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Just got my shiny-new CPAP!
HI all,
I picked up my shiny new ResMed AutoSet II today, along with an H4i heated humidifier, and a Mirage Micro nasal mask.
The tech that introduced me to it was very helpful, and took plenty of time to demonstrate the unit, and answer my questions.
This is a "self-adjusting" unit which can also be set to a fixed pressure, which is how mine is currently set up.
I also received a "bonus" in the form of a ResTraxx for my unit, which is a GSM-band cellular data unit. The ResTraxx sends data directly to the DME company, who then forwards it to my doctor. It also has the capability of the techs making remote adjustments to my ResMed AutoSet II, using a web interface.
The unit comes in a carrying case that looks like a laptop bag, with plenty of room for the ResMed AutoSet II, the hose, power cord, manuals, and the mask which came in its own drawstring bag. The only problem is that the bag won't close with the ResTraxx attached, so the antenna sticks out of the bag. That will be inconvenient when travelling, unless there's a way to disconnect the ResTraxx from the unit.
When I got the unit home, I checked the settings and found that the mask setting was incorrect. The ResMed AutoSet II has a menu selection which sets the mask type, so the unit can work most efficiently with the specific mask I'm using. It was an easy fix to set the mask type correctly.
So far I've only used the unit for a few minutes, mostly so my children could get used to seeing me with it.
I was amazed at how quiet the unit is, with vitually no noise coming from it while it's operating. I was expecting to hear some sort of humming, motor-type sound, but the only thing I can hear is some white noise from the air flow out of the mask itself. My wife was happy to hear the unit on, and said that she thought the white noise from the air flow would be calming for her.
I found the sensation with the mask on and the unit operating to be a bit strange at first, but I feel like I can quickly get used to it. I didn't realize that I would sound weird when talking with the unit on, and I found talking to be uncomfortable. But presumably I won't be talking much in my sleep, so I suppose that won't be an issue.
Th mask itself seems pretty comfortable, and I was able to adjust it so that there was very little pressure on my face from the mask while still maintaining a good seal.
I always read before sleep, but I can't wear my reading glasses with the mask on, so I'll have to get used to putting it on just before I fall asleep.
All in all, I am impressed with the quality of the ResMed AutoSet II, and with the setup in general.
I'm very hopeful that I will get used to using it, and that I will get good results.
I'll report back after night #1!
:)
I picked up my shiny new ResMed AutoSet II today, along with an H4i heated humidifier, and a Mirage Micro nasal mask.
The tech that introduced me to it was very helpful, and took plenty of time to demonstrate the unit, and answer my questions.
This is a "self-adjusting" unit which can also be set to a fixed pressure, which is how mine is currently set up.
I also received a "bonus" in the form of a ResTraxx for my unit, which is a GSM-band cellular data unit. The ResTraxx sends data directly to the DME company, who then forwards it to my doctor. It also has the capability of the techs making remote adjustments to my ResMed AutoSet II, using a web interface.
The unit comes in a carrying case that looks like a laptop bag, with plenty of room for the ResMed AutoSet II, the hose, power cord, manuals, and the mask which came in its own drawstring bag. The only problem is that the bag won't close with the ResTraxx attached, so the antenna sticks out of the bag. That will be inconvenient when travelling, unless there's a way to disconnect the ResTraxx from the unit.
When I got the unit home, I checked the settings and found that the mask setting was incorrect. The ResMed AutoSet II has a menu selection which sets the mask type, so the unit can work most efficiently with the specific mask I'm using. It was an easy fix to set the mask type correctly.
So far I've only used the unit for a few minutes, mostly so my children could get used to seeing me with it.
I was amazed at how quiet the unit is, with vitually no noise coming from it while it's operating. I was expecting to hear some sort of humming, motor-type sound, but the only thing I can hear is some white noise from the air flow out of the mask itself. My wife was happy to hear the unit on, and said that she thought the white noise from the air flow would be calming for her.
I found the sensation with the mask on and the unit operating to be a bit strange at first, but I feel like I can quickly get used to it. I didn't realize that I would sound weird when talking with the unit on, and I found talking to be uncomfortable. But presumably I won't be talking much in my sleep, so I suppose that won't be an issue.
Th mask itself seems pretty comfortable, and I was able to adjust it so that there was very little pressure on my face from the mask while still maintaining a good seal.
I always read before sleep, but I can't wear my reading glasses with the mask on, so I'll have to get used to putting it on just before I fall asleep.
