I apologize for starting a new topic but have had difficulty "searching" the site and getting back after I select a topic. So the first thing I need is site navigation help
I have learned so much from this site and am truly grateful for finding it! I have basically been randomly reading but now I am the proud owner of a remstar auto w/c-flex.
Even though I am struggling with how to operate etc the first night (last night) made such a a huge difference that I truly believe it will change my life! To give you some background I have a remstar that I purchased 9 years ago and mostly did not use. I had so many difficulties with my old one because I my tongue is wide in the back and somewhat "atrophied" is what the sinus guy said years ago. My tongue is slightly "tied" (not sure if that causes any problems might make the problems less) Anyway when I first got the cpap 9 years ago I was in so much pain from earaches and sore throats. They tried lots of different masks and pillows. They finally gave me a pass over H2O (I used to put heating pad under it to take the chill off).
Anyway, shortly after I began my experience with the CPAP my insurance agreed to pay for a dental appliance that required weeks of fittings. I gladly used it for 9 years (it was only supposed to last couple of years). I have had some dental problems that I believe may be caused by the appliances but bottom line it no longer does the job and I have been very tired for past few years from my sleep apnea.
So, I go to PCP she sends me to local DME who sent me home on APAP for a week. I have some problems with the APAP but I can tell the difference in quality of life that week. I then find you all and learn how to deal with various side effects. I then discover that my DME is not going to give me an APAP but reg CPAP despite my reports of severe nausea, bloating when I try to use my old CPAP. She said that the insurance would not pay for APAP and I could pay an additional $400 over the copay and she could give me the APAP with out c-flex (and she implied it might be used?? ) Mind you this was $800 without being heated I was feeling so awful on the CPAP I asked her couldn't she rent me the APAP she said no but she could give me a CPAP with cflex and maybe if that did not work the insurance would let me try again!!
Thank goodness I found this site and decided that the best thing was to move on (quickly) and just put out the $700 for the one on cpap.com ( I am going to try to fight the battle with the insurance company after the fact).
I already feel better but having problems with some details. Is there somewhere I can get more info on how to program it or problems. I struggled with how to make it do APAP and cflex (thought the instructions were confusing ) I finally found a post here about that and now have it programed for that function. However, I am a bit disconcerted by the noise my machine makes when the c-flex is on. It tracks my breathing--I guess that is what it is supposed to do? It sounds odd. Also is there supposed to be some sort of connection between the heater and the unit. Right now they are just butted up close to each other--no connection? And, it felt like the heater was off in the middle of the night? Also ,is there no way to access any data without buying software?
Sorry this is such a long post. I would appreciate advice or directions on how to access already posted info on the subject. FYI I have my new apap set for range of 6-11 (my number is 10 but with all the nausea I thought I should keep the high range low). Thanks again for being here!
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com, C-FLEX, cflex, CPAP, DME, auto, APAP
help with remstar auto with d-flex and site navigation
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Guest
Sox wrote "( I am going to try to fight the battle with the insurance company after the fact)."
Talk to your insurance company before the fact, not after. I did that with mine and found out that if the doc calls them and tells them that it is best that I own a machine, they will approve a direct purchase and pay 75% of the CPAP cost. I have to submit my reimbursement request and the supplier's bill and then wait for the reimbursement check. Also ask your insurance company about reimbursement policies with your DME. Ask also about reimbursement policies by CPAP machine make and model. It could be that your insurance company has a one-price policy with machine make and model at the discretion of the DME and the DME is trying to put you in a cheaper machine to up their profitability. I.e., running a bluff on you.
When the DME starts verbalizing what they will and won't do for you, insist on having their explanation in writing. Tell them that your lawyer said to get it in writing.
Talk to your insurance company before the fact, not after. I did that with mine and found out that if the doc calls them and tells them that it is best that I own a machine, they will approve a direct purchase and pay 75% of the CPAP cost. I have to submit my reimbursement request and the supplier's bill and then wait for the reimbursement check. Also ask your insurance company about reimbursement policies with your DME. Ask also about reimbursement policies by CPAP machine make and model. It could be that your insurance company has a one-price policy with machine make and model at the discretion of the DME and the DME is trying to put you in a cheaper machine to up their profitability. I.e., running a bluff on you.
When the DME starts verbalizing what they will and won't do for you, insist on having their explanation in writing. Tell them that your lawyer said to get it in writing.
