APAP vs CPAP

[katnapper]

I'm sure that this has probably been discussed at length elsewhere, but as I'm short on time I decided to just post the question. You all seem so helpful....

Anyway, I have the M-series Pro w/ C-flex. I have the C-flex at 3 and have tried it at the other settings without any problems.


With the exception of the first minute after lying down, I have zero problem breathing with the machine or vice versa. Within a minute, I'm pulling at the mask to make sure there's still air coming out of it. I know it sounds silly. Anyway, I have the ramp feature and I can never tell when I've reached my peak setting of 12 cms. For the first couple of weeks, I kept checking the screen several times to make sure it was doing what it was supposed to.

So, My question is this, I keep reading people raving about the AutoPAPs and having knock down drag outs with insurance and DMEs to get them. Am I missing something? Should I be beating up my DME to get a different machine? Or am I just one of those really lucky people that adjusts almost seamlessly into the world of CPAP?

Thanks for any and all replies.

Kat

[snoregirl]

If you are happy with your machine and it works for you then you are fine.

Some of us have things we prefer about apap.

Ability to run at lower pressure much of the night.
For me that reduces mask leaks, and increases general comfort

Ability to check our titration and avoid costly sleep studies.

For some it reduces the amount of air swallowed.

And other things.

But if you are happy, stick with what you have.

[Wulfman...]

I'm sure that this has probably been discussed at length elsewhere, but as I'm short on time I decided to just post the question. You all seem so helpful....

Anyway, I have the M-series Pro w/ C-flex. I have the C-flex at 3 and have tried it at the other settings without any problems.


With the exception of the first minute after lying down, I have zero problem breathing with the machine or vice versa. Within a minute, I'm pulling at the mask to make sure there's still air coming out of it. I know it sounds silly. Anyway, I have the ramp feature and I can never tell when I've reached my peak setting of 12 cms. For the first couple of weeks, I kept checking the screen several times to make sure it was doing what it was supposed to.

So, My question is this, I keep reading people raving about the AutoPAPs and having knock down drag outs with insurance and DMEs to get them. Am I missing something? Should I be beating up my DME to get a different machine? Or am I just one of those really lucky people that adjusts almost seamlessly into the world of CPAP?

Thanks for any and all replies.

Kat

Kat,

No, you're not missing anything. You have a machine that records your nightly details.
I started out in May of 2005 with a REMstar Pro 2 (single-pressure CPAP with full data recording) and for a year, wondered what all this "hoopla" was all about with the Autos.....so, I bought one.....and then another......but with the exception of one week (last year) to verify that I had my pressure set right.....have only used them in single-pressure mode. To me, the pressure changing disturbes my sleep and the machine in Auto mode couldn't stop as many of my events as single-pressure. I used a range of 10 - 15 and decided that a straight pressure of 12 keeps my average AHI under 1.0 and my snoring lower. (actually....10, 11 or 12 produce the same AHI, but 12 keeps my snoring numbers down) With a range of pressures, my AHI was OVER 1.0.

Some people can use the Auto features and get better results.....and some can't. I think having data recording and the software to monitor your therapy is more important than going through all the hassle with the insurance and DMEs to get an Auto. At some point, a "spare/backup" machine may be necessary or certainly desireable.....so, if a person really wants to get an Auto, that would be a good time to get one (IF you didn't get one initially).

Have you tried it without Ramp? Many of us either initially didn't use or gave up using Ramp after a short time. If a person is at high pressure (over 15 or 16), Ramp can help, but most of us under those pressures like to get the "full effect" of the air right away.

Sounds like you're making good progress.

Good luck.

Den

[drummergirl410]

It sound like you are doing just fine with your existing equipment. If it's comfortable for you, no reason to change unless you prefer to. I had aerophalgia issues with straight CPAP only after a short time, however, I had been switched from an auto to straight CPAP after two weeks. It sounds like you've had your machine for a long time and you're used to it. An auto might be a god choice though if you ever look into buying a back-up machine.

[tomjax]

Occasionally a person will get a proper tirtated setting and they will respond positively to cpap.

All is well with this small group.
For oters, they continue to have symptoms and not know if they are being properly treated.
This is whene an APA is helpful. You know your sleep details and have lots of very valuable data.

CPAP in people who are still sleepy and tired is like a person with diabetes trying to understand and treat their condition without a glucose monitor.

It is pure guess work.
APAP takes the guesswork out.

[rested gal]

So, My question is this, I keep reading people raving about the AutoPAPs and having knock down drag outs with insurance and DMEs to get them. Am I missing something? Should I be beating up my DME to get a different machine? Or am I just one of those really lucky people that adjusts almost seamlessly into the world of CPAP?

Thanks for any and all replies.

Kat

Nope, not missing a thing if you're getting good treatment with your cpap machine, and it sounds like you are. There's no reason for you to get an autopap unless you just wanted another kind of machine.

[Wulfman...]

Occasionally a person will get a proper tirtated setting and they will respond positively to cpap.

All is well with this small group.
For oters, they continue to have symptoms and not know if they are being properly treated.
This is whene an APA is helpful. You know your sleep details and have lots of very valuable data.

CPAP in people who are still sleepy and tired is like a person with diabetes trying to understand and treat their condition without a glucose monitor.

It is pure guess work.
APAP takes the guesswork out.

Not unless a person has the software to see what's in the data.
There are both CPAPs and APAPs that have data recording capabilities, but without software, it's still "a shot in the dark" with either.

Den

[Wulfman...]

However.....those with the "recording" M Series machines and the Elite and Vantage machines have an advantage in that they can see SOME of the data in the LCD screens.

Den

[tangents]

[quote="tomjax"]

CPAP in people who are still sleepy and tired is like a person with diabetes trying to understand and treat their condition without a glucose monitor.

It is pure guess work.
APAP takes the guesswork out.

quote]

That's why I got my APAP + software, because I was still so tired after 2 months of faithful CPAP usage. Turns out everything was fine with my pressure setting, but I bought myself peace of mind knowing that. I must be a slow recoverer, because 5 month into it, I still need more than 8 hours a night to feel rested!

Good luck, and I hope your CPAP journey continues to be smooth!

Cathy

[NarcoApneac]

I must be a slow recoverer, because 5 month into it, I still need more than 8 hours a night to feel rested!

Maybe there is nothing slow about your recovery at all, and you just need more than 8 hours a night to feel rested.

[Catnapper]

Hi katnapper,

Love that name!

I started with straight CPAP, changed to an auto-pap, changed to a different manufacturer, and finally to an auto-bi-pap. Every move was better, and I didn't know until I tried it.

If you are happy and don't care to mess with success, stick to what you have. If you are curious to see which is better, give it a try. It is your health. For me, I like the comfort of the lower pressures most of the time. My 90% is always about 2 or 3 cms below my titrated pressure. I am a light sleeper and everything wakes me, so I like to notice as little of the therapy as possible.

Good luck.

Catnapper - Joanie