New and confused. *UPDATED IN NEW THREAD*

[Rockin Mama]

I recently have had a sleep study, and got prescribed a CPAP. I'll give some background, I am 27, 5'4 and slightly overweight, I've been snoring for as long as I can remember, my mom says even starting as early as 3. I realize now after reading a few threads, i got a craptastic machine and im pretty upset, since i didn't get a choice, i went in and she had it set up already for me to use. Im fairly stupid as to what all my findings mean, so forgive me for being a nuisance. Any help would be appreciated.

I ended up with a split study, with findings as such, Total recording time was 161.0 Minutes with a total sleep time of 145.0 Minutes, which revealed a sleep efficiency index of 90.1%. The sleep architecture presented with a stage wake at 9.9%, Stage N1 at 28.3%, Stage N2 at 55.5%, stage N3 at 0.0% and stage REM at 16.2%. Sleep Latency was 11.5 minutes and REM latency was 124.0 minutes.

During the time prior to CPAP the Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) was 112.6 pre hour of sleep with 145 obstructive apnea, 7 central apneas, 0 mixed apneas, and 20 hypopneas. The respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was 113.0 including 3 RERAs. SaO2 levers ranged from 96% down to 40% with a mean of 79%.

After CPAP

Total recording time was 244.0 minutes with a total sleep time of 221 minutes, which revealed a sleep efficiency index of 90.6%. The sleep architecture presented with a stage wake at 9.4%, stage N1 at 9.7%, stage N2 at 46.2%, stage N3 at 1.8% and stage REM at 42.3%. Sleep Latency was 12.0 minutes and REM latency was 117.5 minutes.

After CPAP was started there were a total of 192 respiratory events, 181 obstructive apneas, 0 central apneas, 0 mixed apnea, 10 hypopneas, and 1 RERA's. The longest respiratory event was 71.0 seconds in duration. The resting saturation was 97%, mean saturation was 97% and low saturation was 77%.

Overall Impression

1.Obstructive Sleep Apnea
a. Overall AHI 112.6 events per hour, prior to CPAP
b. Low SaO2 4.%
c. Severe Snoring noted.

2. Resolution of OSA via nasal CPAP at 16cm
a. AHI on 16cm at 1.1 events per hour.
b. snoring resolved at 16cm.

[dsm]

Rockin Mama,
Welcome to cpaptalk. Great place

Seems they got you in time - young but absolutely in need of cpap therapy & the data you have provided puts you amongst the really severe cases BUT the results look quite excellent.

At 16 CMs pressure you will be challenged by mask leaks etc:.

What brand model of machine did they give you ?

DSM

[Rockin Mama]

Rockin Mama,
Welcome to cpaptalk. Great place

Seems they got you in time - young but absolutely in need of cpap therapy & the data you have provided puts you amongst the really severe cases BUT the results look quite excellent.

At 16 CMs pressure you will be challenged by mask leaks etc:.

What brand model of machine did they give you ?

DSM

I have a RESMed S8 Escape II with a h4i Humidifier.

[Slinky]

Hey! That Resmed S8 Elite II w/EPR is NOT a craptastic device!!! Its the best straight CPAP on the market for accessing your data for the night and for the most data for the night via the LCD screen!

Try this before noon tomorrow (these devices have an internal, 24 hour, noon to noon clock): press the Left and Right buttons and hold for 3-4 seconds. Efficacy Data should pop up on the LCD screen. From then on it is just a matter of Left button to Enter, Right button to Exit, Up button to return to the previous screen and Down button to proceed to the next screen. You can't accidentally or intentionally change your therapy settings from this menu option.

IF the Efficacy Data menu DOESN'T pop up on the LCD screen it is because your DME provider didn't turn access to the advanced/detailed patient menu on. (See your Users Manual). Take your Elite II back in to your provider and ask them to turn that access on. If they say they can't then ask your doctor to write a script for access to the advanced/detailed patient menu (access to the Efficacy Data menu).

