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Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
#11
Update: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
Hi DaveL, Sleeprider, Melman and everyone that have commented. 

All comments are very helpful.

How am I doing? Pretty well... I increased my "low end" pressure to 8 and left the upper pressure at 20 on August 28th based on everyone's comments... I didn't want to change too many things so I could see what was working and how (as suggested).... baby steps. I wanted to go for a couple weeks before saying or showing anything. 

It appears that my numbers are trending down over time albeit small steps which makes sense. 

I have posted what my chart looked like just before making the pressure changes and last night  just to keep them all together as well as the current stats.

So, I'm wondering a couple things, It was suggested that perhaps I should lower the upper pressure down to around 14 from 20. with a "tighter band" of upper and lower pressures does the dreamstation react faster to my pressure needs? Does it matter what the upper limit is if i'm averaging around 12-13 and my upper pressure is 20? 

I upped the lower pressure to 8. Should it stay there? I don't feel like I'm fighting it. 

What would you suggest my next step to be? 

Any other aspect that I'm not seeing that I should address? 

Any and all comments are greatly appreciated. 

On a slightly tangential note: I do find myself arm wrestling with the hose from time to time. and If I'm finding myself do that then I'm awake... I have seen hooks that attach to the headboard so the hose in above my head. What are your comments/ experiences with the "mechanical" side of dealing with the headgear and hose? I do find that when I do roll to my side, usually in the morning that my nasal mask tends to spring leaks around the mask that wake me up as well. It is sized correctly according to the little measuring card that came with the machine but the tech that set me up at the beginning had originally suggested I use the mask that was one size up... thoughts?

 thank you all for your help.... 

Jim


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#12
RE: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
I use a lanyard hooked on the headboard to keep my hose out of the way. Works well and it's about as inexpensive as possible.

Your results look better, and I think you need 8.0 cm as a minimum pressure or more. Your median pressure is 10.0-11.0 and on a Philips machine, that is probably the more appropriate minimum pressure. You have a tendency for flow limitations and RERA that the Philips does not act on proactively. These are obstructive precursors that the Resmed will always increase pressure to prevent apnea and clear the obstruction. The Philips does react to snores and actual OA and H events, but it is often too late, so the higher minimum pressure is the best tool. In the long run, this minimizes the pressure fluctuations by the machine that are disruptive to sleep, so it is usually more restful to use a minimum pressure closer to your needs, and if you were on fixed CPAP we would be using the 90-95% pressure as your fixed pressure.

If you want to turn off the VS2 events, it will clean up your charts and there isn't much we can do with those anyway.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
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Soft Cervical Collar
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#13
RE: Update: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
(09-18-2019, 09:50 AM)jimcaffey Wrote:  

On a slightly tangential note: I do find myself arm wrestling with the hose from time to time. and If I'm finding myself do that then I'm awake... I have seen hooks that attach to the headboard so the hose in above my head. What are your comments/ experiences with the "mechanical" side of dealing with the headgear and hose? I do find that when I do roll to my side, usually in the morning that my nasal mask tends to spring leaks around the mask that wake me up as well. It is sized correctly according to the little measuring card that came with the machine but the tech that set me up at the beginning had originally suggested I use the mask that was one size up... thoughts?

The Philipps Dreamwear and the Resmed P30i/N30i masks all have the hose connection on the top of your head. I prefer this style to the elephant trunk  Smile 
Maybe you should give one of these a try.
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#14
RE: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
(09-18-2019, 10:27 AM)Sleeprider Wrote: Your results look better, and I think you need 8.0 cm as a minimum pressure or more. Your median pressure is 10.0-11.0 and on a Philips machine, that is probably the more appropriate minimum pressure.  You have a tendency for flow limitations and RERA that the Philips does not act on proactively. 
Hi Sleeprider, 
So... work up to 10.0-11.0 cm as a minimum pressure.... I'll start working up to that and see how it goes.... 
Any need to fuss with the upper end?
I'll give the lanyard a try... 
thanks,
-Jim

Thank you Alexp, I'll give the lanyard a try... now I have something to do with all the conference lanyards I've collected <grin>

jIm
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#15
RE: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
The upper end is rarely a problem. The machine that tends to over-pressurize is a Resmed with chronic flow limits. If you set a maximum pressure of 14 cm, it would simply stabilize your pressure in your normal range. I certainly don't see anything over 14 cm being important to your therapy.

A lanyard is something we all have, and it serves to keep the hose out of the way, but allows movement. It's all about comfort once you resolve the apnea.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#16
RE: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
I use a "Lanyard" sometimes. I need to use it always....

Worst case, I got entangled with my hose a week ago while sleeping and pulled my cpap machine off the table. It hit the floor, upside down and running. I hurt my back reaching for it...back is almost normal today. Finally. cpap is working well.
DaveL
compliant for 35 years /// Still trying!

I'm just a cpap user like you. I don't give medical advice. Seek the advice of a physician before seeking treatment for medical conditions including sleep apnea. Sleep-well

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php..._The_Guide

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#17
RE: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
Dave, I don't know if you have enough room next to the bed, but I use a night stand with 2-drawers. My machine is in the lower drawer and the tubing and power are routed through a 2-inch hole in the rear of the cabinet.  It is impossible for it to fall, and it is out of sight.  You can see the lanyard supporting the tube.

[Image: attachment.php?aid=5043]
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#18
RE: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
For me, the use of a hose hanger or holder if you will, made the most difference in regards to overall comfort improvement.
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#19
RE: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
SleepRider & Big Guy

thanks!
Blushing with shame. I have a device that will work for me. I just haven't used it recently. I'll hook it up tonight
I've used my cpap on top of the same night stand for years.

Sleep quality improvements come from details like this one.


edit: noise....i have a pad that I bought when I have to kneel down to do work at home. I put that under my cpap so there's less noise transmission. It works well. That was a real issue for me a few years ago when I had an old and noisy machine.
DaveL
compliant for 35 years /// Still trying!

I'm just a cpap user like you. I don't give medical advice. Seek the advice of a physician before seeking treatment for medical conditions including sleep apnea. Sleep-well

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php..._The_Guide

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#20
RE: Don't know what I don't know.... newbie...
(09-19-2019, 11:37 AM)DaveL Wrote: SleepRider & Big Guy

thanks!
Blushing with shame.  I have a device that will work for me.  I just haven't used it recently. I'll hook it up tonight
I've used my cpap on top of the same night stand for years.

Sleep quality improvements come from details like this one.


edit: noise....i have a pad that I bought when I have to kneel down to do work at home.  I put that under my cpap so there's less noise transmission.  It works well. That was a real issue for me a few years ago when I had an old and noisy machine.

My Airsense 10 AutoSet is virtually silent. I use some Rubbermaid Grip Liner under it. This stuff is amazing. It's thin, and does not slide around on any surface it may be placed on. Or......anything placed on top of it. 

The longer it's in place, the better it seems to hold tight. My machine is quite safe and secure on top of it. 

I have a very large roll-around tool cabinet for my tools in my garage. I use it in all of the drawers. The tools remain in place and do not slide around when a drawer is opened or closed. 

Anyways, back to my CPAP machine. I wasn't sure what to expect as far as noise goes when I brought it home from my DME supplier. I was very pleased to find out it is noiseless. I don't know for sure if it will get to be noisy as time goes by, but I guess I'll find out then.  Eat-popcorn
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