problem exhaling

sleepyhead63 · Post by **sleepyhead63** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:30 pm

I am new to this, about a week ago I picked up my cpap its a S8 autoset vantage. The problem I seem to be having is when I exhale, It feels like I have my head sticking out of the car window going 100 miles per hour and trying to catch my breath. Its very frustrating because I am trying really hard to adjust to using this machine. Now I read that my cpap has the EPR feature but is it true that in order to use this feature it has to be programed in? My doctor prescribed my cpap to be set at 14, do you think its set too high or I need to get the cpap reprogramed for EPR mode. Please Help, very desperate.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:41 pm

Try these instructions. (you might want to copy them to a file on your computer and then print them out)
Be sure to go through all of the menu options and write down the existing settings before changing anything.

Good luck.

Den

1. Accessing the Clinical Menu

Turn on the device and wait until the standby (RAMP/SETTLING) screen appears on the LCD.
At this stage you can adjust the ramp/settling time.

Press the DOWN and RIGHT keys simultaneously for 3 seconds to access the clinical menu.

2. Changing Options and Settings.

Press the LEFT (menu) key to access the SETTINGS menu screen.

Use the UP and DOWN keys to scroll through the RESULTS, OPTIONS and SERVICING menu screens.

From a menu screen, use the LEFT (enter) key to access the parameters in that menu.

Use the UP and DOWN keys to scroll through menu parameters.

Use the LEFT key to view or change each parameter setting as required.

Press the RIGHT (exit) key until you return to the standby (RAMP/SETTLING) screen.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:43 pm

Sleepyhead63

If you feel comfortable checking your data and accessing the clinician mode of your machine, here is how to get in:

Usage Data and Efficacy Data:
Press the Left and Right buttons and hold for 3-4 seconds. The Efficacy Data menu will come up on the LED screen. From there the button use is pretty self-explanatory. Just be sure to do this before noon and these machines work on a 24 hour noon to noon clock. After noon the Efficacy Data for that night goes into the averages.

The Efficacy Data will give you your average pressure, average leak and AHI, AI and HI for the night, week, month, 6 months and 1 year.

For the clinician menu, it's the center down-arrow button (black) and the righthand button (red) together for several seconds. Be sure you write down all the data/settings prior to changing any.
And a Link for more info:
http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=130

You have a very good machine -- it is an Auto and capable of being set at a range of pressures. However, you only would have EPR in cpap mode.

A pressure of 14 is quite high, but not necessarily too high. If you are having problems with it initially, you could ask your doctor if you can lower the pressure at first. Also, you might benefit using apap with a lower range of pressure, say 10 to 12.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:52 pm

Hi Linda......

You're a little slow tonight

But thanks for the link.
I created my text file from the actual instructions that some kind person sent me a year ago.

Den

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:56 pm

I woulda beat you if I hadn't taken the time to go get the "Welcome" url. ..

I don't know if my written directions were right or not, just something I copied from someone else. But at least it's a step in the right direction.

Ya, somebody sent me a PM with that link -- hope it's right.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:07 pm

sleepyhead63 wrote:I am new to this, about a week ago I picked up my cpap its a S8 autoset vantage. The problem I seem to be having is when I exhale, It feels like I have my head sticking out of the car window going 100 miles per hour and trying to catch my breath. Its very frustrating because I am trying really hard to adjust to using this machine. Now I read that my cpap has the EPR feature but is it true that in order to use this feature it has to be programed in? My doctor prescribed my cpap to be set at 14, do you think its set too high or I need to get the cpap reprogramed for EPR mode. Please Help, very desperate.

It's possible/probable that the EPR is just turned off (and just needs to be turned on) and you're already in straight pressure (not auto) mode......but you can check that when you're in the setup.

There are three EPR settings besides "off"......1, 2 and 3. A setting of 1 has the least relief and 3 has the most relief. There is also a Ramp feature which starts at a lower pressure (which you can choose) and a length of time for the Ramp to reach your set pressure. Try not to go too low with that pressure setting and not too long with the time. Many people don't even use the Ramp feature.....they like the full pressure immediately. But, you can make those decisions as you get used to the machine.

Best wishes,

Den

sleepy hollow · Post by **sleepy hollow** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:30 pm

always check with your physician before changing modes.. In some pt's too much pressure can be bad news.

The clinical menu's should not be given out on this forum

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:38 pm

That's your opinion, artee. If you don't like it, go elsewhere (please).

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:56 am

Who put you in charge of what does or does not get posted on this forum Artee? The forum administrator doesn't seem to have a problem with it!

I gree with CG, if you don't like it-go elsewhere-PLEASE!

Brenda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:21 am

Greetings:

Way to go girls! If it had not been for those on this forum who share this kind of information I would probably still be wearing my mask and not knowing that data and settings were available and should be monitored and sleeping 1 to 2 hrs. a night because what I had was not working for me.

Now I sleep, can tolerate the mask and know if there is a problem.

Thanks again to all those who have contributed on this forum to those of us newbies who need help.

My pur-sleep experience later today, as I have to leave for a meeting.

Fred

bearcatx16 · Post by **bearcatx16** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:22 am

Sorry forgot to log in the above reply is mine.

Fred

nana · Post by **nana** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:28 am

The clinical menu's should not be given out on this forum

_________________

Listen Art, my lovely sunflower is fading with your reply.
Without this forum I would have given up and not had the encouragement of seeing my progress by my numbers and how I feel. This forum is the best and it makes my heart sing to see CG telling you where to go........away from here.
At some point we will ignore you and stop giving you the attention that you don't deserve.
I for one am so grateful. Checking with our doctors has always been stressed here, so Art, stop making it seem like we are oxygen deprived to the point of no return.
Now I will close as I'm not sounding like a Nana at all.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:48 am

Again, that's your opinion. There are plenty of forums where they are not allowed. If you don't like the fact that they are given out here, you can either skip those posts, or you can go to other forums. I'm not trying to be nasty here, nana, but countless people's lives have been changed for the better (mine included) BECAUSE this forum allows clinical menus to be posted. There is no law against patients changing their own pressure, and as long as the patient keeps their doctor informed and makes changes slowly and carefully, I personally see nothing but good in it.

Sleepy-eyes · Post by **Sleepy-eyes** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:08 am

I'd have been in a "world of hurt" had it hot been for the menu postings on this forum. My primary care is the VA, and no-one there knows anything about my therapy! I've been asking questions for the past 6 months and never get an answer. Finally, just this Thursday, I found an RT they hide in a back room at the hospital! At least HE knows something about this therapy!!!!! But thanks to this forum, I've gotten good advice. Thanks. (Now back to the subject at hand!)

bluegrassfan · Post by **bluegrassfan** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:54 am

CG, I think NANA was complimenting you, not the reverse. But that's only my opinion.

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