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[CPAP] How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - Printable Version

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How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - p471p457p456 - 04-09-2014

I have been using a cpap machine since 11/2011. After being diagnosed and given the cpap machine, I saw a sleep center nurse practitioner once during a follow-up appt. six months later. The sleep center I was diagnosed at went out of business in 2012. I do not have a "provider" for follow-up appointments or to ask questions, however, I do have a place I order supplies from when I need them. I also do not have know whether the cpap machine is working for me or not because I do not know how to read, or if I should be, reading the data on my cpap memory stick. My questions are: should I be monitoring the usage/feedback of my cpap and if so, how? Or should I have a doctor or sleep center specialist I should be seeing on a recurring basis to read the cpap data and advise me? Thanks in advance for any advice.


RE: How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - retired_guy - 04-09-2014

It's always good to have a sleep clinic or your doc on board to help you monitor this stuff. Sometimes they don't do a really great job of that, so that's why this site is here.

Someone will be along soon that can say whether or not your machine is compatible with the Sleepyhead software available on this site for you to download. I hope so, because you will find it enormously helpful to be able to review your daily statistics. And with those, if there are areas of concern the wise and wonderful folks around here can help lead you through the darkness. AND, should the wise and wonderful not be able to help, you can always come back to me for ...... well,, for .............. (darned if I know.)



RE: How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - Bama Rambler - 04-09-2014

First thing to do is take the water tank out of the machine and then turn the machine over and tell us what the model number is. It should start with DS or REF. Hopefully it's a data capable machine.

Once you tell us that we can tell if SleepyHead and/or Encore will work for you.


RE: How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - trish6hundred - 04-09-2014

Hi p471p457p456,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more suggestions.


RE: How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - p471p457p456 - 04-09-2014

(04-09-2014, 12:42 PM)Bama Rambler Wrote: First thing to do is take the water tank out of the machine and then turn the machine over and tell us what the model number is. It should start with DS or REF. Hopefully it's a data capable machine.

Once you tell us that we can tell if SleepyHead and/or Encore will work for you.

Model # is REF 150P


RE: How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - Bama Rambler - 04-09-2014

What you have is a DS150HS with the humidifier. Unfortunately it's what's called a brick around here. Sad It only supplies hours of use data. No efficacy data at all.

If you want a data capable machine you really need to get a DS460TS. It's a fully data capable machine and has the heated humidifier with heated hose. However you could just buy the DS460 and your current humidifier will work with it.


RE: How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - zonk - 04-09-2014

From Supplier #2 http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-CPAP-Supplier-List
Gently Used DS550 REMstar Auto AFLEX Machine without Heated Humidifier $369.00
Gently used, low hour - excellent condition 6 month In-house warranty

You can use your humidifier and SD card with this machine, might need to reformat the card or get a new card

DS550 is an APAP, can be used as straight CPAP or Auto-PAP, in both cases, record AHI and leak data on the machine and SD card






RE: How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - herbm - 04-09-2014

And YES, you either need to monitor your data (after you obtain some) OR see a sleep doc to be tested.

You have no idea what the machine is doing for you.

If you are treated effectively that is great -- if not, you are either wasting your time and money and comfort on this machine OR you are not getting the full benefits of effective treatment which could cause long term damage to your body.

How do you FEEL compared to pre-CPAP?




RE: How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - p471p457p456 - 04-10-2014

(04-09-2014, 11:13 PM)herbm Wrote: And YES, you either need to monitor your data (after you obtain some) OR see a sleep doc to be tested.

You have no idea what the machine is doing for you.

If you are treated effectively that is great -- if not, you are either wasting your time and money and comfort on this machine OR you are not getting the full benefits of effective treatment which could cause long term damage to your body.

How do you FEEL compared to pre-CPAP?

I really don't feel any different other that my wife says I don't snore when using the clap.


RE: How do I know if my CPAP is working for me? - Gabby - 04-10-2014

(04-10-2014, 03:09 AM)p471p457p456 Wrote: [quote='herbm' pid='65520' dateline='1397103196']
And YES, you either need to monitor your data (after you obtain some) OR see a sleep doc to be tested.

You have no idea what the machine is doing for you.

If you are treated effectively that is great -- if not, you are either wasting your time and money and comfort on this machine OR you are not getting the full benefits of effective treatment which could cause long term damage to your body.

How do you FEEL compared to pre-CPAP?

I really don't feel any different other that my wife says I don't snore when using the clap.
[/quote

Welcome to the forum!

I am sorry you are feeling no benefits from sleeping with your mask and machine every night for near three years.
I can understand you wondering if the machine is doing what it is supposed to be doing.
You have been told now that your machine is not recording anything.
I personally think it would be worth buying a new machine so you could read what was happening to your sleep patterns every night.
I would also go for another sleep test. I am not sure how the other more experienced hoseheads would feel about that, I am sure they will lead you in the right direction.

I know I would follow whatever they advised.

I hope you can sort out what needs to be done to get you feeling well.

Good luck.