Abbreviations, software, etc... Questions

[Clementine]

I started with my machine on Monday so I'm a newbie.

I am so grateful for this board, already. I feel like this machine might actually help me, if I can get the mask tightness resolved.

I have been reading this board the last few days as I recover from a head cold --- great timing to have a head cold, just when I'm trying to start with this lovely mask. I cannot sleep with the mask with this cold.

Anyway---
As I read through so many of these threads, I am really confused by the abbreviations. Is there a thread that explains abbreviations? I see mention often of software. I'm a Computer Idiot, so someone will have to explain all of this to me in kindergarten terms . . . what is the software, and what do I use it for?

help?

[Sleepster]

Hi Clem, welcome to the forum. Here are a couple resources for you to look at:

Identify your machine (so you can update your profile with the correct information).
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...8#pid75378

Does your mask cover both your mouth and nose (full face mask), or
does it cover only your nose (nasal mask), or
does it fit inside your nostrils (nasal pillows mask).

Here's an article that will help with all the abbreviations:
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Acronyms

[justMongo]

I can start you with a list of acronyms.
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Acronyms

Sleepster was a little quicker!

[Clementine]

Okay, that list of acronyms is very helpful. Thanks so much!

[zonk]

Welcome to the forum, Clementine
Beside the software, the machine display data on the screen sleep report, all explained in the clinical manual, you can ask for it here (scroll down to 'how to ask for the manual via Email') http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pr...tup-manual
S9 setup http://www.apneaboard.com/resmed-s9-cpap-setup

Free Sleep Apnea Tracking Software for your computer
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pr...r-computer

Beginner's Guide to SleepyHead by RobySue
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...Discussion

ResScan interpretation guide http://www.apneaboard.com/ResScan_Interp...-Guide.pdf
S9 data management guide http://www.resmed.com/au/assets/document...ow_eng.pdf

As for the cold, full face mask is most useful at this time, you can breathe through the nose or mouth as oppose to nasal pillows where you only breathe through your nose
I prefer to turn up the humidifier with the cold (others might prefer the opposite) and nasal irrigation before bedtime

[Sleepster]

. . . what is the software, and what do I use it for?

ResScan is the official software, it runs only on Windows machines, and you can get it here for free:

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...d=99#pid99

SleepyHead is a more user-friendly piece of software that runs on Windows machines, but also on a Mac or even Linux. It's beta software, though, which means it's still being tried out. I recommend you get that, too.

The reason for the software is it can help you evaluate the effectiveness of your therapy. Your machine will also do this but to a lesser extent. You can check by looking at the machine how well things went the night before.

Basically what we want is compliance, which means you can check how many hours you wore the mask each night. The goal is to wear the mask every time you sleep, all the time you're sleeping.

You also want to make sure your leaks are acceptable by looking for the "smiley face" on your machine each morning. But you also need to look more closely using the software on your computer.

And you also want to look at your AHI. The goal is to get it below 5.
You can check that each morning also by just pushing a button or two on the machine.

[bwexler]

If you have two teens at least one should be enough of a computer nerd to help you dowload and instal both the Sleepyhead software and the Resscan software and get you to a point of modest competence.
From there you can read Robysues information and in time become an expert. At least enough to track your progress.

[Clementine]

Thanks; yes, my teens could help; my computer programmer hubby could help even more . . . I will enlist his help with all of this!

Haven't seen a smiley face yet --- but I've not been able to use the mask more than 3-4 hours at a time so far.

Thanks, all, for the replies.

[diamaunt]

Haven't seen a smiley face yet --- but I've not been able to use the mask more than 3-4 hours at a time so far.

I haven't seen a smiley yet either, but I've seen a few from my friend who's got the VPAP Adapt...

on the other hand, I'm glad I don't *need* a vpap adapt

[Sleepster]

Haven't seen a smiley face yet --- but I've not been able to use the mask more than 3-4 hours at a time so far.

It looks like your machine is set on a pressure range of 4 to 10?

Meaning that it starts at 4 and increases when your breathing patterns indicate it's necessary, up to a maximum of 10. After you've slept with the mask on for awhile and take it off because it's bothering you, before you push the power button to turn it off, push the knob and take a look at the pressure reading.

I'm thinking that maybe when the pressure climbs to 10 it makes you uncomfortable and/or wakes you up. If you turn it off and then back on it'll start at 4 again and you may be better able to tolerate it.

If it seems like all of this is too much, well, keep in mind that you're human and the one thing you've got going for you is the human body's incredible ability to adapt. After awhile the stuff that bothers you now will stop bothering you.