New to CPAP and first post

[Mykale]

Hello to all,

I am a newly diagnosed with OSA. My cardiologist asked me on my last visit to him for occasional episodes of Atrial Fibrillation if I had ever had a sleep study done. I told him I had not but my wife who was with me during the visit piped in with "He really snores and scares me to death at night when he suddenly gasps for breath". My Cardiologist gave me a referral to a sleep doctor who after the initial visit set me up for a sleep study. At the completion of the split study the technician told me that she was able to get a "good titration". All of this occurred just prior to the Christmas holidays and a couple of weeks went by before I heard anything. I got a call from the sleep lab finally that said the doctor would review the results and let me know what was what. The next thing I know I get a call from a local DME provider asking if they could come to the house to deliver some equipment. Well I had still not had a visit with the doctor to discuss the results so I balked and said I needed to make some calls first. Apparently they were trying to make sure that I got setup with equipment before the calendar year expired. I was told by a nurse that was looking at my records, that I had been diagnosed with Sever Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I finally got a letter from the Doctor with an appointment in March to come in and "discuss in detail the results of my sleep study and any treatment that would be required". All this sort of left me with the feeling that the cart was ahead of the horse... At any rate I chalked up the confusion and timing to the Holiday period.

I have been using the machine for 36 days now. After years of low energy and generally feeling bad, particularly in the afternoons, I actually now feel good most of the time. My energy level is up and my wife says that she notices a big difference in mood and my activity level. This forum has been a wonderful resource for me and has answered most of the questions that I came up with. In the first couple of weeks, with the help of this forum I found solutions to what must be common problems. I found I was trying to tighten the mask too much. After several nights of trial and error scouring online for answers, I found that I was tightening my Mirage FX mask too much. When I finally settled in with the keeping the headgear just snug enough to keep the mask in place and let the mask do the sealing, things went much better. I had a few issues with nasal congestion early on and then some nose bleeds. Again through this forum I found that using Ayr saline nasal mist before bedtime and again in the morning cleared that up. In addition I have finally found that a setting of 2 on my humidifier does pretty well.

There was a sticker on the machine that mentioned the Sleepmapper Software. I downloaded the App for my iPhone and also use my PC to see the sparse information that is available to the user. However it does provide positive feed back that I think helps me realize that the Machine is actually doing something worthwhile. My 30 day average AHI is 2.5. The tech that delivered my machine set it up for pressure of 7 to 15.

The machine I have connects and uploads information with an attached wireless modem. One question I have is at some point, such as after the 90 day compliance period, do they normally remove the modem or does it generally stay with the machine?

I would just like to thank again everyone who has posted on this forum. The information that be found here really helps fill those information gaps for a new CPAP person such as me!!

Michael

[longtimeinsleep]

Most DME companies will use the modem for the first 90 days, but since they are paying a monthly fee for it's service, they usually remove it after compliance is proven - they will still be able to track your compliance with a "smartcard" in your machine (sounds like you have a Respironics unit)

Congrats on the good sleep!

[BlackSpinner]

There was a sticker on the machine that mentioned the Sleepmapper Software. I downloaded the App for my iPhone and also use my PC to see the sparse information that is available to the user. However it does provide positive feed back that I think helps me realize that the Machine is actually doing something worthwhile. My 30 day average AHI is 2.5. The tech that delivered my machine set it up for pressure of 7 to 15.

The should be a data card in it if not get one. Card readers are cheap if your PC doesn't have one. There is software called "Sleepyhead" developed by one of our members that shows more detail - see the first thread in the top box.

[Mykale]

Most DME companies will use the modem for the first 90 days, but since they are paying a monthly fee for it's service, they usually remove it after compliance is proven - they will still be able to track your compliance with a "smartcard" in your machine (sounds like you have a Respironics unit)

Congrats on the good sleep!

Thanks for the reply and answer. Yes I have a Respironics System one A-flex. I actually hope they do come get the modem because as I understand it I could then obtain much more detailed information by transferring smart card data to a program such as Sleepyhead.

[Mykale]

There was a sticker on the machine that mentioned the Sleepmapper Software. I downloaded the App for my iPhone and also use my PC to see the sparse information that is available to the user. However it does provide positive feed back that I think helps me realize that the Machine is actually doing something worthwhile. My 30 day average AHI is 2.5. The tech that delivered my machine set it up for pressure of 7 to 15.

The should be a data card in it if not get one. Card readers are cheap if your PC doesn't have one. There is software called "Sleepyhead" developed by one of our members that shows more detail - see the first thread in the top box.

Would there be a smart card under the modem? I pulled the modem off to get the serial number when I registered for the SleepMapper APP but did not examine the back of the device very closely and do not remember if there was a smart card slot or if it had a card in it or not. My PC does have a smart card reader so I guess I am ahead of the game there.

[Pugsy]

Sometimes the DME removes the SD card when they attach the modem and sometimes they don't. You can pop it off and look in the slot to see. There is no real reason to remove the SD card when using the modem though.
If you don't see one...you can get one from Walmart...generic SD card is fine.
Just slide it in and the machine will write what it has stored to its internal memory to the SD card.
You lose very little.

The SD card slot is right under the rim above the filter slot.
If you can't find it I have a picture somewhere that I could look for.

[Mykale]

Sometimes the DME removes the SD card when they attach the modem and sometimes they don't. You can pop it off and look in the slot to see. There is no real reason to remove the SD card when using the modem though.
If you don't see one...you can get one from Walmart...generic SD card is fine.
Just slide it in and the machine will write what it has stored to its internal memory to the SD card.
You lose very little.

The SD card slot is right under the rim above the filter slot.
If you can't find it I have a picture somewhere that I could look for.

Thanks for the information. I am not sure if I should wait until after the modem is gone to start trying to transfer from the SD card. I would not want to mess up things during the compliance period since things appear to be working OK right now...

[Pugsy]

Having the SD card in the slot or having it removed the slot doesn't affect the function of the modem or any data it sends.
It won't make any difference at all but the choice is yours.
They are totally independent of each other.

[Mykale]

Popped the modem off and there was no SD card present. Guess a Wall Mart visit is in my future...

[longtimeinsleep]

Your DME company should have those SmartCards and getting you one should be no problem.
Getting both sets of info may be a little overwhelming, since you are just starting off, but that's up to you.
I would probably just stick with the modem info until they take it and then worry about the card. All you really need to worry about is if you are wearing it 4 hours or more consistently and if your mask is "the right mask" for you. Most manufacturers offer warranties on their masks, so now is the time to find the right one. Most of the other info is aimed for the docs to review with you at your follow up visit.

[BlackSpinner]

Before going to pick up the smart card check if your computer has a slot to read one, if not a reader is around $20.
Sleepyhead is a great program to see what is happening . This is especially important if you have any issues or think it isn't helping as much as you think it should.

NOW is the time to take control of your therapy. Don't leave it in the hands of people to whom you are just another annoying user.