some newbie questions

[sleepymama]

ok since i have to wait till friday to see the sleep study doctor and to get the prescription, what kinds of things should i make sure are on the script? i don't want to get to the dealer that has the equipment to then find out it wasn't written in the script. i'm in ontario canada if that makes a difference. i know OHIP covers part of machine and i know my work insurance covers cpap but not sure of the cost, or maximum.

i'm also wondering what machines everyone uses and masks etc. i don't know the first thing about these except that my mom has one and it's noisy as heck. i'm worried about being claustrophobic. so overwhelmed. i appreciate any suggestions or advice you can give a new member. i like this group cause it's active. i joined a few others and there isn't much of a response so i'm feeling very helpless.

thanks again

[Sandra]

Hi again. OHIP covers a flat maximum rate of $780., I believe it is. The difference my insurance will cover 80%.
There is a lot of talk about autoPAP machines being the way to go, but in my case my sleep apnea wasn't severe enough to qualify, that is, for the doctor to prescribe it and supply all the evidence that it's medically necessary for me, for the insurance company to be willing to pay.
I got a ResMed S9 and so far am happy with it. It's very quiet, I barely notice it.
The big thing that was advised, and I appreciate, is getting a full data capable machine. Something that saves data related to your CPAP use - any apnea events, mask leaks, etc. etc. Needs to be full data, not just compliance data. I like this feature and part of my morning routine is looking at my data with my first morning coffee. I can't make sense of all of it yet, but folks here are good for helping when there is a question.
The 2 of that type that were available to me were the ResMed S9, and Respironics RemStar Pro with Cflex. It was almost a coin toss between them, they have a lot of the same features and both are popular.
I'm playing around with nasal pillow masks right now, Swift LT for her and FX. When I get back from my trip I think I want to give nasal masks a whirl too.
Clausterphobic, a lot of folks can share here about that. When I start to get that feeling (and it is very rare), I "will" it away. Mind over matter. And keep in mind it doesn't take long to get used to the pressure, and there are so many mask choices out there, one should be able to make you feel comfortable.

[roster]

ok since i have to wait till friday to see the sleep study doctor

Welcome.

Things To Ask About Your Polysomnogram (PSG) and Titration Study

1. Did I have any central apneas? How many?

2. Were there any comorbidities? What were they?

3. Did I breathe or leak through my mouth? How often? What do you recommend to prevent it?

3. Did I exhibit Positional Sleep Apnea (PSA)? Was my apnea more severe in one sleeping position as compared to others? Is my pressure requirement higher in one position as compared to others? (Often sleep apnea is more severe when sleeping on the back.)

4. Is there anything else unusual about the results?

5. How will I know my therapy is preventing apneas?

6. I am determined to own a data-capable machine and software to monitor apneas, hypopneas and mask leak. This will allow me to call your office with specific questions if I have problems with the therapy. Will you help me with the appropriate prescription?

In addition to the questions:

1. Get a copy of your PSG. It is your legal right to have one.

2. Get a copy of your CPAP prescription.

3. Make sure the prescription calls for a humidifier with the machine.

by cpaptalk member Rooster wiki/index.php/Sleep_study

[jdm2857]

i don't know the first thing about these except that my mom has one and it's noisy as heck.

You'll find that the latest machines are much quieter than ones made even a few years ago.

[topdragster]

Sleepymama welcome aboard from the other end of the country. Both manufacturers are good, Resmed and Resperonics. I have a Resperonics S9 auto and must say it is so quiet. I like its features and the fact that I can take control of my own therapy. You will find everything you need to analyze the data right here (hint, hint). It may take you a bit to get used to cpap therapy but you will notice a difference for sure. As previously mentioned you definitely want a data capable machine for sure. Good luck with your choices and glad you found this site.

