Elite II settings

[dogbone]

What trail adjustments should I be making? The doc started me at a pressure of 12, then moved it down to 8. I have have an appointment near the end of August. In the mean time I want to experiment with other pressures. Should I go incrementally up or down?

I've been using my ResMed, Elite II, for 6 months and still can't sleep. I've tried several masks; one works. . . kind of. The Activa Lt gives me zero leaks but I had to tape my mouth which gave me an open sore, now healed. I then tried a FF Quattro but haven't gotten a good seal. I also tried Respironics FF, same thing. No seal. My supplier hasn't allowed me to try sample masks and I can't afford trial and error purchases.

[roster]

What are you trying to accomplish?

What was your complete diagnosis?

How was the original setting determined? Why did the doctor change the pressure setting?

[dogbone]

Short Answer:
1. I want a good night's sleep.
2. I have several apnea episodes each night plus restless legs (medicated)
3. The pressure was changed, I think, because I couldn't get a seal on my mask.

The long answer:
I'm trying to get a good night's sleep which I haven't had for years. My sleep study story is probably typical but long and I don't have the documentation which is with the doctor. My first study was done at a local hospital (small town) my titration was done at sleep clinic an hour away. That doctor set the prescription for the cpap, mask, and pressure, I presume, according to my test. The original mask was a nasal pillow with a Resmed, Elite II, at a pressure of 12. The supplier: Lencare. Those services were too far away, so I switched to a closer doctor and supplier. That doctor lowered the pressure to eight because I was not getting getting the results that he and I wanted. Then I went through the few other style masks I mention above. I wish I had the complete diagnosis to share but I will say the study showed I had several apnea episodes during the study along with restless leg syndrome. The latter has been medicated. By the way, I stopped seeing the second doctor (which I regret) because I could not afford the co-pay. I've decided, however, that I've spent to much money not to move forward with proper consultation. As I said, I have an appointment the latter part of August. . . too far off but that's what I have.

[brazospearl]

Dogbone, honey, you need to start reading your stats on the LCD screen and writing them down every day. That will show you if you're having events or leaks, then you'll be able to figure out what adjustments need to be made. Without the data there's just no way to know. I can say that reducing pressure from 12 to 8 is a big drop...just my 2 cents.

[roster]

Dogbone, honey, you need to start reading your stats on the LCD screen and writing them down every day. That will show you if you're having events or leaks, then you'll be able to figure out what adjustments need to be made. Without the data there's just no way to know.

That is the right first step. I would put key numbers each day into an Excel spreadsheet or similar tool, assuming you do not have the ResScan software.

Changing the pressure without any data is rarely a good choice. Give us some data and the members can make some specific observations.

Sounds like you need to work on mask leaks for one of the full face masks. Using the search function for the mask and doing some reading in the forum may help.

What position(s) do you sleep in?

[dogbone]

Thanks for your thoughts. I recorded my stats religiously for several months, posting some here, though I didn't put them in a spread sheet which is a good idea. I'll start recording them on a spread sheet and see what the trend is. I know guessing pressure settings is a shot in the dark, but I'm ready to try anything to get some sleep.

[sleepnationtv]

This seems to be a common problem, I work at a DME provider of cpap equipment and see patients struggle with masks all of the time. The best solution for your pressure settings is to do a titration study, I wouldn't go to a sleep lab because it will cost you an arm and a leg. See if your equipment provider will let you borrow an Resmed Auto Set II to use over a two week period. The autoset is similar to a CPAP except that it can detect apneas and will automatically adjust the pressure to keep your airway open. Set the min at 5cm and the max at 15cm. At the end of two weeks download the data and look at the 90th percentile pressure, that will be the pressure that works best.

As far as the masks go i like the resmed Quattro or use the activa but get a good chinstrap to help keep your mouth closed. Also find a new DME, we do a 30 day trial period on masks so you can try them and we will make sure you find a good mask. We are in Utah if you happen to be in the area. If not you can find a better DME, you do have a chioce of provider.

Also check out www{dot}sleepnation{dot}tv it has good videos about a wide variety of topics, it is updated weekly so check it out. Hope this helps.

[dogbone]

Thanks for the info on the Resmed Auto Set. . . sounds like terrific advice. I think my Quattro may be too small. I fall on the cusp between small and medium size mask. I ordered my "small" mask on line. Now, I'm convinced I should be using a medium. I guess I should have stayed with a DME, and paid the price to get the correct mask. I live in a small town in East Texas. Not many options around here.