Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
peppyaf
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Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by peppyaf » Fri Feb 01, 2019 12:35 pm

I had the follow up to my sleep study with the neurologist yesterday. Only slept 2 hours during the study. AHI of 13, which is apparently high end of mild. Longest breath stoppage was 47 seconds. However, oxygen levels did not dip below 90, which is apparently a good sign. She said that normally with these result, she would not bother treating. But since I am having complaints and side effects (waking up multiple times a night, not feeling rested, wake up gasping for air, sleep paralysis, etc), it would be good if I got treated.

Does anyone have similar mild results as me, was being treated worth it? Did it help?

She said my options were to either buy/trial a CPAP and then come in for the titration study in 2 weeks. Or to trial an APAP for a month, have them estimate the appropriate pressure and then buy a CPAP with that pressure.

I ended up choosing the first option as she recommended it more and that it is more accurate. Did I make the right decision? I'm scared of not being able to sleep during the second study so I'm thinking of taking melatonin that night since I take it semiregularly anyways.

She gave me a CPAP prescription with a pressure of 6cm. I am meeting with a vendor soon to buy/trial one. Is it worth to buy a normal CPAP or splurge for an APAP, even if the doctor recommends a constant pressure? Any specific models you would recommend? I would like to be able to analyze my results/data and be able to tweak things myself, if possible.

Mask wise, what would you recommend? I breathe more through my mouth as my nose is always partially blocked.

Any other things I should know or advice? Thanks

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Pugsy
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by Pugsy » Fri Feb 01, 2019 12:47 pm

Welcome to the forum.

Where are you located? The reason I ask this is because the choices you were given are not what people here in the US would normally have. Do you have insurance to help cover the costs or is this all strictly out of pocket?

Splurge for the apap capable machine...it's just a cpap machine with 2 modes of operation...fixed pressure mode and auto adjusting pressure mode. You might find that the auto adjusting (apap) mode comes in handy if your pressure needs vary much during the night.
Often people need substantially more pressure if they are on their back or during REM sleep and it's kinda nice to have the machine just sort it out. Example...I need 15 to 18 cm during REM...and we spend about 20% of the night in REM. The rest of the night I do quite well with around 9 cm pressure. If I was using fixed cpap I would need to use 15 all night long just to cover the 20% of the night in REM.
It can be done but it wouldn't be much fun.

If you have a choice...get the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her model....it has an additional apap mode that might come in handy.
Always better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.

Masks...if you nose is clogged often and you simply can't get it opened up enough to breath freely and comfortably through just your nose...get a full face mask to start with. Maybe visit a nasal mask later if you find that you can breath somewhat better with the added humidity.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/full-face-cpap-mask

Look at the ResMed AirFit F30 and the Respironics DreamWear Full face mask to start with. Lots of choices but those 2 don't involve anything on the bridge of the nose area to have to deal with the seal there. The more surface area contacting the skin...the more places for it to leak and be annoying.

If self pay....forum member LSAT has a used ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her for sale...on the front page of the forum at this time.

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I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

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peppyaf
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by peppyaf » Fri Feb 01, 2019 1:05 pm

Thanks for the detailed response Pugsy!

I am located in Canada (Toronto). Our gov't covers a portion of the cost, my private insurance will cover another portion, and the rest will be out of pocket. Luckily, I don't have to be worried about the financial costs too much.

Great idea on the masks. For the APAP, that is same model that my research brought me to. However, can you clarify why you suggest the "For Her" model?

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bonjour
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by bonjour » Fri Feb 01, 2019 1:09 pm

Welcome.

Symptom relief typically does not come overnight, so be prepared for that. I have seen many with fairly mild apnea be helped with CPAP/APAP treatment.

