Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
I have just recently been diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea and have been prescribed a CPAP machine.
I've called a few of the local approved vendors and I think I will go with Medigas as they seemed to know a lot more about the process, etc. The other company I called (Vitalaire) gave me incorrect info over the phone, plus said I could do the trial of a machine for a week (and possible up to a month if really needed) at a charge of $30.
I don't qualify for an APAP but I do want to make sure that I get a machine that will fit my needs. I know I will want to have it track the important data for me (and my doc I assume), and be able to start off at a lower pressure setting. I assume I will also need a full mask as I sometimes breathe through my nose and other times through my mouth.
I'm trying to do as much research as I can to know the correct questions to ask when I go see the vendor, but if anyone has any advice, please let me know.
Not sure if this is needed, but this is what the document they gave me specifies: AHI 19/hr, pressure setting 10 cm H2O, SP02 low 82%.
Many thanks.
I've called a few of the local approved vendors and I think I will go with Medigas as they seemed to know a lot more about the process, etc. The other company I called (Vitalaire) gave me incorrect info over the phone, plus said I could do the trial of a machine for a week (and possible up to a month if really needed) at a charge of $30.
I don't qualify for an APAP but I do want to make sure that I get a machine that will fit my needs. I know I will want to have it track the important data for me (and my doc I assume), and be able to start off at a lower pressure setting. I assume I will also need a full mask as I sometimes breathe through my nose and other times through my mouth.
I'm trying to do as much research as I can to know the correct questions to ask when I go see the vendor, but if anyone has any advice, please let me know.
Not sure if this is needed, but this is what the document they gave me specifies: AHI 19/hr, pressure setting 10 cm H2O, SP02 low 82%.
Many thanks.
_________________
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Testing the Amara View Full Face Mask and just picked up my Airsense 10 AutoSet for Her machine! |
Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
Hi Jewel - why don't you 'qualify' for an Apap? Who told you that and based on what? I was lucky to start out with Vitalaire (tho' not your branch) as they did a good set-up job, but in any case, do you have a copy of your study? Can you post it here (use Imgur.com to do pix then put a link in this thread to the pg) so we can see what it said? Not being nosy (we all do it here) but without it and other info. we can't help to the best of our ability. Don't plonk down any money yet (a day or two won't matter but we may save you money and/or future problems re machines, etc.) til we have a chance to see what's what. And feel free to PM anytime.
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
Welcome to the board. Sorry you had to join us.
There's a lot of info on which machines to get and how to fight for them in the Useful Links in my signature line at the bottom of this post.
There's a lot of info on which machines to get and how to fight for them in the Useful Links in my signature line at the bottom of this post.
_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus |
Please enter your equipment in your profile so we can help you.
Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.
Useful Links.
Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.
Useful Links.
Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
Thanks for the replies.
The tech at the sleep study clinic (at a hospital here in Ottawa) said that you need to have some differing pressures (or something to that effect) to qualify for the APAP under the gov't program. I can buy the APAP but it's far more expensive and the Ontario gov't only pays 75% of the CPAP machine unless you have a specific prescription for the APAP.
I didn't get any study info other than what they wrote in the prescription unfortunately.
The tech at the sleep study clinic (at a hospital here in Ottawa) said that you need to have some differing pressures (or something to that effect) to qualify for the APAP under the gov't program. I can buy the APAP but it's far more expensive and the Ontario gov't only pays 75% of the CPAP machine unless you have a specific prescription for the APAP.
I didn't get any study info other than what they wrote in the prescription unfortunately.
_________________
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Testing the Amara View Full Face Mask and just picked up my Airsense 10 AutoSet for Her machine! |
Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
Have you tried talking your MD into an Apap? He writes the prescriptions, not the tech, and if he doesn't get why Apaps are better (for most - some people end up on Cpap but not that many, and only after not doing well on Apap) I'd ask for referral to a neurologist or pulmonologist specializing in sleep, plus remind your MD that Apaps can be set to Cpap mode, but the reverse is not so. Do whatever you can to convince them you want an Apap - it'll make a difference in ways you may not fully understand now, but in future will appreciate.
I'm curious why you want to start off at a lower pressure... what do you mean and did you have a number(s) in mind?
And just about all newer machines last at least 5 yrs these days, are very reliable (rarely break down or anything like it) and if you can afford it, and your insce. co. agrees, you can get your own machine after sending a script (scanned copy) to e.g. Cpap.com who will then invoice your insce. co.
I'll also say that you probably didn't quite 'get' what they said about differing pressures as it didn't make a lot of sense as you wrote it, but it's the differing pressures that give you the opportunity of really getting a handle on your OSA/Cpap, and being more in control of your own therapy.
I'm curious why you want to start off at a lower pressure... what do you mean and did you have a number(s) in mind?
And just about all newer machines last at least 5 yrs these days, are very reliable (rarely break down or anything like it) and if you can afford it, and your insce. co. agrees, you can get your own machine after sending a script (scanned copy) to e.g. Cpap.com who will then invoice your insce. co.
I'll also say that you probably didn't quite 'get' what they said about differing pressures as it didn't make a lot of sense as you wrote it, but it's the differing pressures that give you the opportunity of really getting a handle on your OSA/Cpap, and being more in control of your own therapy.
