Trying to reset cpap back to autopap...may need instructions

Seeking Answers, as I mentioned in my response to Dream Stalker, it is very easy to get overwhelmed cognitively when dealing with untreated apnea. Your suggestion of a gluten free diet to your husband is a good but personally, I would focus on one issue at at time which is hopefully to adjust the settings.

If you have the machine that enables you to do that and your husband doesn't seem to show any better tolerance, I would then focus on only one thing to try next which of course will be different for everyone.

49er

If they have a Resmed, regardless of which one, she can get into the clinician's menu the same way, right? If she has the Escape, does that show AHI, or not? Honestly, I don't think it matters a hoot what his AHI is at this point. In my opinion, they need to get in the Clinician's menu, raise that Minimum setting from 4. Obviously where to raise it to is going to be a big unknown without data or input from the titration, but for now, wouldn't you agree that at least we need to get them into the clinician's menu and reset that 4 to at least 6 (and that's being conservative)? The poor man can't breathe on 4.

Let's get her in to the Clinician's menu, set the 4 to 6, and set the machine so the LCD will show AHI, if available. Thoughts????

SleepingUgly wrote:If they have a Resmed, regardless of which one, she can get into the clinician's menu the same way, right? If she has the Escape, does that show AHI, or not? Honestly, I don't think it matters a hoot what his AHI is at this point. In my opinion, they need to get in the Clinician's menu, raise that Minimum setting from 4. Obviously where to raise it to is going to be a big unknown without data or input from the titration, but for now, wouldn't you agree that at least we need to get them into the clinician's menu and reset that 4 to at least 6 (and that's being conservative)? The poor man can't breathe on 4.

Let's get her in to the Clinician's menu, set the 4 to 6, and set the machine so the LCD will show AHI, if available. Thoughts????

Totally agree SU.

49er

49er wrote: Dreamstalker, if you're having trouble tolerating an pap machine due to what sounds like improper settings that cause severe nasal congestion, it isn't an issue of wanting to live.

As one who feels that unresolved nasal congestion has been a big factor in my intolerance to pap therapy to date, it is hard to function even at a minimal level much less think about trying various options. What is happening is the executive function is greatly impaired which makes it very hard to make decisions on what may work the best. It is actually very overwhelming although I keep trying since I know my health is at stake. Many times, it takes hearing a suggestion several times before it make sense as a possible solution. And don't forget, since our cognitive brain power is very limited, what may not seem like a big deal to you is to someone like seeking answers husband or myself.

If you think it is so easy to make decisions, stop your pap therapy for 6 months and then see how well you do.

49er

First of all, my response was not directed at you.

Second, I've been there ... I was walking dead, suffering from chronic sinus congestion, and upper respiratory infections every other week, nightly nocturia, morbid obesity, severe uncontrollable hypertension, daily fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, metabolic syndrome, chronic lethargy, and an AHI of 102 with oxygen desats down to 60%, ... and a severe case of planter fasciitis just for fun. Ya, you could say I was just plain overwhelmed myself back in 2006 ... but I still wanted to live. I guess I'm just a damn mystery to myself for having the executive function to decide I wanted to live after all that. Oh, and I did unintentionally stop my CPAP therapy for 1 night once, and felt like I was run over by a train the next morning ... So I been there done that too.

49er wrote:

SleepingUgly wrote:If they have a Resmed, regardless of which one, she can get into the clinician's menu the same way, right? If she has the Escape, does that show AHI, or not? Honestly, I don't think it matters a hoot what his AHI is at this point. In my opinion, they need to get in the Clinician's menu, raise that Minimum setting from 4. Obviously where to raise it to is going to be a big unknown without data or input from the titration, but for now, wouldn't you agree that at least we need to get them into the clinician's menu and reset that 4 to at least 6 (and that's being conservative)? The poor man can't breathe on 4.

Let's get her in to the Clinician's menu, set the 4 to 6, and set the machine so the LCD will show AHI, if available. Thoughts????

Totally agree SU.

49er

Can someone (ideally someone who has seen an Escape) post explicit directions for her on how to do that? I've got my hands full today.

SleepingUgly wrote: Can someone (ideally someone who has seen an Escape) post explicit directions for her on how to do that? I've got my hands full today.

To get into the clinical menu of the Escape or Escape Auto...it's the same way as any of the S9 machines.

The instructions are in the clinical manual that I sent a link to the pdf in my above comments.
Here are the basics. Works on all S9 machines..the menus inside maybe be slightly different but it should be simple to find pressure or whatever.

