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Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2023 12:44 pm
by loggerhead12

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2023 1:42 pm
by djont57
New masks are also available on eBay; no prescription required.

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2023 2:30 pm
by Miss Emerita
Good to know about these no-scrip options! Do check to make sure you'd be getting a complete mask.

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2023 7:33 pm
by ozij
An set the correct date and time on he machine.

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 10:57 am
by Bigcatdaddy
Thank you for the advice on where to buy supplies. I also found YouTube info on fitting the mask and fitting the headframe.

I was wondering if there would be any value to me turning on the machine and seeing what the last mode, settings and pressure levels were (assuming they're still in the memory)?
Or is that nonsense at this point of my journey?

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 11:17 am
by ChicagoGranny
Bigcatdaddy wrote:
Wed Jul 26, 2023 10:57 am
I was wondering if there would be any value to me turning on the machine and seeing what the last mode, settings and pressure levels were (assuming they're still in the memory)?
Sure.

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2023 1:03 pm
by Bigcatdaddy
I found a supplier for mask--required no Rx--switched to Respironics version--dreamwear full face, with several size nose cushions.

Release of info sent in for my data and now waiting.

Kind of excited to see if this goaround will finally pay-off on being able to tolerate therapy

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2023 7:12 am
by Bigcatdaddy
Help again.

I just found my missing 3rd machine. It is a ResMed Aircurve 10, but this one says ST-A on it. So I have these 2 Aircurve machines….I don’t know which was the last one I used? Supposedly I was switched between to address my central apnea better.

So I have both a VAUTO and a ST-A machine. The ResMed product site states something about the ST-A machine handling hypoventilation syndromes better?

Still awaiting my sleep study data.

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:54 pm
by palerider
Bigcatdaddy wrote:
Sun Jul 30, 2023 7:12 am
Help again.

I just found my missing 3rd machine. It is a ResMed Aircurve 10, but this one says ST-A on it. So I have these 2 Aircurve machines….I don’t know which was the last one I used? Supposedly I was switched between to address my central apnea better.

So I have both a VAUTO and a ST-A machine. The ResMed product site states something about the ST-A machine handling hypoventilation syndromes better?

Still awaiting my sleep study data.
Well, both machine will work fine for OHV. The ST-A (iVAPS) is designed largely for people that have lung diseases, like COPD. not just sleep apnea. The ST-A isn't great for sleep apnea.

I'll have to go back and read your whole thread before I can offer anything meaningful, and I don't have time for that today.

Hang in there.

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 9:32 am
by Bigcatdaddy
.

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 9:42 am
by Bigcatdaddy
Ok, mask has arrived!

So I'll try the vauto machine? Clean the resivoir and tubing. Put a SD card in machine?--(there's already a blue resmed SD card in it--nothing on the card about size or speed)

There's some other type port (empty) right below the SD card port

Try to sleep?
Report back success in sleeping or not?

Here is what menu says to me:
--ramp time 45 min
--humidity level 4
--mask-full face
Run mask fit?
Stop warmup?
Airplane mode-on


I held the selector and home button 3 sec--now in settings menu:
Therapy
Mode--s
IPAP--9
EPAP--5
Easy-breathe--on
TiMax--2.0s
TiMin--0.3s
Rise Time--(not activated)
Trigger--med
Cycle--med
Mask--full face

(Now comfort list)
Ramp time --45 min
Start EPAP--4.0
Humidity level--4

ACCESSORIES menu
Tube--slimline
A B Filter--no

Options menu
Essentials--on
Leak alert--off
Smart start--on
A reminders sub menu here


Configuration menu
Data in here all look correct


Wow, I'm lost!

Do the pressures look good enough to try and sleep? These settings are all original as machine was given to me by the tech. I have never changed them.

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:14 am
by Bigcatdaddy
My understanding of this “S mode”, is that the machine will deliver nothing on its own to me? I only will trigger the machine with whatever spontaneous respirations I have—and when I do trigger the machine—it will default to the preset pressure supports and time limits?

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:48 am
by Miss Emerita
From the clinician's handbook: "In S mode, you may set two treatment pressures-–one for inspiration (IPAP) and one for expiration (EPAP). The device senses when the patient is inhaling and exhaling and supplies the pressures accordingly."

Underneath the SD card slot is an adapter. Behind them is the place where the filter goes. Be sure you have a fresh one in there.

Just to get started, I recommend switching to VAuto mode and setting PS at 3, with EPAP min at 5 and IPAP max at 12. This will let us see how the machine responds to your breathing.

Turn the ramp off for now.

Turn off airplane mode; the machine will ask you repeatedly whether you want it on, and that can be annoying.

Leave the other settings where they are.

As I suggested earlier, I think you'd benefit from trying to use the machine during the day or evening, outside your bedroom, while you read or watch TV. Don't try sleeping with it until you have at least a few days to get used to the sensations. And during those days, you can let us know if there's something about how you and the machine get along that is bothering you. There might be some adjustments to help with your comfort before you try sleeping with the machine.

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 12:09 pm
by Bigcatdaddy
Thank you so much for helping me!

Those changes you recommend have been made, for what it's worth, the IPIAPmax was set at 25-- I changed it to 12. I found the filter--lily white! I never used these machines more than 20 nights. Will buy some more filters!

I will wear the mask while awake and doing tasks tonight, Saturday and Sunday. I will report on Sunday evening with my subjective interpretations as to how it felt.

Thx again

Re: I need hand holding

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:02 pm
by Bigcatdaddy
Ok, I already know something needs to change. Wore x 1 hr working at my desk. Very uncomfortable—I’ll try to explain:

—feels like I’m pulling too hard to get air. I want a slightly larger volume of air to come into my lungs, and I want it to flow in much more easily.

—feels like I’m pushing too hard to exhale against the pressure. Also when I’m done exhaling, I feel there’s still air in my lungs that needs to come out—and to get it out means I have to consciously force more out.

Is this helpful feedback?