Changing your own pressure settings

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:43 am

Responding to the two issues here:

Having had a chronic sinus infection that I had to fight hard to get under control so that CPAP would work properly, I strongly urge making the effort. Sinus infections happen anytime the sinuses don't drain properly. In my case, antibiotics didn't work (I only tried oral treatments); but, several times a day sinus rinses finally did. My ENT, btw, strongly approved of the sinus rinses, even though it was my idea. One idea of his that I didn't try, that might have been worthwhile, was to along with the antibiotics and rinses do a course of Prednisone to really open things up (I'm afraid of steroids).

As for whether a user should adjust his/her CPAP without the doctor's help, why not, if it's done carefully? Finding the right pressure is more an art than it is a science. Studies have shown that users actually do a fairly good job of finding the "right" pressure by trial and error. If changes of a few cm were that likely to kill a person, the FDA would never have approved auto CPAPs.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 5:36 pm

notsorested wrote:I teach critical thinking, and I see a great deal of sound logic on this site. In principle, the guest has a point though. (Don't throw anything at me, please.) ....

Please excuse me for being off-topic, but I found knowing you teach critical thinking interesting. In honor of you (so I can blame someone ) I've posted an off-topic quiz on critical thinking after browsing the internet... again your fault. I'm sure you can answer every single one of them correctly. I'm not good at thinking critically, but I like the notion.

Linda

harikarishimari · Post by **harikarishimari** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 3:58 pm

Anonymous wrote:Good afternoon all. I have an Electrical and Computer Engineer Degree and have been on CPAP for 13 years. So, I'm not an idiot who doesn't understand how to use Silverlining Software or figure out how to change settings on any CPAP. Yes, CPAPs are nothing more than glorified blowers. And yes, this is America and everyone is trying to take your money. Saying that, bottom line is that this is your health we are taking about. Establishing a good relationship with a DR. is a must. I know that incompetent Doctors and Home Healthcare Providers exist out there, but that is no excuse to play with medical devices. Granted, many of you might think they are glorified blowers, but they still fall under FDA Regulations. These Regulations were established to protect us, not annoy us. If you aren’t happy with them, then I suggest you just plug a leaf blower to your mask and be satisfy with that. Understand people, if you are not a doctor or medical provider, changing settings on a medical device is illegal. The liability falls on them. If you take it upon yourself to be a doctor, then it falls on you. If this so call leaf blower harms you in anyway, then you are fault. Ultimately, you are damaging your health. I know that many of you hate driving 1 ½ hours away to make a setting change, but it’s your health. Is that not worth it? If you have to drive a 1 ½ away, then I take it there is no hospital around you too? Have you considered moving near a medical facility? Common sense tells me that these folks are farmers or ranchers, but unfortunately that is life. It’s your chose to live with CPAP which falls under all these FDA Regulations. Being Proactive and Stubborn are two different issues. You folks are giving CPAP users a bad name. It bothers me to know that there are many ignorant people out there that like to self diagnose themselves. The same people who try to fix electronic devices and get electrocuted. Lets stop complaining about the system and deal with it. I get frustrated too with the insurance folks and home healthcare providers too. But it’s not their fault that these laws exist. They exist to protect us, not take our money away. If you don’t like the laws, then talk to all the other people who have lost lives due to faulty medical devices in the early 1900s. Educate yourselves and stop giving our doctors and home healthcare providers a hard time.

Good afternoon all. I have an Electrical and Computer Engineer Degree and have been on CPAP for 13 years.

Translation: “Good afternoon. BACK! BACK! I KNOW KARATE !!! I am smarter than all of you combined!
(I’m sure it’s out of modesty and not cowardice that you post anonymously.)

So, I'm not an idiot who doesn't understand how to use Silverlining Software

OK, then WHAT kind? be specific.

or figure out how to change settings on any CPAP.

Interesting, ANY cpap? WOW! Would you be an HHCP or a DME? Just curious. Interesting knowledge base.

Yes, CPAPs are nothing more than glorified blowers.

Oh really? Promise you won’t try to convince us they are sophisticated medical devices?

And yes, this is America and everyone is trying to take your money.

Oooooh, how I long for the OLD country where that never happened…..

Saying that, bottom line is that this is your health we are taking about.

EXACTLY! That’s too important to trust to greedy bumbling “professionals”.

