APAP, BiPAP, CPAP??? Main differences/advantages?

[TheWife]

What is a stronger humidifier? Seems it would just cause rainout.

I guess they meant a humidifier that would put out more humidity. He did have rainout (dripping mask?) in the mornings, and now has a heated hose with a fleece covering. But I guess mouth taping is an option, though one I don't think he's too keen on trying. Maybe I'll just buy him some tape today and have him try that. I can look it up, but just non-allergenic, wide medical tape will do?

If you can get any machine and just turn it into the insurance for payment, I would surely order from the internet and get what I wanted (auto).

I'm going to talk to the insurance company before making the final decision, so I know for sure they will reimburse for a machine bought through the Internet, but yeah, I think an AutoPAP would be best. And I think it's important to get a machine which will give you feedback.

As far as not feeling better, I wonder what washout is. Does this mean he's breathing in CO2? Is this more or less of a problem with nasal pillows? This could be what's causing his headaches.

The other part of the discomfort equation is that he's sleeping on his back now (unconsciously, since starting with this latest setup), which is VERY uncomfortable for him, giving him a sore neck and back. He's getting very depressed

Thanks for your help. Theresa

[Mile High Sleeper]

To compare CPAP, APAP, BiPAP and features, see my blog, article on CPAP Machine Choices, written with lots of input from cpaptalkers, at http://www.smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com .

[Guest]

Having grown up in a border town:

Let us all remember that the Canadian health care system is more of a socialized system. Often Canadian citizens may come to the US to get treatment, for which they often pay themselves. Sometimes that is because they cannot get an appointment for a long time, or because the best treatments are not available.

Of course, for years many US citizens have gone to Canada for other medical treatment. For many, many years the all-time best hernia surgeries were done in Toronto. Lasik surgery has been cheaper and just as safe in Windsor.

So any advice already given may not apply to the Canadian system. It may be wise to search for other Canadians who have dealt with your system. We did not know where you were from as your posting had no location.

[birdshell]

Sorry, the last post was me.

Which points out the Guest posting problem. My posting probably would have been lost in the ether if Guests were not allowed.

Maybe that isn't so bad for some....

[Lachesis]

I am new here (trying to gather my thoughts as I had a sleep study last night but have not talked to my doctor yet --the 13th about the results).

May I just say this is an excellent writeup. I passed it on to my husband who goes to see the "sleep doctor" on the 29th. I appreciate the work and effort that was put into this.

I am off to explore and read more of the boards, but thanks for this link!

~Rachel in AZ

[quote="Mile High Sleeper"]To compare CPAP, APAP, BiPAP and features, see my blog, article on CPAP Machine Choices, written with lots of input from cpaptalkers, at http://www.smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com .

[sthnreb]

Welcome aboard the forum ~Rachel in AZ
One can spend a lot of time here.

[Lachesis]

Thanks for the welcome! I am really glad I started doing a little researching.

I am still back reading. I'd like to be as informed as possible when I go in. I am lucky in the fact I have an actual sleep doctor. Well I hope thats lucky... as apposed to people who feel their doctors do not know enough or much. We shall see in a week or so what the doctor has to say. The sleep guy said I had moderate apnea. I really had no clue!

~off to read some more

[TheWife]

To compare CPAP, APAP, BiPAP and features, see my blog, article on CPAP Machine Choices, written with lots of input from cpaptalkers, at http://www.smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com .

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out when I get home.

So any advice already given may not apply to the Canadian system. It may be wise to search for other Canadians who have dealt with your system. We did not know where you were from as your posting had no location.

The advice isn't really any different. I did post a question about ordering online from Canada, and found that I can order from cpap.com no problem. I'm looking for solutions to a problem that is universal, doesn't matter where you're from: finding the best machine/mask combination and a good night's sleep (for my husband).

The main difference is who pays for it. Here in Canada, the "system" pays for medical doctor visits, but we pay for the hardware (DME) and prescriptions, which for CPAP are not covered in British Columbia, although I understand some or all of it is covered in Ontario. The DME suppliers here (storefront) provide a free trial period of two months (which I got extended for another month) to see what combination works for you. But unfortunately, they don't always give the best advice, and aren't as knowledgeable as I'm realizing you all are on this forum.

I have extended medical benefits through my work, and they reimburse 80% of certain medical expenses, including CPAP machines.

Theresa (in Vancouver, BC)

[TheWife]

To compare CPAP, APAP, BiPAP and features, see my blog, article on CPAP Machine Choices, written with lots of input from cpaptalkers, at http://www.smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com .

Okay, finally had a chance to check out this site. Wow! Great job, you've put a lot of work into it. Sure is a lot easier to get all the information I need, all in one place. I've also given the link to my husband so he can inform himself. I see I have a lot to learn, but I think I know where I'm headed.

When he slept without the machine two nights ago, he said he had the best sleep he's had in a long time, I guess because he was free to move as much as he wanted (he's a side/stomach sleeper). He's almost ready to give up on it, but I won't let him. I definitely want to get a machine with software capabilities because I want him to see how he's doing.

This morning, he had a mouth leak, so we should try mouth taping, but I'll read up on it first.

Theresa

[Miko]

If your having problems with your DME, contact Clinical Sleep Solutions at 604-875-1440 and speak to Cox. They are awesome.

[TheWife]

contact Clinical Sleep Solutions at 604-875-1440 and speak to Cox.

Welllll. Believe it or not, that's the place he's been going to. Cox is the only person (my husband says) who knows what he's talking about, but he's only dealt with him 2 or 3 times. He's mostly been dealing with other people. He mentioned to his Dr. that he was having problems with them, so his Dr. got us another one month trial.

I've tried to insist that he only go when he can get an appointment with Cox, but sometimes my husband can only go on weekends because they close at 6:00 and I don't get home from work until 5:00 (he's the stay at home parent for our three kids), and of course Cox only works during the week. We'll have to find a way to work our schedule around Cox's.

My husband is almost ready to give up, not sure if it's really helping. He did read MileHighSleeperGal's article on XPAP machines, and now can see that he should get an AutoPAP. Thanks MHSG. I think we'll start with that and then look at trying different masks. This seems like such a long, uphill battle.

Theresa

[Miko]

Cox is working in the Vancouver office on Saturdays. He can be difficult to reach, so keep trying and insist that you want to deal with him only. He's been busy lately and he hasn't replied to my emails either.

PM me so we can discuss more....