Using CPAP for almost 5 years, not doing well lately....

[bergerj]

I've been using CPAP for almost 5 years but have not been doing well for about a month now. Trying to find the reason....just took my machine in to check the pressure and they notice my average compliance hours per night is 1.7??? Seems crazy low...

I have a Fisher & Paykel model SleepStyle 600. Is there a way to reset the daily average so I can see what is going on? The machine is showing 3337 hours of use which also seems low for having the machine for about 4.5 years 7 * 365 ^ 4.5 = 11497 (maybe the machine only has 4 digits for # hours?).

Tech person where I bought it has no idea...she thought the 1.7 meant number of hours I used it last night? But I think it is the average...both aren't very good if this is true?

Any suggestions?

First post on this forum...I'm a newbie....

[roster]

5 years. What are the chances of getting a new sleep study and a new machine with efficacy data?

[bergerj]

I think that might be my next step - new study once I find another sleep doctor. I'm also working with a dentist to try an oral appliance - Silencer. So far I haven't had much luck. Tried a few nights with a few setting and it didn't stop my apnea. When I tried to move the device to the next setting I couldn't get it to fit so my dentist sent it to the lab...tried again and still couldn't get is on. Dentist took another impression, waiting another week to try again....

[roster]

Are you aware that most of us prefer machines with software that allows us to monitor our breathing?

[cpapper]

Welcome. You have come to the right place to learn and get help. Click on the yellow light bulb at the top of the screen and read the helpful information. Ask questions and usually someone will have an answer or suggestions for you. I am fortunate to have found this forum at the beginning of my OSA treatment...I don't think I would have done as well as I have without the information people here have shared. I'll leave it to the more "advanced" members to give you advice.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi--I agree with Rooster. Every Five years one needs re-tested and insurance should/will pay for a new upgraded machine. I love my data capable machine so I can see my data every morning. How can you tell how your therapy is going unless you have some numbers to go by? Since you are not feeling well, chances are things are not going well. I would defintely get a new sleep study done. You do not have to go to some specialist for that either. My family doctor ordered my sleep study for me--it is much easier to get in with your primary care Dr. than some specialist---

Hope this helps,
Carrie

[Patrick A]

I noticed you are in Canada. I don't know about the laws in Canada.
In October I had a machine quit on me (still haven't got it fixed) any way.My doctor sent in a request for a new machine. The DME demanded a new study. Anyway to make a long story short I went in for a new sleep study. I got a new Bipap Medicare and my secondary insurance paid for it in full. I would say go to your doctor ask for a referral for a new sleep study.JMHO

[bergerj]

Thanks all for the advice...I've asked my Doctor for a referral. He mentioned that he can only referr me to a sleep lab not a doctor directly which seems strange?

I also got my machine Fisher&Paykel hooked up to some software and got the following information:

- 188 days used (sounds like it doesn't keep data for more then 6 months)
- Pressure 9
- Compliance Hours 1286.2
- CPAP not used 4 days (was trying my dental device)
- Average Compliance 6.7 hours
- CPAP Usage 97%

Hours of usage per night seems to be about 6.3 hours. Not sure what you need per night to feel better. I guess maybe my pressure needs to be higher...

I'll be much happier with a machine and gives me more info about my pressure, leaks etc...

P.S. I'm still trying a dental device...I tried it for a couple of nights, my wife heard me snoring, then I moved it to the next slot but that didn't help. Tried for the next slot and I couldn't get it in my mouth. Went to the dentist and they took another mould...waiting to get it back...

[Mtnviewer]

Haver you checked your sleeping position in relation to your snoring and or apneas? Having your wife watch you sleep, or using a web cam, surveillance cam or low light video camera, you could video tape your 6+ hours in bed over several nights and try to figure out what is going on?

If you are snoring, my guess is that you are rolling onto your back, partially or completely, or possibly even your head is. This supine position is where we often have the most apneas and snores etc., or at least I certainly do.

It could be that your present pressure or pressure range, is not enough to deal with more apneas if the apneas are caused by your sleeping position. Therefore you end up feeling tired despite being on CPAP. You could try increasing your pressure or pressure range, or try to figure out why you are having more apneas, if you are. I say IF because you didn't mention if your apneas and AH index had increased or not. Does your machine or software tell you if you had apneas and how many and what type?

There have been other threads like yours recently, so you may want to search them out for other suggestions.

BTW, I use an oral appliance, tried it for a couple of years before CPAP, and I found it ineffective overall, ESPECIALLY when sleeping in a supine position. That was my discovery and only recently, not the sleep docs nor the orthodontist's, the latter whom only wanted to keep cranking the jaw advancement forward more and more, thus screwing up my bite and not affecting my fatigue. I fired him. I still use the oral device, but only to keep my jaw closed, as if my jaw drops, then that too increases OSA for me. Personally, it sounds to me like your sleeping position is causing you to have more OSA events and if like me, only a few more are enough to affect me.

[bergerj]

I'm back...had a sleep study and things look better from a numbers point of view:

- lost about 15 pounds (off wheat, diary, red meat, yeast)
- sleep study shows 11 apnea's an hour
- feeling better overall but still having ups and downs
- switched to a res med nasal pillow mask which seems much better
- starting to dream which I haven't done in a long time

I'm do for a new machine almost and I spoke to the doctor. He indicated there hasn't been much advance in machines???? Not sure why he would say that? I'm think of getting high-end machine to see if my mask leaks, if I'm still having any apnea's at night and to go with variable pressure...

What do people think? Waste of money? I'm hoping this might help me identify what is still not good...

[Nord]

I'm back...had a sleep study and things look better from a numbers point of view:

- lost about 15 pounds (off wheat, diary, red meat, yeast)
- sleep study shows 11 apnea's an hour
- feeling better overall but still having ups and downs
- switched to a res med nasal pillow mask which seems much better
- starting to dream which I haven't done in a long time

I'm do for a new machine almost and I spoke to the doctor. He indicated there hasn't been much advance in machines???? Not sure why he would say that? I'm think of getting high-end machine to see if my mask leaks, if I'm still having any apnea's at night and to go with variable pressure...

What do people think? Waste of money? I'm hoping this might help me identify what is still not good...

After 5 years you qualify for a new machine with some conditions according to OHIP.
There are many DME's that can offer machines in your area but most want to maximize profits.
If you are interested in a high end data capable machine, they are available a basic price...
I have no connection other than its who I used.
Let me know...

Nord