New to CPAP, again

[Grogu]

I'm set to receive my new CPAP machine next week—a ResMed AirSense 11 Autoset S11 with an F20 full-face mask. I decided to buy this machine outside of my medical insurance, using FSA funds, since I need an additional one. As for the insurance-provided machine and mask, I have no idea when they’ll arrive or what model they’ll be. But based on what I’ve read in the sticky, I'll definitely make sure it’s a new machine, and I’m hoping it’s the same model as the one I purchased.

It sounds a bit odd, but I’m genuinely looking forward to getting this machine. I've been miserable the past two months. I’ve used CPAP twice before, once in the early 2000s and again in 2018, so when my symptoms reappeared in early September, I immediately knew what was happening. Unfortunately, my CPAP machine from 2018 was repossessed by the DME company due to non-use, so I didn’t have a machine to get started on again.

After researching, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about this new machine. I bought an SD card to use with OSCAR software for data analysis, which should arrive on Monday. Are there any other essentials I should consider picking up? I was planning to get distilled water, and I’ve heard mask wipes can be helpful. I also have some extra FSA funds—would a SoClean be a worthwhile investment? I noticed some threads mentioning hose holders for the headboard; I didn’t use one in the past, but it seems like CPAP equipment has come a long way.  Is there anything else I should buy or do in preparation of next week.     Thanks so much!

[SarcasticDave94]

Welcome to Apnea Board,

No offense, but you need to be a bit more proactive and assertive in your equipment choices. You tell them what mask you want, what style, etc. This would have applied for the machine too, in that if the doctor says you'll be on CPAP, request the ResMed AutoSet 10 or 11. For most, the ResMed is the top rated unit. Don't sit back and wait for them to pick your equipment.

Also did you request your detailed sleep study? If not get to it. Call the doctor's office and put in the request for the detailed, not the summary, report. Here in the US HIPAA law gives you the right to request and receive it.

Water, unless your tap water is very hard, this will suffice.

Just say no to SoClean. It voids the ResMed warranty.

Wipes, etc. Meh, but your dollar.

[Grogu]

Thanks for the help and the welcome to the Board.  

Someone from the DME company is supposed to call me next week to discuss the machine, mask, etc. before they ship, so I can definitely be more assertive about what I want.   

I have a copy of my home sleep study that was completed on 9/19, but will get a copy of the full study that was done on 10/21. From my discussion with my pulmonologist last week, my AHI is 40.   

Thanks for the heads up about SoClean voiding the ResMed warranty, that’s hugely helpful.  I think the water is moderately hard where I live.   

Thanks again!

[SarcasticDave94]

Welcome, best to you on the CPAP journey.

[Grogu]

Good news is that my self purchased airsense 11 arrived today and I was approved by my insurance for a new airsense 11 which "should" be arriving in a week or so, according to the rep I spoke to today.   We also agreed on the type of mask and the rep said that if I don't like it that they will send another style for free.  

I asked for the results of my sleep study (Home on 9/19) and titration (10/21).   It looks like an AHI of about 40 from home sleep study.  But I'm confused by the titration report.   I've attached home sleep study results and will post the titration report.  


So, for tonight on my own machine, this is what I'm thinking for settings:

Range 4 - 18
10 minute ramp (will try to eliminate this in a couple of days)
ERP 2 

Any other settings I should change from default? 

Thanks so much!

---

This is my titration report. 

The thing that's confusing me is on page 2 on the respiratory data.   Is that saying my AHI is only 6?   Or is this something else?   It look looks like from the respiratory data that I have more events when I'm not on my back, is that correct?

[Deborah K.]

Your sleep study says 39.7 apnea. That's how much you had with no help. The titration study shows what you scored using their treatment equipment and their settings. That's why it is a lot less. A good thing that we already know is that only one of your AHI numbers was a Central Apnea. That means that if you get more on your Oscar reports we will know that they are treatment-emergent and will lessen on their own as time passes.

4 is too low for an adult. Set your pressure range at 7 to 15 for now. That can be changed if you need more. Set your EPR at 3. That will make your breathing easier and will keep flow limits down, a good thing.

[Grogu]

Thanks so much Deborah K.   Makes perfect sense now.   

Thanks, I'll definitely change the range.  The 4 to 18 was on one of the prescriptions I had.   I thought it was too wide of a range. 

I'll also up the ERP to 3.   I should have that on "full time", right? 

I also left auto humidity and auto heat, are those okay to leave on auto?    I'm in South Florida and don't know how much heat I'm going to need.   

Thanks again!

[Deborah K.]

The heat is just enough to turn the water you put in your humidifier into steam. When you breathe the steam it does not feel warm, but keeps your airway from being too dry. Since Florida is humid using auto settings is probably a good choice.

As to EPR, full-time at 3 is great.

[Grogu]

[Grogu]

Went to bed last night at about 9:30 pm and woke up at 4:00 am.  It took me a little while to fall asleep and I woke up earlier than usual and was wide awake and lied there with the machine running.  I'm definitely feeling a little better.    

Not sure what settings, I should change at this point.   The MyAir app says it was a great night, not sure about that.    It says that I had a good mask seal, but I think I could use some improvement there.  

Overall, I'm pretty happy with night 1.