Machine upgraded. Help with software needed.

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:11 am

If you followed this thread viewtopic.php?p=208591&highlight=#208591
you know about how I have been trying to get a new machine. Well, I finally got one yesterday. You can see what one in my signature. Now I need to get a card reader and software. Any advice?

The DME offered to read my card once a month for me and email me a PDF of the results. I would like to be able to look at the data daily though.

msheda · Post by **msheda** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:14 am

Place to get the card reader is

http://www.two-factor.com/shop/index.php?productID=115

takes about 2 weeks or so to get.

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:35 am

Thanks!

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:39 am

More questions:

The machine is in CPAP mode because the DME didn't have a script to set it in APAP mode. He also made a point of throwing away the sheet that tells you how to program it. Should I bother looking into setting it up in APAP mode? My prescribed pessure is 10cm. The tech said he would reprogram it if I got the ok from my doctor. Should I mess around with this sort of thing on my own? I find it to be comfortable as it is now, but I don't have any data to analyze yet. The machine keeps a 7 day average that I can see on screen so I am assuming I have to wait a week to see that info.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:15 am

Flying_Norseman wrote:More questions:

The machine is in CPAP mode because the DME didn't have a script to set it in APAP mode. He also made a point of throwing away the sheet that tells you how to program it. Should I bother looking into setting it up in APAP mode? My prescribed pessure is 10cm. The tech said he would reprogram it if I got the ok from my doctor. Should I mess around with this sort of thing on my own? I find it to be comfortable as it is now, but I don't have any data to analyze yet. The machine keeps a 7 day average that I can see on screen so I am assuming I have to wait a week to see that info.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

The instructions to get into the machine have been posted on the forum and Snoredog has posted sample (recommended) configurations for many users.

My personal advice is to leave the pressure where it's at for the time being to see what the stats show. If they don't look too hot after about a week, then you could start tweaking.
You could go into it and see what the actual settings are. Be sure to write down ALL of the existing settings before changing anything.

Den

Here's the basics of what you'll see:

Menu for M Series Auto

1. Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the power on the back, wait for 2 beeps, release buttons.
2. Press the + key. <- -> buttons move to next field, -/+ keys decrement/increment
3. Check the following field(s):

-Therapy Mode = (CPAP/Auto)

-Auto:Max = (default=20.0cm)

-Auto:Min = (default=4.0cm)

-C-Flex Setting = 2 (options are off, 1, 2 or 3)

-AutoRamp Time = (options are 05 to 45 min)

-AutoRamp Pressure = cm (4cm->AutoMin)

-Mask Alert Feature = Off (On/Off)

-Auto Off Feature = Off (On/off)

-Split Night Time = Off (off, 120, 180, 240)

-Show AHI/Leak Feature = On (On/Off)

Press On/Off button to exit.

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:59 am

Den,

Thanks for that great info! Now I am debating whether I should set it to auto or not and if I do, what I should pick for the range of pressure. Since my CPAP pressure is 10cm I am thinking a range between 8 and 12 would be good.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:07 am

And did you also read that he recommended that you NOT switch to auto or make any changes for at least that first week at your scripted pressure of 10 cms??

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:27 am

Flying_Norseman wrote:Thanks for that great info! Now I am debating whether I should set it to auto or not and if I do, what I should pick for the range of pressure.

Keep in mind that a constant pressure at the right level will control events better than in auto mode. We all like auto here but it does take time for the machine to respond to events. If you can tolerate a constant pressure it should give you better results. I would leave it for a while until you can look at the data.

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:02 pm

I am not clear what you mean. Did I READ that? Read it where? He didn't mention anything about changing it because it was set up as a CPAP and I theoretically don't have the instructions since he threw them away.

[quote="Slinky"]And did you also read that he recommended that you NOT switch to auto or make any changes for at least that first week at your scripted pressure of 10 cms??

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:04 pm

Thanks for the advice. I am tolerating the constant pressure of 10cm very well. The C -Flex is really helpful. I will wait for some numbers and post them to see what you guys think.

jskinner wrote:
Flying_Norseman wrote:Thanks for that great info! Now I am debating whether I should set it to auto or not and if I do, what I should pick for the range of pressure.
Keep in mind that a constant pressure at the right level will control events better than in auto mode. We all like auto here but it does take time for the machine to respond to events. If you can tolerate a constant pressure it should give you better results. I would leave it for a while until you can look at the data.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:13 pm

Flying_Norseman wrote:I am not clear what you mean. Did I READ that? Read it where? He didn't mention anything about changing it because it was set up as a CPAP and I theoretically don't have the instructions since he threw them away.

Slinky wrote:And did you also read that he recommended that you NOT switch to auto or make any changes for at least that first week at your scripted pressure of 10 cms??

Slinky was referring to my post where I gave you the instructions and suggested you leave it set at 10 till you get some data rather than changing it to Auto mode.
My reasoning is that you need to "prove" that your titration wasn't correct before going to Auto mode or changing pressures.

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:21 pm

PM me

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:40 pm

Ok, got it.

Wulfman... wrote:
Flying_Norseman wrote:I am not clear what you mean. Did I READ that? Read it where? He didn't mention anything about changing it because it was set up as a CPAP and I theoretically don't have the instructions since he threw them away.

Slinky wrote:And did you also read that he recommended that you NOT switch to auto or make any changes for at least that first week at your scripted pressure of 10 cms??

Slinky was referring to my post where I gave you the instructions and suggested you leave it set at 10 till you get some data rather than changing it to Auto mode.
My reasoning is that you need to "prove" that your titration wasn't correct before going to Auto mode or changing pressures.

Den

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:35 pm

Good lucky, FlyingNorseman. ALWAYS give any ONE new change at least a week's worth of data BEFORE making any ONE change and ONLY make ONE change at a time, whether mask or CPAP setting, so that you can know WHAT made the difference, whether good or bad.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:20 pm

Good luck, Flighing Norseman,

Another possible factor to keep in mind: CPAP may work better than APAP. This is the case as is so far known for anyone with a heart condition. CPAP can help some people with sleep apnea plus cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and I think also cardiovascular disease whereas with APAP there was no change according to at least one study. So if you fall into that category, I'd be very cautious about changing from CPAP to APAP. I'm using APAP to get the pressure right and then will switch to CPAP.

Mindy