On machines to get. ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her because it IS the most flexible. You want a machine that is Fully compatible with Sleepyhead because that is an excellent way of seeing what is going on, down to a breath by breath when it is necessary. I have guided user that have an APAP to running them as a CPAP because that turned out to be the best treatment for them and CPAP mode is available. Last night I had someone trial an advanced Bilevel (ResMed VAuto) (because CPAP wasn't working) as essentially a CPAP at a pressure of 7 with an EPR of 3 resulting with an AHI of .17 and no Flow Limits.

Masks are very personal because for whatever reason all of our faces are different, go figure.
That said my mask of choice is the least intrusive of all masks and the quietest too, the ResMed P10 Pillow mask. CPAP pressure tends to open up blocked sinuses, just give it a few minutes.
I do suggest trying masks from the smallest, least intrusive (Pillow masks), thru the midrange Nasal masks, and finally the Full Face Masks. Yes I heard you say that you were a mouth breather, but try the pillow and nasal masks anyway. There are ways other than a full face mask to manage the mouth breathing. The BEST masks for you is the one that works.

_________________
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Pugsy
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by Pugsy » Fri Feb 01, 2019 1:18 pm

If I remember my Toronto stuff correctly....the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her falls under the "CPAP" category and is a covered expense where as the regular AirSense 10 AutoSet falls under the "apap" category and not covered unless specifically requested with a bunch of hurdles to jump and costs more money.
Someone familiar with OHIP please correct me if my memory is faulty.
It's a weird deal that the for Her model of the apap falls under the cpap category and OHIP will not put up a bunch of hurdles to get it.
Makes no sense of course but that's the government for you. They often do stuff that doesn't make much sense.

If you can get the for Her model (with 3 modes of operation or essentially 3 machines in one) for the same money as the fixed cpap model with only one mode of operation....always better to have the 3 modes in your arsenal.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

Arlene1963
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by Arlene1963 » Fri Feb 01, 2019 3:22 pm

Here is a thread that might help.
The wording on the prescription from the sleep specialist has to specify the exact model "for her" in order to get this under the current system in Ontario.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=157845&p=1213253&hi ... n#p1213253
Last edited by Arlene1963 on Fri Feb 01, 2019 3:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Pugsy
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by Pugsy » Fri Feb 01, 2019 3:23 pm

See this thread and what forum member cpapian said about how OHIP works.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=157845&p=1213253&hi ... n#p1213253

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

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Midwest_non_sleeper
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by Midwest_non_sleeper » Fri Feb 01, 2019 3:47 pm

I have mild SA in a similar range to yours. The difference is, my blood oxygenation was dropping to 84% regularly.

Yes, it makes a big difference between being treated and being untreated, even with mild apnea.

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Dog Slobber
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by Dog Slobber » Fri Feb 01, 2019 3:59 pm

Pugsy wrote:
Fri Feb 01, 2019 1:18 pm
If I remember my Toronto stuff correctly....the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her falls under the "CPAP" category and is a covered expense where as the regular AirSense 10 AutoSet falls under the "apap" category and not covered unless specifically requested with a bunch of hurdles to jump and costs more money.
Someone familiar with OHIP please correct me if my memory is faulty.
It's a weird deal that the for Her model of the apap falls under the cpap category and OHIP will not put up a bunch of hurdles to get it.
Makes no sense of course but that's the government for you. They often do stuff that doesn't make much sense.

Your memory is bang on.
Arlene1963 wrote:
Fri Feb 01, 2019 3:22 pm

The wording on the prescription from the sleep specialist has to specify the exact model "for her" in order to get this under the current system in Ontario.
This has not been my experience.

My experience has been, the prescription will either be for CPAP or APAP. The qualifications for APAP are also fairly stringent.

This is the list of eligible devices:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/prog ... manual.pdf

On page 4, with the eligible CPAP devices is the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her, even though it's an APAP device.

That's how I got mine from the OHIP/ADP program.
peppyaf wrote:
Fri Feb 01, 2019 12:35 pm

She gave me a CPAP prescription with a pressure of 6cm. I am meeting with a vendor soon to buy/trial one. Is it worth to buy a normal CPAP or splurge for an APAP, even if the doctor recommends a constant pressure? Any specific models you would recommend? I would like to be able to analyze my results/data and be able to tweak things myself, if possible.

