Going through the process again...

Going through the process again.

On my second machine now, been 6 years this month. First machine (Respironics REMStar BiPap Auto w/Bi-Flex) lasted just over 2years just past the warranty and died. Was a royal pain as I was without a machine for just over a week. Had to sleep in the recliner and went down hill fast (quite amazing actually).

Technically, it is my third machine since I started with a Synchrony ST Bi-Pap unit (RX was at 29/20 and the REMStar machine didn't go that high). But that was only for a month or two until I figured out I never sleep on my back and didn't need that high of a pressure. My Dr then lowered the pressures and I qualified for the REMstar BiPap auto.

Current machine is a M-Seris BiPap Auto with Humidifier. Works really well, actually was better than the previous in syncing up with my breathing. I marveled at waking up sometimes wondering if the machine was on or not as I was synced up to it so well. Only part of the machine I don't like is the tank is very small compared to the previous, though I only turn on the humidifier on cold winter nights and leave it on bypass the rest of the time.

Located in Phoenix Metro area in AZ... Only 116F today.

Working now to get a new machine for a couple reasons... 1) current machine is getting old and has no warranty, 2) could use a second machine to put hidden in a cabinet near my recliner in the living room to use when I am there. My spare machine is 8 years old now and doesn't work as well as my primary. Have a really nice new recliner showing up shortly and I can see me sleeping on it occasionally.

Since I recently went through the fun of the Hospital thing etc.. I have already blown through the max co-pays for the year and all my co-pays are now $0.00 to the end of the year, good time for a co-pay.

Pretty much stopped looking at the reports on my current machine 3-4 years years ago as I have been doing good. It was a bit of a pain since the machine only keeps the detail stuff for like 6 days and I stopped pulling the card to read it. I did run a report the other day from Jan 1 to July 20th and the non-detail was pretty good. 174 out of 181 possible days of use (was in hospital 7 days) with an avg of 3.7 AHI. Over 98% > 4 hours sleep.

My new Primary Dr is great, really into CPap therapy, very interested in my use of it and how I use it (Stomach sleeper). When I mentioned that I didn't care for the DME (Apria) she wrinkled her nose, agreed and said that would not be a problem as she knew how to get around that.

For my new machine, I am looking at the REMStar 60 Series BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex with humidifier and heated hose. I like that it can hold detail data for up to a year (or more) unlike my current unit. Never really considered the ResMed units most likely since I've always used Respironics. To be honest, my BiPAP is not an option, it is a requirement. If the insurance didn't cover it, I would just go out and buy it.

First step is a consultation on the advise of the Primary with the sleep Dr instead of a study. Said that since I had data and was already comfortable with the machine and it appeared to be doing good, that a consultation with the sleep Dr first might be all that is needed. So that is schedule for the 31st. Will see what happens then. I already made sure they could read the card if I bring it in and told them I would run reports up to the appointment as well.

For reference, original study had me at AHI was 92.1/per hour and RDI was 112.1. It was clear in the study before the mask, that I was getting zero Stage 3, 4 and REM sleep at all. Just bouncing between stage 1 and 2. In the remaining 4 hours, I basically sleep so soundly, that when I woke up I though only 20-30 mins had gone by. Lots of stage 3/4 and Rem sleep was shown. Couldn't wait to get a machine after that.

It was hard and first though, I remember the first couple nights thinking this was never going to work.. Lots of leaks (high pressure), trying to sleep on my back which I never did before, hose popping off (bad hose to begin with), it took a couple months of adjustments and experimentation to finally get to the point I could sleep really good. Lowering the pressure and replacing the Synchrony using for REMStar auto also made big difference.