It's five years for me too. I had my initial sleep study five years ago this month. I've been reasonably happy with my S8, but the Start/Stop button is starting to fail. I suppose maybe that is something that can be fixed, but it may be time for me to move to the latest and greatest. I'm liable to ...

Damn! When I hit 5 yrs, I just called my DME and said I was due for a new machine and wanted an S9. Replaced an M-series. I keep the M as a backup. (The S9 is WAY more quiet than my old Wheezer.) I know, right? At that time did you have an HMO, PPO, Medicare...? (Nice to see you LinkC!) EDIT: I got...

I wonder if your insurance is simply trying stretch out the replacement cycle for machines that are still working .... It was once routine that an insurance company would willing to replace a machine at 5 years just because it was 5 years old. But many insurances seem to be trying to stretch out th...

With auto, you're going to need to specify a range, e.g., 7-12 cm H2O. You don't want to leave it wide open because you want the minimum pressure to still be effective, and you probably don't need the high end to be at 20 cm. It requires perseverance to find the sweet spot that works for you. The Sl...

Could it be that your worse nights are aggravating your GERD?

I say this because part of the apnea process, when the airway collapses, a vacuum in the airway is created. When you struggle to breathe, that vacuum can bring up stomach contents into the esophagus.

Just a thought.

I have the process of getting a new machine in motion. The office manager from my PCP is struggling to get the authorization from my medical group (HealthCare Partners) for a new machine. She told them, without my approval, that the machine isn't working as properly as it once did. The humidifer pla...

Kira! How did it go? Did you get everything dialed in? Getting there! I was sure glad I had my Super Secret Manual last night, because the settings weren't right, and darn near blasted me out of bed. Didn't take much to get them re-set correctly. (ASV settings would confuse a saint, I think, let al...

Dori,

I too am sorry to hear about Mike's setback. It is so important that you do take care of yourself. You've got great kids, it sounds like.

If Mike is half the fighter you proclaim him to be, he should have no problems! ♥

Kira!

How did it go? Did you get everything dialed in?

I'm just catching up on all of this. What a freakin' roller coaster ride! I'm glad he is going to be discharged soon and absolutely incensed at the incompetence and negligence of the medical staff. Mike is SO lucky to have an advocate like you, Dori!

♥

It sounds like an interesting theory, tho my experience is a bit different. I've long suspected eating anything one to two hours before sleeping is a bad idea in terms of sleep architecture and especially the discomfort of aerophagia. I have no proof other than my own experience, however I don't ev...

Welcome, Paul. I'm really glad to hear you've adjusted fairly quickly and are getting positive results!

I wanted to share my thoughts for anyone else prone to aerophagia and digestive problems like IBS or obstructions. When I woke up this morning, I knew I was in trouble. I had eaten late and in a hurry last night, something I hate doing. My stomach wasn't just uncomfortable with excess air -- I'm use...

Thank you, thank you, everyone!
Unfortunately, I barely have the cash for my portion of a new machine and don't have any extra for a backup. I wish I did. I also REALLY wish I had the $ for johnbfisher's battery backup for camping!

Thanks, Pugsy.