I feel like the benefit is decreasing

[Imageezer]

I've been using my CPAP machine faithfully for 5 years. In the beginning the difference in how I felt in the morning was phenomenal. But it seems the longer I use it the less I feel any benefit. I don't wake up at night but I'm not as alert when I wake up anymore and am tired/sleepy during the day. Had a new study about 18 months ago with almost identical results as the first. Has anyone else experienced this - like the benefits of cpap have diminished over time?

[kaiasgram]

Have you been watching your cpap data over time? The sleep study you had 18 months ago may not be telling the whole story. I suggest you register for the forum and tell us which make and model machine you have. It would be good if we could pull some data from your machine (hoping your machine provides that data). Of course other health issues could be part or all of the reason you're not feeling better. But it's also quite common that our cpap pressure needs change over time, and when that happens we can get a return of symptoms unless we make the necessary adjustments.

[Imageezer]

Thanks for the reply, Kaiasgram. My machine is a Remstar Auto M series. It does have a card I take to appointments with me but I'm not sure how anyone else would be able to access that info. Also, I moved a year ago and haven't gotten a new CPAP doctor yet.

[kaiasgram]

Look on the bottom of the machine (not the humidifier side but the blower side) for a number that starts with REF or DS. Take water tank out before turning the machine upside down.

That number will tell us if your machine has any data other than the number of hours the machine has been used.

[palerider]

Look on the bottom of the machine (not the humidifier side but the blower side) for a number that starts with REF or DS. Take water tank out before turning the machine upside down.

That number will tell us if your machine has any data other than the number of hours the machine has been used.

M's actually say 'model' on 'em, I believe.

pro's have data, plus's don't, as I understand it.

plus, you have to take the unit off the humidifier base... tricky if you don't know to pull up from the front.

[Krelvin]

On my M series, there is a label on the side like below. No need to remove the humidifier

http://imgur.com/sN68u3S.jpg

If it is data compatible, it will use an older smartcard like below. It might not have the same printing, might even be just white, but it will have the gold square circuit on it like below.

http://imgur.com/AW7UVxn.jpg

You can read it with a card reader and use the encore basic package which you can get.

It generate decent graphs to view your status.

[palerider]

On my M series, there is a label on the side like below. No need to remove the humidifier

http://imgur.com/sN68u3S.jpg

interesting, nothing on the side of my old M... (just checked, someday, I should pack it up and give it to someone... or something)

[Krelvin]

interesting, nothing on the side of my old M... (just checked, someday, I should pack it up and give it to someone... or something)

Mine is now my backup unit. Packing it up in its case tonight so it is stored correctly.

[Krelvin]

Oh, and if you need a card reader, I just happen to know someone who is selling one.

[Krelvin]

interesting, nothing on the side of my old M... (just checked, someday, I should pack it up and give it to someone... or something)

As I packed the machine tonight, I pulled the humidifier off (make sure the tank is empty or remove it first, then just lift up from the front) and looked at the bottom and there is of course a "real" looking set of labels. It occurred to me that the other label might just be a convenience label for tracking info so that you don't have to pull the machine apart to get to the machine type and serial number.

http://i.imgur.com/o1HoTcD.jpg

[kteague]

Did the study you had 18 months ago include titration to see if your pressure was still adequate at that time? Things change. Our pressure needs can change. My need has slowly crept up over time. Once you resolve the data issues you can confirm your current treatment's effectiveness. If things look good it may be time to start looking into other possible contributors.

[zoocrewphoto]

Did the study you had 18 months ago include titration to see if your pressure was still adequate at that time? Things change. Our pressure needs can change. My need has slowly crept up over time. Once you resolve the data issues you can confirm your current treatment's effectiveness. If things look good it may be time to start looking into other possible contributors.

My mom had an experience like this. After I had my first followup, I let my mom do a couple partial nights with my machine since her machine didn't have data. Her pressure of 10 was no longer effective. Her ahi was only 3.4, but she had clusters of longer events, one over a minute long. And that was during the first half of the night. Later in the night with REM sleep, she could have been worse. She got a new machine with a range to cover those times when she needs more pressure. She feels a lot better now.