12 days between titration and next appt. Getting antsy. ?'s

[NMchop]

I had my titration test a week ago...but don't have the followup appointment until next Thursday.

Frustrating. Feel like if I have this (severe obstructive sleep apnea) then lets get this going.

What determines whether they put you on bi pap vs. Cpap?

I slept pretty well at the titration study, but the notion of bipap sounds more appealing to me with my very, very limited knowledge.
I'm thinking the amount of air they'll have to use to keep the airway open will be more tolerable on bi pap.

My numbers were real high (I had AHI of 101.3 in my original study).

Also, anyone use the Sleepweaver soft cloth Pap masks?

I got nosy and stopped by a medical supply shop and she kind gave me a run down on stuff they have and she showed me those.
I didn't use those at all in the titration study.

[LSAT]

You are asking a lot of questions and you don't even know the results of your titration. Just because you had a high AHI does not necessarily mean a high pressure setting. Read all the posts in the announcements at the top of the main page and it will help you when it's time to choose(?) a machine and mask.

[Julie]

The amount of air pressure needed to keep your particular airway open has nothing to do with how many apneas you have... apples and oranges, so don't be concerned about that.

[archangle]

Welcome.

If you haven't already done so, read the links in my signature line below to help avoid being screwed by the DME with a bad machine. Getting the right fully data capable machine is one of the most important things for good results.

If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.

[Drowsy Dancer]

What determines whether they put you on bi pap vs. Cpap?

In part, it can depend on how your insurance company manages care (i.e. the cost of care).

A lot of times the insurance company won't approve the more expensive biPAP machine until the patient has "failed" at CPAP/APAP (i.e. satisfied compliance requirements but without sufficient improvement in function).

[49er]

Also, anyone use the Sleepweaver soft cloth Pap masks?

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, I used one as it is the only mask I have been able to tolerate. Any reason you asked about this one?

A good friend gave me mine so I am not sure whether DMEs carry it or not. But I would think they would be able to order it if they don't.

49er

[hypopneaking]

BiPap is usually prescribed when you continue to hypoventilate even with CPAP and you demonstrate significant hypercarbia (high blood carbon dioxide levels). Carbon dioxide is removed by increasing ventilation. This is done with using 2 pressure levels. What effects ventilation is the breathing rate and your tidal volume. Unless you have hypercarbia or ar diagnosed with severe Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome that is not corrected by CPAP, then you most likely won't be funded for or require bipap

[archangle]

BiPap is usually prescribed when you continue to hypoventilate even with CPAP and you demonstrate significant hypercarbia (high blood carbon dioxide levels). Carbon dioxide is removed by increasing ventilation. This is done with using 2 pressure levels. What effects ventilation is the breathing rate and your tidal volume. Unless you have hypercarbia or ar diagnosed with severe Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome that is not corrected by CPAP, then you most likely won't be funded for or require bipap

Pretty much 100% wrong.

Insurance may limit bilevel to those who "fail" CPAP and require you to try CPAP first. The most common reason for bilevel is when the patient finds it too difficult to exhale against the CPAP pressure. Bilevel is fairly often recommended for those on higher pressures. Bilevel can also help those who have problems with aerophagia (gas.)

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome may well require an AVAPS machine, which is another level above bilevel.

[hypopneaking]

Pretty much 100% wrong.

Insurance may limit bilevel to those who "fail" CPAP and require you to try CPAP first. The most common reason for bilevel is when the patient finds it too difficult to exhale against the CPAP pressure. Bilevel is fairly often recommended for those on higher pressures. Bilevel can also help those who have problems with aerophagia (gas.)

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome may well require an AVAPS machine, which is another level above bilevel.

Perhaps this is the wy it works in the US. Up here, you will not be funded for bipap unless what I mentioned is true.

[OkyDoky]

Pretty much 100% wrong.

Insurance may limit bilevel to those who "fail" CPAP and require you to try CPAP first. The most common reason for bilevel is when the patient finds it too difficult to exhale against the CPAP pressure. Bilevel is fairly often recommended for those on higher pressures. Bilevel can also help those who have problems with aerophagia (gas.)

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome may well require an AVAPS machine, which is another level above bilevel.

Perhaps this is the wy it works in the US. Up here, you will not be funded for bipap unless what I mentioned is true.

It is the way it works here as long as your insurance will pay without requiring a failed cpap first. I went into my titration study not knowing anything about cpap. I didn't think I had a problem. When they tried cpap I had difficulty exhaling and told them. Also my pressures are higher. My Rx'd machine was bilevel and my insurance paid for it with only copay for me. I'm so thankful I got that machine on the first Rx. because I adjusted easily to the pressure.

[hypopneaking]

Wow. The government here makes it more difficult if you need more than APAP.

[Pugsy]

Wow. The government here makes it more difficult if you need more than APAP.

Yes, the Canadian system does make it much more difficult to get a bilevel machine that what we have to do here in the US to get our private insurance to pay for bilevel devices.
Yours sounds more like it is geared especially for those high end bilevels that are designed to treat centrals but here in the US we often see the "plain" bilevels (not the high end bilevel ASV types) prescribed simply because of difficulty dealing with the pressures prescribed no matter how high. I know people needing bilevel because of aerophagia issues at as little as 8 cm pressure.