Looking for help in refining settings

[TBrobbs]

I’m posting last night’s Oscar data but I’m not sure whether it will be of much use. It was such a bad night with lots of mask leaks, low 02 and lots of 02 drops. Would an ASV help with maintaining 02 levels?

[Sleeprider]

ASV would eliminate the events. If SpO2 desaturations correspond to those events, then ASV would also prevent that problem. There are a lot more things that can be done with ASV in terms of EPAP pressure and minimum pressure support, so if you have the means to move that direction, I would support it.

[TBrobbs]

Thanks, Sleeprider. It’s a big chunk of $ even for a used ASV but I’m also so tired of feeling tired and brain-fogged. I’ve been looking on the websites for the list of suppliers and might call a couple next week. I’m hoping I wouldn’t need a prescription for a used machine as I’m in Canada.

[Sleeprider]

Check out DotMed. I have not checked in a while, but they usually have a selection of Resmed S9 Adapt and Aircurve 10 ASVs that are highly discounted based on hours. I will also suggest that Supplier #28 can renovate any machine with a new motor, seals and reset of run-hours for $220 motor, $20 seals plus shipping costs. I did this and now have a like-new Vauto that went from "motor hours exceeded" to zero hours run time and calibrated like new. So even if you have to get a device that has high hours, that is the price to make it like new. The motor life exceeded message starts at about 21,000 hours, so most of the devices on DotMed will be much less. No prescription, and reasonably safe purchase if you use a credit card or PayPal. Seller reputation is meaningful, so I don't use new sellers.

[TBrobbs]

That sounds like a good way to go knowing there’s a place out there that renovates the machines for a reasonable price. I’ll check out DotMed too. I’m not aware of anything similar in Canada.

IF I eventually convince a doctor and the insurance company to go the ASV route I could keep the used ASV as a back-up or re-sell it. But I have an idea that’s a big If and an uphill battle. And is not likely to happen soon enough for me.

[TBrobbs]

So, my ASV arrived this morning.

Now I’m looking for help in figuring out what settings I should be starting out at. On my current Airsense 11 I’ve been on 15/12/3 Autoset per the help I got here from Sleeprider and others. It’s been pretty comfortable for sleeping. Events still ranging from 2 to 10 p.h. Still feeling fatigued most days and brain foggy.

Let me know if I should post recent Oscar info.

Thanks in advance.

[jcp519]

Congrats on getting the new machine!

Make sure you reset the machine to factory default so it doesn't automatically put the settings if it was a previously used machine!

So typically with an ASV you want to put it into ASVAuto mode and keep the settings at default for the first night to see what happens. The only setting that I would change the first night is up the min EPAP to 5 or 6 because 4 can feel a little claustrophobic and can make you feel a little starved for air.

Just a heads up since you're just starting ASV: It can be a little weird to get used to the varying pressure support and sometimes it can feel like the ASV is forcing a breath when you don't want it to. When you first start using the machine try to make sure you're calm and maintain a nice stable breathing rate that the algorithm can learn. Try to let your breathing work with the machine and not fight what it's trying to do.

[TBrobbs]

Thanks for your response, jcp. I reset it to the factory settings as you suggested and have changed the EPAP min to 6 because I had a short ramp of 10 mins. at 8 on my old settings.

Thanks too for the heads up about getting used to the way the ASV works. That might take some getting used to. I usually ease into sleep by watching tv with the cpap on so I’ll do that tonight to help distract me.

Fingers crossed for a good first night!

[Sleeprider]

Sorry I missed the update that you got an ASV. Default setting are EPAP min 4, EPAP max 15, PS min 3, PS max 15. I completely agree with the advice by jcp519 (who has first-hand experience) you received to try this in default mode first, and your observation EPAP min at 6.0 is what works based on past experience. That should work fine, and your subjective feedback on comfort and Oscar results should let us narrow the range pretty quickly. Glad to see you got the machine. Which vendor (no link) was it?

[TBrobbs]

One more question:

Can I use my existing SD card that has the info from my ResMed 11 in the ASV machine? If so, will Oscar automatically detect the new machine or do I have to do anything manually?

I feel like this is a simple question but I can’t seem to work through it!

Thanks.