Remstar Auto M

[dezellis]

Hi,
I have used my machine for just one night only. Not quite as bad as I expected. Mask is nasal cushions, I didn't bother with the chin strap I suspect I must have kept my mouth shut most of the night. I did wake a few times during the night and found my tongue automatically sealing the roof of the mouth anyway so helping to stop the passage of air experienced when opening the mouth.

However; here is the question, the machine is NHS and may have some features disabled but I did expect to see patient data accumulate in the available screens.
The information is 7 day and 30 day trends so do these remain at zero until 7 days use has occurred or should the screens be showing accumulated data up to now?
Regards
Dez Ellis

[James @ Intus]

Hi Dez,

Welcome to the fourms.

I'm pretty sure it takes 7 days before they show.

Does yours have a data card?

[dezellis]

Hi,
Thanks for the welcome and the reassurance.
Yes it does have a card.
I just wanted to make sure it was recording. I need the evidence to get my driving license back ASAP and don't want to waste any nights of compliance.
I am also very curious to check the data.
Regards
Dez Ellis

[James @ Intus]

If the hospital isn't as fast as you'd like, you can send us the card when you are ready and we'll run it through the software and send you a report you can use to show them how you're doing.

[chelseauk]

Hi,

I can't remember if it takes 7 days - but it doesn't register the previous night until some time after (I think it's about mid day).

[dezellis]

Hi chelseauk,
You are absolutely right. The screens are now showing the data 8.5hrs etc well done.

Is it normal to leave the machine on standby during the day or switched off at the mains socket?
I have turned it off at the mains during the day (to help my carbon footprint). It obviously has a good back up battery or supercap because it has updated the hours whilst switched off.


Regards
Dez Ellis

[chelseauk]

Usage data on mine is stored on a memory card (Looks like a credit card - fits in the side).

I normally have mine off at the socket during the day - same as you. Got to be green !

[Tigers Fan]

Card Reader

Hi Dez

There is software and a card reader available for the smartcard - enables you to monitor your therapy and make adjustments to your APAP (if you know how to get to the Clinicians' Menu and make gradual adjustments if you do).

All I had to do for the DVLA was sign a declaration that I was not sleepy during the day. As I recall, I ticked a box to say I was on CPAP therapy and another to say it was effective, I wasn't sleepy and sign at the bottom. I certainly didn't have to submit personal details about my therapy.

Other than actually observing you, who can say if you are sleepy or not except for you?

Tigers Fan

[Tigers Fan]

On the subject of Being Green

As a child, I was told that if everyone sent a grain of rice to China, we could feed all the starving children there - so eat your greens!

In a similar vein, if we all switched our electrical devices off at the wall when they are not in use, we would collectively save quite a bit of power. My TV uses 0.3 watts on stand-by, so its daily stand-by power consumption is/would be equivalent to leaving my bedside light on for six minutes.

However, by switching power off electronic components we considerably shorten their working life. Repairing the electrical device requires the manufacture of the failed part, it's transport around the world, the repair person and his/her transport, welfare, family support and they all probably watch TV ........

I can't find the power consumption of an APAP on stand-by but I'd put big money on the Greenest Option being to leave it with power on all day. This just isn't the Fashionable Option, is all.

Tigers Fan

[dezellis]

Hi Tigers Fan,
Is the Tigers reference a sports team or some other tigers link?
The card from the Remstar was downloaded by the sleep clinic and the evidence was then available to allow me to apply for my licence back.
As you suggested the form for the renewal of my licence involved completing a medical questionnaire.
I voluntarily surrendered by licence on the advise of the specialist, therefore, as soon as my application can reasonably be assumed to be with the DVLA I am able to drive.
The DVLA may check with the consultant or sleep clinic but I don't have to wait to recieve the licence back.
I do not normally agree with the popular misconception that switching off modern electronic devices does shorten their life, however, you obviously have strong views on this and I would not like to disagree too vigorously.
I am unfortunately inconsistent sometimes I switch the CPAP off and sometimes I leave it on.
Regards
Dez Ellis

[Tigers Fan]

Not a Martian

Hi Dez

Though I live in the South, I come from Leicester - so Tigers Fan refers to Leicester Tigers, the Rugby Union team.

I don't believe I have strong opinions about switching appliances off or leaving them on but I do have strong opinions about unthinkingly following the crowd - on Green or any other issue. Also, I especially don't like being evangelised at! So when Greenies spout sound-bite slogans at me (or people knock at my door to tell me what I ought to be doing/thinking/feeling) I ask them to challenge their own thinking.

My Green understanding is that it matters not one jot what we do or don't do in the name of saving the planet until we (all nations) address the issue of our ever increasing population. That will eventually happen, I'm sure - I would prefer it's done sooner and peacefully rather than eventually by war over water, oil, food and land, is all.

I've been using a Remstar Auto for - gracious! - all but four months now. I get on just fine with it, particularly since learning how to access the Clinician's Menu and making gradual changes to my therapy. I use it with a full face mask, unlike you. Being able to monitor the data recorded on the smart card is a great help in fine tuning the therapy and getting one's AHI as low as possible. I'm down in the 2 - 3 range, from being on high at the start.

Good luck with yours.

Tigers Fan