Whew! You sure had some low 02 desats w/o CPAP. No wonder you felt tired and crappy! It obviously took them a while to get up to the 16 cms pressure needed to get you some decent sleep and decent AI/AHI. It will be interesting to see how you do via the data off the Elite II as you get acclimated to CPAP therapy. Do keep us informed. And keep in mind often we need Patience, Perseverence and a Good Sense of Humor during the acclimation process. May you be one who takes to CPAP therapy in short order!!!

[Slinky]

Ooops! Your profile says the Resmed S8 Elite II w/EPR but now you tell us it is the Escape II. Take it back. Insist on the S8 Elite II w/EPR. YOU are paying for this device, whether thru insurance or out of pocket is no matter. If they want your business they WILL provide you w/the Elite. Be diplomatic but be firm.

Call your insurance company and ask them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one as that will give you more bargaining/negotiating room to get the device you want.

Do this ASAP! Good luck! Now is NOT the time to be a "timid Tess"!

[tattooyu]

...And keep in mind often we need Patience, Perseverence and a Good Sense of Humor during the acclimation process. May you be one who takes to CPAP therapy in short order!!!

Heck, yeah, Slinky! Rockin Mama, I'm in that adjustment period and trying to float through the frustration. I know in the end it will all be worth it.

[Rockin Mama]

Hey! That Resmed S8 Elite II w/EPR is NOT a craptastic device!!! Its the best straight CPAP on the market for accessing your data for the night and for the most data for the night via the LCD screen!

Try this before noon tomorrow (these devices have an internal, 24 hour, noon to noon clock): press the Left and Right buttons and hold for 3-4 seconds. Efficacy Data should pop up on the LCD screen. From then on it is just a matter of Left button to Enter, Right button to Exit, Up button to return to the previous screen and Down button to proceed to the next screen. You can't accidentally or intentionally change your therapy settings from this menu option.

IF the Efficacy Data menu DOESN'T pop up on the LCD screen it is because your DME provider didn't turn access to the advanced/detailed patient menu on. (See your Users Manual). Take your Elite II back in to your provider and ask them to turn that access on. If they say they can't then ask your doctor to write a script for access to the advanced/detailed patient menu (access to the Efficacy Data menu).

Whew! You sure had some low 02 desats w/o CPAP. No wonder you felt tired and crappy! It obviously took them a while to get up to the 16 cms pressure needed to get you some decent sleep and decent AI/AHI. It will be interesting to see how you do via the data off the Elite II as you get acclimated to CPAP therapy. Do keep us informed. And keep in mind often we need Patience, Perseverence and a Good Sense of Humor during the acclimation process. May you be one who takes to CPAP therapy in short order!!!

From what i've read on a few other threads, they say not to get anything with "escape" in the name....And as per your request, I checked and I DO not have access, so I will call tomorrow to see if they will giv eit to me. I have no issues with my CPAP, i actually gasp in the morning when i take it off, since im so used to it.

[Slinky]

Just remember the CORRECT model name. The Elite, which is what you want, IS FULLY DATA CAPABLE. The Escape, which is what you don't want and want to return if that is what you have is NOT fully data capable. It has a data card but that Escape and data card can ONLY provide compliance data which you could give a rat's rear about. It does NOTHING to benefit you or your therapy.

ELITE = YES
Escape = NO, NO, NO!

[Rockin Mama]

Just remember the CORRECT model name. The Elite, which is what you want, IS FULLY DATA CAPABLE. The Escape, which is what you don't want and want to return if that is what you have is NOT fully data capable. It has a data card but that Escape and data card can ONLY provide compliance data which you could give a rat's rear about. It does NOTHING to benefit you or your therapy.

ELITE = YES
Escape = NO, NO, NO!

I wonder how willing they will be to give me a new machine since i've already used the one i've got?

