Sleep study last night

[Cr1kk1t]

Hi everyone,

Well I had my sleep study last night. They didn't like the way my mask, eson nasal, fit so they had me try the dreamwear and I really liked it. I Was suppose to have the mslt today but they canceled it as they made significant changes to my therapy. ( wouldn't tell me what). I know that I woke up a few times and the machine was breathing for me and at a much faster rate then I normally breath. Made it difficult to go back to sleep. I woke up about every 90-120 minutes or so and got up to use the bathroom since I was awake. About 3/4 of the way through the night the tech came in and put a chin strap on as I was apparently breathing through my mouth. That is new as I have always put my tongue on the roof of my mouth against my teeth. Apparently my getting up got them to looking at my data more closely and aided them in changing my settings.

They did say that my apnea was more complex and severe than they thought. She said I had severe complex sleep apnea. She made it sound like I needed a different machine then what I am using and of course a new mask. Fortunately the doctor that is reading the study is in the same office as my two sleep doctors and they should have the report either later today or tomorrow. If I have to have a new machine I would like to get it before the end of the year as I have met my out of pocket maximum.

My question is what machine basically breathes for you? And how do they work exactly?

Thanks in advance.

Cr1kk1t

[Pugsy]

Probably ASV type of machine.
This may help you understand how it works
http://www.isetonline.org/yahoo_site_ad ... 190318.pdf

Short version is that it can treat both the obstructive sleep apnea (collapsing airway) by holding the airway open and when you don't breath on your own but the airway is still open (the central sleep apnea) it will deliver a big puff of air to help jump start your breathing.

[JDS74]

Hi Cr1kk!t:

Sounds as if you are going to enter the amazing world of ASV machines. The current machine in the Respironics line is the PR 960 ASV, like I have. Because of the differences between the ResMed and Respironics lines in some small areas, I would recommend sticking with Respironics Your current humidifier will work just fine (and be a backup) as well and as the heated tube (another nice backup.)

The difference between ResMed and PR have to do with the way the switch is made between inhale and exhale and the way in which the pressures for IPAP and EPAP are handled. Most folks do not have issues ( as far as I can tell from observing here ) but a tiny minority find one or the other very bothersome. Since you already are using a PR machine, then it is likely you won't have any difficulty with the 960 when (if) you get one.

Edit: BTW if you were currently using a ResMed machine, the advice would be to get the latest ResMed ASV machine for the same reason.

The learning curve for any ASV machine ranges from no-problem (me) to quite difficult so you can look to your experience with your current machine to gauge your likely level of effort to get used to the new machine.

After you get it, it will be helpful to always include ASV in the subject line to attract the attention of those of use using this type of machine.