Update from Bellasmiles

Thanks to eveyone who gave me information and advice in my previous post. It all was encouraging and helpful.

I'm finding that the therapy that I thought would be a quick and easy fix for a longtime problem is really a major adjustment. Each night, I'm trying to refine the process of being 'attached' so that it becomes more effective and easier.

Ok, I have some questions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1) My machine and humidifier are having issues. I am very careful to not overfill my humidifier, but each morning, I wake to find about 1/4 cup of water accumulated beneath the entire machine. I haven't a clue where it is coming from as I take special care to ensure that the resevoir is totally sealed. This is very annoying. Any ideas how to fix it? If I were to just put a towel under the machine to absorb the water, would that increase the risk of a short out or a fire?

2) I keep seeing posts about keeping one's 'compliance numbers' up. What is that all about? Will someone be checking my machine to see how much I use it and if it's not enough, spanking my bottom or something? lol Does this have anything to do with insurance payment or??? Thanks for any explanation as I'm super confused about this.

3) I'm dealing with mask leaks and trying to figure out every way possible to avoid them. Before cpap, I woke every morning with horrible headaches that typically remained as dull pain all day. I was told that this was due to the lack of oxygen I was getting as a result of the apnea. I'm still waking with headaches some mornings and wonder if the therapy is working. How will I know? My pressure is very low (8) in spite of significant apnea. What if the pressure isn't enough? What if my needs change? How will I know?

4) Software. Again, I don't understand. Sooo...I can purchse software for my computer and cables maybe? that will allow me to download information from my machine...to perhaps answer question number 3? How does all this work?

Sorry about the ramble. Any information offered will be greatly appreciated.

Once I get going, I hope to be able to contribute to the forum and not be so needy! Thanks again to everyone who has responded. I look forward to becoming friends!

michelle

Bellasmiles, it would be helpful to those who might be able to answer your questions if you could go into your profile and add your equipment. In response to #3: How low is your pressure? If you had an auto pap it would find the pressure you need. It is not unusual for folks to find they need more pressure than the night of their titration revealed (been there, done that). Even so, some have on their own upped their pressure a point at a time to where they no longer snored and they felt better in the daytime. My doc, under extreme pressure from me, ordered a 2 week screen with a loaner autopap. That's how it was discovered instead of a pressure of 10 I'd been using for 8 months, I often needed closer to a 13. If it's not working, your doc and your DME provider need to work with you to assure (not throw darts blindfolded) your success. Best wishes.
Kathy

Sorry, when I went back to your message on the board I see your equipment pictured. Just found out something new about how the views here work. When posting a reply and scrolling down to the message to review, the equipment is not included in that view. Live and learn!

I'll take a stab at some of your questions:

bellasmiles wrote: I'm finding that the therapy that I thought would be a quick and easy fix for a longtime problem is really a major adjustment.


Most of us find that to be true. Stick with it...the long term health benefits are well worth the trouble.

Ok, I have some questions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1) My machine and humidifier are having issues. I am very careful to not overfill my humidifier, but each morning, I wake to find about 1/4 cup of water accumulated beneath the entire machine. I haven't a clue where it is coming from as I take special care to ensure that the resevoir is totally sealed. This is very annoying. Any ideas how to fix it? If I were to just put a towel under the machine to absorb the water, would that increase the risk of a short out or a fire?


There should be NO leaks. Sounds very much like a leak in the humidifier. Short term, put a tray (cookie tin, large shallow plastic tray, etc. under the whole unit (or just the humidifier, if you are using a separate unit) and pour off the water the next morning. Then take the unit to the DME and and tell them exactly how much water is leaking. Insist that this be taken care of. These things are warranteed by the manufacturer, but you may have to go thru the DME for a replacement, especially if the unit is being 'rented' for you by your insurance.




2) I keep seeing posts about keeping one's 'compliance numbers' up. What is that all about? Will someone be checking my machine to see how much I use it and if it's not enough, spanking my bottom or something?

Yes, the DME police will come to your house and smite you. (G) Actually, if your insurance is 'renting' this unit on a monthly basis, they may want to check the time used (I believe all machines have a way of reporting the total hours used, even if they store or display no other data). Your machine does not store or display any other data, but someone who uses the RemStar Plus might be able to give you better info on this. The insurance company does not want to pay if you aren't using the machine. Once the machine is 'paid for' (or if you buy it yourself) there is no more compliance checking on their part.




3) My pressure is very low (8) in spite of significant apnea. What if the pressure isn't enough? What if my needs change? How will I know?

The only way to know this is through a machine that records more data than just hours used, ideally an auto-cpap. In addition, he apap would adjust pressures automatically for you. Some machines will display much of the recorded information for you on a daily, weekly, monthly basis (some ResMed machines are the best in this respect). For others, you must have the sotware and (most times) a device to read the information off the card to feed into the computer. With this information, you can see if the therapy is working and what adjustments might be in order. Of course, pay attention to what your body is telling you and communicate this to your sleep doc or gp. Continuing headaches are an indication that something needs attention (though maybe not cpap-related).



4) Software. Again, I don't understand. Sooo...I can purchse software for my computer and cables maybe? that will allow me to download information from my machine...to perhaps answer question number 3? How does all this work?

First, your machine has to record data to be downloaded. Yours does not appear to be one that has this feature. Yes, you have to purchase at least software for your computer and cable to attach machine (or reader) and the computer. I believe that most brands of machines do not connect directly to the computer but have a card of some sort (ResMed machines do this) that you remove from the cpap and put into a reader that is connected to the computer running the software. Cpap.com sells software/card reader combination packages. They are also available separately.

Hope this helps some. Be aware that your DME and sleep doc will profess to be horrified that you would ever touch the settings on your machine. THEY will do this for you, hands off, naughty, naughty! Once you get a machine that has the reporting capabilites, there are many people on here who will be happy to show you how to access the menus that allow you to change the settings.

You CAN change the settings for pressure and cflex on your specific machine. Someone who uses Respironics machines can tell you how, or you can search the forum for the instructions...it involves holding some buttons down and plugging in the machine at the same time, I think. I don't use a Resprionics machine, so I can't be sure on that.

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