Got my machine... Here goes nothing!!

Sleeper · Post by **Sleeper** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:46 pm

Well, after the requisite months of being diagnosed, agonizing, waiting, waiting, and more waiting, here I am with my new Remstar Pro/2 !!

Just picked it up from my DME this afternoon, fresh new machine on a 3-month lease. I opted out of their generous offer of in-home setup; NO thank you!

I'm starting out with the Swift Mirage and actually, it feels pretty comfortable. I'm worried that I'll wind up breathing out my mouth, but I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

My pressure is set to 8 and the C-Flex is at 2.5 (i think), so I guess we'll see. Everyone says 8 is low, so hopefully it works.

Now I need to figure out how to get the humidifier setup correctly... does the air outlet have to actually be pushed into the HH chamber??? Humidity is actually fairly high here right now; maybe I'll hold off on it for now.

WISH ME LUCK!!!!!!!!!!

thewebbie · Post by **thewebbie** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:49 pm

good luck!

elliejose · Post by **elliejose** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:00 pm

Break a leg!

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:54 pm

If you have the Remstar heated humidfier, there is a special connector that comes with the HH. That goes on the CPAP and then you slide the HH onto it's base (there are little slots on the spring loaded base that the HH tabs slide into) line up the tabs into the slots and press down on the HH and slide it back until the pipe sticking out of the HH slides into the connector on the CPAP. Push the heat button and the little green LED on the front bottom of the HH should light....wait 20 minutes and start breathing!!!

Born Tired · Post by **Born Tired** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:15 pm

Sleeper,
You may find that even if the humidity is relatively high in your house, you may be more comfortable with the humidifier on. The air blows at a fair clip through your nose and can really dry you out. I use my HH at least on 1 all the time. Tried it with just passover at first but had to order the HH. Especially in the winter. Plan to order the heated hose to help with the rainout.
Sleep well,
Esther

Sleeper · Post by **Sleeper** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:57 pm

I found the little rubber coupler with the metal ring and I think I got the humidifier in right... There were 2 of these couplers in the pack, but I only needed one, is that right?

The green light on the front of the HH comes on and I figured out how to adjust the heat. I turned it up to 5 for a few minutes but it doesn't seem to get really "hot", unless maybe it just takes longer to warm up.. I noticed a little condensation inside the chamber, but not much. It's definitely not misting out like one of the room humidifiers does. I'm hoping that's normal ?

Well......I better be off to bed!! Thanks for all the help!!!

Grabraham · Post by **Grabraham** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:57 pm

yep only one coupler at a time. it does not get really hot but if you touch the front metal edge of the metal tank bottom it should feel noticably warm after 5 mins

lynn · Post by **lynn** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:23 am

Yup, Sleeper, that's the right connector. I found the second one in my travel bag as I had to replace that connector this week due to a small leak. This was after about 8 months' use. So don't lose the other one!

I see those little connectors can be reordered on cpap.com in the two-pack.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:36 pm

So Sleeper, how did your first night go? (Inquiring minds want to know.)

Sleeper · Post by **Sleeper** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:42 pm

Well, I slept all night!!!!

The Swift mask was not bad at all, really. I started out on my back and I think I was probably in the same position most of the night. The way I had the mask on, it was also okay to roll over on my left side but basically the right side was off limits because of the hose.

This morning I felt slightly "different", but it's hard to put my finger on it. I almost thought my vision was a little bit better when I first woke up, like I didn't feel quite so blurry-eyed....even though I really didn't give myself enough time for a good night's sleep, only 6 1/2 hours.

I'm looking forward to getting the software, to be able to see what's going on.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:13 pm

I think I know what's going on: you are getting the treatment you need. Way to go! .

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:10 am

WAFlowers wrote:I think I know what's going on: you are getting the treatment you need. Way to go! .

Thanks Bill!!

Unfortunately last night (CPAP night #2) was a different story... I got to bed a little earlier, but then woke up at 5 am and took the mask off, feeling *way* more tired than usual, then got up a couple hours later feeling not much better. I noticed my nose was wicked cold. I had the HH on "1". Mild headache, subsided somewhat after a few cups of coffee.

Not sure what went on, but before I got into bed last night I watched the little video about the Swift mask cleaning procedures and realized that the first night I had not "cleaned the headgear in soapy water before first use." I took off the hose and nasal pillow assembly and cleaned those, but not the headgear. Both nights I did the cleaning right before bed, so there were still some water droplets inside the hose/assembly which I guess might not be a great idea. I guess I've got to get into a better groove with cleaning.

Oh well, I'll try it again tonight.

Sleeper · Post by **Sleeper** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:12 am

Grabraham wrote:yep only one coupler at a time. it does not get really hot but if you touch the front metal edge of the metal tank bottom it should feel noticably warm after 5 mins

I noticed it felt a little warm, but not too much. Guess I'll have to give it some time!

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:06 am

Sleeper (I assume that was you as "Guest"), I get a very poor nights sleep if my humidifier is turned too low. I'm restless and have a lot of arousals -- and I don't mean the good kind! Of course, before I got my heated hose if I turned the humidifier up high enough I'd get rainout.

Yes, you'll have to get in the habit of cleaning your mask in the morning so it is dry by night. Then wash your face before bed as well. It does make a difference.

I also found that getting the Swift's straps adjusted just right, and routing the hose optimally (over the head and held in place by the velcro through the top buckle) made a big difference to the quality of my treatment. Before doing those things it was OK -- much better than pre-CPAP but still not great. Once I got it "right" the difference in the quality of my sleep was astounding! .

Born Tired · Post by **Born Tired** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 11:46 am

Anonymous wrote: Both nights I did the cleaning right before bed, so there were still some water droplets inside the hose/assembly which I guess might not be a great idea. I guess I've got to get into a better groove with cleaning.

Sleeper,
You can dry out your hose and mask in a short time by allowing the air from your machine to run through them for 10 mins or so. (You'll need to make sure your alarm is turned off, and I turn my heat off too.) My hose never dries completely out by just hanging it up to dry. You can empty the humidifier reservoir for this process or sometimes I have left water in (with heat off), but of course it takes longer to dry with water still in the tank.
It is nice to start the night with completely dry hose and mask.
Esther

Mask

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Mask	Humidifier

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