RE-EVALUATION AFTER LOOSING 40lbs

[jhonnyt16]

I was diagnosed with severe a few years ago (5 or 6 I already lost count) and I was weighing somewhere from 195 - 210 lbs. Im 5'7, but since I remembered even very young I snored big time (so I probably always had some type of obstruction).
As I gained weight throughout the years, the obstruction drove me into a severe Sleep Apnea. Recently I had made a lifestyle change with diet and exercise and so far (and if I keep it this way) I lost 40 lbs. that means lighter than when I was first diagnosed.
My problem now (and its a good problem to have) is that the machine is set at 12 - which I think is the highest pressure, at least for my model (RESMED Compact S8 CPAP). And now that pressure is waking me up. I think is too high for me.
My other problem is, I lost the damn data card, so when I went to the doctor and he said: he cannot do anything without it. but even if I had it, the machine is too old and he wouldnt be able to read the data (which I think is BS).
Now, he wants me to go to a new sleep study to see where I am at (which is valid since I lost all that weight). but he also wants me to get a new machine.

Listen, I don't know, but the sleep study out of pocket is like 1G!! plus machine say 1G! Im really thinking about this one !!

when I sleep without it, I am a little sore, so Im thinking I will always need one.... but Im fine with the one I have. So.... this is what I think.... (and this is where I think a blog can help me make a decision... more so with people with my same condition)
1. I got a new data card.
2. I'll run that data card for a few weeks.
3. I'll schedule an appointment with someone who can read the damn card.
4. See if this doctor can just simply make a decision with that data and just bring down the pressure on the machine.

5. and I wont have to pay for an evaluation or a new machine... and I am a happy man...

any serious comments will be appreciated,

Cheers,
JT

[LSAT]

Unfortunately the S8 is a very old machine and even when it was current, it required a specialized card reader that was hard to find. The doctor may have had the reader years ago when lots of people were using that machine. I had an S8 7 years ago and at that time it was very hard to find a reader. Your best bet is to update your machine. The newer units use a traditional SD card and can be read on most computers with the free Sleepyhead software. If you would purchase an autoset machine for far less that 1G you would be able to monitor and adjust your therapy similar to the way the sleep study does.

[Julie]

Check out the new machines at Cpap.com - lots of info on them.

[Wulfman...]

I was diagnosed with severe a few years ago (5 or 6 I already lost count) and I was weighing somewhere from 195 - 210 lbs. Im 5'7, but since I remembered even very young I snored big time (so I probably always had some type of obstruction).
As I gained weight throughout the years, the obstruction drove me into a severe Sleep Apnea. Recently I had made a lifestyle change with diet and exercise and so far (and if I keep it this way) I lost 40 lbs. that means lighter than when I was first diagnosed.
My problem now (and its a good problem to have) is that the machine is set at 12 - which I think is the highest pressure, at least for my model (RESMED Compact S8 CPAP). And now that pressure is waking me up. I think is too high for me.
My other problem is, I lost the damn data card, so when I went to the doctor and he said: he cannot do anything without it. but even if I had it, the machine is too old and he wouldnt be able to read the data (which I think is BS).
Now, he wants me to go to a new sleep study to see where I am at (which is valid since I lost all that weight). but he also wants me to get a new machine.

Listen, I don't know, but the sleep study out of pocket is like 1G!! plus machine say 1G! Im really thinking about this one !!

when I sleep without it, I am a little sore, so Im thinking I will always need one.... but Im fine with the one I have. So.... this is what I think.... (and this is where I think a blog can help me make a decision... more so with people with my same condition)
1. I got a new data card.
2. I'll run that data card for a few weeks.
3. I'll schedule an appointment with someone who can read the damn card.
4. See if this doctor can just simply make a decision with that data and just bring down the pressure on the machine.

5. and I wont have to pay for an evaluation or a new machine... and I am a happy man...

any serious comments will be appreciated,

Cheers,
JT

First of all, how do you know that the Sleep Apnea didn't CAUSE the weight gain? It's a common misconception that losing weight can also get rid of the Sleep Apnea.

Next, the S8 Compact model collects absolutely NO data.......except for hours used. You could put the cards in there and still not get any data.

