New Respironics DreamStation Auto Cpap

Hi all. My first post.

I've just recently been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. After researching what machine to get I ended up with the Respironics DreamStation. I have a doctor's prescription but all this is a bit confusing.
I'm guessing at the prescription. Why can't doctor's write legibly? I think it says.

Mode: Autoset. Min 4cmh20. Max. 20cmh20
Ramp time: Auto. Epr on 1. Level: 3. Full time
Tdze?: Slimline.
Smart Start: On.
Airfit: Medium/P10 - best fit

Not a clue what any of that means! Should I program the machine to these settings, or set it on auto and let it figure it out?

Thanks in advance,
Bill

Those settings are auto mode settings but they aren't really anything but factory defaults.

You might have a problem feeling like you are getting enough air when it starts out at 4 cm (that's as low as it will go).
Most people need at least 6 from a comfort aspect...you can start with 4 if you wish but if you feel like you aren't moving enough air or are suffocating or stifled in your breathing...stop and increase it and I suggest 6 cm minimum.

The 20 cm maximum pressure...leave it for the time being and let's see where the machine wants to go and does going there cause any problems or not.
It won't increase the pressure without a good reason.

AshfordBoy wrote:Mode: Autoset. Min 4cmh20. Max. 20cmh20

This is auto mode...starts out at the minimum and only increases if needed.

AshfordBoy wrote:Ramp time: Auto. Epr on 1. Level: 3. Full time

You won't get any benefit from using ramp when you start out with 4 cm...I suggest not using it...turn it off.
Now if at some point in the future it gets decided that you actually need a much higher pressure starting out the night and that pressure is a problem....then we can bring ramp back in to let you move up slowly to the higher pressure.
Starting at 4 or 6...ramp doesn't really do much and nothing at all if 4 is used because all ramp is ...is starting lower and moving up slowly to a needed pressure starting point.

EPR is not available on Respironics machines...EPR is a ResMed exhale relief option so you won't see EPR, level or full time on your options list.
Respironics have exhale relief options but they are called Flex exhale relief...C Flex or A Flex. It's a comfort option and won't even kick in unless you are using at least 6 cm pressure. I suggest you set the machine to 6 cm and play with each flex setting and simply use the one that feels the best to you and not worry about the setting number.

Do you have the clinical provider manual for your machine..it's different from the user manual?
If you don't have it...go here and request it.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual
There's a lot more useful information in it than is in the user manual.

AshfordBoy wrote:Smart Start: On.

Smart Start is again a ResMed term. Respironics uses the term "Auto ON" and "Auto OFF" for what Smart Start will do on a ResMed machine.
This is explained in the provider manual...read it and if you don't understand come back with specific questions and we can go into more details.

AshfordBoy wrote:Tdze?: Slimline.

Hose/tube size....regular diameter is 22 mm I think and slimline is 15 I think...
If you are using a heated hose the machine will make the proper choice for you in terms of hose diameter size.
If not you have to choose. It's important that the hose size matches the machine hose selection for optimal performance of the machine.

Get the manual...instructions on how to request it via email as an attachment are about 2/3 down the page I posted the link above to.
Read it...it will explain a lot and then if you still have things that are unclear you can ask specific questions and we can help.

Good luck.

P10 is the mask...I assume you have it already????

Wow! Thank you Pugsy for the detailed answer. I appreciate it.

I'll try to use this beast tonight and if I have any questions, it's great to know you nice people are out there.

Thank you again

Have a quick question. In the setting I'm supposed to choose mask type and it says refer to the packaging to identify the resistance setting.

I have the "DreamWear under the nose nasal mask" and I can't find anything that tells me a resistance setting.

Any help would be appreciated.

I think I found it. Is it the X1?

AshfordBoy wrote:I think I found it. Is it the X1?

Yep that's it. It's usually on the package the mask comes in but there is also a chart somewhere if the packaging is missing.
I have it somewhere but not handy at the moment.