All in all, I am impressed with the quality of the ResMed AutoSet II, and with the setup in general.
I'm very hopeful that I will get used to using it, and that I will get good results.
I'll report back after night #1!
:)
Views: 180
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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I like your enthusiasm!!!
With the positive attitude you have, you will be getting the ZZZ and rest you need. If you stumble, and we all do at times, remember your kids and know you are doing it for them!!
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Permalink Reply by Christine C on
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Just remember..persistance and patience is the key...I'm glad that you have such a positive outlook on your treatment. It took me about a week to get adjust to wearing the mask. I went from roughly 4 hours of usage a night to almost 8. I hope you get plenty of zzzzz's and wake tomorrow feeling refreshed!
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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on
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I have a question, which may lead to some investigation on your part, but I am courious.
You say you received a bonus? The ResTraxx.
Now to my questions.
Is this a subscription maintenance type system after a trial time period?
If it is, what is the time period?
What is the cost involved with the ResTraxx service?
Who pays that cost?
Is it you, the patient? (I know the answer to that one, but are you aware of it?)
Is that fee/cost covered by insurance?
What will the insurance company pay and have they been made aware of that cost by the DME?
Is there a tangible benefit to the DME having the ability to "play" with your APAP with or without your knowledge?
Are they empowered to adjust your treatment by a simple consult with your physician and without your input?
I don't need the answers to the question, but you may want to get them for yourself. They are question I would want to know the answers too.
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Permalink Reply by Andy on
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Hi Dan,
All good questions. I asked some of them today, and will be following up on others as I go along. Here's what I know so far.
I asked about the cost of using the service, and was told that there was none. Being the skeptic that I am, I didn't believe that, but it makes sense that there would be no cost while I rent the unit, because it saves the DME people from having to come out to verify compliance and make adjustments. The labor cost for them to do that would be more than the cost of maintaining the ResTraxx, I'd bet.
I also asked about the cost of the ResTraxx itself, and was told that there was no additional cost. It's also not shown as a separate cost on my invoice.
I did ask about the cost of the ResTraxx if/when I purchase the CPAP outright, and was told that they would continue to monitor it at no cost. This I find hard to believe, so I'll look into that further.
One thing I'm sure of is that I did not agree to any subscription fee nor additional month-to-month fee.
The "benefit" of the remote monitoring is simply that I don't have to take the unit anywhere in order to pull the data from it. The "benefit" of the remote adjustment capability is, to me, that they could make changes quickly, and I don't have to be home in order for them to do so. The benefit to them is that they don't have to send someone out.
I did question their ability to make changes without my knowledge. I'm pretty hands-on about stuff, so I don't like the idea of anybody messing with the device without my knowing it. However, I'm told that if they, say, adjust pressure, they'll call me first to let me know. We'll see if that happens.
I'll have to get some specifics about their ability to make changes without my input. It seems, with all of the "privacy" issues that the medical field has today, that they couldn't do that without my explicit permission. I'll read everything over again, but I didn't see that they asked or received permission to make changes without consent.
It does bring up an interesting situation, though. Do I really want somebody looking at how much I sleep, and how well I sleep? Do I want somebody tracking where I take the unit by looking at the cellphone records? Could some enterprising attorney subpoena my sleep records from the DME in an attempt to prove I was at fault in an accident because I didn't sleep well the night before?
With every new technology solution comes a bunch of new problems.
Then again, I could always just rip the antenna off the thing... :)
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Hi Carol,
Yes, I am enthusiastic! SInce talking with my doctor about this, and finding that I have a problem that can be managed, I've been looking forward to it.
I have been so exhausted and forgetful and crabby and just generally feeling poorly that, if this works, I'll be thrilled!
It'll take some work and some adjustment, but it's not that big a deal. I can think of a lot worse things I could have...
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Hi Christine,
Patience? How long is that gonna take! :)
Well, I plan to use this thing as much as possible, and get the maximum benefit from it.
After reading the sleep study results, and seeing the graph, it's no wonder that I'm so tired all the time.
I've been getting about four hours "sleep" a night, and not getting any rest during those four hours.
Anything's got to be better than that!
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Hi Judy,
I'm going to guess that the DME computer calls into the ResTraxx and downloads the data. The Windows software that they use "manages" all of their patients, so it's not going to be something the patient has access to.
Unless/until somone figures out how to call into it and do a download, we'll need to request the data from the DME.
