Will we ever adjust?

Tahera11979 wrote:Update: So, I spoke to everyone involved and we might get the option of upgrading to Auto CPAP instead of Pro which we currently have.
Do you think this would be a wise move and also, by any chance do you know if the Auto offers the option of having a fixed pressure if we needed to at some point?
Thank you again for the advise!

Always better to have APAP and yes you would be able to have fixed pressure on that if you choose, but somehow I think he may not want fixed pressure as his required pressure seems to be on the up and up. I really hope you get the APAP.

You've been doing the changing because you learned the secret button pushing combination. DMEs worldwide act like it is some sort of national secret and the patient is too stupid to learn it. They don't know that you already learned their little tricks. There's nothing special beyond what you have been doing to get into that setup menu area.

If they say anything about the settings being changed just tell them you found out how to do on the internet.
They might squawk a bit but they can't do anything to you. Tell them the doctor said it was okay.

If they will give you the real Auto cpap model DSX500...get it. It will do everything the Pro will do and more.

Hannibal 2 wrote:

Tahera11979 wrote:Update: So, I spoke to everyone involved and we might get the option of upgrading to Auto CPAP instead of Pro which we currently have.
Do you think this would be a wise move and also, by any chance do you know if the Auto offers the option of having a fixed pressure if we needed to at some point?
Thank you again for the advise!

Always better to have APAP and yes you would be able to have fixed pressure on that if you choose, but somehow I think he may not want fixed pressure as his required pressure seems to be on the up and up. I really hope you get the APAP.

Thank you so much and I hope so too!! I will definitely fight for it. hehe

Pugsy wrote:You've been doing the changing because you learned the secret button pushing combination. DMEs worldwide act like it is some sort of national secret and the patient is too stupid to learn it. They don't know that you already learned their little tricks. There's nothing special beyond what you have been doing to get into that setup menu area.

If they say anything about the settings being changed just tell them you found out how to do on the internet.
They might squawk a bit but they can't do anything to you. Tell them the doctor said it was okay.

If they will give you the real Auto cpap model DSX500...get it. It will do everything the Pro will do and more.

Thanks for the advise Pugsy. I will do so. It's great to know that it is the same machine but upgraded. I told them clearly that the prescribed therapy doesn't work for my dh and they need to adjust it. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't go for it but let's see. They told me that they require a doctors prescription which I don't think should be an issue.

You are so right, I don't know why they are making such a big deal out of it. I believe that if you can do it at home you won't need to see a doctor anymore which means they loose out on a lot of money.

Tahera11979 wrote:
The snores were horrendous! I can't recall which position it was. Most probably on his back.

If he can train himself to sleep on his side it's likely the events and snores will be a lot less. I have been trying to do this myself and last night I'm pretty sure I managed it.
I have been trying a new FF Mask and couldn't get my AHI any lower than 3.5, have done a bit of tweaking with pressures and exhale relief but I think it was more about sleeping on my side that got my AHI down to 1. It's one night though but hopefully it's making the difference.

Try the tennis ball trick maybe. Put the ball in a sock and sew the sock to the back of a close fitting t-shirt.

I wish he could sleep on the ride side only but I don't think it would work has he has backache when he does that. I suppose as a short term solution it may work but not in a long run.
Our best bet is to change the machine which I hope will end up being beneficial. I am definitely anxious about it.

Tahera11979 wrote:I wish he could sleep on the ride side only but I don't think it would work has he has backache when he does that. I suppose as a short term solution it may work but not in a long run.
Our best bet is to change the machine which I hope will end up being beneficial. I am definitely anxious about it.

I think you're doing it the right way for now as you don't know yet how high his treatment pressure is going to need to be. Let them work that out first as if it needs to be very high they​ may have to use a bilevel machine. Once you know what he needs, you can then decide whether or not to buy a private machine, depending on what they give you.
I'm sure it must feel better talking to your health care professionals now that you feel a lot more informed, they cannot fob you off as easily. I found that last time I went to the hospital for a mask review, I was correcting the technician on one or two things, I even took my laptop and got him interested in Sleepyhead! Being treated with a lot more respect now.