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
From what she said, to qualify for an APAP vs. a CPAP there needed to be a certain difference in the data between the data from lying on my back vs. lying on my side and the data from the sleep study didn't show that I needed an APAP. I might call the sleep doctor to see if I can get some more answers before I commit to anything.
In Ontario, the gov't (not insurance) covers 75% of the machine (but not all the other things you need such as mask and tubing *sighs), and private insurance/benefits can cover the balance (but we don't have health coverage through work).
I do agree that I need to educate myself about my own results, but thus far, they've given me very limited data. I will have to see if I can get a copy of things.
In Ontario, the gov't (not insurance) covers 75% of the machine (but not all the other things you need such as mask and tubing *sighs), and private insurance/benefits can cover the balance (but we don't have health coverage through work).
I do agree that I need to educate myself about my own results, but thus far, they've given me very limited data. I will have to see if I can get a copy of things.
_________________
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Testing the Amara View Full Face Mask and just picked up my Airsense 10 AutoSet for Her machine! |
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Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
Even if you get a cpap, just make sure you get a machine with full data. That is essential to determine treatment efficacy.
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Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
I will - from what I've read online, I will want one with full data (not just compliance/usage data) and also the ability to start at a lower pressure and build up to prescribed level once I'm asleep, and also humidifier and hopefully a way to warm the air.
_________________
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Testing the Amara View Full Face Mask and just picked up my Airsense 10 AutoSet for Her machine! |
Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
Oh, I get the low pressure thing now... you mean the ramp feature, which all machines have and which 90% of us stop using the first week as we don't feel the need of it at all and which can actually interfere with things as the low pressure is so hard to breathe at vs prescribed pressure. It's called the ramp.
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
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Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
Buy a oximeter with a alarm built in. Your oxygen could be dropping while you sleep. But your cpap might be reporting that your doing great. I just wouldn't put all my trust into ONE machine. Give yourself random tests. I don't mean every night. Just don't put your oxygen trust on only one machine.
Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
And I suggest that you buy nothing until you have more info on what's what... your reports are yours by law, so don't let anyone put you off getting results.
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
jewel,
I am in ottawa, too.I started therapy end of January2015. I am with Inspiration Medic. Its all been testing to date, showing compliance. Two months on CPAP and since Easter on APAP.I see the doctor again on the 4th of May.
I have not been charged anything. I expect to be discussing costs,data,masks and machine choices very soon. I know what I am confident using and I have questions ready.It was overwhelming at first, a serious learning experience but now I actually look forward to bedtime and the start of a new day.
I am in ottawa, too.I started therapy end of January2015. I am with Inspiration Medic. Its all been testing to date, showing compliance. Two months on CPAP and since Easter on APAP.I see the doctor again on the 4th of May.
I have not been charged anything. I expect to be discussing costs,data,masks and machine choices very soon. I know what I am confident using and I have questions ready.It was overwhelming at first, a serious learning experience but now I actually look forward to bedtime and the start of a new day.
_________________
Machine: AirSense™ 10 Elite CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
So I take it you had only the first diagnostic sleep test and haven't actually had a sleep study done using a machine for determining optimal pressures. Is that correct?
If that is the case they have zero way to know if you might have needed more pressure when on your back or not.
The AHI doesn't have to be markedly differently to mean that more pressure is needed.
If your supplier absolutely won't swing for a full time apap machine and you still want to make use of the funds available to you...and you can't get your doctor to help you out....
if you can get the PR System One 60 Series Pro cpap which is model 460...it does have limited apap mode available...30 days but I think it can be reset up to 5 times at 30 days each. So you would at least be able to use apap mode if the need to should come up.
If that is the case they have zero way to know if you might have needed more pressure when on your back or not.
The AHI doesn't have to be markedly differently to mean that more pressure is needed.
If your supplier absolutely won't swing for a full time apap machine and you still want to make use of the funds available to you...and you can't get your doctor to help you out....
if you can get the PR System One 60 Series Pro cpap which is model 460...it does have limited apap mode available...30 days but I think it can be reset up to 5 times at 30 days each. So you would at least be able to use apap mode if the need to should come up.
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Re: Just Diagnosed and Prescribed a CPAP
I've had two overnight sleep tests. One to test how I sleep on my own, and the second this week to test me on the CPAP machine at the hospital. I've now been given a prescription for a CPAP machine, but I am stuck with the choices the suppliers have unless I want to go 100% out of pocket. I cannot get an APAP machine (unless I pay out of pocket).Pugsy wrote:So I take it you had only the first diagnostic sleep test and haven't actually had a sleep study done using a machine for determining optimal pressures. Is that correct?
If that is the case they have zero way to know if you might have needed more pressure when on your back or not.
So my choices seem to be:
Resmed Airsense 10 Elite
Respironics – Pro 60
F&P - Icon Premo
A lot of what I've read seems to recommend the Airsense 10 Elite as it's a newer model than the others with some helpful features, but as it's newer, there's also not as much data as to how it's working for different people, etc.
_________________
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Testing the Amara View Full Face Mask and just picked up my Airsense 10 AutoSet for Her machine! |