I might have UARS..what now?

[Justlilme]

Moderator note: This post was deleted due to it being duplicated below with additional information.

[Justlilme]

Hello!

I need some guidance. 

I moved to high elevation five years ago. For the past four years, I’ve been talking to my doctor about extreme daytime fatigue, depression and weight gain. We’ve done a bunch of blood tests, added supplements where indicated, medicated for depression and nothing has helped. My doctor noticed a trend over the years of hemoglobin and hematocrit increasing over normal values. He suspected OSA was contributing to this, but a Watchpat home sleep study ruled that out. However, a note was included that an elevated RDI might indicate UARS. I asked my doctor if we could explore this further and he declined. He sent me to a hematologist/oncologist for the elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit. The specialist ordered a bunch of blood tests which have all come back normal. I meet with her 7/22.

In the meantime, I’m so tired of feeling so tired I can’t function and frustrated that my doctor isn’t listening to me, so I bought a second-hand Resmed Aircurve10 VAUTO. I’ve been using it completely unprescribed and unguided for a week. It took a little getting used to, but after four years of feeling like complete garbage, I have energy again!!! 

I don’t want to keep using this machine based off someone else’s therapy. Any suggestions about how to convince my doctor I have real need to look into UARS or at least guide me to find settings that are appropriate for me?

Other relevant info: I can’t use the software the machine comes with because the serial number is already registered and I don’t have a computer to use OSCAR.

Thank you for taking the time to read my novel! Any advice appreciated!

---

Here is info from my at-home sleep study

[HalfAsleep]

Skip the UARS idea for now. Maybe resurrect it for later. IMO you're putting the cart before the horse, with no data to justify.

Put an SD card in that machine, and record tonight. Borrow someone's PC. And set up Oscar EXACTLY to protocol here. That's pretty much the only way to figure out settings.

You can likely re-set the serial number registration by going into the clinician's menu and doing a factory reset. DME's do this all the time, since they try to cheat customers by sending them off with used machines.

BTW what settings are you using? Is the machine set to Auto or CPAP (fixed)?

Fill out your avatar EXACTLY, including mask name, exact label on the front of the unit, current settings, etc.

[Crimson Nape]

justlilme - I merged your 2 thread that are duplicates. Please keep all your therapy related posts in this thread.
- Red

[UnicornRider]

Have you considered a recording Pulse/Oximeter? Many members on this forum relied on Viatom/Wellue recording Pulse/Oximeters. My family have relied on the alarming function of the Wellue Checkme O2 Max, to remind us to breathe since we lost our respiratory drive after catching a nasty respiratory illness last September.

Athletes have trained at higher elevations to increase their hemoglobin and hematocrit. I would hope your doctor would be aware of that relation between extended high elevation stays and Blood component changes.

It is a shame you do not have a computer to read OSCAR.

Do you have family or friends with computer access, you could use to post OSCAR?

How about a local library for computer access?

Can you tell us what settings you have your AirCurve 10 VAuto set to?

Have you ordered your own copy of the clinicians manual for the AC 10 VAuto?  https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p...tup-manual

At the bottom of the link you will find directions for requesting a copy of the clinicians manual that you will need to change settings.

Once you post an OSCAR Report we will be able to assist you.

[Justlilme]

Did I somehow create two threads when I added the sleep study info? I’m sorry about that. Thank you for merging them.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

As has been said, we need to see OSCAR or other data to offer the best advice. If you do get a laptop, read the links in my signature for “Download OSCAR” and “Formatting OSCAR charts”. Otherwise you may be able to find a way to upload to SleepHQ. You can do so with a phone or tablet if needed.

For now, try the following settings.

Mode VPAPauto
EPAPmin 5
IPAPmax 12
PS 4
No ramp

That should be enough to get you going and hopefully feel even better.

[Justlilme]

I’ll update my avatar with this info, but the machine is currently set to:
VAuto
Max IPAP 25.0
Min EPAP 5.0
PS 2.0
Ti Max 2.0s
Ti Min 0.3s
Trigger Med
Cycle Med
Mask Full Face
Ramp Time 35 min
Start EPAP 5.0
Climate Ctrl Manual
Tube Temp 81°F
Humidity Level 4

I don’t know what most of these mean, so I just listed them all. 

I don’t think the library will allow me to download anything onto their computers, but my college age kids have computers I’m sure they’ll let me use. They’re just on vacation right now. I’ll get the OSCAR software downloaded when they’re home tomorrow.

I didn’t even know recording pulse oximeters were a thing. I’ll look into that.  

I’ll also get that clinician manual ordered. That will be helpful. Thank you! 

I tried a factory reset to clear the last owners data. It reformatted the existing SD card at the same time. It didn’t even occur to me that it might also reset the serial number. I’ll see if I can use the MyAir app now.

Thank you all for the guidance! I’ll get that OSCAR data posted as soon as I can!

[Justlilme]

Thank you Peaceloveandpizza! I’ll start out with those settings!

[Justlilme]

I found the cord to my (very) old laptop and remembered the password! I was able to get the OSCAR software up and running. I hope this is the information needed. Keep in mind, I have been experimenting with settings and I did a factory reset yesterday, so this is only data from last night. I have since changed settings as suggested. If anyone can translate what any of this means, or share suggestions I would appreciate it!