New guy with some questions...

glfredrick · Post by **glfredrick** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:22 pm

Hello all,

I'm joining the league of hose-heads in full force -- literally.

My pressure is set to 16 and I'm having some problems just keeping the mask on, not to mention the areophage issues.

I'm using a Res Med Quatro FF mask, a Restonics M-series A-flex CPAP.

My first night I woke up almost gagging, I had to burp so bad it hurt. Any suggestions?

I'm glad I have a ramp program, at 16, I'd never get to sleep, but once it kicks in, it is more disconsrting than restful. Will I get used to this or am I going to have to make some changes? I'd sure love to explore the automatic adjustment feature of my machine -- seems like that would be a good life-style improvement.

Let me know what you think...

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:29 pm

Welcome glfredrick, WOW! Sounds like you definately need to have your machine set on AUTO, that way you won't get that straight full force of constant air! They should of done that for you from the beginning with a pressure that high! Some of our PRO's will come along and walk you through the setting process, and it will be 1000% better for you I wish you all the luck!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:22 pm

At a pressure of 16 you are elligible for a bi level machine - which makes treatment far more tolerable by supplying that full force hurricane only when you inhale.

However, you sometimes have to "fail" the cheaper treatment options for your insurance to agree to pay for the bi-level, which is more expensive.

So I suggest you start complaining to your doctor about how bad you are feeling, and ask for a bi-level machine. Be very clear about wanting the therapy, and about how difficult it is for you - and be specific about those things you told us - they are a direct result of having that high pressure blowing in at you when you exhale.

You should also know that sometime bi-pap reqiures anothe titration, since they have to find out what your minimum pressure is.

And - depending on your doc. and/or insurance plan, you may want to try and find out the best pressures for you with the help of a self adjusting AKA automatic bi-level machine.

Don't give up, and don't accept this as "necessary suffering" because it definitely is not.

Welcome, and good luck
O.

O.

wabmorgan · Post by **wabmorgan** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:29 pm

Sorry to be the bearer of BAD news... but according to your product icons.... you have the M-series with C-flex and an added card reader.

If you do... there is no AUTO mode on this product.

An auto-pap set from a range of 9 to 16 would probably help.

Or a Bi-pap

I would consult your sleep doc.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:01 am

gl, on the top surface of your machine... which word is written on the top... Plus? or Auto? or Pro? Which one of those three words?

glfredrick · Post by **glfredrick** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:14 am

rested gal wrote:gl, on the top surface of your machine... which word is written on the top... Plus? or Auto? or Pro? Which one of those three words?

It says "auto a-flex."

I think that it is auto capable. The description here on the site indicates that at least.

I'm unclear why they would just set it to 16 and leave it there, but I'll definitely pursue this with the doctor and medical supply house. I do know that they have the machine set for exhale relief (to setting 3, I believe) which helps some, and makes the machine close to a bi-pap, which the sleep study technician originally said that I would get. I could live with this machine pretty easily -- I breath well and it runs silent while ramping up -- it is only when it gets set at 16 and stays there that it gets bothersome, blowing the mask off my face, and at times choking me.

More complaints to the Dr. on the way...

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): auto

wabmorgan · Post by **wabmorgan** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:41 am

You do have an Auto with A-flex.

You can change into Auto mode.

Here's a link for the provider setup manual:

http://www.cpap-supply.com/cpap-machine ... 0Guide.pdf

glfredrick · Post by **glfredrick** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:20 pm

wabmorgan wrote:You do have an Auto with A-flex.

You can change into Auto mode.

So, I can go into the setup menu and change from manual to auto settings, with, I presume, 4 as the minimum and 16 as the maximum pressures.

What does this do to my prescription, Doctor's permissions, etc.? Just curious.

I'll probably try the auto setting tonight -- and also enable the recording function so that I can monitor what is actually happening -- I'll try to report back tomorrow sometime.

wabmorgan · Post by **wabmorgan** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:44 pm

Technically speaking you are not supose to change the Rx or set-up.

There are a LOT of people on the forum that do.