A tech spy inside ResMed would be a great help.... :)
I suppose someone could contact ResMed and make the case that the machine is ours, and the data is ours, therefore we have the right to retrieve it. They'll claim that we're not sophisticated enough to have this information, and that granting access could result in changes of settings and lead to liability on their part, so by blocking access they are helping to keep us safe, and preventing us from hurting ourselves.
AT&T usd a similar argument when they tried to stop people from buying their own phones. They were protecting their network and protecting us from plugging in dangerous phones. Also, of course, protecting their huge profit machine.
Coincidently, AT&T is the carrier that's used for the ResTraxx device.
Same story that every company has used to stop us from getting what is rightfully ours...
Sorry, the anarchist in me just got fired up! Didn't mean to turn this into some big thing!
So, the short answer to your question: No, we can't access the data.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Andy, with my ResMed I have a ResScan data card. My DME said I could just drop it in the mail to him and he would access the data and mail it to me. He said that the data card gives a nice readout, easy to interpret and not 13 pages worth of info to sift through.
Good luck, keep on keeping us posted,
Mary Zimlich
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Night One Experience:
Hi all,
I just finished night one with the ResMed.
The short story: Easy to use. No issues with getting used to it. After 2 hours of use, I didn't even know it was on. Definitely feeling more rested this morning.
Last night at bedtime, the first thing I had to do was give everyone a try. My family was all lined up, wanting to see what it felt like to put on the mask. So, after a few minutes of show and tell, everyone went one their way, and I was left staring at this thing which will be sitting by my bed every night from now on.
I re-read the manuals (I'm big on reading manuals!) and found that the mask setting was originally correct. It turns out that it should not be set to the name of the mask I have, but to "standard." So much for user friendly!
Since I can't wear my reading glasses and th mask at the same time, I read for a while, then decided to try to sleep. Usually I don't bother to try until 1am to 3am, since I'll only end upp waking in the middle of the night and not going back to sleep. But I figured I'd try to sleep at 11:30.
I put on the mask, probably a little tighter than it needs to be, and started the CPAP. It's set to "ramp up" by starting at about half th pressure that I'm using, and gradually increasing to full pressure after 20 minutes. I felt some slight resistance when breathing out, and sort-of felt that resistance increase as the pressure increased, but didn't feel any difference when breathing in with higher pressure.
The only problem I had was with my mouth. I had imagined that I was supposed to keep my mouth closed, and that if I opend it the air pressure would come out. That's not how it works, though. I was able to open my mouth but continue to breathe through my nose, and the pressure seemed to know where it should go.
However, at one point I moved my tongue and the air pressure did come out of my mouth. The sensation startled me, and I got a bit panicky for a minute. But then I practiced with it, and figured out how that was happening, and how to control it. Once I did, I was able to open my mouth and breathe through my nose, and everything was fine. I'd say that it took around three minutes to experiment and figure this out, and to calm back down.
Shortly after, I fell asleep. I woke up at 2:00am, after about 2.5 hours of use. I woke comfortably, no problem with the mask, but I felt that the CPAP was off beause I couldn't feel any pressure breathing out. I checked the machine, and it was actually working at full prescribed pressure. So after a few hours, I had adapted pretty well.
I then went back to sleep, and woke up after eight hours of sleep. I usually only get about four hours of sleep, so this was an amazing improvement!
I feel more rested today, but not totally energetic. The true test will be later on today, at the times when I generally fall asleep at my desk! I plan to contact the DME today, and see if they can read the results and see if I had any disturbances.
I'm sure that I have some learning to do with all of this, but I can say at this point that any reservations or concerns I had before using it were uneccesary.
All in all, I'm very happy with the ResMed, and very encouraged with my first night experience with it.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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I'm such a witch. If at all possible I would figure out how to disconnect the ResTraxx and insert my data card module and data card and do a download from card to software. Then remove my data card module, re-attach the ResTraxx and mentally thumb my nose at the DME provider AND Resmed. *wicked grin* Probably just 'cause I don't want them to have "one up" on me.
CONGRATULATIONS on the good night's sleep!!!!
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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The Restraxx just pops off. It is basically an external modem and hard drive. You should be able to download your own data and put it back on. I would ask about it. You might also be able to get the DME to email you the data daily, weekly, or monthly. We used the Restraxx to follw are noncompliant truckers at my first lab. I am glad to see it being used like this.
Congrats Andy. It is really nice to see all of the great work everyone is doing.
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