is it safe to use CPAP given to me by friend?
i am sure that I have sleep apnea but like most of the people I know, "my insurance" is terrible. its basically a catastrophic plan that isn't worth anything unless you have major problems, otherwise I pay for everything out of pocket.
My question is- is it safe to use a cpap machine that a friend has given me? I have read that the pressure being to high is a problem with creating too much carbon dioxide on the exhale. does anyone have input on this?
I have the resmed S9 autoset which I believe will automatically seyt to what you need. does anyone know if that is correct?
RE: is it safe
The carbon dioxide is a myth. Masks have intentional vent rates built in to flush carbon dioxide from the mask. Higher the pressure higher the intentional vent rate goes. They also have entrainment valves so if the machine stops you can still breathe room air.
A wind open range auto is better than nothing. But to really treat your apnea you need to download sleepy head software and tweak your min and max pressure limits so the machine doesnt have so far to go to get up to a effective treatment level.
Also with the range wide open 4 to 20 its always going to be going back to 4 CMH2o when you have no events for a while then when you do it has to climb all the way back up to an effective pressure.
But the only way youll hurt yourself with one is drop it on your toe. LOL
RE: is it safe
All insurance is a racket.
CPAP pressure can induce central apneas. It's important to know what type of apnea you have.
The majority of apnea is cause by airway collapse during sleep.
Since you're new to the forum -- I would read up; and interact here to become educated before trying the Autoset.
RE: is it safe
Hi budm,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I'm curious, did you have a sleep study done to establish a pressure?
Hang in there for more suggestions.
Much success to you as you start your CPAP therapy.
trish6hundred
RE: is it safe
Read this, all of it, as you make your way to Section Three where you can request a manual for your machine.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pr...tup-manual
Then read this, all of it, and learn how to find your own pressure setting.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pr...re-on-cpap
Also check out our wiki and educate yourself on what all this means. What the terms mean, the alphabet soup, all that.
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...=Wiki_Home
And keep coming back here to ask questions. There really is no stupid or dumb question you could ask that we've not heard before, answered before, and got the answer for (even if the answer is "aliens did it"). No one will ever tell you it was a stupid or dumb question except in joking. We joke a lot. The aliens make us. Anyway, feel free to ask any question you can't find the answer for or something you need clarified.
There's also the Forum Search option, too.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...rum-Search
PaulaO
Take a deep breath and count to zen.