I'm a new CPAP user. I was diagnosed as borderline three years ago, insurance wouldn't cover a machine, ended up buying an Apex XT Auto but not using it. I had an ApneaLink sleep study recently that showed 60+ apnea events per hour, so told to start using the machine.
I have:
Apex XT Auto machine
Apex Humidifier (not using yet)
Amara View Full Face Mask (I don't remember how I chose this mask)
I would like to hear if most people are running the Apex XT Auto in CPAP or APAP mode, and the settings they are using.
I would like to hear if others are having success with the Amara View Full Face Mask.
I have obtained the software from this website (thank you) but haven't had time to set it up yet.
I have had three nights using the machine:
The first night, I slept for 6 hours straight, which I haven't done in a long time. The machine was in APAP mode, min p 10, max p 14.5, PVA off. While falling asleep and a few times during the night, I had the sensation of not being able to get enough air.
The second night, I turned PVA on set at 3, which I believe means the machine can drop the pressure 3.0 cm during the exhalation phase of each breath. Honestly, I feel like the machine might be adjusting the pressure out of phase with my breathing--as in higher pressure when I'm trying to exhale--but I'm not sure. I only got a total of 2 hours of sleep and felt miserable all day long.
The third night (last night), I used the same settings but adjusted the head gear to hold the Amara mask against my nostrils a little better. This reduced the leakage blowing into my eyes, but I get a terrible feeling while exhaling that it takes too long because of the pressure, and I'm not convinced the mask has been scavenged effectively of CO2 when I draw the next breath immediately at the end of exhaling. I got 3 hours, then 2 hours, then 1 hour of sleep. Not very beneficial yet.
I am very interested to hear if people have had the most success with the Apex XT Auto in CPAP or in APAP mode, and with or without PVA.
I ordered a Bluetooth pulse oximeter which is arriving today. When I get it set up, I will supposedly have a graph of my SpO2 throughout the night. I believe the real goals are to limit the number of apnea events and to maximize SpO2 throughout the night.
I'm still a little unclear on the Apex panel display values in the morning, but I think they will become clearer to me once I start using the software. I have had HI 42 to 50 and the other two at 0. I have read I have to divide by the number of hours. It's not clear to me when the counter(s) reset.
It's also not clear to me how much data the machine stores before I transfer it via SD card to the computer. Does the Apex XT Auto hold just one night of data, or many nights (do I need to transfer every day)? Does transferring to the SD card clear the values in the Apex machine?
Finally, any hints or tips on the Amara View Full Face Mask would be appreciated. I looked into a Resmed Airfit F20, but the full face mask over the nose bothers my eyes, so the minimal-contact Amara makes sense, I guess. I cannot use just a nasal mask because I sometimes mouth breath due to mild asthma.
Thank you very much in advance.