NEW TO CPAP

[Sanadol]

Just got my results (below), any advice will be greatly appreciated..

Event/hour of sleep

APNEA index= 72.2.

HYPOPNEA index = 0.8

AHI = 73.0

Arousal Awakening index = 47.0

SpO2 minimum = 64

End Tidal CO2/PaCO2 = 43

Normal Sleep Architecture:

Stage1: 4.1

Stage2: 78.4%

Stage3: 0.0%

Stage REM: 17.6%

[Emilia]

With an AHI of 73 (all apneas), you definitely have severe SA. Did they schedule you for your titration yet? You should be on cpap therapy quickly with those numbers. I am surprised they didn't move to titration half way through the study.

Your O2 min. of 64 is very low, but this doesn't show what your O2 was for most of the study time. % below 88 is important.

How long did you sleep? You never reached deep sleep, and your REM stage is less than adequate.

I would say you need to follow up and try to move the process along quickly, if you can. So many variables with insurance, doctors, DME, etc. I hope you can get to therapy soon and begin to sleep more restfully. Best of luck, and keep us informed of your progress!

[jweeks]

SpO2 minimum = 64

Hi,

With that number, you are lucky to be still with us. It looks like you were tested just in time. Between now and when you get set up with your equipment (assuming that this can be treated), I'd suggest that you probably shouldn't attempt to sleep, at least not laying down on a bed. Do you have a recliner that you can use? Low blood oxygen can cause all kinds of long term health problems, and if you have some accumulated damage, individual events can trigger a stroke or heart attack. This is really serious. You are going to want to speed up the process and get into treatment as quickly as you can.

-john-

[Sanadol]

did my sleep titration and it was pressure of 13.
now am researching the best CPAP machine for me, am thinking about getting a ResMed's S9 AutoSet.
Since am still very new to CPAP. any advice will be greatly appreciated..

[Janknitz]

It's great that you've done the research and chosen a machine you think you will be comfortable with--taking an active role in the process will ensure that you USE the machine, and your life depends on it.

Now you need to find out what kind of insurance coverage you have for DME (durable Medical Equipment). Call your insurance company and ask:
1. What will the insurance company pay for a CPAP machine, humidifier and supplies? How much can you expect to pay out of pocket for these items?
2. Does the insurance company pay by HCPC (billing) codes?
3. Does the insurer require you to rent or purchase the CPAP? If it's a rental, will you own the machine after a certain rental time?
4. Does the insurer require you to use a specific DME provider (we call them "DME's") or can you use any DME provider you wish? Are there preferred providers for which the insurer will pay more of the total cost?

Once you have that info, you know which DME's you can deal with, and then you need to start shopping around for one that will work with you to get the Resmed S9 machine you want. If the insurer pays by HCPC's codes, the DME will make only very little profit from the S9, so some DME's will try to either convince you to get another machine or flat out won't provide the S9. You are going to have to be assertive about what you want and, if you have a choice of DME's, search around to find one who will work with you to get what YOU want, with the understanding that if you do well with your CPAP you will have a lifetime need for supplies and might want to bring your business back to them if they treat you well.

[elena88]

yikes!

what janknitz said..

whatever it takes, hold out for that resmed s 9 autoset.

YOU are very severe, and need the best machine, and need to be able to see what your nightly apnea event numbers are every morning, and YOU
can with the s9 autoset.. The events are right on the screen of the machine.. I dont think any other machine has that feature right now.

Plus you can download the data with an sd card, AND. ... its an autoset, it will automatically adjust breath by breath for you to the pressure you
need to save your life all night every night..

After you get one of those, youll need a mask that doesnt leak.. what did they use on you in the titration? any problems?

are you a mouth breather? allergies? deviated septum?

If not, you might want to try a nasal pillow mask.. not so many cumbersome straps..

sleep on your side or tummy till you get that machine, and get it asap. Be an extremely squeeky wheel!

[Sanadol]

After you get one of those, youll need a mask that doesnt leak.. what did they use on you in the titration? any problems?

are you a mouth breather? allergies? deviated septum?

Thanks everyone for the advice and support.
As far as I know am not allergic to anything and the mask used for my titration was given to me. I was comfortable using the mask (ComfortGel Original Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear.)
I will keep everyone posted on my progress. I was told i need to get on CPAP ASAP.
I am looking forward to a fresh burst of energy everyone is talking about.
But till i get my CPAP i will take Elena88 advice and sleep on my side or tummy (Not going to be easy. 'Am a back sleeper)