Brand new user of cpap

Thanks for your helpful comments and support, Den! I think I'm going to purchase a RemStar Pro 2 w/CFLEX and Smart Card reader to get with my own monitoring, though I doubt Kaiser will foot the bill for a new CPAP machine at this point (just got this one a couple of weeks ago). What I will do is ask my doc to write me a Rx for a CPAP machine that I can use later to purchase my own stuff. The CPAP machines are expensive but not outside of my ability to pay if I cut back in other expenses (like food....LOL).

Can you recommend any literature for interpreting the data I will get using the Encore software (correct software?)?....or any other literature that will help me with interpreting the various numbers associated with reading data associated my treatment?


Todd (aka Slumberer)

Slumberer....

If you are going to pay with your own money to get a Remstar Pro 2....well, don't. That's my advice anyway. Get an Autopap instead..The Respironics Auto with C-flex if you are liking that brand (and a lot of people do). You can get it here from CPAP.com just using the prescription for "cpap".

The theory there is that first of all...the Autopaps ARE actually CPAP machines and all have a straight CPAP mode. BUT, you can also use them in AUTO mode where the pressure adjusts within certain preset parameters to the pressure you actually need at the moment. AND you have the software capabilities (also available at CPAP.com) to see exactly what pressures were used, which pressure was used for the majority of the night and which pressure gave you the most effective therapy. A mini-sleep lab of your own. Very handy if your circumstances change in any way..you lose weight, you develop other health problems or you just get older....

So if the life of a machine is around 5 years or so....an AUTOpap will more likely meet your needs throughout that time frame. It has all the options you could possibly need.

Okay I looked this up and I have the shortest memory span known to mankind, so hopefully I'm remembering this correctly. Remstar Pro II with HH is 575? and Remstar Auto with HH (heated humidifier) is 760? so a little under 200 more and you've got a screaming machine that will meet your needs for all time.....I think the software is the same for both machines....

Something to think about...

Jan in Colo.

Ohhhh, I also wanted to say something on the topic of how many hours to sleep.

I have severe apnea...85 AHI....don't know if that has anything to do with this topic at all but I'll throw it out there.

Anyway, I have found that I do best on 9-10 hours of sleep a day. That's a LOT, I know. But if I don't get it at night? I have a slump somewhere in the day and need a nap. I started a little journal on it and...it comes out that I'm best with that much sleep. Haven't figured out how to fit that gracefully into my schedule yet, but I'm working on it. Kind of a bummer when I just LOVE to stay up late...and the rest of the world likes to get up early.

So sleep needs are a variable thing from person to person apparently.

Jan in Colo.

Don't get hung up on how many hours your are supposed to sleep. There is no correct number. Some people are short sleepers and need only a few hours, other people are long sleepers and need 8 or more hours.

If you're a short sleeper and are trying to stay asleep longer than your body wants to, you are only going to increase your fatigue. The reverse is also true.

How do you know what type of sleeper you are? Listen to your body.

SnoreNoMore2005

slumberer,

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you....it's been one of those days!

The following link gives a very good analysis of Encore Pro....it was done by Derek (one of our forum members).

viewArticle/Encore-Pro-Respironics-CPAP ... Derek.html

As far as interpreting the data, that's a rather "relative" thing.....according to your needs and the severity of your condition. One goal is to get and keep your AHI (Apnea/Hypopnea Index) numbers below 5.0 (which is considered "normal"). The lower you can get your "numbers" (AHI and Snore Index), the better. The reports will also show approximately when and how many apneas and hypopneas you had. They will also show mask leakage, pressure numbers, hours of sleep (per night and cumulative) and a summary page of compliance data.

As has been said, if you can afford buying the "auto", it has more flexibility, but good results can also be obtained with a machine like the PRO 2. I can attest to that. On the other hand, when I get around to purchasing a second machine, it MAY be the REMstar Auto......even though I really don't need that technology.

Best wishes,

Den