[Equipment] Is my machine set up right?

[ac110]

I've been on a CPAP machine for about a week now, it's a loaner for several months until my followup with the sleep specialist.

Through another thread on this board I discovered how to get into the Clinical setup menu, and I see that the machine is set to mode "Autoset for Her" (choices are CPAP, Autoset, Autoset for Her)

My understanding is that I am on APAP to get more information before a final determination is made, and I'm told by the machine provider that I got an "Autoset for Her" machine because it has an APAP mode. Personally I don't care that I got a woman's machine though I'm a man, but I want to be sure that someone didn't inadvertently set the machine up improperly.

I don't want to go to them and say "Hey, I hacked your machine and it's set up wrong" until I have a little more info.

Does that setting (see below) make sense for a guy? I'm 56 if that makes a difference.

I've just installed SleepHead if that's useful for the enquiry.

(Please note that this is an extension of a similar previous question - I have more info to give this time and I wasn't clear on the answers to the previous post, perhaps because I didn't give particulars.)

Thanks, R

ResMed AirSense 10
AutoSet For Her
PAP Mode: Auto for Her
Min 5 Max 15 (cmH2O)

[Beej]

It should be fine. If you Google, you can go to the ResMed site and read the promotional statements for the machine. Typically, machines use specific algorithms to address specific events, so if you don't have that type of event, the feature wouldn't be triggered.

Towards the bottom of that page is a comparison of the features in each of the Airsense 10 models.

[Sleepster]

My understanding is that I am on APAP to get more information before a final determination is made, and I'm told by the machine provider that I got an "Autoset for Her" machine because it has an APAP mode.

If that was the only one they had available, that might be true. All Autosets have APAP mode.

I don't want to go to them and say "Hey, I hacked your machine and it's set up wrong" until I have a little more info.

Looking at the Clinician's settings is not a hack. Even changing the settings isn't.

More to the point, install SleepyHead software and look at your data. We can help you interpret that data when you post screenshots. The range of 5-15 is pretty wide and it may need to be narrowed down. If that's the case you can make an informed call and ask them to make some changes to your settings.

At that point you bring up the for-her algorithm issue, but it's not a significant difference. More marketing hype than anything else, really.

If they won't agree to change the settings at that time then you can make a decision as to whether or not you want to change them yourself.

The problem with a too-wide range such as 5-15 is, say you need a pressure of 12. You start at 5 and only when you run into trouble does the machine slowly raise your pressure to 12. You spent all that time at too low of pressure and possibly didn't get as good a quality of sleep as you might have. On the other hand, if a pressure of 12 makes you uncomfortable then it makes sense to spend more time at lower pressures and only have the machine raise it to 12 when you need it.

All of this can be figured out, at least to some extent and usually to a large extent, by looking at the SleepyHead data. It's also important to monitor how you feel.

Oh, and another thing, SleepyHead will let you know if you're leaking too much. That can be a huge problem if left unaddressed.

[ac110]

Thanks Sleepster, I'll go a couple more weeks and let me stats settle down and see how it looks then.

I'm happy enough with the provider at this point, just want to make sure I understand what's going on and that I'm set up right. Sounds like I shouldn't worry about it too much.

[Rcgop]

Personally I don't care that I got a woman's machine though I'm a man, but I want to be sure that someone didn't inadvertently set the machine up improperly.

I wish I had that choice. The "for her" mode just slightly less aggressive as I understand. Might be a bit easier to get used to.

[Mosquitobait]

I have the For Her machine and there are guys who use that option because it is less aggressive than the standard algorithm. Since you are in a study period, I wouldn't change the settings except if you can't breathe (and then I'd raise the lower setting). FWIW, sleepyhead does SHOW a difference in how I am treated, but my oximeter doesn't show any difference.

[Sleepster]

Thanks Sleepster, I'll go a couple more weeks and let me stats settle down and see how it looks then.

That's a good plan. Meanwhile, make sure you're monitoring your leak rate. If that's too high it will render everything else you're doing a waste.

[robertbuckley]

The main difference is the pink, I think.

[OpalRose]

The main difference is the pink, I think.

You are thinking of the S9 machines. I believe they made a pink one and called it a "for her." but was not any different other than color.

The current ResMed A10 for Her (white with floral design) has a more gentler algorithm designed for women. This machine is good for men or women as it has the basic Cpap mode, the regular Auto mode and the Auto "for her" mode.

[kwhenrykerr]

"For Her" does not matter. What have you noticed with your cpap so far. A loaner until the sleep study sounds great. Best Wishes