If you have sleep apnea, your doctor might prescribe a CPAP machine that delivers a stream of compressed air at a pre-set pressure to keep your airways open and prevent snoring. The REMStar Plus M Series of CPAP machines consists of a programmable unit that compresses room air, a nasal or face mask, and tubing to connect the unit and mask. While the initial programming is done by a sleep care professional, you can turn down some of the settings by yourself.
Step 1
Identify the patient setup menu. Press the start/stop button on the top of your machine to turn it on, and then press the button labeled "setup +" until the menu appears.
Step 2
Lower the C-flex setting. The C-flex setting determines the amount of pressure the CPAP machine delivers while you're exhaling. Use the left and right arrow buttons on the patient setup menu to scroll through the options until you see the C-flex menu, and then press the left arrow to lower the pressure.
Step 3
Adjust for a specific altitude. If you'll be travelling to a different altitude above sea level, your machine will work best if you change the setting. Use the left and right arrows on the patient setup menu to move through the options until you come to altitude, and then press the left arrow to select a lower altitude.
Step 4
Decrease the ramp time. The ramp features tells your CPAP machine to deliver air at a lower pressure while you're falling asleep. Use the left and right arrows on the patient setup menu to get to this setting, and then use the left arrow to lower the ramp pressure.
Step 5
Adjust the mask alert screen. You can turn the alarm feature down to an inaudible level so that you won't be awakened if your mask slips out of place. Use the left and right arrows on the patient setup menu to get to this setting, and then use the right and left arrows to select the 'auto off' setting.
Step 6
Choose your auto off setting. You can program your CPAP unit to turn down the amount of pressure whenever you remove your mask. Use the left and right arrows on the patient setup menu to get to this setting, and then use the right and left arrows to indicate yes or no.
Tips and Warnings
- When you first receive your CPAP machine, it will be custom-programmed based on the findings from a sleep study and your doctor's instructions. It's a good idea to talk with your sleep care professional or physician before turning down these settings.
