Periodic recheck

[pastcarr1]

I've been on a CPAP for two years. Since having been on the machine I have never had a check-up from a Dr. to see if things are going OK. Now my wife is telling me with one machine that I am "huffing" during the night. I switched machine with one from RV and and I slept without "huffing". Now my questions are -- is it normal not to have at least an annual recheck from the Dr? and Do CPAP's lose the initial setting and need to be recalibrated?

[harry33]

yes a sleep study every year is common, or every 2 years perhaps if you have to pay for it, some of us experiment with the pressure
the CPAP can easily be tesrted for its pressure to see if its still correct and this often will be done free by some sleep lab or CPAP supplier

you probably now need a new mask if still using the original

[jweeks]

Now my questions are -- is it normal not to have at least an annual recheck from the Dr? and Do CPAP's lose the initial setting and need to be recalibrated?

Hi,

Here in MN, one has to have their prescription renewed once per year. I am not sure if that is a state thing, or if it is nationwide. With more places checking your prescription before buying machines and masks, it is increasingly important to keep up to date with your prescription. And if you have a data-capable machine, you should have your data card read on a periodic basis so you can see your numbers.

-john-

[Julie]

I believe a lot of us don't get rechecked but instead are using data capable machines (ones with smart cards that are interpreted by our computers using special software) and so get our own check-ups every night, with a lot more information than is usually seen by the docs.

[MandoJohnny]

My sleep doc, who I think is great, reads the data off my machine every 6 months. In addition, I just passed 3 years on CPAP and I also recently lost 20 pounds on Weight Watchers, so my doc sent me in for a new sleep study/titration. He said he generally does repeat sleep studies every 3 years and/or with major weight changes, and of course, I had both. As a result of the new study, even though my weight was down, my pressure needed to be hiked up from 11 to 14 and I needed my RLS meds increased.