CPAP - Questions about CPAP use and Encore pro

Hi all...

First of all let me thank all of you for the good job your are doing from these pages.
I am a new CPAP user (only two days) and I was completely in the dark until I found this forum. After reading the messages posted I have a much clearer understanding of the difficulties I am facing, and, more impostant, I feel I am not alone.
I have been provided with a Respironics Remstar Pro, and I wonder if anybody can bring me some light about the following:
I have been told that shortly after I fall asleep I open my mouth. I think this should be normal since I have spente many years breathing from my mouth and assume that many other CPAP users face the same problem. I also understand that sleeping with the mouth open considerably diminishes the efficiency of the CPAP. What is the general experience? Is this something which corrects by itself or should I look for other solutions?
From what I have read so far it seems that the two possible solutions are to use a chin strap or either a full face mask, but I get the impression that full face masks are not so popular.
Another question, I am considering to purchase the Encore Pro Softeare. The CPAP unit delivered to me has a slot for the smart card but no card inserted. My question is: the smart card is used ONLY to store data and to download it to a PC ot it also changes the settings of the CPAP?

Thanks beforehand for your help
Rafa

Hi Rafa and welcome to the forum - it's good to see people from this side of the Atlantic joining this community.

When I started, I found it difficult to adjust to keeping my mouth closed at night, but found that this was something I got used to after a few weeks. Others have resorted to straps or full face masks, and some even resort to taping up their mouth at night, though I'm not sure I'd fancy doing that
Certainly, a full face mask can work, though they're more prone to leaking as there's more mask to face contact. It's a case of trial and error to find out what works best for you.

If you order the software, it is delivered with a card and replacement cards are cheap to buy anyway. I have the remstar auto and can change my setting through the card, but I can only assume that works on the Pro.

I'm sure a Pro user will answer that for you, or otherwise email or phone the helpful folks at cpap.com for an answer.

Cheers

Paul

Rafa,

Unfortunately Encore Pro will not work with a Respironics Pro machine.

It will only work with Respironics Auto cpap machines.

Hasta luego,

Yoga

Are you sure about that? I think it works on the newer REMStar Pro-2 machines that come with a card slot.

I have the Respironics bipap pro and bipap pro II. I also have the Encore software. It works with both of these machines. Only the Pro II has the detailed information however. The Pro only shows the basics. You can set the ipap and epap with the card on either machine. You can also set it manually too on either one. Hope this helps some.

Thanks for your input.
I think I will take benefit from Paul's experience and I will wait some time before moving on to the full face mask, hoping in the meanwhile that I will get used to breathe with my mouth closed. It is although quite frustrating to take such a passive role.
Regarding the encore pro, I understand now that I can indeed download data from the remstar pro, although only related to how many hours i use it every night.
Obviously this information is useless, and I am considering to change to the Remstar auto to get the really useful info (how many apnea events happened during the night).
When reading the specifications for the Pro and the Auto, it seems that the Pro drops the pressure at exhalation, which the auto doesn't.
Can anybody who has used both, tell me whether this difference makes it more difficult for the user to get adapted? or whether there is any other difference which should be taken into consideration?

Thanks
Rafa

I'm not sure if your case is the same as mine. I was sleeping with my mouth open due to sinus stuffiness. In my case the chin strap was no help because since I could not breathe properly through my nose my mouth would force open even with the strap. The strap only works if you can breathe ok through your nose, it breaks the habit of opening your mouth. But if you can't breathe through your nose right your brain won't care if there's a chin strap there, its going to open your mouth irregardless.

I ended up with a full face, which in my mind feels less confining than having the smaller mask over your nose. And with the addition of the heated humidifier and Rhinocort as needed I sleep much better.

Rafa
The remstar machines with c-flex will reduce pressure at exhalation.
C-flex is a feature available only on remstar machines
I have the remstar auto with c-flex and find it to be an excellent machine.

I just purchased the Encore Pro software to use with my Remstar Pro. I am using to prove compliance. It has also been helpful to know how much each day I am actually using the CPAP.

Software works fine with the Remstar Pro. Figure if I ever upgrade to one of the other Remstar models I will already have compliance data on the old and can use the software on a new machine.

I also have the Encore Pro software and use it with a Remstar Pro CPAP - It is shows only compliance (usage) data - The Pro 2 CPAP shows both compliance and performance data, but you must have the latest version of Encore Pro to read it.

Like all software there are different versions of Encore. The newst Encore program works for all remstar machines that have a smart card. It is an expensive program to buy and I would find out if your DME or doctor have the software. In my oppinion, they should or their not really educated on what the data can provide for them (leak, mouth breathing, sleeping patterns, etc). You're machine should have came with a card, and if it came without one, you need to call the DME company and get one from them. Check your manual, it should have been included. The card collects data and can be programed by the doctor for changes. Be cautious with the idea of changing things without a doctor's ok. Things like ramp or heat are fine, but playing with your pressure can cause uncomfortable outcomes.
enjoy your new machine!
Joyce