Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
#21
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
Another satisfied VA patient. I was given a home sleep study because the doctor told me that based on my sleep habits (according to the questionnaire supplied to me by the sleep center) I would not be able to take a lab test. Well, I have never been told anything but to go home and get used to my machine. I have basic questions about sleep apnea (I did not know anything about this "disease" before being told I stop breathing eleven times on average each hour) that have not been answered. Yet. The first doctor recently told me I have two options: Use the machine or not use the machine. My sleep study has never been gone over with me but I have an appointment on 11/22, so hopefully everything can be explained to me about my sleep apnea study results. Needless to say, this has not done much to encourage compliance in using this machine.

I'm glad I found this site, in additions to a couple others, as I can know I am not much different from others in going thru the steps to using the machine. Maybe in the end I can start to using it on a consistent basis.

Thanks for listening to me and don't beat me over the head too hard.
Post Reply Post Reply
#22
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
Wanted to ask this question, what is everyone's opinion on software? Sleephead vs. ResScan, which is better, will give the better reports?
Post Reply Post Reply
#23
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
I use both ResScan and SleepyHead for different reasons.
Post Reply Post Reply
#24
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
(11-12-2013, 02:14 AM)Blaifarm Wrote: Wanted to ask this question, what is everyone's opinion on software? Sleephead vs. ResScan, which is better, will give the better reports?

Sleepyhead is developed by a private guy who depends on donations. It is still officially in "beta" (ie unfinished), so there are a few bugs. ResScan is developed by a big company with a huge budget, so there aren't so many bugs.

Having said that, I think SH is a lot easier to use, and a lot easier to get useful information out of. You just have to be aware that sometimes the output may be a bit confusing or misleading. I have both on my computer but hardly ever use ResScan.

Some members have said that their doctors ignore any reports from SH, so ResScan might have better credibility if you need to show your doctor anything that's worrying you.
Post Reply Post Reply
#25
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
(11-12-2013, 04:39 AM)DeepBreathing Wrote:
(11-12-2013, 02:14 AM)Blaifarm Wrote: Wanted to ask this question, what is everyone's opinion on software? Sleephead vs. ResScan, which is better, will give the better reports?


I have both on my computer but hardly ever use ResScan.

Some members have said that their doctors ignore any reports from SH, so ResScan might have better credibility if you need to show your doctor anything that's worrying you.

My first visit to the sleep doc, before he ordered my latest sleep study, he ignored the sleepyhead data and told me that it is better to rely on data from the software that is meant for my machine.

My second visit to this same man, I brought detailed report information from ResScan and he then said, we don't know how this data is calculated. So he had an excuse for any data that was presented to him.

Time for a new doctor. I will try to get this done this year because next year, all my out of pocket expenses will increase 100% of what they are this year.
Post Reply Post Reply
#26
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
I asked how others here approach their Apnea medical specialist - having found this website and taking control of their machine's settings, and possibly having obtained the software to review the reports off their machine. My reasoning for asking was that it doesn't make sense to me to have a machine that has numerous ways to adjust settings for a more comfortable night's sleep and not educate the willing patient on how to properly adjust them at home.

I live almost an hour from the VA hospital and going to them to tweak the machine is not ideal. Also, the VA CPAP technicians/specialists who adjust the machines, are only tasked with teaching the patient how to operate (turn on/off) the machine, properly fit the mask, and cleaning the machines components. Seems ridiculous to leave patients who are willing to take control of their sleep quality, in the dark.

My original Respironics machine was set up (or probably just left in the initial factory settings) in APAP mode with an 8-15 pressure setting. When the Pulmonoligist wanted to change it to a straight CPAP macine with the pressure of 10, the specialists did not properly reset the machine (had it with me). I went home to discover that it was operating as it always did - which was APAP. I was not happy to say the least and searched the internet to see if I could access the settings and adjust them myself, rather than returning to the hospital (and found this site). When the second machine was given to me (DeVilbiss), it was not set up to auto turn on/off, and it was set to a pressure of 10 and straight CPAP. I could not tolerate straight CPAP @ 10 as it was higher than my 95% pressure (and the machine was noisy). I set it to auto myself and waited for the ResMed (great machine). I tweaked the ResMed machine's settings for comfort, and was not happy when the Pulmonoligist wanted to put the machine in straight CPAP at a pressure of 12 (and my 95% pressure was under that setting. Again, did not tolerate well the straight CPAP setting, and put it back to auto (will try it again to see if it was just that night).

If you want patients to use the machines (the reason for the compliance/tattler monitor), why wouldn't you teach willing patients to properly set the machine for a more comfortable night's sleep? From the responses posted here, it sounds like a lot of Apnea medical specialists are annoyed that one takes an active role in their sleep quailty - and would prefer you stay out of their area of expertise (or lack of)......
Post Reply Post Reply
#27
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
ekim said: If you want patients to use the machines (the reason for the compliance/tattler monitor), why wouldn't you teach willing patients to properly set the machine for a more comfortable night's sleep? From the responses posted here, it sounds like a lot of Apnea medical specialists are annoyed that one takes an active role in their sleep quailty - and would prefer you stay out of their area of expertise (or lack of)......

