3 Month Update and Some S9 Questions

[schnarchen]

I have just made it to 3 months on CPAP. Overall I've had great success along with only a few challenges.

I think I've had OSA for a long time. My wife can testify that I have snored loudly for years, and it was when she noticed I stopped breathing for long periods at night that she insisted I get checked for OSA. I have had asthma since I was a child. I also have a deviated septum and get frequent nosebleeds in the winter. I suffered from occasional migraine headaches, and over the past few years began to stutter from time to time. After my initial sleep study, I was diagnosed with Upper Airway Restriction Syndrome with suspected REM-related OSA. A follow-up titration study resulted in a 7cm CPAP prescription, although they only reached 7cm near the end of my sleep time because my apnea events are not evenly spaced out through the night.

I started with an S8 Auto Elite II, which was rented until my insurance confirmed my compliance. Not knowing any better, I took whatever machine the DME brought me and started out. I was still getting AHI's in the 4-8 range. After a few weeks I found this site and downloaded ResScan so I could track my progress. I needed a card reader for the S8, and when I asked my DME health care specialist how to get one, she handed me one that she said they didn't need (I was impressed). After looking at the data for a week, I noticed that most nights my AHI was still rarely below 5, with events coming in clusters. My interpretation was that I was still having REM-related apneas, and the pressure was probably not high enough. My doctor agreed and wrote me a prescription for an APAP. That's where some of the challenges came in.

The DME customer service representative first informed me that they couldn't trade out my S8 because the insurance company had just bought the unit. I knew that wasn't the case because I have a high deductible Health Savings Account plan, and I would be the one footing the bill. Then they explained that the insurance wouldn't cover an APAP. But because of this site, I knew that the cost codes were the same. Next they offered that they would switch it out for an S8 Auto if I would pay the difference myself, but they would have to get an OK from my insurance to return the first unit. I was getting frustrated, and happened to call back when the customer service representative was out to lunch and spoke instead to the health care specialist. She kindly and quickly agreed to place an order for an APAP, and made an appointment for me to come pick it up. When I arrived, she had an S9 Auto for me set at 7-20cm with EPR of 2.

Since then, I've used it every night except for one (an international flight to Europe). I wouldn't claim that I've had a huge change in fatigue levels like some experience, but I can now watch TV past 10PM without falling asleep. I've not had any major discomfort except the occasional dry mouth. My AHI's are almost always below 1.0. More importantly, I've noticed a few things about my general health in addition to feeling more alert through the day. I'm breathing easier through the day, as if my asthma is better controlled. I realized that I had gotten used to a background headache which is gone, and I've only had one minor migraine. I also haven't had a nosebleed which used to be commonplace in the winter. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I also have stopped stuttering!

Now for my S9 questions.

1) Recently I've noticed that my S9 is making a whistling or whining sound during EPR. It's not loud until everyone is asleep and the house is quiet, but it is annoying. I never noticed it until two weeks ago, so I'm pretty sure that it wasn't doing it when it was brand new. It makes the same sound if the humidifier is disconnected. Is this normal, or do I need to get it checked out for a problem?

2) I have the SlimLine hose, and I haven't had a rainout problem. Is the ClimateLine hose worth the $50 if you're not having problems without it?

I realize my story is like most others, but I must admit that I've changed my perspective. After I was diagnosed, I remember saying I would rather die in my sleep than be hooked up to a machine every night. Being a father of four, that wasn't an option, so I gave it a try. Now I look forward to sleeping every night.

[sleepnationtv]

Really the S9 should not be very loud. If it did go up to a really high pressure you may hear it a little more. But it should not make a whining noise. S9 machines have 2 year warranties so I would probably get it checked. At our DME we just give patients new machines if there are problems and then we send the machine back no questions asked from resmed so it should not be a big hassle for your supplier.

As for the climateline, if you have not had any problems with rainout and are fine with the temperature of the air coming out than you might as well save the $50. Really the only advantage of the climateline is you can heat up the air as it passes through the tube and it allows the humidifier to go into auto mode. The climateline has a humidity sensor so it uses that to automatically adjust the humidity level of the humidifier up and down. But really thats not that big of an issue once you find the right setting.

Heres a video for the S9 I made. http://www.sleepnation.tv/post/2337667545/resmeds9

[sol]

Quote : " Recently I've noticed that my S9 is making a whistling or whining sound during EPR. It's not loud until everyone is asleep and the house is quiet, but it is annoying. I never noticed it until two weeks ago, so I'm pretty sure that it wasn't doing it when it was brand new. It makes the same sound if the humidifier is disconnected. Is this normal, or do I need to get it checked out for a problem?"
Also mine does makes the same sound on exhaling ...

[schnarchen]

Also mine does makes the same sound on exhaling ...

Yes, the sound is when I exhale. Maybe I'll just wait to see if it gets any worse.

Also, another interesting observation - whenever I would nap before, I would almost always snore loudly. Now when I take a nap (without CPAP), I'm told I don't snore at all.

[greg-g]

I'm using the same settings on my S9 Autoset (7 - 20 and EPR = 2), and have been for the past 9 months. I have no appreciable noise.
The only other user variable is the filter, have you check it recently?
I've only ever used the climate hose with excellent results. Its the only way to utilise all the features of the machine, but then if your happy with the standard hose why change. The climate hose has had failures and really only stops rainout which is a major problem for some people.
I paid $35 for my backup hose from the USA.

[schnarchen]

I'm using the same settings on my S9 Autoset (7 - 20 and EPR = 2), and have been for the past 9 months. I have no appreciable noise.
The only other user variable is the filter, have you check it recently?
I've only ever used the climate hose with excellent results. Its the only way to utilise all the features of the machine, but then if your happy with the standard hose why change. The climate hose has had failures and really only stops rainout which is a major problem for some people.
I paid $35 for my backup hose from the USA.

I haven't changed the filter, but it still looks like new.

Can you PM me with where you got the climateline host for $35?

[jameslv-nv]

Really the S9 should not be very loud. If it did go up to a really high pressure you may hear it a little more. But it should not make a whining noise. S9 machines have 2 year warranties so I would probably get it checked. At our DME we just give patients new machines if there are problems and then we send the machine back no questions asked from resmed so it should not be a big hassle for your supplier.

As for the climateline, if you have not had any problems with rainout and are fine with the temperature of the air coming out than you might as well save the $50. Really the only advantage of the climateline is you can heat up the air as it passes through the tube and it allows the humidifier to go into auto mode. The climateline has a humidity sensor so it uses that to automatically adjust the humidity level of the humidifier up and down. But really thats not that big of an issue once you find the right setting.

Heres a video for the S9 I made. http://www.sleepnation.tv/post/2337667545/resmeds9

Excellent video and perfect timing as I'm just starting my journey with my S9 acpap.

Watching your video will likely save me a lot of time posting here as well as others trying to explain or help me make adjustments as time goes.