Plug in machine and turn the Push Dial until the device is showing the Home position (Home Icon illuminated). In Home position, press the Push Dial and the Setup Menu buttons down simultaneously for 3 seconds. The clinician menu will appear. Select parameter(s) you wish to modify with the Push Dial (push down to select, turn to modify). When done, select the Home choice again from the displayed menu, push down the Push Dial again and the adjustment is saved

Seekinganswers wrote: I'm sure afrin would open it but the docs have all told him to stay away from it because it's addictive...I say so what, if it opens his nose and he has to use it the rest of his life, so be it as long as it works.

I sympathize. There are some medications that while "addictive" can be taken for the rest of someone's life. I will give you a personal experience with Afrin though that will help explain why they avoid this medication for long-term use. I have always had allergies and at one time when I was in my twenties, I got to using the afrin spray for nasal congestion and it worked beautifully, and I was initially using it as ordered, 2 sprays each nostril every 12 hrs. Then my nose started closing off a little early, so I tightened up the schedule to every 8 hrs, then every 6 hrs, then every 4 hours, then I was up to 4 sprays per nostril every 4 hrs and only uncongested about 2 of those hours. I was like an alcoholic in that I had bottles of Afrin stashed everywhere through the house, at work, in my car. . I also had a constant runny nose and nose bleeds to boot. I started seeing a new primary physician for another reason and mentioned my use of Afrin (4 sprays each nostril every 4hrs) and he said, "Oh no, that needs to stop." He started me on ramped up Flonase at about 4 times the normal dosing but with a weaning schedule. Flonase is safe to take this way, under medical supervision. He warned me I would have several miserable days as my nose got over the rebound congestion from the Afrin, but fortunately for me, my nose loves nasal steroids and I have never looked back.

Take home message; Afrin works, but only for a little while, then it leaves you with rebound congestion that is worse than anything you've had before

Pugsy wrote:I have never heard of a ResMed S9 Auto 360...maybe AutoSet??

I think where she got the 360 from might be from the product code -- on the ResMed website they show Product Code numbers:
36002 S9 Escape Auto
36005 S9 AutoSet
It looks like all product codes in the S9 series start with 360.

Hopefully by now she has identified the model and accessed the clinical menu.

kaiasgram wrote:

Seekinganswers wrote: He has a Resmed S9 auto 360.

Does it say "AutoSet" right above the Start/Stop button like in the below photo, or does it say Escape Auto like in the second photo?

It says "autoset" His neurologist/sleep study doc called to day to say he was sending orders to his DME with some changes he is making to the machine. In the last week and a half, he has been able to sleep from 3-6 hrs most nights with the mask that only covered his nose. It's not nasal pillow, it is triangle shaped and goes over his entire nose. Last night he plugged up and couldn't use it but 1.5 hrs. Maybe tonight will be better.

SleepingUgly wrote:

49er wrote:

SleepingUgly wrote:If they have a Resmed, regardless of which one, she can get into the clinician's menu the same way, right? If she has the Escape, does that show AHI, or not? Honestly, I don't think it matters a hoot what his AHI is at this point. In my opinion, they need to get in the Clinician's menu, raise that Minimum setting from 4. Obviously where to raise it to is going to be a big unknown without data or input from the titration, but for now, wouldn't you agree that at least we need to get them into the clinician's menu and reset that 4 to at least 6 (and that's being conservative)? The poor man can't breathe on 4.

Let's get her in to the Clinician's menu, set the 4 to 6, and set the machine so the LCD will show AHI, if available. Thoughts????

Totally agree SU.

49er

Can someone (ideally someone who has seen an Escape) post explicit directions for her on how to do that? I've got my hands full today.

His neurologist called today and has sent orders to the DME co with some "changes' to his settings. I'm assuming they will mail us a new "card" to put in the machine. Thank you all for your knowledge. You don't know how "supported" I have felt through reading these threads. I'm not on here every day due to my work schedule but when I do get on, I read ALL of them and am very thankful for the input of everyone one here.

Seekinganswers wrote:

kaiasgram wrote:

Seekinganswers wrote: He has a Resmed S9 auto 360.

Does it say "AutoSet" right above the Start/Stop button like in the below photo, or does it say Escape Auto like in the second photo?

It says "autoset" His neurologist/sleep study doc called to day to say he was sending orders to his DME with some changes he is making to the machine. In the last week and a half, he has been able to sleep from 3-6 hrs most nights with the mask that only covered his nose. It's not nasal pillow, it is triangle shaped and goes over his entire nose. Last night he plugged up and couldn't use it but 1.5 hrs. Maybe tonight will be better.