I said: My DME told me that pressure settings can only be changed if they have a prescription and when I asked them to show me how to change them, they refused. Then I found this forum and learned to do it myself. I have learned a lot more. See, DME's sometimes charge for every time you come to their office so they are not willing to tell you about the machine. Not only should they be telling us about how to use the machine and cleaning of the machine and all components, they should also tell us how it works, etc. but they don't. I asked my DME how often I can get my supplies and the tech told me all the wrong info on that.
Post Reply Post Reply
#28
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
ekim, it might be a last vestage of the Doctor As God syndrome, or it might be a result of the litigious times we live in. Maybe they have an inherent distrust of amateurs meddling in highly technical areas, or maybe it's too much like hard work. Who knows how another person's brain works?

Whatever the reason, I think the great majority of people on this forum would agree with you. We are the ones with our health on the line, and we have to live with this machine night after night. The doctor might see us once a month or once a year. It's only sensible that we are empowered to optimise our own treatment. On the other hand, doctors in general don't like us mucking about with medication dosages either (not that that's ever stopped me), and that's probably an analogous situation from their point of view.

In my case I have a respiratory therapist who is an absolute gem. She listened to everything I had to say, looked at the SleepyHead charts with real interest, and showed how to adjust the settings. Or maybe it was just due to my charisma and good looks. :grin:
Post Reply Post Reply
#29
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
(11-12-2013, 08:58 AM)me50 Wrote: ekim said: If you want patients to use the machines (the reason for the compliance/tattler monitor), why wouldn't you teach willing patients to properly set the machine for a more comfortable night's sleep? From the responses posted here, it sounds like a lot of Apnea medical specialists are annoyed that one takes an active role in their sleep quailty - and would prefer you stay out of their area of expertise (or lack of)......

I said: My DME told me that pressure settings can only be changed if they have a prescription and when I asked them to show me how to change them, they refused. Then I found this forum and learned to do it myself. I have learned a lot more. See, DME's sometimes charge for every time you come to their office so they are not willing to tell you about the machine. Not only should they be telling us about how to use the machine and cleaning of the machine and all components, they should also tell us how it works, etc. but they don't. I asked my DME how often I can get my supplies and the tech told me all the wrong info on that.

My Va experience had been somewhat similar.

The technicians are friendly and helpful, but appear to be overworked and don't devote the time to do the job right the first time

Improperly setting the Respironics machine up when the Pulmonoligist wanted it on straight CPAP.
Improperly setting all the initial settings on the new DeVilbiss
Actually at my last appointment, the specialist told me he couldn't adjust the ResMed settings due to software issues and I'd unfortunately have to return tomorrow. I'd smiled and told him I'd get the settings "done", and he smiled and told me to call if I needed any assistance


My current VA Pulmonologist is like talking to a brick wall - doesn't listen to my issues at my appointment (as mentioned - maybe a conditioned response).

If it's all about the money (machine mfrs. and medical profession) and not patient comfort for compliance, one has to question the benefits of CPAP therapy and the percentage of real-world compliance given that scenario. A good idea poorly handled by both responsible parties to the detriment of the patient? Appears to have given rise to websites like this coming in to being, to answer frustrated (and pocket-picked) patients questions...
Post Reply Post Reply
#30
RE: resetting ResMed pressure range above 95% pressure
(11-12-2013, 09:07 AM)DeepBreathing Wrote: ekim, it might be a last vestage of the Doctor As God syndrome, or it might be a result of the litigious times we live in. Maybe they have an inherent distrust of amateurs meddling in highly technical areas, or maybe it's too much like hard work. Who knows how another person's brain works?

Whatever the reason, I think the great majority of people on this forum would agree with you. We are the ones with our health on the line, and we have to live with this machine night after night. The doctor might see us once a month or once a year. It's only sensible that we are empowered to optimise our own treatment. On the other hand, doctors in general don't like us mucking about with medication dosages either (not that that's ever stopped me), and that's probably an analogous situation from their point of view.

In my case I have a respiratory therapist who is an absolute gem. She listened to everything I had to say, looked at the SleepyHead charts with real interest, and showed how to adjust the settings. Or maybe it was just due to my charisma and good looks. :grin:

Is she accepting new patients? Bigwink
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  [Pressure] Advice on pressure adjustments akarifur 44 1,835 11 hours ago
Last Post: akarifur
  Fan is running but no pressure from Dreamstaion Fireboss 2 50 11 hours ago
Last Post: Sleeprider
  Do I need to increase my max pressure? Daveman 4 94 Yesterday, 12:37 PM
Last Post: Sleeprider
  BiPAP Pressure for Possible UARS bertchintus 20 991 Yesterday, 03:24 AM
Last Post: SingleH
  Struggling with pressure etc ubuntootoo 9 274 03-22-2024, 06:19 PM
Last Post: Sleeprider
  Pressure >20? DakotaNorth 3 98 03-22-2024, 06:12 PM
Last Post: HalfAsleep
  Need help to find a good Luna G3 pressure. johnathanb76 13 205 03-22-2024, 11:06 AM
Last Post: Sleeprider


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.