New CPAP user with questions

[Tired in Tampa]

Hi, I got my CPAP about 10 days ago. I've had two sleep studies. On the first study a few months ago, they turned the CPAP up to 20cm and I couldn't exhale. The second study, I was so anxious I couldn't fall asleep. The doc prescibed an autopap but the home health care agency said my insurance wouldn't cover it so I ended up with a Remstar CPAP with a CFLEX setting of 3). I've tried cm's of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. At 14 I seem to get some relief.

I've read some of the posts and they are talking about all types of readings and diagnostics from the equipment. I only think whether I seem to sleep better (or worse) and feel less tired or more tired. I'ts very subjective since I never seem to feel energetic anymore.

I'm thinking 14 cm is helping but don't know how to quantitatively measure my results. My home health care agency (PSA) provides little advise or help. I also use breathe-right nasal strips to help me breath better.

I'm also taking Ambien but am concerned that it might be adversely affecting my apnea.

Any advise on how to adjust to using the CPAP and how to tell if it's working or how to read its diagnostics would be much appreciated.

Should I fight the insurance company or home health care agency to get an autopap to get more accurate titration results?

Thank you for your advice
Tired in Tampa

[momexp5]

Hi, I got my CPAP about 10 days ago. I've had two sleep studies. On the first study a few months ago, they turned the CPAP up to 20cm and I couldn't exhale. The second study, I was so anxious I couldn't fall asleep. The doc prescibed an autopap but the home health care agency said my insurance wouldn't cover it so I ended up with a Remstar CPAP with a CFLEX setting of 3). I've tried cm's of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. At 14 I seem to get some relief.

Okay, so that's good...

I've read some of the posts and they are talking about all types of readings and diagnostics from the equipment. I only think whether I seem to sleep better (or worse) and feel less tired or more tired. I'ts very subjective since I never seem to feel energetic anymore.

Give it time - you've spent your 10 days with CPAP, getting a working pressure. That's *good*.

I'm thinking 14 cm is helping but don't know how to quantitatively measure my results.

I don't think you can - it's a qualitative judgment, especially without the APAP. Even with APAP, your judgment trumps numbers.

My home health care agency (PSA) provides little advise or help. I also use breathe-right nasal strips to help me breath better.

Do you have a deviated septum or something? I used to use nasal strips, pretty much stopped after my septoplasty (unless I was congested), and have ditched them since I got the CPAP.

I'm also taking Ambien but am concerned that it might be adversely affecting my apnea.

Probably not, but I'm not a doctor.

The rest, I'll leave to the others I'm almost a newbie myself.

[chrisp]

Sounds like you've got an EVIL DME . The insurance doesn't care what cpap you have. They pay the same. More like your EVIL DME saw a reduction in his profit so he told you that line that we've heard many times. Go to cpap.com and see what YOU can get with YOUR $ . Start saving. 20 is awefully high to be stuck with all night every night. Check out the Remstar auto w/c - flex.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... ifier.html

If you can't afford it all at once get the cpap & mask now, humidifier later. You deserve it.

Call your insurance company and hear it for yourself. Don't trust these EVIL DMEs. EVIL until proven good is the way to protect yourself IMHO.

We have a saying in flying when working around propellers. "Theres snakes in there. " Works for DMEs also.

Chris

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