It's officially mine!!

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:34 pm

On December 30 I received a statement from my insurance company letting me know the Cpap has been purchased from the DME people! I had been trying to get it purchased since the begining of November and was afraid they'd put off buying it until after the first of the year when I would have to pay my deductible

Since being diagnosed in August and doing my research I "convinced" my sleep doc that an auto Cpap with Cflex was what would be best for me. From day one I had little trouble adjusting to this whole process and have been rejuvinated with good quality sleep and my life improved tremendously. BUT the last week or so I find I am waking up not rested and by afternoon am tired. It is no where near the total exhustion I felt before Cpap but definately not as good as it had been. The setting on my machine is 7-11 (11 being what the doctor thought a straight cpap should be) I have the heated humidifier with the setting at 3. The Cflex is at 2. I believe the machine, mask and hose are functioning properly and I wake up for a bathroom break once a night. I average 7.5 - 8 hours sleep a night. If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts as to why I may be slipping I would really appreciate hearing them. I was thinking maybe the pressure needs to be increased?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:07 pm

Hi Bonnie,

When you say "11 being what the doctor thought a straight cpap should be" is 11 the pressure that was determined to work best for you from a sleep study titration? Or is 11 just a guess on the part of the doctor?

Anyway, I think one of the benefits of having an autopap is to be able to set the maximum pressure somewhat above the prescribed pressure. Then, if your pressure needs change, there is some margin up there for the machine to use, if necessary.

The minimum which you chose for the low (7) sounds ok. But, you might want to experimentally set the range for a low of 8 or 9 and a high of 14 or 15. See how that goes for awhile.

Do you have the Encore Pro software to see your results? If not, you might want to go to the Respironics software update center website and download a full working version 1.5 free.

You can get the necessary card reader for $30 (included shipping) from http://www.2factors.com. It's the "sliding and postal" USB reader DT3500.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:23 pm

Bonnie,

As RG says - if 11 is your recommended CPAP pressure then the machine should be set at least 2 points above that (13).

For the lower setting, try putting it up to 8 or 9. (Am assuming you can do this or your doctor will do it for you).

It is not at all uncommon for people to get a great 'kick' in when they start xPAP therapy, then to see the well being aspect slip back somewhat. Certainly happened to myself but am now back to top form.

If you have anyone who is willing to set up the software and to download your nightly data, the info can be a great guide as to what may be happening.

If that part is not practical for you. Go by how you feel.

Good luck

DSM

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:01 am

Bonnie,

I have a question for you. When you said your "cpap" is set for 7-11, do you mean ramping up to 11 or you have an auto machine? I was a bit confused by how you worded that sentence.

Also, do you monitor your events to see what is going on with software? I know you and I spoke about that a while ago, but was wondering if you do that now. It may give you some insight into what is going on.

As DSM said, sometimes that does happen, but you want to make sure, if possible, that your therapy is where it should be before you chalk it off to just one of those things.

sleepylady · Post by **sleepylady** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:01 am

Hi Bonnie,

Congrats on the APAP being officially yours. It's wonderful your insurance ok'd everything.

As to why your getting tired again, everyone has given you excellent advice. I just wanted to say keep at it, you'll find the right pressure. I do know when my CPAP pressure was originally 14 and I was still tired, my doc upped it to 16.

Good luck,
Melinda

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 1:20 pm

I wasn't able to tolerate the mask during my 1st sleep study. The doctor suggested a cpap with a setting of 7 until I adjusted myself to using it. After two weeks he wanted to do another sleep study which I couldn't afford so he then had me get an auto cpap for a week and read the data. Based on that he said 11 was the pressure I needed. In the mean time I did my homework and wanted a auto. We went round and round on this but armed with knowledge he finally knew I understood what I was talking about. He wrote a script and then the fun began, with a good outcome.

Lori, it is an auto. If you'd be willing to educated me on changing the pressure I'd appreciate it. You and I talked about help once the machine was mine and I could get a card reader and software to monitor my nightly events. Circumstances have prevented me from obtaining software for a few months, as I told you in my PM. I did as Rested Gal suggested and went to the Resperonics web site to try and down load the free version with no luck, I sent an email questioning them about a complete manual, not just the care brochure I got with the machine. They said they are unable to provide me with a manual because it tells how to adjust pressure and that has to be done by a doctor or DME. That's what I need to know how to do!! No where in the reply did it address the issue about downloading a free version of the software. I am willing to buy the smart card reader for about $30, have the smart card in my machine, downloaded the MyEncore software a while back in anticipation of owning this machine but now need to get the Resperonics software.

RestedGal, the link you posted took me to an update section. I hunted around the web site trying to find the download and had no luck. It may have been I was so tired, just getting home from work.

And Wading thru the Muck mentioned a manual in my post a few months ago, how do I go about getting one? Once I have all the information and purchase what I need I am sure I'll be able to set myself up with doing nightly read outs. Interpreting them might be a whole new learning experience

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 1:52 pm

Bonnie, I'm sending you a PM.

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:00 pm

Hi Bonnie, I too went to the site that RG linked to and could only see updates to software, no complete software package. I am thinking that the software has to be purchased first If this is not the case I think RG will get back and give us both a road map to it.

Wulfman- · Post by **Wulfman-** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:05 pm

Bonnie,

Try this one:

http://software.respironics.com/cgi-bin ... ge=[Encore]

Glad to hear it's all yours now.

Good luck,

Den

Wulfman- · Post by **Wulfman-** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:07 pm

I see what happened to RG's link......the right bracket ] didn't make it to her link so that took it to a different location.

Den

capt · Post by **capt** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:20 pm

Bonnie, perhaps you are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). In the winter, due to the decreased light. many people suffer from it. Are you going for walks to try and get all the sunlight you can? There are also special lights you can use in the home while reading or doing your daily routine. These lights are not exactly cheap, so I try to get out for walks on the sunny days.

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:59 pm

Thanks, Rested Gal!

Den, it worked, I was able to download without problems, thanks. Check it out, Darth.

And Capt......we haven't had sunshine in almost three weeks!!

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:05 pm

Hey Wulfman thanks for that correction update.