Guest that is good advice and someone else may benifit from considering that. I mentioned in my post I already bought mine knowing I was taking a risk by doing it before clearing it with my insurance company but it was a risk I felt I needed to take. I have really high blood pressure , 3 young kids, a stressful job and have barely been able to function since my return to my regular CPAP. I literally could not "stomach" my old CPAP.
I know other folks here have had this problem with swallowing air and in my case it was really bad because I also have reflux. I was feeling so awful that I did not have it in me to spend the weeks fighting for what I knew (because I had tried the APAP for a week) would significantly decrease the air problem. I did not want to spend anymore money "trying" other equipment just to end up with what I have. I did ask them about renting so that I might have time to fight but that was not an option available. I don't have an extra $700 to lose and I will try to fight to get the insurance to pay for it after the fact but I have also come to terms with fact I may not get it back. My copay for a regular CPAP was $400. So my loss is $300 if they won't go back and approve. But, I am in much better frame of mind to take them on than I was two days ago.
I know other folks here have had this problem with swallowing air and in my case it was really bad because I also have reflux. I was feeling so awful that I did not have it in me to spend the weeks fighting for what I knew (because I had tried the APAP for a week) would significantly decrease the air problem. I did not want to spend anymore money "trying" other equipment just to end up with what I have. I did ask them about renting so that I might have time to fight but that was not an option available. I don't have an extra $700 to lose and I will try to fight to get the insurance to pay for it after the fact but I have also come to terms with fact I may not get it back. My copay for a regular CPAP was $400. So my loss is $300 if they won't go back and approve. But, I am in much better frame of mind to take them on than I was two days ago.
Sox, okay, we will forget insurance at this point.
Did you buy a Remstar Humidifier when you bought your Auto? If not, you might want to go ahead and order one.
With a Remstar Humidifier, the Auto sits on the humidifier plate. The humidifier needs to be manually turned on when you go to bed and start the apap machine. As long as you don't turn your machine off, the humidifier will stay on. It will not automatically turn itself off if your apap is on.
Now. Did you get the "Home Care Provider Set Up Instructions" booklet with your apap? It's a 11 page brochure and is larger in size than your User Manual? That Set Up booklet will give you all the info you need on setting up your cflex, auto, cpap, etc.
If you didn't get one, I can copy mine and mail it to you. Just PM me with your address.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, cflex, CPAP, auto, APAP
Did you buy a Remstar Humidifier when you bought your Auto? If not, you might want to go ahead and order one.
With a Remstar Humidifier, the Auto sits on the humidifier plate. The humidifier needs to be manually turned on when you go to bed and start the apap machine. As long as you don't turn your machine off, the humidifier will stay on. It will not automatically turn itself off if your apap is on.
Now. Did you get the "Home Care Provider Set Up Instructions" booklet with your apap? It's a 11 page brochure and is larger in size than your User Manual? That Set Up booklet will give you all the info you need on setting up your cflex, auto, cpap, etc.
If you didn't get one, I can copy mine and mail it to you. Just PM me with your address.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, cflex, CPAP, auto, APAP
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| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Compliant since April 2003. (De-cap-itated Aura). |
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Hi sox,
You've really been through the mill.
I think you did the right thing, getting your own autopap. You picked a very good machine...the Respironics REMstar Auto with C-flex. It will be nice if your insurance will reimburse you for the purchase. I understand how it can be more important to go on and get good treatment in place than it is to deal with the delays, paperwork, and jumping through hoops that insurance often requires.
You mentioned having acid reflux. Are you on medication regularly to treat that? CPAP machines of any type can do their job better for some people if they have their acid reflux problem under good control.
If that short cord is not hanging loose, you may have inadvertently plugged the humidifier back into itself...not knowing what else to do with that little short cord.
If one end of the short cord is not already hanging loose from the back of the humidifier, unplug the humidifier short cord. Let it just dangle for a minute.
Start from scratch by doing this: unplug the electric power cord (the long power cord from your wall electrical outlet) from the back of your Autopap. Plug that long electrical cord into the backend of the humidifier, into the opening where you can see two little silver prongs showing.
Now for the little short dangling cord that's attached to the humidifier... plug that short cord into the back of the Autopap. You've got it all connected now.
The humidifier is plugged into the electric wall socket.
The short cord from the humidifier is plugged into the autopap.
The heated humidifier for the REMstar Auto doesn't automatically turn on when you turn the autopap on. You have to press the Humidifier button once to turn the humidifier on. annoying.
