Quattro Air

[library lady]

I have been on (and off) CPAP for exactly 5 days; got my first machine on Feb. 3, and my DME gave me the Quattro Air; my comments are not comparative. I didn't think to ask if I had a mask choice, but when the tech put it on me I really liked the feel of it on my face. It has been a long 5 days; the mask gave me a lot of grief with many loud noises that I compare to a whoopee cushion. I got many whiffs into my eyes, which I couldn't stand.... and after lots of internet and library searches, I came to the conclusion that I either need a different mask or some mask liners. My DME urged me to try to adapt to this mask, as it seems to really fit well, and it is comfortable for me to wear. This morning I knew I could not be compliant unless I took action, so I went downtown and picked up some RemZzzz liners. I tried them out for a couple of hours in my chair while reading, and there's a huge improvement! I have noticed some ride-up, but a chin strap will maybe help that... it's in my prescription "on request" so I can go back and get one, or maybe I will DIY it, as my dad always did for just about everything.

[OldSarge]

Digital -
Thanks again for your thoughts and experience. It appears that only the oracle will get me thru the recovery period, That's the only one that involves only mouth pressure with no nasal pillows. So that question is resolved. Not sure I am a great candidate for ENT surgery as I am likely a little older that their ideal patient for it. Think Vietnam era Vet.

On the "Secure Messaging". First you sign up on the VA website for "MyHealthyVet" (Sometimes referred to as MyHealthEvet.). They explain what you need to do. The more sensitive data such as "VA Notes" (The Drs written comments about your care, results etc) and ordering prescription refills will require they "Validate" your account for security puorposes for you information safety.. They will want to issue a plastic VA card which you can use anytime you do a check in etc. That requires a photo etc. I do not need to use it in Salina, they pretty much know all their patients. But I had to go to the Wichita VA Hospital to get it done with the photo when I was there for another appt. You may have an outclinic or VA center around you that can do this. If you already have the ID card - call and see if your are considered "Verified".
Once you get on the system it opens all the information on your care, prescritption history and reordering, DR - clinical notes on your care, past and upcoming appointments, appoinment requests. Also once you are in the system you can send a Secure Message to any of the DR's, Physician Asst's, Optometrists, etc that you have interfaced with. I usually get a reply within an hour or two of my message being sent. But you still are told to call directly if you need immediate assistance. It's a great tool to use for us that are a distance from the VA Hospital. The whole of the VA system can use your account for any facility you go to while travelling, emergencies etc. It's all there.

Yes - I got a Sleep Study to start and then they gave me a Sleep Titration with masks about 4 weeks later. Both were done in the Wichita VA - they have two rooms for it and the techs are hired from an outside service. My events were in the peak 40+ range so that's probably why they booted me in so fast. I was diagnosed with AFib also so they are pretty serious about some of my care. I see it as a blessing.

Regarding your lost records - were your in the fire in St Loius? They lost a lot of records of Vietnam and prior for Navy and Marines (that's me). But my records were evidently there as it has always shown my PH that the VA uses for my priority group. It shows on my card also..That sucks they lost yours.

Lastly my Pressure it now set for 15 on straight CPAP, from a ramp up from 11. My EPR level is 3. I'll add it to my profile.

[dinycat]

Vietnam Veteran--

Never say you're old. That means I am, too.

Thank you for your service.

dinycat

[Magicdave]

I've used a Quattro FX full face mask for over a year and have got really used to it. Out of curiosity I tried a Quattro Air but found two issues - firstly I found the feeling of pressure on my forehead quite uncomfortable, and the hooks a lot more fiddly compared to the clips on my normal mask. Maybe I should give it another go but for now I'm quite happy to stick with my Quattro FX.

[digitalepiphany]

Digital -
Thanks again for your thoughts and experience. It appears that only the oracle will get me thru the recovery period, That's the only one that involves only mouth pressure with no nasal pillows. So that question is resolved. Not sure I am a great candidate for ENT surgery as I am likely a little older that their ideal patient for it. Think Vietnam era Vet.
Don't forget that I listed the Sleepweaver and the Quattro FX as FFMs that don't touch your forehead. These would work better if you breathe through your nose at all. If you breathe through your nose on the Oracle, you lose treatment. I've never used the Oracle, so I have no idea how difficult it would be to breathe through your nose while using it. Whatever works for you though. Just discuss all your options with your VA guy.

