New CPAP User

[joyom]

Good morning. New CPAP user here.

Where do I go to learn about my machine settings? Also, what is Sleepyhead?

I sent out a post last night (New CPAP User) as well but my questions were not specific, I suspect. I am reviewing the various topics and tutorials here and it is quite a bit of information.

All help appreciated.

[Pugsy]

Here's a link to the previous post that includes equipment so that others know what you already said.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=112416&p=1081051#p1081051
The first question here would be what equipment do you use so I will answer that question now
AirSense 10 Elite

Here's manual that will explain what your machine does along with how to get into the ultra secret area where the settings are made/shown. It's a combination manual that includes all the AirSense models.

https://sleep.tnet.com/home/files/resme ... -guide.pdf

For SleepyHead information
Start here and read about it along with my SleepyHead hints at the top of the announcements section on the main forum page. Do use the links in it to get SH though...those are old links and don't go to the latest version.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment
https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur
and don't try to use the SH download link at tnet.com...that link is broken.
Instead go here to get it
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread ... workaround

When you have time please add your equipment to your profile so we can see at a glance what you are using..so we don't have to ask "what are you using" in order to answer a question.
See here for how to add your equipment
wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile
Please use the text option instead of the icony option...when the icons are used all the models look the same.

You can also use ResScan software if you wish (Windows only though). Send me a private message if you want to try ResScan.
Here's a video that shows what you can see using ResScan
http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/
There's no difference in the data that is shown between SH and ResScan...the difference is in how the reports are presented visually. So you can use one or the other or even both if you wish. I usually suggest people try both and see which one they like the best.

And yes...specific questions helps us out a lot. I saw your first post but I was unsure where/what you were needing help in understanding....so I didn't say anything.

[joyom]

Thanks Pugsy! I may be known to preface quite a bit...coughcough. I have been to the SH link, and the others look helpful.

Equip. now added to signature as well.

[Pugsy]

Don't worry about it... I am well known to write small novels when a one line response would have been sufficient. I just can't help myself sometimes.

[MarkCPAPguy]

Hello Joyom - welcome to CPAP. I f you haven't, find a doctor that specialises in sleep disorders. I have one and he has been a big help. ... "Sleepy Head"- I don't know what that's about.
But, please, use the CPAP machine while sleeping and napping. It will change your life: your attitude - your outlook - your energy. But, please be patient. It's not an easy road. There will be hills and valleys, good nights and bad nights. In fact, I cussed mine out for the first three months. It was a hate-hate relationship. Then it became a love-hate relationship. And now, after 8 months it's a love-love relationship. I love my CPAP and even the stupid face mask because I know they're helping me. Now, I will not even nap without the CPAP. I sleep so much better because of it. Now, the Big Results will not show up overnight - It will take probably months. But the good news is that you will (eventually) start to feel much more rested and enegetic. A good night's sleep is priceless, and the CPAP will help you have restful sleep. if you don't already have one, I would like to recommend that you get a Fitbit which tracks your sleep and show you some charts that are very informative about your sleep. In fact, I share my Fitbit data with the sleep doctor, and he gleans some good data from it. Fitbit.com. Joyom - Good luck!

[Pugsy]

I would like to recommend that you get a Fitbit which tracks your sleep and show you some charts that are very informative about your sleep.

I have one and what it shows needs to be taken with a grain of salt. It often tells me I was asleep when I wasn't and awake when I wasn't and it told me I took 7,700 steps when I was mowing the lawn on a riding lawn mower.

It has zero way to tell if you are actually asleep or not. It goes entirely on movement and assumes if you don't move that you must be asleep and that's simply not the case.

It's a rather interesting gadget that's kinda fun to play with but one has to learn its limitations and accuracy.
If it helps a person's mindset...that's fine but it's not nearly as accurate as one is lead to believe. I had a horrible night last night...had a root canal yesterday afternoon...yet it scores me at 100% for sleep...big whoopie. I know for a fact that I had a gazillion wake ups and light sleep from the pain and feel like crap today.

[MarkCPAPguy]

Hello Pugsy - Hear you! I had the same concern: Fitbit: more novelty than science? Hey - my sleep doctor recommended it. He trusts the data. He said it's not as accurate as a sleep lab report, but "it gets me in the ballpark for stat's." You may want to call Fitbit support - they're great. 877) 623-4997. They've been very helpful for me. And, you may need to to check your battery. Good luck with recovering from your root canal. Sorry you had a bad night last night. Good luck to you in general.

I would like to recommend that you get a Fitbit which tracks your sleep and show you some charts that are very informative about your sleep.

I have one and what it shows needs to be taken with a grain of salt. It often tells me I was asleep when I wasn't and awake when I wasn't and it told me I took 7,700 steps when I was mowing the lawn on a riding lawn mower.

It has zero way to tell if you are actually asleep or not. It goes entirely on movement and assumes if you don't move that you must be asleep and that's simply not the case.

It's a rather interesting gadget that's kinda fun to play with but one has to learn its limitations and accuracy.
If it helps a person's mindset...that's fine but it's not nearly as accurate as one is lead to believe. I had a horrible night last night...had a root canal yesterday afternoon...yet it scores me at 100% for sleep...big whoopie. I know for a fact that I had a gazillion wake ups and light sleep from the pain and feel like crap today.

[Pugsy]

You may want to call Fitbit support -

Thank you but no need. My battery is fine...I just know and understand and accept the limitations to the product.
It's a fun gadget but I can't advise people fork out that much money for something that tells them how they sleep when I know from personal experience that it is simply not that accurate.
For most people getting in the ball park is sufficient...and in all honesty for me it is sufficient but when someone is having real and very serious issues with their sleep architecture where it could be real important to be accurate...it's not that accurate....or as accurate as I would want it to be before I recommended it for someone who was really needing something spot on accurate. You need EEG leads for that level of accuracy.

My point is that it is easily fooled and when medical care is based on something that is easily fooled...I won't go there.

Now for fun and getting in the ball park..and as long as someone understands the limitations...yeah, it's a fun gadget. I especially like the part when hubby asks how many steps I took today and I get to tell him I hit 10K but I don't tell him that 8K of it was on a riding lawn mower.

[palerider]

Hello Pugsy - Hear you! I had the same concern: Fitbit: more novelty than science? Hey - my sleep doctor recommended it. He trusts the data. He said it's not as accurate as a sleep lab report, but "it gets me in the ballpark for stat's."

maybe that should tell you something about your sleep doctor.

if you really want to know what you're doing, sleepwise, pick up a zeo on ebay, and learn about sleepyhead.