Whenever you turn the Autopap OFF, the humidifier will automatically turn OFF, also. Just remember, if you turn off the Autopap to go to the bathroom or something, when you turn the Autopap On again, you'll have to also turn the humidifier On. The humidifier will go off automatically, but it won't turn on automatically.
If you hold the humidifier button down for several seconds until you hear a beep and finally see a single digit number, like 1 or 2, etc., you can then start pressing the humidifier button over and over again to see the numbers 1 - 5. Those are the heat settings, 5 being the warmest.
I'd suggest you set it on 1 or 2 to see if just a little bit of warmed, humidified air is enough for you. The higher you set the heat, the more likely it is that you might get water droplets condensing in the long plastic air hose from the machine to your mask. If the droplets roll down toward you, you could get an unwelcome spray of water on your face or into your nose. "Rainout". Won't hurt you, but sure can cause a sleep disturbing wake-up.
sox, please check your Private messages...click the button at upper right of this page.
You've really been through the mill.
I think you did the right thing, getting your own autopap. You picked a very good machine...the Respironics REMstar Auto with C-flex. It will be nice if your insurance will reimburse you for the purchase. I understand how it can be more important to go on and get good treatment in place than it is to deal with the delays, paperwork, and jumping through hoops that insurance often requires.
You mentioned having acid reflux. Are you on medication regularly to treat that? CPAP machines of any type can do their job better for some people if they have their acid reflux problem under good control.
If you bought the integrated heated humidifier for your REMstar Auto the base of the heated humidifier(that long flat platform that has the clear water chamber sitting on it, as well as the autopap sitting on it) should have a non-removable short electrical cord coming out of the back end of the humidifier.sox wrote:Also is there supposed to be some sort of connection between the heater and the unit. Right now they are just butted up close to each other--no connection? And, it felt like the heater was off in the middle of the night?
If that short cord is not hanging loose, you may have inadvertently plugged the humidifier back into itself...not knowing what else to do with that little short cord.
If one end of the short cord is not already hanging loose from the back of the humidifier, unplug the humidifier short cord. Let it just dangle for a minute.
Start from scratch by doing this: unplug the electric power cord (the long power cord from your wall electrical outlet) from the back of your Autopap. Plug that long electrical cord into the backend of the humidifier, into the opening where you can see two little silver prongs showing.
Now for the little short dangling cord that's attached to the humidifier... plug that short cord into the back of the Autopap. You've got it all connected now.
The humidifier is plugged into the electric wall socket.
The short cord from the humidifier is plugged into the autopap.
If you didn't have it all plugged together, the heated humidifier wasn't on at all. Now that you've got it all connected together right, here's what you'll have to remember:sox wrote:And, it felt like the heater was off in the middle of the night?
The heated humidifier for the REMstar Auto doesn't automatically turn on when you turn the autopap on. You have to press the Humidifier button once to turn the humidifier on. annoying.
Whenever you turn the Autopap OFF, the humidifier will automatically turn OFF, also. Just remember, if you turn off the Autopap to go to the bathroom or something, when you turn the Autopap On again, you'll have to also turn the humidifier On. The humidifier will go off automatically, but it won't turn on automatically.
If you hold the humidifier button down for several seconds until you hear a beep and finally see a single digit number, like 1 or 2, etc., you can then start pressing the humidifier button over and over again to see the numbers 1 - 5. Those are the heat settings, 5 being the warmest.
I'd suggest you set it on 1 or 2 to see if just a little bit of warmed, humidified air is enough for you. The higher you set the heat, the more likely it is that you might get water droplets condensing in the long plastic air hose from the machine to your mask. If the droplets roll down toward you, you could get an unwelcome spray of water on your face or into your nose. "Rainout". Won't hurt you, but sure can cause a sleep disturbing wake-up.
sox, please check your Private messages...click the button at upper right of this page.
