Help needed after open heart surgery

[BigFred]

I have been a cpap user for nearly 20 years with fairly good results; however, I had open heart surgery (aorta and valve replacement) in July. The doctors say I am doing very well and just need to continue recovery. Unfortunately I haven't been able to sleep more than a hour or two at the time since the surgery. Sleep problems are a know side effect of this surgery and are supposed to go away "after a while." However, I now find that I am having to do the bathroom break every time I wake, just as I did prior to cpap treatment. None of the doctors seem to have an answer and I haven't tried to find a new sleep doctor (my last tests were 8 years ago.)

A technician at the hospital dropped and broke my 8 year old Remstar machine and I now have a PR System One Auto. After reading about complex apneas on the forum, I have tried the A-Flex mode and it does seem to help some; however, I seem to be unable to find an effective combination of parameters to solve the problem.

I would certainly appreciate any suggestions or help..

Fred.

[BlackSpinner]

You should probably insist on a new sleep study - much has happen to your body in the last few years. You need a data capable machine and to see your data daily for your own health sake.

[GumbyCT]

I have been a cpap user for nearly 20 years with fairly good results; however, I had open heart surgery (aorta and valve replacement) in July. The doctors say I am doing very well and just need to continue recovery. Unfortunately I haven't been able to sleep more than a hour or two at the time since the surgery. Sleep problems are a know side effect of this surgery and are supposed to go away "after a while." However, I now find that I am having to do the bathroom break every time I wake, just as I did prior to cpap treatment. None of the doctors seem to have an answer and I haven't tried to find a new sleep doctor (my last tests were 8 years ago.)

A technician at the hospital dropped and broke my 8 year old Remstar machine and I now have a PR System One Auto. After reading about complex apneas on the forum, I have tried the A-Flex mode and it does seem to help some; however, I seem to be unable to find an effective combination of parameters to solve the problem.

I would certainly appreciate any suggestions or help..

Fred.

Fred, the first suggestion I would make is to get the software and learn to use it. You first have to read the model written on top of your machine then post it "exactly as written" - to see if it supplies the enhanced data you will need.

YOU need to understand what is going on in your sleep for your own good.

[BigFred]

I appreciate the replies that have been posted to date. I have listed my equipment; however, I don't have access to software for the machine and my Apria tech says she doesn't either! The summary on the screen of the machine indicates 7 day and 30 day summaries of AHI of 2.9. I don't have easy access to a sleep doctor (I live in a small town) but will explore the options with my GP.

Thanks, Fred.

[cflame1]

Try this one...

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... chine.html

[Janknitz]

Fred,

A new sleep study is definitely in order--with the intervening years and the fact that you have had heart surgery, your SA may have changed dramatically. So make an appointment MONDAY.

CFlame has provided the link to Encore Viewer 2.0 software you need to see the data your very capable machine collects. While waiting for new sleep study and titration results, which may take some time, you can do some "auto-titrating" to determine where your pressure needs are--that's one of the beauties of your machine.

I have a tutorial on the data your machine will provide that can help you understand what you will see and how it might be useful here http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/2010/0 ... -tutorial/. The tutorial doesn't explain how to do an auto-titration, but we can help with that after you've gotten the software and start to understand what it all means.

[DoriC]

Also,If you've had some weight loss due to the surgery, you might need a new mask and pressure settings especially with a new machine ? Lucky for you she dropped it and you now have top of the line equipment! I think you should put a sleep study at the top of your list of things to do. Good luck and keep us posted.

[BigFred]

Again, thank you for the feedback.. Good news/Bad news: I have "apparently" discovered a combination of settings which solve the original problem; however, the machine "died" last night. I was almost at 4 hours when it quit the first time. I unplugged it and restarted which lasted about an hour before stopping again. I did it once more and got to nearly 5 am before giving up.

I have a call in for a replacement! The Apria tech will try to get me one today.. However, the A-Flex mode (3) with a reduction in max pressure (as well as narrowing the range between min and max) and turning off split night seems to work just fine.

As a couple have mentioned, I have had significant changes since the last sleep study.. Specifically, I have lost over 20 pounds since the surgery and nearly 40 pounds since the last sleep study.. On the other hand, the new machine would appear to work its magic anyway..

I will continue the process and get back when I know more.

Fred.