[Follow Up Call]

"I wonder how willing they will be to give me a new machine since i've already used the one i've got?"


They will be very unwilling to get you the more expensive machine when the S8 Escape II works just fine. Why do you need the Elite and not the Escape? The pressure is the same.

[Slinky]

Hey, they quite likely wouldn't have been very willing to provide the Elite instead of the Escape right from the get-go. Its your therapy. You're paying for it. You can do as I suggested, find out if you have other local DME provides to provide you w/some extra leverage and then just be DIPLOMATIC but FIRM. the Escape is NOT satisfactory, YOU are paying for this equipment and YOU want the Elite. YOU are the one who has to sleep w/this device for the next 5 years at a minimum. Your choice. Meekly accept what they pawned off on you - it is capable of providing good therapy, just not the data to help w/any problems you might encounter. Or you can insist upon a fully data capable Elite which CAN help to pin point the cause of any problems you may encounter. your call. Your call. "Timid Tess" or "Firm Faye"

[roster]

........ Your call. "Timid Tess" or "Firm Faye"

How 'bout Rock'n Sock'n Mama?

Typically the insurance company will rent the machine for some days until it is determined the patient is going to be in compliance with machine use. Hit the supplier before the insurance company buys the machine.

Good luck,

[Slinky]

BECAUSE FollowUpCall, Rockin'Momma and her insurance are paying top dollar for a CPAP that can NOT provide one single clue to any problems she will most likely encounter whilst acclimating to CPAP therapy - such as the Leak rate.
BECAUSE, FollowUpCall, most likely once she has her equipment she won't hear a thing from her DME provider or her sleep doctor to even inquire how she is doing or if she is having any problems for at least 3 months.
BECAUSE, FollowUpCall, being able to see and access that data and having some input into how she is doing besides just how she is feeling each morning is INCENTIVE to continue w/CPAP therapy no matter how tough things may be at first.
BECAUSE, FollowUpCall, the odds are good that she is pretty much gonna be on her own except for what she can learn in this forum.
BECAUSE, FollowUpCall, given the little bit of information and the bare bone CPAP she has been provided with all indications are she is NOT going to receive the follow up, education, advice, support that she and her insurance is paying that DME supplier for.

You can do this, Rockin'Momma. Don't short change yourself so early in the process! Go for it!

[SleepyRoseUnplugged]

Hi Rockin Mama, long story short here..I got a non-data machine before I even knew what data was. Read here on the forum, went to my sleep Doc armed with all my new info, asked for the Data Capable Remstar Pro , he said my insurance wouldnt cover it because there was no medical reason to have it, he said "buy your own" and left the room.

Being the wimp I am, I bought my own. I love it.

PS I then got the software to go with.
(I hope this goes through, my computer is in for repairs and this is my son in laws POS.

This is Sleepy Rose

[tmbarber4]

BECAUSE FollowUpCall, Rockin'Momma and her insurance are paying top dollar for a CPAP that can NOT provide one single clue to any problems she will most likely encounter whilst acclimating to CPAP therapy - such as the Leak rate.
BECAUSE, FollowUpCall, most likely once she has her equipment she won't hear a thing from her DME provider or her sleep doctor to even inquire how she is doing or if she is having any problems for at least 3 months.
BECAUSE, FollowUpCall, being able to see and access that data and having some input into how she is doing besides just how she is feeling each morning is INCENTIVE to continue w/CPAP therapy no matter how tough things may be at first.
BECAUSE, FollowUpCall, the odds are good that she is pretty much gonna be on her own except for what she can learn in this forum.
BECAUSE, FollowUpCall, given the little bit of information and the bare bone CPAP she has been provided with all indications are she is NOT going to receive the follow up, education, advice, support that she and her insurance is paying that DME supplier for.

You can do this, Rockin'Momma. Don't short change yourself so early in the process! Go for it!

I agree, Listen to Slinky She is right and you are paying, even if your Ins pays, you pay for that