Your pressure of 12 cm. is not nearly as high as the machine will go. The maximum pressure it will put out is 20 cm.

Some people have found that losing weight can require even MORE pressure. Sounds counter-intuitive, but it has been the reality for many.

I would suggest going to http://www.secondwindcpap.com and finding a good, lightly-used ( probably an S9 ) "Autoset" machine (since you're used to ResMed machines) and see what your therapy looks like. That would be lots cheaper than forking out thousands for a new sleep study and a "new" machine.


Den

.

[Pugsy]

Unfortunately if I remember right the S8 Compact only collects hours of use.
So all that is on that smart card is how many hours you use it.
It is the forerunner of the S9 Escape.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/S8-Compact-CPAP.html
from the specs page

Data Storage, Used hours and usage days available from flow generator.

It won't tell you anything but how many hours you used it.
It can't tell pressure or apnea events or leak...it's a brick.

[big_dave]

Don't bother trying to download the data. The S8 Compact is what we call a "brick" that only records compliance data (hours of use). After 5 or 6 years, I doubt it has much useful life left. You will need either a new sleep study, or an Autoset if you're motivated to learn how to use the data to do your own setup.

[M'ohms]

Maybe the discomfort is not with your pressure, but with your mask. A 40 pound loss can certainly change your face. A newly fitted mask could help you celebrate your new victory! Congrats!

[Jay Aitchsee]

Johnny, I take it you don't have insurance or have a high deductible? Some insurance plans will replace a machine after 5 years or so.
As an alternative, sometimes reputable forum members have brand new data capable machines for sale on this forum in the $500 range

[zoocrewphoto]

Maybe the discomfort is not with your pressure, but with your mask. A 40 pound loss can certainly change your face. A newly fitted mask could help you celebrate your new victory! Congrats!

I will second this. What pressure feels to high to us is NOT based on our pressure needs. For example, just because you may need less pressure doesn't mean that a pressure you used for years would suddenly feel like too much. It is much more likely that the mask fit has changed and caused the air flow to feel different or leak. And without data, you have no idea if your pressure needs have changed. Some people need more pressure when they lose weight.

[SewTired]

Some people need more pressure when they lose weight.

I have to concur. I wouldn't have even qualified for a machine through Medicare if I hadn't lost weight. Weight loss actually increased my apnea episodes.

I agree, if you can't afford the sleep study, get your doctor to either give you a script for a current model auto-machine and buy from an online dealer, or buy a used recent model machine. Set to 7-12 and then look at the data. People here can help you with your settings.

[CRMW]

I;m with SewTired, if I were in your position, I would skip the $1k sleep study. Ask the doctor for prescription and get an auto machine from an online supplier such as our hosts. That should be in the $400 to $500 range. Then I would start zeroing on the ideal pressure, probably starting with a range of 9 to 12 and adjusting from there depending on the average nightly pressures. Its been a few years but my average pressure was fairly consistant with minor increases if I'd had alcohol, and I set the pressure range 2 cm higher and lower than the average.

I have loaned my Auto machine to a couple of friends and family in similar situations so they could zero in the pressures. It has had an unexpected side effect of getting them interested in their therapy and as a result of education themselves they could have better discussions with their doctors and improved the overall quality of their therapy.

[jhonnyt16]

Everyone,

Thanks for your responses, I kind of felt this was going to be helpful. I learned lots, from - my machine is a freaking dinosaur.. to losing weight could actually increase the condition... (never thought of this one).
As it relates to Sleep Apnea may be a factor of my weight gain.... well ... seems like you guys know more about this one, so I will add it to the list of factors of my weight gain. but I can assure you that eating habits was a huge factor, maybe the biggest. Since I was diagnosed, I have been using the machine, and I got bigger... So... its debatable, in my case at least. I was able to lose my weight by changing my intake portions and quality of food. I have always been very active so exercise was not an issue.

Anyway, I appreciate the responses. They were all helpful. I did order a new mask, tube (it was kind of old) and a data card (which now I know its garbage anyway it was 9 bucks.. whaterver). What I may do, is test drive the new mask for a few weeks. And I really like the idea of talking to the insurance company to see if I can upgrade my machine thru them.

Cheers,
JT