APAP, is the investment worth it long term?

Ashkat · Post by **Ashkat** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:00 pm

I'm very committed to making XPAP therapy work for me. I've felt better in the past few weeks than I have in years!

One of the things I hear on this forum quite a bit is the concept of investing in an APAP machine in order to be able to better adjust therapy over time without resorting to a sleep study every time you lose weight, have a lifestyle change, etc.

The machine I have now is great. It's data capable, I know how to alter the settings if I need to, and my RT is very good about giving me all the suppport I need. Is it worth it to invest in an APAP early on so I can better adjust my therapy? Or is it enough just to track things on the CPAP machine and make adjustments as I go?

I know I need to invest in a card reader and software of my own, so I don't have to have the RT print out everything for me. I'm just pondering also investing in the APAP.

What do you all think?

~Ashkat

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:07 pm

I think that there isn't one answer since we're all different. I don't sleep well enough in the sleep lab to get a really good study so I wanted an APAP for exactly the reasons you mention ... if things change. I also happen to like the AFlex. However, if you're comfortable with a straight CPAP, it's fully data capable and you're satisfied with your therapy, IMHO there may not be a big rush to change. Next time you need a new machine I suspect it would be worthwhile to consider since an APAP can be run like a CPAP but not vice versa and the prices are not that different (at least on CPAP.COM).

Mindy

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:03 pm

Filling your profile would help. If you have a data useful machine, the software and reader need to be the #1 concern.

APAP's are nice , as retro fit kits aren't on the market or planned, it's all about options. It pays to have backups in place. but you need the data. Jim

Ashkat · Post by **Ashkat** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:07 pm

I could have sworn I filled out the profile when I first signed up...

Oh well, I just completed the info again. Should show up now

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:37 pm

I agree with mindy: if you're comfortable with the fixed pressure, there's no rush to buy an APAP.

In the long run (whatever that is...) there will be smarter, cheaper machines - so as long as your machine is data capable, and you're doing well, theres no rush.

And its quite possible to make changes in your own pressure (self titrate) on a fixed pressure machine.

O.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:51 pm

IF you're using a data-capable CPAP machine and monitoring your therapy.....and IF you're doing well with it.......my answer is "No".......an APAP won't give you any better treatment.

Another "IF" is that at sometime in the future, you want to get a backup machine and you have the extra money......then you might consider one.

I don't regret having my APAPs, but they're ALL set to single pressure like my Pro 2.

Den

Ashkat · Post by **Ashkat** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:30 pm

See, that's what I'm thinking Wulfman, that it'd be a great to have a back-up "just in case".

Probably I'll end up buying one in the long run. But not for at least a year or so. I want to wait until I can defer money into my health savings account to cover the cost.

I'm also looking into getting a battery pack so I can take this dog and pony show on the road.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:34 pm

In a word: YES!

Kajun