long time CPAP user question

[HeatherN]

My husband has been on CPAP for several years. I never gave much thought to the whole mechanics of the situation until My daughter recently went on CPAP. Now I can't get enough of the subject and drive hubby nuts with sleep apnea facts. In fact he often refers to me as the "sleep nazi". I have to admit he has not seen a DR in several years to follow up with the apnea-just something that slipped away from him and I think he has a less that great sleep DR and lab. Lately he has seemed more tired than normal and he is battling a bit of bordeline high blood pressure. (although this has been going on a while and his regular DR is monitoring this closely)he says he feels better when he works out on a daily basis. I can't help but wonder if his issues are due to lack of excercise or more likey that he needs an adjustment with his CPAP. Who knows maybe it is a combo of both. I guess I am wondering is it likely that something is up with the CPAP, perhaps the pressure is not working correctly for him anymore or something. I have been nagging him a bit about changing sleep DR's and going to my Daughter's DR who is fabulous. I think his resistance is that he does not want to do another sleep study. He has an old machine that has no capabilities to record data- I am wondering if the DR would ever consider a home study with borrowed equiptment. I want him to get this done and he is dragging his heals. Do you think I have reason to be worried or am I over reacting?? I don't want to nag him to death but I am starting to feel like this is an issue. For long term CPAP users , is it common to need adjustments years later?

[tangents]

Hi Heather,

I'm not a PAP vet, but some insurance plans offer a new machine every 5 years. Would that apply to your husband's case? If so, he should be able to avoid another sleep study by getting an auto and slowly tweaking parameters until he hits the "sweet spot".

Just a thought. I don't blame him for not wanting another study. I have a friend who has been on CPAP since 1996, and has never had a follow up. He changes his pressure on his own, without any data, when his wife tells him he is snoring again. His own sleep study was so traumatic that he was home by 11:00 PM!

Take Care,
Cathy

[Wulfman...]

Dear "sleep nazi",

There may be a number of things to consider.

Does he wear a nasal mask? Could he be leaking therapy air out his mouth?

It would probably be less expensive to buy a new data recording machine (Auto or CPAP) from CPAP.COM than to have another sleep study done (depending on deductibles, co-pays, etc.)

AND.....Yes, it's quite possible/probable that his needs have changed over the years. That's why a data recording PAP machine would allow him to tweak his therapy for the optimum benefits.

If his therapy isn't working properly (mouth-leaking or less-than-optimal pressure), that could be some of the reasons for his rise in blood pressure.
If you were to go for the Auto machine, the price difference between that and a straight CPAP would probably pay for itself as opposed to renting one. However, even on a straight CPAP with software and cardreader, he could easily tweak his therapy. Worked for me.

Best wishes,

Den

[Goofproof]

The Equiptment in you profile is confusing, Your machine doesn't give useful data, and the software is for another brand of machine.

What I would do if I were you, (it doesn't sound like he's concerned), is make him a present of a new APAP, get the software and reader, and use the card to monitor his progress. He doesn't need to be bothered with it, you can take care of it for him.

The only problem is getting him to follow you suggestions, but you can get around that. Jim

[HeatherN]

Thanks for advice everyone. This is something I am going to look nto farther.
Jim- I apologize for the confusion about the machine in my profile. It is my eight year old daughter's machine-she is the reason I come here the most. I guess I got confused about the softwear she has.

[nosbig-nosbig]

Was on the hose for about 7 years when I noticed the symptoms returning, got an auto machine and found that I was being treated at around 2 cm higher pressure. That was 4 years ago and I've been back to an acceptable normal ever since. So, in my case the successful treatment pressure changed over the years. When I hit the MediCare age I had another sleep study which confirmed that my optimum treatemt pressure was 2 cm higher than my orignial sleep study indicated.

I think that any time a persons' vital organs aren't getting enough oxygen there is reason to be concerned or even worry!