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I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
#1
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I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
I've had a REMstar Plus C-Flex machine for three or four years and I've never been able to use it a full night! I've tried different mask and the specialist has adjusted the pressure enough to actually start insinuating that wasn't the problem. I fired him and never went back that was about year ago . My primary wrote a scrip for a mask called ResMed profit10 at my request, because my Cardiac test are showing some damage to my heart, and I've gained back 80 pds of weight back that lost when I first starting using a Cpap machine. Question is does the nasal pillow require more pressure then a full mask. Last time I tried the nasal mask ( not the pillow one) the pressure felt like my head was coming to be blown off..and you talk about a full belly of air Lord O Mighty. I just want to sleep a full night and feel rested the few years that hasn't happen with or without my machine. Now I'm feeling the health effects it.
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#2
RE: I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
(04-01-2018, 09:04 AM)Markus63 Wrote: I've had a REMstar Plus C-Flex machine for three or four years and I've never been able to use it a full night! I've tried different mask and the specialist has adjusted the pressure enough to actually start insinuating that wasn't the problem. I fired him and never went back that was about year ago . My primary wrote a scrip for a mask called ResMed profit10 at my request, because my Cardiac test are showing some damage to my heart, and I've gained back 80 pds of weight back that lost when I first starting using a Cpap machine. Question is does the nasal pillow require more pressure then a full mask. Last time I tried the nasal mask ( not the pillow one) the pressure felt like my head was coming to be blown off..and you talk about a full belly of air Lord O Mighty. I just want to sleep a full night and feel rested the few years that hasn't happen with or without my machine. Now I'm feeling the health effects it.

Welcome to the apnea board!

Markus you have espoused all the reasons to use your equipment. I can only speak for myself but it is hard to learn to sleep with that strange thing attached to you face and blowing air at you.  Reminds me of the movie Alien when the Alien attached to the guys face. You will have to make up your mind to use the equipment; no one else can make you.
Your machine is not able to display data that can be imported into Sleepyhead, but you have had it for 3-4 yrs and can have it replaced in another 1-2 yrs. You can then get one that is data capable. 
What setting have they used for you?
I am sure some of the other members will chime in about the heart condition.
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#3
RE: I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
Usually you can run a pillow mask 1cm to 2cm below what a full face mask requires.
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#4
RE: I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
Hi Markus63,
Welcome to Apnea Board!

Most newer machines let you choose your mask type setting, but since you have an older machine, I’m not sure there is that option.  On Phillips Respironics machines, it is called a Mask Resistance Setting.

As far as using a nasal pillow mask, you don’t necessarily need a higher pressure.  As a matter of fact, the reverse is true that a higher pressure is sometimes needed with a full face mask.

If you are having issues with mask leaks or fit, that alone may be the reason that you are not using your Cpap.  

I think you seriously should consider a newer Apap.  If you have insurance coverage, it may be a good time to look into this.  And even if you don’t have coverage, there are other options to purchase a used machine. Check Supplier #2.  Get advice here first before buying or accepting any machine.
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

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#5
RE: I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
Welcome to the forum.

I'll suggest, just to get used to the machine, to use it while reading or watching TV, you choose the activity.  Try to go for a longer period each time.

We can help with settings too but we really need data for that.  

Fred
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#6
RE: I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
(04-01-2018, 09:04 AM)Markus63 Wrote: I've had a REMstar Plus C-Flex machine for three or four years and I've never been able to use it a full night! I've tried different mask and the specialist has adjusted the pressure enough to actually start insinuating that wasn't the problem. I fired him and never went back that was about year ago . My primary wrote a scrip for a mask called ResMed profit10 at my request, because my Cardiac test are showing some damage to my heart, and I've gained back 80 pds of weight back that lost when I first starting using a Cpap machine. Question is does the nasal pillow require more pressure then a full mask. Last time I tried the nasal mask ( not the pillow one) the pressure felt like my head was coming to be blown off..and you talk about a full belly of air Lord O Mighty. I just want to sleep a full night and feel rested the few years that hasn't happen with or without my machine. Now I'm feeling the health effects it.

You have a fixed pressure machine that you are reporting to be set at 11 cm. That is not that high, and from a theory point of view should be fine with a nasal pillow mask. 

You might want to consider an auto CPAP instead of a fixed pressure model. If so, then consider the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet. The EPR, exhale pressure relief function on it I believe works better than the C-Flex on the Phillips.
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#7
RE: I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
Does your machine have a ramp button/option? If so, that can really help by starting you at a lower pressure, and slowly going to your treatment pressure.
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#8
RE: I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
Turn on the c-flex to help you breath out, it will help you a lot getting used to the machine.
There is not a lot of data collected by these machines, more or less just hours used.
To get into the clinicians press both buttons just below the display and hold for a few seconds until display changes.
The button on the right will change the menu to the next setting, keep pressing until you get to what looks like a bowl with an arrow pointing down inside it and three dots above the arrow, this is the C-FLEX, the higher the number the more pressure relief you will have when you breath out. This will help you breathe out instead the pressure the machine is set at, it will drop in pressure as you breath out.
RAMP is set by going through the menu until you find a black sloped triangle going to the right with an arrow pointing down. Adjust it for the time you want the machine to ramp up for. It will start at low pressure and slowly build up in pressure.
cm H02 in the pressure setting that the machine is set to, this can be adjusted, but I would leave it at the pressure it is set for, unless you are changing to Nasal Pillows.
Humidifier setting is like three small triangles with wavy vertical lines, this will give you more humidity or less, the higher the number the more humidity.
When finished adjusting, just push the start button to save the settings and exit the clinicians menu.
When ramp is running the ramp will show on the display.
I found I could never get enough humidity from its own humidifier and had to get a stand alone one.

You can request a manual to be sent to you from here or look in the manual section below.
I am NOT a doctor.  I try to help, but do not take what I say as medical advice.


Every journey, however large or small starts with the first step.

Sleep-well
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#9
RE: I know I need my Cpap but I've not ever been able to use it
Sounds like your therapy is working even though you're having issues. Switch to bipap and your head pressure problems as well as swallowing air will be over.
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