Smargie’s Therapy Thread...in Need of ASV Advice

[zonker]

Hello back to you, Zonker! How is the Northwest treating you? I remember when I first started this thread, before you suggested I change the name, it was about chipmunk cheeks. There were many suggestions like the ones you just made and someone suggested we start a thread with photos of people’s handmade solutions to various problems. You posted a pic of yourself in full regalia and someone said you looked like you’d been kidnapped. Once we got my setting right the mouth problems stopped.

well, the move to the pacific northwest has hit snags. we didn't even get the rebuilding construction project bidded out before this damned covid-19 came along! so have been staying in a vrbo cottage since jan 1. recently, gov inslee has eased restrictions on the construction industry. so we are back "in action" as soon as we get a bid.

seems like forever. i'm hoping that bid comes in over the next few days and they can get started.

that pic i posted? an extremely talented forum member by the name of dog slobber has had all kinds of fun altering my look there into many comic cartoon like situations. so i guess it's good that i posted it!

hope things are going well out your way.

[Smargie]

I hope construction has started by now, Zonker. Then how long will it take to finish that?

So, I got the old computer booted up and it looks like the problem is large leaks. And I’m remembering now that this corresponded with when I got my dreamwear nasal mask replaced with a brand new one of the exact same style and size. I’ve examined it for holes but didn’t see anything. I will try the old mask tonight and then report back if it’s still happening and supply graphs.

[zonker]

I hope construction has started by now, Zonker. Then how long will it take to finish that?

thanks for asking. but, omg, these things move slowly. just yesterday, the contractor came out and started the process of putting insulation around the concrete house pad. this is the very first bit of work to have been done, not counting my daughter and her husband doing demo work.

remember, this building is originally meant as a shop. it has 3 garage doors, a toilet , sink and electiricity. as a shop, it wasn't meant to have much insulation. hence the installation of same.

i have no frickin' idea how long this is going to take. but i'm happy as hell that it's finally starting!

as to the rest of your message, we'll look forward to seeing your results!

[Smargie]

What a pain! I guess it’s good that you’re at least in the right geographical area and, hopefully, no one in your family caught the virus.

[zonker]

What a pain! I guess it’s good that you’re at least in the right geographical area and, hopefully, no one in your family caught the virus.

so far, so good on the covid-19 front. washington state, on the whole, seems to be taking this seriously. as i've mentioned elsewhere, both my wife and i are introverts, so staying at home isn't that much of a hardship.

and i try to just not fret too much about the contractor and what is going on.

[Smargie]

Grrr....So, I was able to solve my last problem by switching back to my old mask, though I can’t see anything wrong with the new one. I was cruising along fine for a few weeks and then a new problem popped up. The pressure is very strong making it impossible to use. It’s just a constant heavy blast. I tried exhaling as hard as I could to try to break the flow but it didn’t do any good. I also checked the settings in the off chance something got changed and there’s nothing different there either.

Anyone know what could cause something like this? A constant flow of very high pressure which begins as soon as the machine starts? I may have to bring it in to the DME.

[Pugsy]

I have to ask....last filter change?

Have you tried unplugging the machine from electric source and plugging back in ....this forces a reboot of the internal software and can clear out cobwebs.

[Smargie]

Not sure when it was last changed, but I did check it and it’s pretty clean. I’ll try unplugging it tonight and let you know what happens.

[Pugsy]

Someone mentioned a while back that the filter in a ResMed machine was a bit improperly positioned and it caused the machine pressures to behave wildly...that's why I asked about the filter.

[Smargie]

Thank you Pugsy! I followed your advice and it did the trick. I guess it’s just like computers...first step is always to turn it off and back on. (I also checked the positioning of the filter and it was fine.)

Thanks for saving me a trip to the DME! I don’t know what I would do without this website. I surely would have given up a long time ago if I didn’t have you all.

[Pugsy]

Thanks for letting us know it was something so simple as a reboot that fixed things.
It was my only idea..
If this starts happening often it might mean a problem with the machine's internal computer so just keep that in mind.
Those PC motherboards can fail just like any other computer. Hopefully this was just a random one off thing.

[Smargie]

Fingers crossed it doesn’t act up again. At least your intervention worked this time and you now have another trick up your sleeve besides faulty placement of filters.

[Smargie]

Hello! I haven't posted in about 7 months so I thought I'd just tack this question onto this thread.

I haven't been able to use my ASV for about 7 months because the pressure felt too high and I couldn't fall asleep while using it. I've had 2 laptops break on me and haven't been able to post any charts from OSCAR, so when I brought my issues here last June I couldn't provide the info needed for help...blah blah blah.

I had an appointment with the sleep doc yesterday. The DME said they needed a new RX since I'd been out of compliance for so long. The doc couldn't get any data off of my machine--apparently they can only see the last 90 days. The doc ordered a new sleep study because I've lost 50 pounds since the last time I saw her. She commented on how low my settings were, but I assured her that I'd achieved excellent results with the help of you all (which made her smirk ). She said that I no longer would need an ASV and would probably get a bipap after we get the results of the study (which will be on 2/11 and will be a split one).

Does weight loss often lead to the need for new settings? By the time I started having trouble I'd probably lost about 20 pounds.

Anyway, I'll be back soon to report on the results of the study. I'm anticipating that the settings on the machine won't work for me and I'll need your help to get it working properly for me. Also, I was unsuccessful when I tried to download OSCAR on my (2nd) new laptop. It's a chromebook so I have to go the Linux(?)/ Beta route. I'll make another attempt, but I may need some technical help, too.

Thanks!

[Pugsy]

Yes, significant weight loss can sometimes lead to a change in pressure needs.
Often lower but sometimes higher....I know ...not what you wanted to hear.

You might start a new thread with your OSCAR install issues to get more targeted help in that area.
It's going to get lost here.

[Smargie]

No! Not higher! Though I guess I couldn't go much lower. Of course my hope is that I won't need it at all anymore, but I know that's unlikely. I wasn't feeling sleepy or unfocused before I started CPAP therapy and the only discernible difference it made for me was lower blood pressure. I feel I sleep better without it but I do realize how serious sleep apnea is. Thank you for your response, Pugsy. And if I fail again with OSCAR I will start a new thread.