Need some help Resmed S8 Elite questions

[shardebhow]

I have a few questions. I used my S8 Elite last night for the first time. I noticed a louder inhaling/exhaling noise than I had when with my F&P 600 series, which was swapped for the Elite. Is this normal? ALso, I though I hear a small squeel. I did get to sleep and slept for 7 1/2 hours. I was wondering if there is something I have not adjusted that could help to alleviate the sounds or, I just need to get used to it.

Does the menu stay on all the time when I am not using the machine??? Do I unplug when not in use? Do I need to empty the water tank each day?

I have learned via this forum how to access my data. THere is an area that says menu type. It had STD in it. I changed it to ADV. I though it might give me more info. Also, It does not give the date when I go to the data menu although I did check and the date on the machine is correct. I did have to change the time, though.

Last for now, where on the forum can I find out what the numbers I retrieved mean regarding how I stand. Leak: .10L/S, AHI: 2.2, AI: .05, HI: 1.7. My Pressure is 9. It is exciting to be able to see this info now. Lastly, if I just keep track and jott down the data from the menu, does that do the same thing as if I had the software and equipment to download myself?Thanks in advance for any help.

(slinky, wanted to give you a rest )

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): AHI

[billbolton]

Does the menu stay on all the time when I am not using the machine???

Basically yes. The display backlight goes off a few minutes after the last "action" on the "control surface"... that mostly means a physical button push, but can also include a few auto actions which minic a button push.

Do I unplug when not in use?

Well, I switch mine off at the wall point because its convenient and reduces my energy footprint a tad (every little bit helps) but if your power outlets don't have switches you can unplug it if you want to.

Do I need to empty the water tank each day?

Its a personal choice. I usually empty mine totally once a week and rinse it out with hot tap water, and otherwise just top it up as necessary during the week.

Last for now, where on the forum can I find out what the numbers I retrieved mean regarding how I stand. Leak: .10L/S, AHI: 2.2, AI: .05, HI: 1.7.

In general, leaks rates at or below 0.1 l/s are fine.

In general, any AHI at or below 5.0 is fine, so at 2.2 you doing well.

Lastly, if I just keep track and jott down the data from the menu, does that do the same thing as if I had the software and equipment to download myself?

Yes and no. In terms of the gross nightly data it will achieve the same result.

The software allows you to view the detailed nightly data, such as when events occured during the night and how long they lasted etc. This can be useful for some purposes. The biggest benefit is for "troubleshooting" particular issues rather than for overall general monitoring, where it is more of a convenience than a necessity.

Whether it would be useful for you is something you need to work out for yourself.

Cheers,

Bill

[shardebhow]

Does the menu stay on all the time when I am not using the machine???

Basically yes. The display backlight goes off a few minutes after the last "action" on the "control surface"... that mostly means a physical button push, but can also include a few auto actions which minic a button push.

Do I unplug when not in use?

Well, I switch mine off at the wall point because its convenient and reduces my energy footprint a tad (every little bit helps) but if your power outlets don't have switches you can unplug it if you want to.

Do I need to empty the water tank each day?

Its a personal choice. I usually empty mine totally once a week and rinse it out with hot tap water, and otherwise just top it up as necessary during the week.

Last for now, where on the forum can I find out what the numbers I retrieved mean regarding how I stand. Leak: .10L/S, AHI: 2.2, AI: .05, HI: 1.7.

In general, leaks rates at or below 0.1 l/s are fine.

In general, any AHI at or below 5.0 is fine, so at 2.2 you doing well.

Lastly, if I just keep track and jott down the data from the menu, does that do the same thing as if I had the software and equipment to download myself?

Yes and no. In terms of the gross nightly data it will achieve the same result.

The software allows you to view the detailed nightly data, such as when events occured during the night and how long they lasted etc. This can be useful for some purposes. The biggest benefit is for "troubleshooting" particular issues rather than for overall general monitoring, where it is more of a convenience than a necessity.

