose.

I know of couples (both on cpap) where the husband might need very little or no added moisture but the wife is like me and would snort water if she could. Everyone has their own personal needs/preferences when it comes to what is needed to keep the nasal mucosa happy.
I know people living in the high desert where it is ultra dry in terms of humidity who don't even us added moisture...and I know people in Brazil in the rain forest who need added moisture. Go figure that one.

Humidity needs or not...that is something you have to figure out for yourself.
Google "cpap rhinitis"...start reading. Most people need at least a little added moisture and some people are like me....need more than they can get sometimes.

Wow thanks ! Especially for that wiki link for Nasal cycle, never ever in my life any ENT mentioned me that. The thing is sometimes the congestion is tolerable, but sometimes it's so congested like cement, I guess my alergies and me being overweight contribute to that... I didn't have those problems while I was fit and was playing competitive basketball.

Also, I would stay away from anything Amara after I had such nightmares with Amara Fullface mask...

So Mirage liberty and the similar model from Inomed are rigid and inferior to Dreamware FF and F30i.

How about F&P fullface models ? I see a lot of their models are under the chin, the one mask I saw at this lady store has very very thick cushion but it was very light, I'm not sure what was the name of the mask though... I hated having something over the bridge of my nose, but maybe it was just Amara's fault.