New to CPAP. Help appreciated.

I have only had my machine for four nights as of this posting. First three nights were horrible (machine made too much noise, pressure felt low, waking up with a wet face under mask, etc.). After the third night, I went online to find a patients users manual for my machine, which was not provided to me by my healthcare provider. I was told that the humidifier setting was fixed, wrong! I was told to install the flapper valve between the CPAP machine and the humidifier with the opening facing up (I believe that this is incorrect, due to the amount of air that was blowing from the exhaust port on the water tank). Last night, after rotating the flapper valve 180 degrees, I have a heck of a lot more pressure in my mask.
I am looking for the providers manual for my machine (REMstar Auto with C-Flex) due to my opinion that the person who came to my house to set up the machine has probabally never read it. Any help is appreciated. I know how to get to the advanced settings, but I would like to see the menu tree on paper.
Also, my doctor prescribed basic CPAP usage. I am interested in trying C-Flex mode due to my high pressure (15cm H2O) and having a hard time exhaling. Any thoughts on this?

http://www.apneaboard.com/REMstar%20Aut ... 0Guide.pdf

See if the above link will give you the image tree you want

I got to it from this link

http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

I can upload it if need be.

Pugsy wrote:http://www.apneaboard.com/REMstar%20Aut ... 0Guide.pdf

See if the above link will give you the image tree you want

I got to it from this link

http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

I can upload it if need be.

Thanks for the reply, but I don't have the M series. Just a REMstar Auto w/C-Flex. I must have an older model.

Sorry, I can't seem to find the setup guide image for your exact machine on the internet. I was hoping that there wasn't a lot of difference between the older and newer versions of this Respironics machine. Perhaps someone here will have other information for you.

You can try the c-flex as it does help with exhalation; however, you will notice with time that you will need it less and may eventually not use it. I started at a c-flex of 3 and am currently at 2 and considering going to 1 or turning it off because the rise and fall of the mask with exhalation is annoying to me. Another thing to consider is using the ramp feature when trying to go to sleep. It starts you at a lower pressure and gradually 'ramps' up to your prescribed pressure over a set period of time. Both the starting pressure and time of ramp is settable. Just a note, some people feel suffocated when using ramp the first time (as I did) because the starting ramp pressure is too low. A good starting point, in my opinion, for ramp is 7cm. That feels the closest to normal breathing for me. As far as the humidifier goes, try to set it the lowest you can, without your nose being irritated. This will reduce rainout (water collecting in your hose and mask) while keeping sleeping comfortable.

Hope this helps. I was in your shoes just a month ago and I feel like I have made leaps and bounds thanks to this site. Keep your chin up and don't be afraid to ask anything....that is how we learn since the Drs and DMEs like to keep the 'secret info' to themselves.

PM me with your e-mail address.


Den

Den,
I assume that you have more than the image tree info on your machines. Is there anything in the actual clinician manual that would help me understand things better? Anything that I might need later in case trouble with machine comes up? I guess you have figured out my now that I have immense curiosity about anything that relates to my treatment.
Thanks
Brenda

Pugsy wrote:Den,
I assume that you have more than the image tree info on your machines. Is there anything in the actual clinician manual that would help me understand things better? Anything that I might need later in case trouble with machine comes up? I guess you have figured out my now that I have immense curiosity about anything that relates to my treatment.
Thanks
Brenda

Check your PMs shortly.

Den