Just got machine !

[hsrunning]

Well just got back from the hospital where I was told my sleep study revealed that I stopped breathing 65 times per hour, Can anyone let me know if that is normal/low/high? I have been given a REMSTAR AUTO M SERIES machine with AFLEX. I have to return this in 9 days time when I will be issued with a fixed pressure machine to keep untill further notice. A little dissapointed as I was hoping for an AUTO machine, also the sister at the hospital said they donot supply humidifiers at all so am a little more dissapointed.
The mask they have supplied me with is a RESPIRONICS COMFORT GEL FULL, I only tried it on for a demo but felt more comfortable than I expected it to.
The machine has been set up initally by the hospital and they told me it will start on 4 then find it's own level, the A FLEX is set to mid position 2, and I understand the RAMP is also set but donot know what to.

I was told the fixed pressure machine I will be getting (POSSIBLY A REMSTAR PRO) takes the cards so will be looking for a reader and software if anyone can help with that please.

Well looking forward to the first night, problem is I am on early shift tomorrow morning and have to get up at 4am so I am hoping to be in bed by 9pm if all goes well. Thanks to all in advance and will keep you updated.
COPIED FROM INTRODUCTIONS
HSRUNNING

Well on 4th day now (night), I have managed to keep mask on most of night and have only awakened 2/3 times as opposed to 6/7 before treatment began. I have noticed when I wake the machine is putting out the full pressure of 20, so does that mean i may require a stronger unit? The AHI reads 12.1 and it says 90% of time = 20. Biggest problem is after only 4 nights my nose is so sore, it appeares that in order to prevent air leaking I have to have it this tight, if I slacken it off air leakes from top and bottom of mask. Help and advice would be appreciated as only one reply from james in introductions has been received.

[Simes2112]

Welcome

65 sounds high to me - I was 46.something and they were keen to get me on CPAP quickly. BUT it is what it is - anything more than about 2 needs therapy as far as I can tell - because after my first test after I got my machine (3 days in) they tweaked my pressure up a bit because I had 'only' gone down to 3 per hour :-)

I am not at all qualified to comment on the machine you have. All I know is that what the hospitals will provide under the NHS seems to vary widely around the country.

Mask fit, comfort and leakage does seem to issue most people talk about. It seems that the professional advice is that the straps are their to hold the mask in place and not to clamp it to your face for dear life. Well my experience of reality is different - I have found through 10 weeks of trial and error that a bit tighter works for me. I use Remzzzs too - I am a bit of a Remzzzs convert - and they make all the difference for me.

Hope this is somewhat helpful.

[hsrunning]

7 Days in.

Now used cpap for seven nights, awoke this morning with a stinking cold, nose running into mask (not nice). Pressure still on 20, 90% of time, sore on my nose is giving a constant headache but have ordered a sample pack of REMZZZs, I have to give them a try as the skin is now starting to break.
Sleep nurse (sister) at the hospital said "Give me a ring if you have any problems" well, I have tried on 9 occassions but she is unavailable. My AHI is down slightly to 11.6. I am like others on here, determined not to let this machine beat me, to the extent that I will be looking to buy my own if NHS can't/Wont supply me with an AUTO MACHINE with a HUMIDIFIER. Fancy a REMSTAR AUTO/HUMIDIFIER with CARD READER & SOFTWARE so I can keep an eye on stats.(bit of a freak like that) Anyone using software give me a shout, seen PRO ANALYSER advertised somewhere but I understand it needs ENCORE PRO to work? Can this be bought by the general public?.

Thanks in advance.

HSRUNNING

[hsrunning]

Fixed Pressure Machine Issued

Just got back from hospital sleep clinic where I handed my AUTO machine in and it was exchanged for a FIXED PRESSURE machine. A REMSTAR PRO.
Data was extracted from the auto machine with averages as follows:
90% of time pressure= 19.1 AHI=11.6 Full compliance over 7 days.
The new fixed pressure machine has been programmed as follows:
Start pressure= 7 Full pressure= 13.5 Ramp 25 mins.
I have to go back again in 3 weeks for a further evaluation, and see if further adjustments are required. They would still NOT give me a humidifier for it even though I have had a throat/chest infection and been given co-amoxiclav that started with a sore dry throat, I was told to put some water in the breathing pipe if I wanted humidity. On a good note I have tried the REMZZzs mask liners and they appear to be helping with the sore/open wound on the nose, this could be expensive to use a new one every day though. I was shown the graphs generated from the data on the smartcard and was very impressed as it showed exactly when an apnea was occuring, what the pressure was at the time, and from this a pattern was emerging whereby the nurse ascertained what would be the optimum settings for the fixed pressure machine.
Oh well lets see how it goes tonight, still only one reply, is there anyone out there? TALK TO ME !!!