Incidentally, how is your husband finding the Amara View? Pros and cons? It's one I'm considering to buy if my current mask doesn't work out.

Also, curious to know where you come from in the UK?

Thank you very much! I am glad to hear that we are on the right track. I really really hope that it will work this time and we can finally relax.

In regards of the mask my dh is very happy and no complaints at all. He said that it first perfectly and he has no issues in terms of visible leaks and regardless how much he moves it's always in place. The only small issue was when it was too tight the mask hurt his nose and left a mark. Feel free to ask any questions if you like to know more and I will ask him later.

My husband is from Manchester but we have been living abroad for quiet a while now. I am from Germany. Where in the UK are you from?

Good to hear more good things about that mask, how about the venting? I remember one person say it blew sir into their eyes and had to wear an eye mask, any issues with that?

I come from Watford originally, now in Barnet, North London.

Hannibal 2 wrote:Good to hear more good things about that mask, how about the venting? I remember one person say it blew sir into their eyes and had to wear an eye mask, any issues with that?

I come from Watford originally, now in Barnet, North London.

The venting sounds very intense but he never had any issues with having to cover his eyes. For me it gets a bit cold sometimes but I suppose it is nice in the summer to have a mini airco

I think he would recommend the mask as it's way better than what he previously had. What are the reviews you read so far?

Tahera11979 wrote:

Hannibal 2 wrote:Good to hear more good things about that mask, how about the venting? I remember one person say it blew sir into their eyes and had to wear an eye mask, any issues with that?

I come from Watford originally, now in Barnet, North London.

The venting sounds very intense but he never had any issues with having to cover his eyes. For me it gets a bit cold sometimes but I suppose it is nice in the summer to have a mini airco

I think he would recommend the mask as it's way better than what he previously had. What are the reviews you read so far?

Hmm my partner used to complain about my previous mask venting on to her, my current one is quieter and vents better from her perspective, just having one or two comfort issues.
Generally a lot of people on the forum are using the Amara View and love it, but not sure if the venting direction may be a deal breaker for us lol

I don't blame you. if it bothers her than better think twice before swapping to it. I can definitely feel the air coming out and it is not just a little. I suppose it is a lot of a hit and miss with this. You just have to keep trying till you find the right fit which I am sure you will at the end.

On another note, we took of the filter last night and the squeaking sound disappeared. Is it harmful to use it without the filter?

It's not good on the machine to not have a filter in place.
Dust can get inside the machine.
But again the filter shouldn't make it squeak either. Something is not right.

That's good to know. I will mention it too if we get the chance to exchange the machine. It's weekend here now so I am hoping to know more by Sunday.

Do you reckon we should decrease the pressure? 14 was not good at all. My dh woke up with a terrible chest pain and unrested.

Hannibal 2 wrote:Good to hear more good things about that mask, how about the venting? I remember one person say it blew sir into their eyes and had to wear an eye mask, any issues with that?

The person who was complaining about the Amara View blowing into their eyes....I just went and looked at where the vent holes are because I was having a hard time seeing how it was possible to blow in a person's eyes if it was properly fitted and not blocked or deflected by something.
So I looked closely at my Amara View. The vent holes face forward...nothing goes upwards back towards the eyes.
There are tiny holes in the plastic frame just above the swivel for venting and they go forward...and there is a little opening in the swivel for venting and it faces forward.
The only way this forward blowing air could make it to the eyes if it is getting deflected by maybe an arm or the bed covers or bed pillow.
Now if the cushion itself was leaking...yeah some air could make it maybe to the eyes but not the venting unless deflected by something.

So it won't hit your eyes unless you block it somehow but it likely will blow on your wife.