Its been a while since I posted. Lots going on. Neurologist sent orders to the DME for new settings. SD card was received on Wed. He was excited to go to bed and try it out. He lasted about 30 mins! Here's what has happened. His machine was set to "autopap" originally, starting with 4 and only ramping up if/when he stopped breathing...then it would ramp up to as high as 12. Doc sent orders to change settings to cpap, starting with 5 for thirty mins, then ramping up to 14 and staying there! In the sleep study that didn't go well, he was wearing his full face mask and it was determined that it isn't a good fit, but that is what he wore that night. At home he started using his mask that only covers his nose. That is the only time he has had a "smiley face" that his mask was a good fit and didn't leak. So he had been really trying to get used to that mask and averaged about 3.5 to 4 hrs per night for about a week. One night he actually slept 6.5 hrs with it. Then the setting change came and it's blowing way to hard now. So we called the neuro back and told him that the DME said he had autopap not cpap. So now we are waiting on new SD card to come which will probably not arrive until about Wed or Thurs next week uggg. So, I told him I was going to get on here and see if anyone had posted directions to reset it ourselves. So, I guess what the settings need to be set on is 5 and ramp up as much as 14 if/when needed and then back down to 5. I'm off to read posts now!

49er wrote:Seeking Answers, as I mentioned in my response to Dream Stalker, it is very easy to get overwhelmed cognitively when dealing with untreated apnea. Your suggestion of a gluten free diet to your husband is a good but personally, I would focus on one issue at at time which is hopefully to adjust the settings.

If you have the machine that enables you to do that and your husband doesn't seem to show any better tolerance, I would then focus on only one thing to try next which of course will be different for everyone.

49er

Oh you are so right. I tend to try to "fix" everything all at once! I know that is overwhelming when he is so exhausted. Thanks for your input!

DreamStalker wrote:

49er wrote: Dreamstalker, if you're having trouble tolerating an pap machine due to what sounds like improper settings that cause severe nasal congestion, it isn't an issue of wanting to live.

As one who feels that unresolved nasal congestion has been a big factor in my intolerance to pap therapy to date, it is hard to function even at a minimal level much less think about trying various options. What is happening is the executive function is greatly impaired which makes it very hard to make decisions on what may work the best. It is actually very overwhelming although I keep trying since I know my health is at stake. Many times, it takes hearing a suggestion several times before it make sense as a possible solution. And don't forget, since our cognitive brain power is very limited, what may not seem like a big deal to you is to someone like seeking answers husband or myself.

If you think it is so easy to make decisions, stop your pap therapy for 6 months and then see how well you do.

49er

First of all, my response was not directed at you.

Second, I've been there ... I was walking dead, suffering from chronic sinus congestion, and upper respiratory infections every other week, nightly nocturia, morbid obesity, severe uncontrollable hypertension, daily fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, metabolic syndrome, chronic lethargy, and an AHI of 102 with oxygen desats down to 60%, ... and a severe case of planter fasciitis just for fun. Ya, you could say I was just plain overwhelmed myself back in 2006 ... but I still wanted to live. I guess I'm just a damn mystery to myself for having the executive function to decide I wanted to live after all that. Oh, and I did unintentionally stop my CPAP therapy for 1 night once, and felt like I was run over by a train the next morning ... So I been there done that too.

I think I may need to clarify something..my husband is not suicidal, he just has an "I don't care" attitude about everything. He just works and comes home and get in the recliner and watches tv because he doesn't have to "think" to do that. He does go to some of the little ballgames here in our town now and then and we go to church etc...he just never feels good you know?

Pugsy wrote:

SleepingUgly wrote: Can someone (ideally someone who has seen an Escape) post explicit directions for her on how to do that? I've got my hands full today.

To get into the clinical menu of the Escape or Escape Auto...it's the same way as any of the S9 machines.

The instructions are in the clinical manual that I sent a link to the pdf in my above comments.
Here are the basics. Works on all S9 machines..the menus inside maybe be slightly different but it should be simple to find pressure or whatever.

Plug in machine and turn the Push Dial until the device is showing the Home position (Home Icon illuminated). In Home position, press the Push Dial and the Setup Menu buttons down simultaneously for 3 seconds. The clinician menu will appear. Select parameter(s) you wish to modify with the Push Dial (push down to select, turn to modify). When done, select the Home choice again from the displayed menu, push down the Push Dial again and the adjustment is saved

His machine is a Resmed not an Escape ...does anyone know how to change those settings?

Seekinganswers wrote: His machine is a Resmed not an Escape ...does anyone know how to change those settings?

http://www.apneaboard.com/resmed-s9-cpap-setup
How to get into the clinical menu and change the settings...there's also a little video there that should help.

If you are wanting 14 cm after ramp time...cpap mode is the fixed pressure. apap mode is the auto adjusting pressure.
So if you are wanting 14 all night...cpap mode is what you want.