Is an APAP a permanent machine?

[snyderm]

My DME set me up with a Fisher and Paykel Auto CPAP machine temporarily. They said they will analyze the data from the machine, and then get me a different CPAP machine. I assume the purpose of this is to figure out what pressure I need to sleep with. I would then assume that they are going to get me a regular cpap machine instead of my auto cpap.

Question: Is an Automatic CPAP machine a good long term sleep apnea solution, or is it mainly a diagnostic tool? Is it normal to put me on a regular CPAP?

[Pugsy]

An auto unit would be an excellent permanent machine. It offers APAP mode and CPAP mode. Essentially 2 machines in one.

A straight CPAP machine offers only the single CPAP mode. While not everyone needs are wants an auto unit, it is nice to have "just in case". I am someone who actually benefits from the APAP variations in pressure. I have very few events (11/hr) during sleep EXCEPT in REM staged sleep (53/hr). So for most of the night I get by with 10 cm of pressure but often see it rise to 14-18 cm to get the stubborn REM events. The changes in pressure don't seem to bother me and I prefer the lower number for the majority of the time instead of having a higher number all the time.

[Arizona-Willie]

An APAP is generally considered much better because it can adapt to your pressure needs as that changes throughout the night.
They are also more expensive so the DME will try to get you to take a CPAP so they make more money.

That may or may not be ok. Many people don't really NEED an APAP ... but they are nice to have.

Your sleep doc should be writing the prescription NOT your DME. Both types of machine are covered under the same numbers for insurance purposes so try to get your sleep doc to SPECIFY an APAP. Some will ... some won't.

However, get a copy of your prescription and you can buy an APAP for yourself online if you don' t mind spending a few hundred of your own money.

You are just beginning a long long journey in search of the perfect machine and perfect mask.

Have patience and try to keep a sense of humor about it all

[Pugsy]

Is it normal to put me on a regular CPAP?

"normal" in the sense that this is often done to change you to a less expensive machine.
Most likely one that is not fully data capable and only offers compliance usage to satisfy minimum number of hours used so that the insurance company will pay.

Auto units that are data capable simply cost more. Plain jane cpap with compliance only data available are the cheapest.

[drubin007]

which one did they give you, the HC254? (Sleepstype 200 series)?

If so that is one of the newest machines out there, and I am very familiar with it. I asked for an auto machine instead of the regular cpap I was prescribed and they obliged my request. With the PerformanceMaximizer Software you can really take control of your case. I check every few days where I am having the most events, the leaks, etc. Sadly, I have not been able to improve upon my numbers yet, but my numbers are way better then when I had a Resmed S8 machine. (ahi is lower)
and I see the range that my numbers are fluctating. The H&P 254 is a lot quieter then the S8 too.

*edit* jsut went back in and read your signature. If you can keep that machine I do not think you will be disappointed. I think the auto machine (my opinion) is way better as it will increase the pressure to try and offset any events, where a regular cpap is going to provide a constant pressure.
If you want to know anything more about that device pm me. I seem to be one of the very very few on here that uses this model. I think it came out in November of last year?

[snyderm]

Drubin007, it is nice to hear from someone who is using the machine that I am using. I don't have many complaints about the machine, although I do wish that I had a C-Flex, A-Flex, or EPR feature. The sens-awake feature is nice, but it doesn't seem to work very often.

Also, I wish the machine had an adjustable Ramp time. 20 minutes is not enough for me. I need 30-40. I know I can just hit the power to cycle it, but I would like to not lay awake and worry about it. For me, it would be nice if the pressure wouldn't go higher than 5-10 until I start to drift off.

I think that the DME is just going to take the machine away from me anyway, and replace it with something else. If I had my choice, I would take an auto-cpap from Resmed or Respironics to get the Exhalation relief features. The DME cares less than nothing about MY preferences. I mean, from what I can figure, $700 would get me a complete Auto Data compliant CPAP. I would certainly like to buy it myself rather than be given something that will make my life more difficult, but It doesn't look like I will be given that choice.

[drubin007]

my doctor prescribed a cpap for me, with a pressure of 9.0. It did not take me long to find this forum, and start asking questions as a result. Once I armed myself with knowledge, I started to play and get more comfortable.
The S8 I had was capable of giving data with the card reader and software, but I knew (long term) I did not want to invest in it, as I wanted a better machine. Within a few weeks I started an excel spreadsheet showing all my efficacy stats from the machine daily. I computed the average and gave it to my ENT (doctor) and said I need an auto machine, and here is why. He did not know what to say, besides um, ok. That said he called a different DME and had them call me to make arragments to get a new machine (the F&P). I then began teh quest to find software for it, even found the sales rep for my area and became friendly with him. I went outside the box and luckily, nobody is stopping me.
I constantly read horror stories on here about the dme being an evil empire and about worthless. I guess I have been lucky down here, both of them have been great. The first one, I knew more then they did, but they were nice enough and let me do my thing. This second one knows more, but I am still running my show and would not have it any other way.
The only downside to your setup now is not having software to interpert your results. There is a usb card in teh back your doctor and/or dme can upload and see day by day where you are at. If you are lucky enough to get to keep this machine permanent I can help you locate software and interpert your results. The only thing you will get off the machine currently is the ahi and the hours used. I discovered early on as well, if you turn the machine off during the night (say, to use the restroom) it will reset the ahi when it is back on again so you are not getting a true nights total. Knowing your range would be a good arguement for an auto machine. As I wrote earlier, I go from 8 to 18 (dme set it from 5 to 20) however based on the 25 days I have used it so far, I have yet to drop below 8. If I am having an event, I want the pressure to increase and minimize it. This is something a regular cpap would not do...Like you, I also enjoyed the ramp feature of the S8 I had, but the sens-awake works pretty good for me. I seem to get minimal resistance starting out, and the reports from the software show your awake times as well. Pugsy helped me out a few weeks ago and posted some of my reports to show what you get with em. Do a search for them on here if you want to see what I chart every few days.
I would defitnely fight for an auto machine though...Does not cost the dme or the insurance any more money....and its to your benefit.

[snyderm]

I know I only want the higher pressures when I need them, because the higher pressure keeps me awake. I really can't imagine being happy with a machine that is not automatic.

I guess I need to wait and see how the DME treats me when they get around to giving me my permanent machine. I guess I have to wait to be screwed over before I complain.

I would like to private message you If I need to know something about the machine. Talking to my DME is like talking to a wall.

[BlackSpinner]

I guess I have to wait to be screwed over before I complain.

The trick is to have all the paper documentation with you when you go there. Download documents and details of what machine you think you want, do some research on papers for "best practices" for controlling OSA and go there expecting to get what you want. There is lots of information on this board.

Don't be a victim - be a winner to start with.

[drubin007]

I would like to private message you If I need to know something about the machine. Talking to my DME is like talking to a wall.

Sure, that would not be a problem at all... I have been on this particular machine for about 4 weeks now, and about 3 months before that on an S8. Still a noob in the world of cpap, but have been aggressive at asking questions and taking control of this mess.

Will be happy to help you in any way I can.

Would defitnely recommend to ask for copies of everyting when they download the results of your usb card from the machine... That will give you what should be your best arguement for an auto machine... (last night as an example was a bad night, I got as high as 18cm of pressure, had an ahi of 7.5, but the pressure also dropped as low as . The benefits of an auto machine are huge in my opinion.