If it were me... I wouldn't make you min 4.... try 8 or 9.

And you might set ramp presure at 6 or 7.... might help you get to sleep.

And if you are "concern" you might want to talk to your doc before you make the changes.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:34 am

What he said.

O.

glfredrick · Post by **glfredrick** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:08 pm

I slept much better last night with the changed settings. Thanks to all that suggested I go that route.

I am going to change my minimum setting tonight from 4 to 7. I'll try that and see how it works. Some times during the night it seemed as if I could use a bit more pressure...

I did check my AHI and time usage on the machine after last night. The RDI was 3.5, which isn't bad, all things considered. Time of use doubled the previous two nights use, as the mask stayed on and I actually was able to use it through the night.

As it went, I also received a follow-up call tonight from the sleep study center and my tech asked me how things were going... I explained my problems with the pressure, and told her that I had probably done something that I wasn't supposed to do in adjusting the machine settings, but after I shared the numbers she was very pleased.

It seems sort of weird to me that they would sell a machine capable of being automatically adjustable for patient needs, then send it out with a manual setting -- unless, that is -- they are only looking to pocket the money for follow-up visits to cure the non-existent problem...

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): RDI

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:04 pm

I can think of a number of reasons for that situation:

1. The person who set up the machine misread the script and gave you an auto instead of bi-pap auto.
2. The person who set up the machine read the script properly but did not know how to set it up on auto
3. The clinic figured you may need an auto, but thought starting out at straight pressure was a better bet - therefore they scripted an automatic machine for 16.

Did you ever see your Rx? Get a copy of it, and a full copy (all pages) copy of you sleep study.

O.

momadams · Post by **momadams** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:16 pm

Just to let you know that I've gotten so used to a pressure of 16 that I rarely use the ramp feature any more. It can happen; the brain is a wonderful machine.
Shari

goose · Post by **goose** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:57 am

My DME said they were going to discontinue the straight CPAP machines and just do APAP's because that seems like what everyone is getting these days. If the script is for CPAP mode they'll just set it that way......I didn't ask about the difference in cost to them, but perhaps at their level of sales the cost difference is negligible.

I believe that changing your own pressure is discouraged by the "Medical Community", but it is, in fact, illegal for the DME to change it without a script change from the doctor. It's not something to do without some thought and reason.
That said, I have changed mine a number of times and I have also consulted with the doctor letting her know the reasons and indications for my changing. She's never had a problem with any of my changes.

I would also invest in some software to view the reports -- Encore Viewer is now available. Having the reports can be very enlightening!!!! Search the forum on how to save the data!!! If you're going to push for a Bi-PAP, ensure that the software will work with the BiPap machine....

Good luck -- it sounds like you're getting it under control!!!

cheers
goose

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): bipap, CPAP, DME, APAP

glfredrick · Post by **glfredrick** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:59 pm

I bumped the lower pressure to 7 last night and didn't use the ramp at all. I actually slept for the first night in weeks... I had DREAMS! I was really only awake twice during the night, once around 2 and the second time around 5:30. That was pretty cool.

In playing around with what the pressure does, I just held my breath a couple of times, and the pressure would ramp up until it got to full pressure. Overnight, while I was in light sleep, I could sometimes feel the pressure change based on my breathing before I drifted off to sleep again.

So far, so good. As I said above, I did talk to my sleep clinic technician about the changes I was making and she was of the opinion that if the changes were giving me good numbers they were fine with her.

So far, I've not seen my Rx or my sleep study at all... I'm flying blind right now, but I'll get my hands on that stuff in the days ahead. I have an appointment made to see the Doc early in January, and in the mean time the worst that it could be is that I sleep just as I have for the past 20+ years... No real harm done as I see it. Of course, my wife is praising Jesus and the doctors 'cause she is getting a full nights rest -- finally... She is a saint for putting up with me for all this time. I guess love prevails over even loud snoring.

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pressure 16 cm H2O at altitude 6550ft

New guy with some questions...

New guy with some questions...

Welcome glfredrick!