[James @ Intus]

We hear you

It's interesting that they find you were at or below 19 for 90% of the time and then issue you a fixed presure machine at 13.5. I'd imagine that may still go up a notch or two but hopefully it'll sort you out right away.

Glad to hear you also like the RemZzzs. When the wound has healed, maybe you can do with using them say 4 out of 7 nights, see how you go.

The water in the hose tip will probably lead to gurgling noise and so on, hadn't heard that hint before! Not very practicle if you ask me. If they keep refusing, you can always get your own humidifier, they are less expensive than a machine anyway, but would be nice to get one for free.

Thaks for sharing the info, good to hear you're coping well.

[DAZZBOD]

It takes a bit of "tweaking" to get the right balance. I have been lucky enough to have been given an auto machine. I have been able to adjust it over the first 2 weeks I had it. I did get woken up with it blowing at full blast for the first week but I was able to lower the max pressure to a point where it stopped the episodes but didn't wake me up. Keep with it..........

[dhaxelbarqs]

A typical CPAP machine houses the air pump in a case lined with sound-absorbing material for quieter operation.

[hsrunning]

Adjusted Pressure!

Just got back from the sleep clinic, after 18 days on a fixed pressure machine, it was originally set to ramp from 7 up to 13.3. After downloading the data the sleep nurse informed me of the following:

AVERAGE AHI = 11.9, AVERAGE TIME IN APNEA PER DAY = 18.1 MINS

She has now increased the pressure to 15 and I don't have to go back until February.
Still no luck when I asked about a humidifier but she said I may get one next visit if I am still having problems, plus she wants to get my AHI down first before trying other masks etc. I am getting on great with the RemZzz mask liners and feel more comfortable wearing the mask each night.

I just done my first night shift since being on CPAP and was surprised that I was a LOT less tired than before treatment began, to the extent that on my last night (Friday) I did not sleep until 11pm Saturday night. NO PROBLEMS!!!

One silly thing, am I imagining it or do I feel I am becoming dependant on the machine, as it feels I need to make more of an effort to breath without it.

Will keep you all updated as time goes on so:

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE ON THE FORUM,

HSRUNNING

[Sleep2Snore]

Good to see most things are going well for you.
If you need a humidifier keep complaining.

[Samm66]

New to this!

Hi hsrunning. It is really helpful reading what you are saying. I will be asking all the same questions. Getting instant answers is not easy and it isn't like it can wait! I understand your frustration. Sorry I have no answers for you but there is soooooo much wealth here! I hope to learn from you as well! See you around. Sam xxxx

[hsrunning]

Thanks for the replies folks,
I am now in possession of the ENCORE PRO software along with the required card reader, also PRO ANALYSER software. I admit I am a bit of a geek when it comes to gadgets and toys but this software really is the "bee's knees" when it comes to being able to provide me with the data saved on the card.

I would certainly recommend it to anyone who wants to know exactly what is happening during the night. Here is a list of data that I can print out either in text form or graphs be it line or bar charts, you can also choose any dates to include/exclude or to and from:

AVERAGE USE / AVERAGE EVENTS / AVERAGE OBSTRUCTIVE APNEAS / AVERAGE HYPOPNEAS / AVERAGE NON RESPONSIVES / AVERAGE FLOW LIMITATIONS / AVERAGE SNORES / AVERAGE TIME IN APNEA / AHI / OAI / HI / NRI / FLI / SI / APNEA DURATION.

Days with/without device usage, percentage days, Cumulative usage, Maximum/Minimum usage per day. Full compliance data, All pressure data, Device settings,(ramp time, ramp pressure, C-flex setting, humidifier setting).

And this is just the start !!! I am also able to print out detailed graphs for a specific nights sleep showing when events occure at what pressure, how many snores occured etc.
Using this data I can now plot my progress and hopefully tweak the settings to further improve my treatment. (with sleep clinic's guidance).

I would like to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR and look forward to chatting with you.

hsrunning