Newbie Intro

[Gideon]

What I was hinting at 

Making changes is up to you.  Most Doctors are surprised but pleased with the results.  
We WILL tell you why we recommended the change, if we don't just ask, we would be happy to do so.

Fred

[ErSwnn]

It is a DSX500H11, until you asked I thought the labeling on the front was the model.  Argh, I feel like an idiot.  So'k, I often am so I'm used to it.

I will download Sleepyhead and use the SD card.  Thanks for the heads up on the locking option, the only SD card I own is in a trail camera I use to see what's sniffing around the coop and I never bothered to do more than load it into the camera.

I like the idea of walking into the Dr. office looking for information rather than hoping I get what I need.  I'm not sure I have the right guy, I have not actually met him.  The home test was set up by a nurse and the device was dropped off at a local clinic so as to be transported to the hospital I was originally seen.  

This is a rural place, a doctor for such things isn't common so I simply went with close...close being 40 miles away.  Depending on the April visit I may consider changing, I am bothered that I haven't met a doctor....but I have no idea if the process I have experienced is normal.

The pressure of 5.5 also shows a "lock" icon so I assume 5.5 is the number.  I can say I haven't been snoring at all and I am adjusting to this situation nicely.  Last night I went to sleep quickly and stayed that way till 7ish.

Given my circumstances I prefer to be a knowledgeable consumer and seldom leave things to chance nor accept all advice from medical professionals as Gospel.  I have survived the worst years of an epidemic because I learn and I fight.  I know if I have to use this thing I'm going to make it count.  When I looked into the problems apnea causes, and the AHI I was given, I hopped right into the therapy stage.  Now comes the education stage.

Have patience as I figure out how not to screw up the SD card, get it onto the computer, then get it onto this forum.  It's the last step that may befuddle me.  I use the computer for backgammon, news, communication with my 5 kids and information.  It's a fancy telephone and encyclopedia.

[kiwii]

I'm not familiar with your machine, but it may already come with an SD card inside.

Just remember to 'unlock' the card when putting it back into the cpap machine. Otherwise it won't be able to write data to the card.

[SarcasticDave94]

When you can, and if the CPAP does not already have it's own, do get a dedicated SD card for it. It can be as small as 2 GB and as large as 32 GB in standard sized SD.

[ErSwnn]

Ok, downloaded SleepyHead and read SD card (successful transplants, thanks for the advice) and got the info.  And confusion, lots and lots of info.

Here's where I go blind....how do I get it from my computer to this thread?

AHI is from >1 to just under 10 over the course of 13 days.  Last night was a high, but I have a little coughing going on so I figure that might be an issue.

I'm leaking more than it should, but again, I fiddle with the mask, scratch an itch, etc...unable to determine if it's me or the mask at this point.  I do have a beard, cut short, and intend to keep it.  I checked (feeling for a draft) if my beard is a cause and it seems not.  If that is the source I'll find a solution between this fine group and the doctor.

Anyway, what process do I engage to get my info to the thread?  Thanks in advance, sorry I'm an idiot, but I make up for it with tenacity.

[SarcasticDave94]

I will point you to the wiki article that will outline the steps involved. CLICK HERE.

[ErSwnn]

[attachment=4470]

My lovely wife came home from errands and helped me get this, she's a really doll!  As much as the instructions gave step-by-step it still eluded me.  I like hammers and wrenches, not files and .alphabetsoups.  The stress level had me considering a hammer here......

I have more if this one isn't enough data for your advice and insights.

[jaswilliams]

We like pretty pictures with the coloured ( I spell it that way i’m British ) graphs. But based on the summary information you have provided it looks like you could use some more minimum pressure closer to 9 rather than the current default setting of the machine of 5.


This will help prevent Hypopnea and Obstructive Apnea occurring rather than treating it after it has happened.

[OpalRose]

My lovely wife came home from errands and helped me get this, she's a really doll!  As much as the instructions gave step-by-step it still eluded me.  I like hammers and wrenches, not files and .alphabetsoups.  The stress level had me considering a hammer here......

I have more if this one isn't enough data for your advice and insights.

Hi ErSwnn,
Your wife did fine with posting the summary... what we really would like to see is a ScreenShot from the “Daily Page.”  There are instructions in my signature line on how to Organize your data and graphs.

The organization is important.  There are images to guide you.  We like to see the following graphs:
Events, Flow Rate, Pressure, Leak Rate and Snores.  Eliminate the Calendar on the left side to enable seeing the statistics information.

Just from the summary, I think your minimum pressure of 5cm is not sufficient. We really don’t like to advise on pressure changes without seeing the Graphs,  but it should be higher.  

I know it seems overwhelming at first, but it gets easier with time.  
Did you order your Clinicians Manual?

Again, follow the tutorials in my signature line to get your ScreenShot organized and use the image attachment instructions.

One more thing, it’s a good idea to remove personal information from your data before posting.

[ErSwnn]

[attachment=4472]


There are more, many more.  I'd have to screen shot them in portions it appears.  A newbie in more ways than one.