APAP Therapy: How to get it!!!

[Sleep4aHealthyLife]

I currently work at a medical equipment provider in CA and have a little insight for those of you in search of APAP therapy. Many DME companies do not like to (and sometimes refuse to) give out APAP machines for home therapy because of the cost difference between standard CPAP. They will often say many things to the primary care physicians, sometimes even things that are simply not true, in order to avoid the setup.

This argument will not work on a Sleep Doctor because they know their stuff, without the DME company's input. As a recommendation, I would definitely mention any and all discomfort with the static (fixed) CPAP pressure and any intolerance, even if it is slight. NOTE: If you are "intolerant" to your CPAP machine, the Sleep Physician will resort to 1 of 2 types of action: (1) Order an APAP (desired result in this case) or (2) Order a BiPAP study (or AutoBiPAP machine) to treat your apnea. Either course of action will typically be decided during the office visit w/ your input considered. This line of conversation is something that these Sleep Physicians deal with on a daily basis and should not be a point of contention. Likewise, the DME provider is required by law to fill the Physician prescription according to his specifications. Basically, it just has to say "APAP" on it.

On a side note, I am personally on a Respironics APAP w/ A-Flex (Model# DS-510) and absolutely love it. I have used CPAP, BiPAP, ResMed and Respironics APAP and nothing compares to my Respironics APAP w/ A-Flex. The Flex feature is extremely nice on this unit, since ResMed's EPR comparable technology does not work when the AutoSet Vantage is in "Auto" mode.

Anyway, I hope this post helps you in your quest for APAP therapy. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

[alexcue]

Just wanted to add tho that the ResMed Autoset II will work with EPR in Auto mode and has pretty much replaced the Vantage.

I've used both brands M Series Auto w/Aflex and the ResMed Autoset II. My personal preference is the Autoset II because it is quieter and actually has a smoother breath program in my opinion. the other bug on my M Series Auto was annoying high frequency whine it would develop on occasion.

[fuzzy96]

when i got my pcp to give me a new script for an auto she worded it " data recording apap w/relief 4-20cm-note intolerant to std cpap."

appearantly the key word being "intolerant" as there was absolutely no prob getting it