Help for a friend, which machine?

[lovecollies]

Hi all, Its been awhile since I was on this great site, and have forgotten some things I learned already!
A friend I know has severe apnea, his wife says he gasps for air many times in the night, and refuses to go to a sleep study. I thought a bi-pap machine would work and he could titrate himself, is this possible? And which machine do youall recommend? I know there are two good ones, but forget already which. The ones with 'smart cards' that you can hook up to software? And suggestions on this subject would be most appreciated.
Thanks

[lovecollies]

Now that I am thinking of it, does he need a bi-pap or a auto pap? Now I am confused!

[SkepticalOne]

I would suggest a BiPAP Auto. That is what I ended up getting my dad. He has severe sleep apnea was diagnosed 15 plus years ago, he has not however been compliant for all but 4 months of that time. So this year I bought him a M-Series BiPAP Auto (just like mine) and then set it up and have used the smart card and the Respironics software to check his numbers. He has done pretty good, but I need to get him a couple different masks. He is using a nasal pillow mask which works, but he needs to try some different brands. He has a full beard, so some masks that were nasal pulled his whiskers on his upper lip and he didn't like that.

My dad has a prescription for the sleep test, but he won't go in for testing again. He does like the BiPAP, my mom likes it too since he breathes through to night and she doesn't have to hit him to make him start breathing again.

[timbalionguy]

I would not 'roll my own' with your dad unless you can't find any other way to get him to use xPAP. And then, you would need to somehow get a machine and suitable mask without a prescription. Craigslist or estate sales are good places to look for machines.

If you are going to roll your own, start with an autoadjusting machine, with full data reporting (which most autoadjusting machines do anyway). Start with a fairly wide range of pressures, say, 7 to 16. Educate your self thoroughly on what to look for in the data, and in this case, especially signs of central apneas. More than a few centrals could be indicative of more severe problems that really do need expert medical review. In any case, you really do need to know what you are doing to 'go it alone'.

In the words of Scooby-Doo: 'Rotsa Ruck'!