On the "Secure Messaging". First you sign up on the VA website for "MyHealthyVet" (Sometimes referred to as MyHealthEvet.). They explain what you need to do. The more sensitive data such as "VA Notes" (The Drs written comments about your care, results etc) and ordering prescription refills will require they "Validate" your account for security puorposes for you information safety.. They will want to issue a plastic VA card which you can use anytime you do a check in etc. That requires a photo etc. I do not need to use it in Salina, they pretty much know all their patients. But I had to go to the Wichita VA Hospital to get it done with the photo when I was there for another appt. You may have an outclinic or VA center around you that can do this. If you already have the ID card - call and see if your are considered "Verified".
Once you get on the system it opens all the information on your care, prescritption history and reordering, DR - clinical notes on your care, past and upcoming appointments, appoinment requests. Also once you are in the system you can send a Secure Message to any of the DR's, Physician Asst's, Optometrists, etc that you have interfaced with. I usually get a reply within an hour or two of my message being sent. But you still are told to call directly if you need immediate assistance. It's a great tool to use for us that are a distance from the VA Hospital. The whole of the VA system can use your account for any facility you go to while travelling, emergencies etc. It's all there.
I've had the ID card and have been signed up for MyHealthEvet (sp?) for a few years now, but just validated my account last week. It'll probably take a month for it to make it through the system. I knew you could do a lot of that stuff, like looking at prescriptions, reordering prescriptions, but I had no idea you could read the dr's b notes and send secure messages. That's really cool.

Yes - I got a Sleep Study to start and then they gave me a Sleep Titration with masks about 4 weeks later. Both were done in the Wichita VA - they have two rooms for it and the techs are hired from an outside service. My events were in the peak 40+ range so that's probably why they booted me in so fast. I was diagnosed with AFib also so they are pretty serious about some of my care. I see it as a blessing.
I'm 35 and have no other more serious medical conditions (like afib), so that's probably why they didn't bother with an in-house study. No biggie. They seem to have gotten the treatment right. At this point, it's just finding the one mask that works or me.

Regarding your lost records - were your in the fire in St Loius? They lost a lot of records of Vietnam and prior for Navy and Marines (that's me). But my records were evidently there as it has always shown my PH that the VA uses for my priority group. It shows on my card also..That sucks they lost yours.
Nope. Not lost in the St. Louis fire. I was in from 97 to 02. My sleep study was done in late 01 or early 02 at Bethesda Naval Medical Hospital (it is now a joint Army/Navy hospital). I was stationed at Andrews AFB, so those sleep study results weren't part of my outpatient file at Andrews. Bethesda is supposed to keep inpatient records for 1 calendar year, and them ship them off to St. Louis, where they're filed first by hospital name, then by date, then by patient name. I'm almost tempted to go there myself. I've put in 3 requests over the years, and each time they say the records don't exist. I first filed for disability in 2004. At this point, if I can go to St. Louis and find those records, they'd have to backpay me for 50% disability from 2004 to now. That's a huge chunk of change they could've avoided paying out at once by finding my records to begin with. If I find those records, of course.

Lastly my Pressure it now set for 15 on straight CPAP, from a ramp up from 11. My EPR level is 3. I'll add it to my profile.
In the beginning, that ramp feature helps to acclimate. Most of us, though, eventually turn it off. I used it for 2 days before getting rid of it. It was more difficult to breathe (for me) at the lower ramp pressures. I had more suffocation-like episodes. You can also experience leaks at your prescribed pressure that you wouldn't experience at the lower pressure using ramp. Why lie in bed for 10 minutes before finally finding out you have a leak? I prefer to take care of leaks when I first put it on. At least try it without the ramp feature to see how you like it. A lot of us actually prefer not using it.

[OldSarge]

.
In the beginning, that ramp feature helps to acclimate.

I agree - I have it turned down to 5 minutes. Helps me make sure the mask is set correctly. I swear my head changes shape or size. I just can't depend on the same strap adjusment every night. It always seems to need a little change.

[OldSarge]

Vietnam Veteran--

Never say you're old. That means I am, too.

Thank you for your service.

dinycat

Thank you.!

[digitalepiphany]

I agree - I have it turned down to 5 minutes. Helps me make sure the mask is set correctly. I swear my head changes shape or size. I just can't depend on the same strap adjusment every night. It always seems to need a little change.

Same thing happens to me as well. When I used the Swift FX, the minimal headgear allowed me to never adjust it once I had it set. Using anything else, I always have to make a slight adjustment.