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Guest
Linda--yes, I have the one for the providers. However some of it has been confusing (i.e., it took me abit of trial and error to figure out which set of initials stood for the setting for apap and c-flex). I also cannot tell from the diagram about the heater arrangement with the machine--there is not any connectors--they just sit next to each other? on the pad? I don't know if I am making any sense! I know the apap sits on the heater pad but the spot that blows out air into the water part--there is no tight connection. It looks like there should be some sort of "coupling" that holds them together to make sure the air is not leaking...it may not be a problem it just looks odd to me. Also the noise the machine makes while on c-flex sounds odd to me and I have not found any post to find out what others say. It seems to be "breathing with me" and in a raspy sort of way:o) Again, I just need to be reassured this is all normal and I can't find an efficient way to "surf" this site. Once I look something up I can only pick once before I have to search same thing all over...appreciate your taking time and offer to send copy of book. I do have all the booklets just a bit daft on the implementation. Thanks for your help!!
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oldgearhead
- Posts: 1243
- Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:53 am
- Location: Indy
Did you get find the hunidifier to APAP connector? Do you now have a leak-proof set-up? If so, try it out.
There is no physical connection between the humidifier and the APAP, the APAP sends light pulses (just like your TV remote) to the humidifier.
The C-Flex does try to breath with you and it does change pitch when you exhale.
I suggest you read all three documents again:
Users Manual
Humidifier Manual
Provider's manual..
There is no physical connection between the humidifier and the APAP, the APAP sends light pulses (just like your TV remote) to the humidifier.
The C-Flex does try to breath with you and it does change pitch when you exhale.
I suggest you read all three documents again:
Users Manual
Humidifier Manual
Provider's manual..
There is a adapter coupler, two were included in your bag along with the two types of filters, all three things need to be installed before you use your machine, the book shows you how to install them. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
As Jim said, there is a round silicone coupler that goes into the hole of the apap before it hooks onto the water container. You use this coupler when you use the machine with the humidifier.
If you use the machine without the humidifier, then your hose would hook directly to the apap - without the coupler.
The machine should not be making that much noise. There is a little more noise with the cflex on as when cflex is off. You can test your machine by turning the cflex totally off - and see if it still makes noise. If so, then something is wrong.
Let us know please.
If you use the machine without the humidifier, then your hose would hook directly to the apap - without the coupler.
The machine should not be making that much noise. There is a little more noise with the cflex on as when cflex is off. You can test your machine by turning the cflex totally off - and see if it still makes noise. If so, then something is wrong.
Let us know please.
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| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Compliant since April 2003. (De-cap-itated Aura). |
When the "Search" function returns a list of threads don't just "left click" on one of the threads. Instead (if you are using Windows and IE Explorer) "right click" and select "Open in new window", the list of threads will not be affected. When you are finished reading the selected thread just "Close" it and the returned Search List will still be there. This way you will not have to search all over again.Anonymous wrote:Again, I just need to be reassured this is all normal and I can't find an efficient way to "surf" this site. Once I look something up I can only pick once before I have to search same thing all over...
Bob
Thank you one and all:o) Yes, this is a very helpful friendly place! I appreciate your suggestion (Bob) for making a separate browser windown.That should do it. I just wanted to make sure I was not missing any more obvious instructions:o) Can you tell I am ADHD (without the hyperactivity just the spacey-ness). Someone suggested I go back and re read all three manuels--yes I should:o) Also thanks for following along with me as I tried to describe the "missing link" between the humidifier and the machine--it makes sense that those "extra pieces" belong there. I played around with trying to get them there but couldn't get it that is what was there when I looked at the picture in the book. I bet that makes the machine quieter. What do I do with the extra one? Okay I will go back and do some more reading:o) Thanks again for all your help. Sally
This is the part that Goofproof and Linda were referring to.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... lings.html
If this is not in place between the machine and the humidifier tube, it will leak like a sieve.
Den
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... lings.html
If this is not in place between the machine and the humidifier tube, it will leak like a sieve.
Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
sox wrote:Thank you one and all:o) Yes, this is a very helpful friendly place! I appreciate your suggestion (Bob) for making a separate browser windown.That should do it. I just wanted to make sure I was not missing any more obvious instructions:o) Can you tell I am ADHD (without the hyperactivity just the spacey-ness). Someone suggested I go back and re read all three manuels--yes I should:o) Also thanks for following along with me as I tried to describe the "missing link" between the humidifier and the machine--it makes sense that those "extra pieces" belong there. I played around with trying to get them there but couldn't get it that is what was there when I looked at the picture in the book. I bet that makes the machine quieter. What do I do with the extra one? Okay I will go back and do some more reading:o) Thanks again for all your help. Sally
OK.....I guess we were typing at the same time.....
I guess you figured out how to install it.
You put the "extra" one in a safe place just in case you may need it sometime in the future.
Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05