09-30-2020, 08:39 PM
Switching machines
My husband has been using a RemStar Auto with A-Flex (560P) for quite awhile now, and it decided to die on him. We were able to get our hands on a Remstar Pro C-Flex+ model 460P from a friend for free to use until we can get something better. The only problem is, the doctor who ordered the previous sleep study is no longer around and his current primary care would require a new sleep study and prescription to get a new machine. We don't have time for that right now as he is a truck driver and he has to be able to show 70% compliance over the 90 days before his DOT physical at the end of the year. So, we need to have something right now and can't wait for all the rigamarole to get a new machine.
Anyway, I use Encore Basic software to download the data from his machine. I can print the summary page and all the doctor looks at is the compliance information. I have that capability with the "new" machine also.
On the machine that died, we had his pressure set at 8-15 and the summary shows Auto CPAP Mean Pressure of 8.6, Peak Average Pressure of 12.7, Average Device Pressure <=90% of Time as 9.7. I need to now what pressure to set the "new" machine to start with. I know this is a C-Flex machine so it's a fixed pressure. Should I start at the peak average of 12.7 or the average pressure <=90% of time at 9.7? I know it's going to be trial and error for awhile to get it right for him but it would help to have an idea where to start. Any help would be appreciated.
(On a side note, my husband did get Covid-19 and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. He came very close to being put on a ventilator but turned the corner just in time. When he came home, he was on oxygen therapy and couldn't use his CPAP. He stopped the oxygen after only a few days even though his O2 stats were still in the low to mid 80's. He went back to using his CPAP and he credits that with getting his O2 levels back to normal. It's been a little over two months since his diagnosis, and he's been back to work for over 4 weeks now. His O2 levels are back in the 95-98 range where they belong!
Anyway, I use Encore Basic software to download the data from his machine. I can print the summary page and all the doctor looks at is the compliance information. I have that capability with the "new" machine also.
On the machine that died, we had his pressure set at 8-15 and the summary shows Auto CPAP Mean Pressure of 8.6, Peak Average Pressure of 12.7, Average Device Pressure <=90% of Time as 9.7. I need to now what pressure to set the "new" machine to start with. I know this is a C-Flex machine so it's a fixed pressure. Should I start at the peak average of 12.7 or the average pressure <=90% of time at 9.7? I know it's going to be trial and error for awhile to get it right for him but it would help to have an idea where to start. Any help would be appreciated.
(On a side note, my husband did get Covid-19 and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. He came very close to being put on a ventilator but turned the corner just in time. When he came home, he was on oxygen therapy and couldn't use his CPAP. He stopped the oxygen after only a few days even though his O2 stats were still in the low to mid 80's. He went back to using his CPAP and he credits that with getting his O2 levels back to normal. It's been a little over two months since his diagnosis, and he's been back to work for over 4 weeks now. His O2 levels are back in the 95-98 range where they belong!