Whether it would be useful for you is something you need to work out for yourself.

Cheers,

Bill

[mtoddrussell]

I also use the Elite--started in November 2007. Great machine! The EPR feature seems to make me more aware of the machine running. I chose to turn it off. You may also be able to do this, since your pressure is relatively low.

Initially, I wrote down my data daily (make sure you look before 12 noon, as the display resets) and found it useful to chart it in Excel. Overall, I could see the trend of my AHI and AI as it related to the pressure. Leaks were not a concern to me since they were always low. I also noted the mask type, since this was all new, and any meds that I was taking that might impact my OSA.

I was initially concerned because my AHI seemed to stay around 7. I read somewhere on this site that the AHI reading for this machine usually ran a little high, so I focused on the AI. Once my AI was below 1, I quit "tracking" it on paper, but still look at the AI occasionally to make sure I am still on track.

I also have the smart card--I download the data, and take it with me when I go to the dr. and ask them to look over the data and print any significant findings. My DME, APRIA, also offered to print off the data from the smart card, if I needed it--by mail or in person.

It would be nice to have the software, and I think it would be beneficial, but after the initial expense , I decided to wait, and now I don't really feel that I need it. I plan to let the doctor view the granular detail, and I stick with the top level data.

Also, I find that I get rain out if the humidifier is set higher than about 1/2 way. I have a hose cover, and have tried keeping the machine lower than my head. I find it works best if I don't go past the 3 setting, but that is probably driven by my bedroom temperature.

In the beginning, I was very obsessed with charting the data, finding the right masks, reading all of the posts that I could, googling, etc. It was very helpful, and I think necessary. I no longer feel the need to chart the data nor do I read every post, but it still helps me to learn from others experiences. This website has been my most valuable tool!

Finding the best mask for me has been the most difficult task.

Good luck to you!!

-Todd

[kayfouroh]

How do you guys see the AHI and leak data? I go to Menu on my S8 Elite and all I get is:
USED HRS, USAGE, MASK, SW

Did my DME lock me out of these options?

I want to know if my treatment is working optimally but my doctor is about 4 states away (went to a family doctor on vacation) and I don't really have the $ to throw down on the card reader and software...

[ColinP]

Press and hold the far left and far right button at the same time. After a second or two the Efficiancy Data menu comes up.

Colin

[Slinky]

Have you tried pressing the Left and Right buttons and holding for 3-4 seconds? Efficacy Data should pop up in the LED screen.

[kayfouroh]

Yep, works like a charm!

Only things I can see are efficiency and usage, though. Is that normal? I can't see my pressure settings or anything.

[bigk]

You should be able to see pressure etc in that menu I think. If not, pressing the right and down buttons for a few seconds will take you into the clinical menu.

Make sure you write down all the settings before you make any changes though.

[kayfouroh]

Very interesting... thanks so much!

With the S8 elite, is there any way to get an alarm for when I take the mask off in the middle of the night? And is there a way I can have the machine start the treatment when I start breathing into the mask? Or am I asking too much from this little machine?

(Sorry for threadjacking!!)

[bigk]

In the clinical menu you can enable smartstart OR the mask leak function - one or the other.

Lots of people don't like smartstart - but I use it -it's more convenient than stretching for the machine to press the button.

[kayfouroh]

In the clinical menu you can enable smartstart OR the mask leak function - one or the other.

Lots of people don't like smartstart - but I use it -it's more convenient than stretching for the machine to press the button.

I appreciate the help!

I really would like both of them enabled, don't know why you can't have either one enabled.

Well, now that I think about it SmartStart should shut itself off when it realizes there is no one receiving the air right? Guess people don't want it beeping at nothing...

I really like the alarm, though!

[bigk]

When you think about it, they really are mutually exclusive options - if there is a high leak rate, how is it to know you didn't take the mask off?