Establishing a good relationship with a DR. is a must.

I married one, does that count?

I know that incompetent Doctors and Home Healthcare Providers exist out there, but that is no excuse to play with medical devices.

Let the condescension begin… NO WAIT! It started on line one.

OK children, time to put away your CPAPS.

Granted, many of you might think they are glorified blowers,

You told us you believe that yourself. (see line 4)

but they still fall under FDA Regulations.

Thank goodness the equipment has been thoroughly vetted. And your point is?

These Regulations were established to protect us, not annoy us.

Classical DME jargon, trying to hide behind the FDA to protect THEIR monetary interests, and intimidate us and keep us in ignorance and poverty. Try to be more creative.

If you aren’t happy with them, then I suggest you just plug a leaf blower to your mask and be satisfy [sic] with that.

OH I GET IT !!! REAL Leaf blowers are not regulated by the FDA, therefore we are free to PLAY with them, and put them up our nose, with impunity? I’m glad you have our best interests in mind! (?) Do you give lessons?

Understand people, if you are not a doctor or medical provider, changing settings on a medical device is illegal.

WRONG !!!!

For the record, I are not a doctor. But for one who "knows how to change the settings on ANY CPAP" and probably does it for a living, I can see why you don’t want anybody else messin wid dat. I’m starting to get your message: “just trust and obey… la la la la la”

The liability falls on them. If you take it upon yourself to be a doctor, then it falls on you.

If I change the settings, and I don’t like it, can I sue myself ???

If this so call [sic] leaf blower harms you in anyway [sic], then you are [sic] fault.

Now I’m confused. We really ARE talking REAL leaf blowers. Should I call the doctor to clean my driveway. Or the DME? Either way, it will take three months. Can I BRING my driveway to the office? Is it legal to clean the driveway with my CPAP. This is SOOOOOOO confusing!

Ultimately, you are damaging your health.

Here’s a little secret. I wasn’t going to mention it, but most of us here use FDA certified CPAP/APAP equipment, and we’ve learned how to operate it quite well. Slightly more expensive than the leaf blower that you bought from Home Depot 13 years ago. But WE’RE worth it.

I know that many of you hate driving 1 ½ hours away to make a setting change, but it’s your health.

I see your point. Starting now I will make the trip twice a day just to have my DME push the “ON” switch at night, and “OFF” in the morning. We country bumpkins just cannot risk our health on such important and oh-so-difficult tasks. When it snows I may have to drive the tractor. But HAY! It’s my HEALTH that’s at stake. No, come to think of it, this machine has an auto-on. Make that ONE trip a day. I hope you’re on the job at 4:00 AM, I can’t keep the cows waiting!

Is that not worth it? If you have to drive a 1 ½ [sic] away, then I take it there is no hospital around you too? Have you considered moving near a medical facility?

Yes, that makes sense. I will sell the farm and move to the city. That will save me the 1.5 hr drive. Spendid. Why didn’t I think of that <*SMACKS SELF ON FOREHEAD, LOUDLY*>

Common sense tells me that these folks are farmers or ranchers, but unfortunately that is life.

Let the condescension continue… If you check the “Curiosity” thread, you will find you are seriously outclassed, out-degreed, out-witted, and out-educated by a mile. Do you really think your (supposed) degrees make you some kind of higher life form? I guess the answer is yes. You’ll notice some ranchers and farmers in the mix. Smart enough to graduate from Harvard or UC Davis. And many have. (Hint: the guy standing in the corn field with straw poking out of his hat is not “really” the farmer. Dat’s da guy from da gubermunt. He's here to help.)

It’s your chose [sic] to live with CPAP which falls under all these FDA Regulations.

Have you read them? Please cite chapter and verse.

Being Proactive and Stubborn are two different issues. You folks are giving CPAP users a bad name.

You are giving DMEs a bad name. (you ARE one, right?)

It bothers me to know that there are many ignorant people out there that like to self diagnose themselves.

You are referring to US, right? Oh, it’s so SWEEEEEEEEEEET to know that you care about us. Thank you! Thank you!

And besides, who else could we self-diagnose?

The same people who try to fix electronic devices and get electrocuted.

Yes, we get electrocuted several times a day. Really! It’s NOTHING.

Lets stop complaining about the system and deal with it.