[sleepymama]

thank you so much everyone for your responses. there is so much info on this site i have spent the last few hrs reading over it all.

it's unclear to me what the diff. is between a cpap, a cpap auto, an apap, bilevel etc etc. the sleep dr did mention a machine that was capable of being smart enough to detect differences in inhalation and when your exhaling.

never would have known i need a data capable machine. is there a reason why? i didn't know you could monitor that kind of stuff from your home.

[jdm2857]

Just to be clear, ResMed makes the S9 machines.

Respironics (aka Philips Respironics) makes the System One RemStar machines.

[roster]

never would have known i need a data capable machine. is there a reason why? i didn't know you could monitor that kind of stuff from your home.

Would you like to know if the CPAP is preventing apneas, hypopneas and snoring?
Would you like to know if you are still having apneas and hypopneas and still snoring despite using CPAP?
Would you like to know if your mask has excess leak which invalidates the therapy?

If you answer to all of those is, "No", then you don't need a data-capable machine.

[sleepymama]

i see your point.

[topdragster]

Just to be clear, ResMed makes the S9 machines.

Respironics (aka Philips Respironics) makes the System One RemStar machines.

Oh my bad jdm. Thanks for correcting me. I do have a resmed S9 auto lol. jeesh too many beers after work and the willingness to help the new friends. Sorry sleepymama my mistake.
But really about the data capable I think if you are here wanting to know more about apnea and its effects on the body you WILL want a data capable so you can monitor your own therapy. imho

[ZQuest]

thank you so much everyone for your responses. there is so much info on this site i have spent the last few hrs reading over it all.

it's unclear to me what the diff. is between a cpap, a cpap auto, an apap, bilevel etc etc. the sleep dr did mention a machine that was capable of being smart enough to detect differences in inhalation and when your exhaling.

never would have known i need a data capable machine. is there a reason why? i didn't know you could monitor that kind of stuff from your home.

Hello: Sleepymama and Welcome to the forum



May i suggest that you Click on the (light bulb) icon at the top of the page it with give you some insight towards some of your questions..I also agree with ROOSTER he has some excellent advice..



Phil

[cflame1]

thank you so much everyone for your responses. there is so much info on this site i have spent the last few hrs reading over it all.

it's unclear to me what the diff. is between a cpap, a cpap auto, an apap, bilevel etc etc. the sleep dr did mention a machine that was capable of being smart enough to detect differences in inhalation and when your exhaling.

never would have known i need a data capable machine. is there a reason why? i didn't know you could monitor that kind of stuff from your home.

A CPAP is a single pressure machine for both inhale and exhale. It can come with some kind of pressure relief on exhale which varies by company.

A CPAP Auto is the same as an APAP (or Autopap). It can vary it's pressures within a preset range. It also can be set to a single pressure. It can come with some kind of pressure relief on exhale which varies by company.

A Bilevel (which goes by either VPAP (Resmed) or BiPAP (Respironics)) can have different pressures for inhale and exhale. It also can come with some kind of pressure relief on exhale which varies by company.

An Auto Bilevel (similar to a straight bilevel for names) can vary it's pressures within a range for inhale and exhale. It can come with some kind of pressure relief on exhale which varies by company.

[sleepymama]

the machines all seem similar esp. the ones that vary pressures.

does anyone know what machine OHIP will cover? or does it work on a fee, so they cover a maximum of say $800 whichever machine u get. are all the necessities covered? hoses, humidifiers, masks? or is that extra?

[Sandra]

I was informed that OHIP will only cover at all for a machine you are prescribed. To be prescribed an autoPAP for example, it must be prescribed by the doctor and to qualify for the prescipt you must show in your sleep study report that you had an average of 10 apnea events or more. Same rule applies with my supplemental insurance. Seems silly to me though why we can't be covered for the standard amount and we choose to pay the difference if we want.

[Sandra]

Add on: if you are interested in a specific type of machine other than CPAP, let your technician or specialist's office know just ahead of your titration so they can keep that in mind. My script was filled out and ready before they woke me up.
Btw my ahi rate was 9. I was disappointed at first to not qualify for an autoPAP but am happy with my S9 CPAP in the end.