Dear Larry et al:

Long story short, I was diagnosed with "moderate" sleep apnea like four years ago. After doing the "sleep test thing in the room with no windows," my doctor in New Hampshire ordered me a "Philips Respironics REMstar Auto A flex machine." with a pressure setting of 10. I used it for about a year and a half but had trouble with the nasal masks-- but I finally settled on the Simplusse full face mask which felt better. This is the mask I still use.

When I went in for a check up-- the doctor saw that I was having some issues with "centrals"-- so she switched me over to a "Philips Respironics BiPap Auto SV Advanced Machine" with a pressure setting of 11-- this was of course after I did more nights in the "sleep" room for more testing. I have disliked that machine from Day One. It feels like the rhythm of the machine is fighting against my own breathing rhythm-- we are just not in synch at all- it feels like I'm wrestling with the machine which is supposed to be giving me a good night's sleep!!

I got so frustrated two weeks ago with the BiPap machine that I went back to my old CPap machine (the Auto A flex) and I find it a lot more user friendly. Bottom line though, I never felt "great" (i.e. a lot less tired) from using either machine-- although my wife tells me that I am a lot less restless when I used the machines, which I count for something.

Question: where do I go from here with these machines? Are there adjustments I can make that I haven't tried?? Is there new machine technology out there that I should try?? Is there a way to set the BiPap machine (which my doctor said helped the "centrals") so that it doesn't feel like I'm fighting it all night??

Your insights on these questions would be so welcome-- and if you need more info, please let me know.

Many thanks, bmac

ps: I just downloaded the sleepyhead software today to try and get more data.

that's where you go first.

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Sleepyhead Info
How to format your charts

Use the links on diamaunt's signature line to help you organize your SleepyHead fields so when you post some screenshots, the maximum amount of information is showing in order for people to help you interpret your data. There is also a link to help you figure out how to post your screenshots.

Dear Lanky et al--

I have finally managed to create a screenshot on sleepyhead and posted below is last night's sleep record:



I have gone back to the simple CPAP machine (not BiPap) for the last six months. In addition to last night's sleep, should I post a sampling of my screenshots over the last six months? I need your help dialing in the right machine and settings.

Many thanks for your help, Bruce

Looks pretty good, except, don't need the RespRate chart, so you can make the other charts bigger, to see them better... and don't zoom in, you're only showing 27 minutes of the night.

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Sleepyhead Info
How to format your charts