All doctor practice medicine different, I think what many people don't realize is that the reason we suddenly have a talk room with ALL of these people comparing All of their different symtoms and numbers, is because western medicine is just now (last 3 years) starting to understand how many people ...

I did a little research so hopefully my answer is close to correct. AHI is the total apneas and hypopneas that you have in one hour. RDI is the total number of disturbances in your sleep due to ALL respiratory conditions: including apneas and hypopneas, snoring arousals, hypoventilation episodes, de...

Quick List of Complications associated with giving yourself the wrong pressure: CPAP is a prescription, and it I KNOW IT SEEMS REDICIULOUS, but there are truly complications and bad side effects to giving yourself the wrong pressure. Too low of pressure: Apnea, hypopnea, feelings of suffocation, rip...

I don't know what else could be said DrainDad - WELL PUT!!!! BRAVO!!!!!!! The only other thing I could add would involve the insurance/finances. When a patient comes in to see us, we have already contacted their insurance and we know their benefit information (i.e. what percent copayment and what de...

You're going to get some difference of oppinions here with some of these subjects. The only insurance companies that rent cpap's for 10 months is medicare and medicaid. the other insurance companies rent them for 2-3 months until the doctor says that you are compliant and benefiting from the therapy...

Welcome! I had to chuckle, thinking of the gal that came in twice in a week because her ferret chewed her CPAP hose twice, and multiple other folks whoose cats thought the cpap tube was a wonderful scratching post. I'm lucky, my dogs could careless about my equipment, as long as they get their bone ...

I would say, if these next steps don't make a significant different (trying the auto for a month and then putting your back on new pressures) then i'd get copies of everything he/she has done and get a second consult from a new doctor.

A few thoughts/ideas crossed my mind after read the post. 1) yes, definitely see the doctor right away 2) stupid question, are you sure your eye sight is worse and not better. Not being able to see through your bifocals could mean either one. My eye sight improved significantly after starting CPAP d...

These things can also affect your AHI 1) Sleeping position (some are worse on back than side and vise versa) 2) Alcohol, sedatives, muscle relaxers (can cause increase in AHI) 3) Mask leak (like mentioned above, mask leak could be interpreted as apnea, hypopnea) so check your seal. Ultimately, how y...

Like all software there are different versions of Encore. The newst Encore program works for all remstar machines that have a smart card. It is an expensive program to buy and I would find out if your DME or doctor have the software. In my oppinion, they should or their not really educated on what t...

The doctor is right about the autopap, many insurance's will not pay for an autopap, unless you've failed a cpap machine, or if you're pressure requirements for the sleep study jump around alot. Which is why I keep saying, the doctor will tell which machine is best for you. They generally undestand ...

Great advice Janelle, can we copy and paste that onto all new patient's post? The mask decision is very subjective, and you won't be able to decide if your mask is good for you until you've slept with it for a week or two. If you can find a company that allows masks exhanges during the first 30 days...

Hi, If your partner left you because of the machine, it's due to immaturity, and probably won't be something you have to worry about with too many others. If you're looking for someone for a life long committment, then they need to be mature enough to accept whatever comes along with that person (be...

Sounds like you have a great machine, you must have a decent DME. When you say you're breathing through your mouth, I hope you don't mean with the CPAP. Do you feel your mouth is open when you're using the CPAP, or closed? Are you using a nasal only mask or a full face mask? If you're using a nasal ...

KUDOS!!!! for not giving up. I try to tell my patient's that the most important thing to do during their treatment, is to call, call, call, until they have the night that you had last night. Finding the right mask is 3/4 of the battle for most people. I work for a company that has a 30 day mask exch...