Mask wise, what would you recommend? I breathe more through my mouth as my nose is always partially blocked.

Any other things I should know or advice? Thanks
I can't stress this enough.

The ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her is your best option. It's highly recommended on these forums, you're eligible for it, it will leave you with the most options in the future.

Don't let the for Her branding bother you. It's actually superior to the non-for Her APAP device. It's functionally identical, but with an extra optional mode.

It's popular with both the men and women.
Last edited by Dog Slobber on Fri Feb 01, 2019 4:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

peppyaf
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by peppyaf » Fri Feb 01, 2019 4:11 pm

Wow, Dog Slobber... great link. I will use this when I meet with the vendor and try to get the "for her" autoset model.

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Dog Slobber
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by Dog Slobber » Fri Feb 01, 2019 4:27 pm

peppyaf wrote:
Fri Feb 01, 2019 4:11 pm
Wow, Dog Slobber... great link. I will use this when I meet with the vendor and try to get the "for her" autoset model.
When it was time to order my machine, the DME wanted to order me an AirSense Elite. I insisted on the AutoSet for Her and that's what I got. Although this wasn't my experience, I've read some DMEs push hard for lesser machines (Elite, CPAP, or other brands), because they will make more money.

Arlene1963
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by Arlene1963 » Fri Feb 01, 2019 4:58 pm

Thanks for correcting me Dogslobber. I unfortunately knew none of this when I got mine back in 2016 and got landed with an Elite. Wish I knew then what I know now so thanks for this additional info for those like the OP who are just starting out.

peppyaf
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by peppyaf » Fri Feb 01, 2019 5:25 pm

Now that ohip will cover the for her model, what about private insurance. I have manulife. They told me they would cover 80%, they didn't have any list of models to show me. I feel like the vendor will try to say that manulife won't cover any of the autoset models.

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Dog Slobber
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by Dog Slobber » Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:57 pm

peppyaf wrote:
Fri Feb 01, 2019 5:25 pm
Now that ohip will cover the for her model, what about private insurance. I have manulife. They told me they would cover 80%, they didn't have any list of models to show me. I feel like the vendor will try to say that manulife won't cover any of the autoset models.
The list of eligible devices is an OHIP/ADP program and shouldn't impact your private insurance.

I'm guessing Manulife is a pretty standard group plan, similar to my SunLife plan.

When my machine came in, I picked it up and paid for it. The price on the invoice was the cost of the machine after the OHIP / ADP price adjustment. I then submitted the documentation, they re-embursed me for 85% of the total cost.

I've since bought supplies, replacement humidifier tank, replacement heated hose, replacement mask, and filters. Submitted my documentation and once again SunLife re-embursed me 85%.

I wasn't sure if I would get re-embursed for my supplies as I didn't buy them through my DME. I bought them online, at half the cost. No problem though.

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kteague
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Re: Just got diagnosed for "mild sleep apnea" (13 ahi), looking for general advice. 28M, not overweight.

Post by kteague » Sat Feb 02, 2019 4:42 am

With only 2 hours of sleep there's a good chance your condition was under appreciated. Supine sleep and REM sleep are the 2 times it is common to see one's events worsen. In that respect, supine sleep while one is in REM stage would need to be seen to be reasonably assured to have captured a worst case scenario. My sleep doc terms a test that did not capture a potential worst case scenario as "technically suboptimal". In a full night's sleep with the above specifications, they might have found your conclusion of more concern. Not sure if it is easy to get copies of reports where you are. Your detailed results should show how much of your 2 hours was supine and/or in REM. Luckily they captured enough for a diagnosis, so at this point all that likely won't matter since you plan to get a quality data capable machine. After your titration, even if you don't sleep well at the test, your machine will help you make any needed adjustments.

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