Trying to get a bipap w/st

[qjosea]

I currently have a DS700hs bipap w/cflex and and biflex. My setting are nine on inhale and five exhale. I still find my breathing stoping. This happens just about when I am about to transition into sleep, about two to three time in an hour. I finally give up and pull the mask off. I went yesterday to my DME (apria) they checked my machine and said it was working properly. I had done research into complex sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. The tech indicated that based on my symptoms it seems that I have central sleep apnea and that he would write it up and forward it to my Dr. and Insurance company. He said they would have to approve the machine I need since the need a Rx to request a bipap w/st feature. Now starts the waiting game, in the mean time I don't get any rest and am grumpy and foggy all day. Any ideas on what machine would work best for me?

[jweeks]

Hi,

There are a lot of issues in your post. First off, it would be silly for me, someone who isn't an MD and has seen anything about your case, to attempt to diagnose you or suggest a treatment. I think that it is almost as silly for the tech at your DME to attempt that. You need to see a real sleep doctor, show him or her your sleep study results, and have them issue a prescription. If your current doctor isn't interested in helping you, then find a new doctor.

I also find it unusual for you to be on bipap at such low pressures. Most people feel starved for air at a number of 6 or 7 or less. Bipap is often prescribed if you are having centrals, so maybe your MD already knows that, and perhaps that is a reasonable prescription. What was the results of the titration phase of your sleep study?

The next item is that making random changes is not likely to lead anywhere. You need to have data, make changes based on that data, and then check the data to confirm the effect. That is something that your doctor can do based on the info on your smart card. Some folks can tweak their own treatment, but I don't think you are ready for that yet.

The DS700 is a pretty good machine. I have the M Series version and love it. What are you looking for in a machine that you don't have right now?

Some folks still have some number of events even with successful treatment. An AHI of 5 or less is considered successful, though I find that I don't feel well if I am above 2. What number are you seeing for AHI? If you are down to 2 or 3 events per hour, and you still feel foggy, then maybe there is some other issue going on. Again, I'd suggest seeing your MD.

Finally, why are you taking your mask off? Are you aware of it when you do it? If not, perhaps you can use some surgical tape to tape it on as a reminder to not pull it off. If it is a comfort thing, then see your DME and find a mask that you can live with. If it is something else, you need to identify it and fix it--your life might depend on it.

-john-

[jules]

expect another night in the sleep lab with titration if your doctor is considering ordering this machine - expect your copay to go way up for the machine too

[qjosea157]

Hi, jweeks. In response to your questions, I've seen my doctor twice. The first time in Nov 07, that's when I was diagnosed w/mild to moderate sleep apnea. The tech said I had stopped breathing about 57 times in one hour. My doctor prescribed a cpap then. I tried to get used to it for about a year and gave up. Then in august of this year I thought I was going to die. I would stop breathing and was terrified to sleep. This lasted for about three days. I finally called and made an appt. with my doctor and got a titration scheduled. Thats when he gave me a prescription for the bipap I have now. I tried it for about three weeks, it's better than my cpap. To this date I have not gotten to sit and discuss any of the results of my sleep study with him. That is the reason I did not provide more info on my AHI and everything else. I have read the symptons for complex and central apneas. Based on my reading, by no way am I a doctor or try to be one. I called and saw the tech for apria and explained what was happening with the bipap. He rand a check on the machine and said it was working correctly based on the prescription the doctor requested. I fit the discription of central apnea. I have high blood pressure, but it is controlled with meds. When I get to speak with my doctor I hope to have more answers than questions. I will update this post after that.

Thanks,