Dreamstation Start Pressure?

[rouxster]

I got my Dreamstation APAP last night and slept with it for the first time.  The tech left the default range of 4-20.  The issue is that at 4, right when I put it on and for a little while after, it is too difficult to breathe comfortably.  Once the machine gets up to 6 or 7, it is much more comfortable.  Do I adjust this starting pressure by adjusting the min pressure?

[chill]

Welcome.

Yes, increase the starting pressure.  4 is far, far too low for comfort for most people.  With a starting pressure of 6-7, you probably won't want to use the ramp feature either as it will result is a lower pressure.  Ramp is just a comfort feature to let you get to sleep before it increases to the minimum pressure.

Download Sleepyhead, link at top of page, get a few days data, let us look at it and we may be able to advice on a better minimum pressure.  DreamStations works best when the minimum is not too far below your 90% pressure.

Some other people have links in their messages on how to organize the SleepyHead charts and post images.

[rouxster]

Thanks a ton for the advice. My ramp is off.  My 90% pressure was 7.6 last night.  BTW...what does the 90% pressure mean?  My provider didn't include the wireless card, so I'm getting in touch with them today and getting them to send it to me.  As soon as I get the wireless card, I will download the SleepyHead software.

[chill]

90% pressure is the pressure that you were at or below for 90% of the night.  Based on that, a minimum of 6 or 7 would be perfect for you.

You can use any old SD card of 2GB or more.  They are cheap and common, no need for anything fancy.

[rouxster]

One more question, unrelated to the pressure. My tubing is like generic tubing that does not have a connection for those two pins, where the tubing connects to the machine. What is that connection for and does it matter if I have that tubing or not?

[KSMatthew]

One more question, unrelated to the pressure.  My tubing is like generic tubing that does not have a connection for those two pins, where the tubing connects to the machine.  What is that connection for and does it matter if I have that tubing or not?

Not sure, but I think the Dreamstation supports a heated hose, those connectors might be for heating elements.

[rouxster]

[quote pid='210758' dateline='1497630323']
One more question, unrelated to the pressure.  My tubing is like generic tubing that does not have a connection for those two pins, where the tubing connects to the machine.  What is that connection for and does it matter if I have that tubing or not?

Not sure, but I think the Dreamstation supports a heated hose, those connectors might be for heating elements.
[/quote]

[gaspingTom]

Hi. I'm new on this board, but I have worn a CPAP since 2005 and a BiPAP for about 5 months.

If you obtained your APAP through MediCare, then you must use a special SD card from Philips Respironics, made by Lexar. I'm not precisely sure how the card is different from ordinary SD cards, but my sleep doctor's software won't read anything but the Philips card. If you are not on Medicare, you can probably use a regular card.

Sleepyhead does not download to your APAP. You download it to your computer and import the contents of the card into the computer. The instructions are simple.

The APAP can take a heated hose, and that's what the terminals are for. A heated hose reduces condensation in the winter.

Hope this helps.

[rouxster]

Hi. I'm new on this board, but I have worn a CPAP since 2005 and a BiPAP for about 5 months.

If you obtained your APAP through MediCare, then you must use a special SD card from Philips Respironics, made by Lexar. I'm not precisely sure how the card is different from ordinary SD cards, but my sleep doctor's software won't read anything but the Philips card. If you are not on Medicare, you can probably use a regular card.

Sleepyhead does not download to your APAP. You download it to your computer and import the contents of the card into the computer. The instructions are simple.

The APAP can take a heated hose, and that's what the terminals are for. A heated hose reduces condensation in the winter.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the additional info.  I'm not sure which card I have, but I will check and see.  I don't think I have any reason to change the card out.  I originally was thinking that the SleepyHead software communicated to the machine via wireless, but I understand now that the SD card is used to import the data.

I'm in south Louisiana, so we don't know winter is...lol...just kidding.  I haven't heard of anyone I know needing a heated hose around here, but that is good information to know.

[chill]

I too have doubts that you will suffer from low humidity in south Louisiana.

Regardless of what a DME tells you, the SD card used is the same as any camera or other device, SD is SD.