Finally we agree on something. Personally I am going to go look for another water planet. This one is starting to get really annoying. I would suggest abolish the federal government, but that would take too much time. And it’s probably against some FDA regulation.

I get frustrated too with the insurance folks

Most DMEs feel the same way. You have my sympathy.

and home healthcare providers too.

Competition sux.

But it’s not their fault that these laws exist.

Actually they DON’T exist. But nevermind.

They exist to protect us, not take our money away.

Actually… oh nevermind.

If you don’t like the laws, then talk to all the other people who have lost lives due to faulty medical devices in the early 1900s.

Your classmates at the U of Whatever… ?

OK, I’m willing to talk to them. Tell me how.

Educate yourselves and stop giving our doctors and home healthcare providers a hard time.

OKEE DOKEE !

(THEN can we push some of those “SPESHUL” buttons? )

My doctor actually APPROVES of patients taking responsibility for their treatment and exercising their legitimate options.
And my HHCP actually enjoys, as you say…

So where’s the beef?

.

Ritap1965 · Post by **Ritap1965** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:20 pm

Harikarishimari, that is to funny. My best laugh today, loved it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:47 pm

harikarishimari,
This is the best post I've read here in ages. You nailed it.

Brava!

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:50 pm

harikarishimari, you are our secret ninja with a samurai attitude. Thorough and deadly. Thank you.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:04 pm

harikarishimari,

THAT is SUPERB!!!

(I can't think of enough superlatives to describe it.)

THANK-YOU!

Den

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:28 pm

Right on the spot.
O.

Steve-o · Post by **Steve-o** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:55 pm

I have tears streaming down my face from laughing so hard.

Kudos harikarishimari.

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:26 am

harikarishimari wrote:Let the condescension begin…

OK children, time to put away your CPAPS.

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
...I've got an OZ heated hose, not a problem.

and a high-five to harikarishimari, our secret weapon! (please don't break my arm)
.

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:16 am

Hilarious!!!

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:20 pm

attn: Harikarishimari, YOUR CHRISTMAS CARD BOUNCED.

I'm presuming by the paucity of your previous posts (actually NONE lately) that you found the sought-after water planet as mentioned (above), and MOVED there. If true, I'm JEALOUS! and WOUNDED you didn't take me with you . I suppose you could deduce the same about me, I haven't posted much here of late (actually NONE). And have not had the leisure to go water-planet-hunting. I'm relying on you for that. But I'll do my part (invent superluminal interstellar conveyances, time travel, grow gills, whatever....) I was actually thinking of doing all that anyway. Especially grow gills, seems like an alright alternative to APAP, agreed? (Does Kevin Costner give lessons?)

If you get this message, be advised I am holding your Christmas card for ransom until you tell me where to send it (the Nevada address didn't work, PM me to update). Also be advised that I (we) miss your gentle sarcasm and your gut-splitting perverse sense of humor. I still drop in here about once a year to catch up and to revisit some old threads. (This one especially cheers me up, it's classic!) I thought of you this afternoon while wandering aimlessly throught Home Depot, near the leaf-blower section, they were on sale... it crossed my mind, what if... just what if the old guy was right.... oh nevermind, CANCEL that thought.

Hope all is well with you and the family. Worst case, have yourself a MERRY CHRISTMAS !

-Ric

(also Doug, Dan, BIll, Paddycakes, OZ, and all the old friends, same applies, MERRY CHRISTMAS ! )

hey WOW! I'm EARLY! no wait... this was for LAST year, I'm still catching up...

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:58 pm

Ric wrote:I still drop in here about once a year to catch up and to revisit some old threads. (This one especially cheers me up, it's classic!)

RIC !!!!!!! Wow!!! I'll tell neversleeps you came by looking for a Christmas cookie. So good to see you!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:37 am

Great to see you Ric!!! And how nice of you to come back on those great waves of laughter!

O.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:35 am

Hi Ric!!!

Merry Christmas to you (and harikarishimari......wherever she may be). I had to check your posts and this is your 5th post this year. WOW.....don't overdo yourself.
In any case, you're really missed (both of you) around here and here's wishing you all the best.

Don't stay away so long.

Den

Changing your own pressure settings

Re: Any logical thinkers here?

Re: Changing your own pressure settings

Re: Changing your own pressure settings

Re: Changing your own pressure settings

Re: Changing your own pressure settings