CPAP for Hypopnea

[Noddinggal]

Just returned from the doctor. He is requesting a more detailed report for the DME where my data gets uploaded. All they have been sending him is a report that says how many hours and how many days I used the CPAP just for compliance purposes. It does not include the AHI. So he said he would call them and now they just called me and had me go to the machine and turn on the EPR. The DME never turned it on. Idiots. They are the worst. They have been a nightmare from Day 1. Ugh.

Well he said since my AHI on the report was mild, I could probably treat the apnea by losing weight and possibly using an oral device. But before we change anything, he wants to see what the AHI is on the machine. I'm wondering what the difference is what it says if I'm feeling awful when I use the machine but I'll give it another couple of weeks to see what he comes up with. Even if the AHI is good on the machine and I feel like I'm dragging myself through the days, I don't see the purpose of continuing. It's all so confusing.

Thank you all for the info. I was able to go in and talk to the doctor more educated on these topics.

Karen

[Noddinggal]

I just thought of something. I did not know what EPR was so I looked it up. I see it is supposed to help the person breathe easier. Could THIS be the problem all along? Should this have been turned ON? If so, this is not the first setting that the DME will have screwed up on.

[Pugsy]

But before we change anything, he wants to see what the AHI is on the machine. I'm wondering what the difference is what it says if I'm feeling awful when I use the machine but I'll give it another couple of weeks to see what he comes up with.

If you have the S9 Escape it will be really interesting to see what the AHI is since the S9 Escape only gathers the hours of use. There is no AHI data available.

[SleepingUgly]

Should this have been turned on? Not necessarily. If you have trouble exhaling against the pressure, then it's a consideration. I forgot what your pressures were, and I'm rushing, but I would not consider this a screw up. Also, the DME doesn't turn on EPR without the MD telling them to.

[Noddinggal]

My pressure is set to 10. The EPR is now turned on but the level is still set to OFF so I have no clue what the doctor and the DME are hoping to accomplish. I guess I'll find out at some point. It's easy for me to blame the DME due to their incompetency thus far. They made a couple of errors so far and then lied about them so if I am quick to distrust them I suppose that's the reason.

Thanks again for your input.

Karen

[SleepingUgly]

Research machines. You are in a good position to request one with efficacy data, as your doc wants the data. Be prepared to tell him which machine you want.