Do I really need a new titration study??

[lilly747]

His first post read, ." I went to a local sleep specialist who read my machine and told me my Apnea Index is 4.8, my Hypopnea index is 9.1 and my AHI is 13.8"
So it looks like his hypopnea may be the biggest problem. AI of 4.8 for both OA's and CA's..not too bad???

[Wulfman...]

I am new to this forum but not new to CPAP. I have been using a VPAP AUTO 25 successfully for about 10 years. I use it every night and also travel with it. At my last physical, my GP suggested I visit a sleep specialist to have them see how Ive been doing. I went to a local sleep specialist who read my machine and told me my Apnea Index is 4.8, my Hypopnea index is 9.1 and my AHI is 13.8. So, I need adjustment. She suggested a home study to "prove to insurance that I actually have sleep apnea" followed by a lab titration study once approved. All told, probably $3000-$5000 worth of tests, probably followed by a newer machine. My question to this group is this - why not just adjust the machine until the AHI is less than 5. Why do another study? Given the age of the machine, should I get a newer one? Has the technology really changed that much?

Any advice really appreciated

Thanks in advance!

Back to the first post........

Did they download data from the machine or card?
Did they produce a report (if they actually downloaded your data) or did they just look at the data from the LCD screen?
I would suggest finding out what they did for sure to analyze your data.

That's a lot of money they're talking about and you need to see if you can pinpoint what your data shows.
You MAY actually need another in-lab sleep study, but proceed cautiously.

In many cases, the technology in the machines HAS changed that much.......especially on the higher-end or specialty machines.

It's all going to depend on the nature of your events and determining what would be the best way to treat them.


Den

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[Wulfman...]

His first post read, ." I went to a local sleep specialist who read my machine and told me my Apnea Index is 4.8, my Hypopnea index is 9.1 and my AHI is 13.8"
So it looks like his hypopnea may be the biggest problem. AI of 4.8 for both OA's and CA's..not too bad???

Maybe. But we don't know how the machine is configured, whether the OP has any way of monitoring their therapy, etc.
It MAY be a matter of tweaking some settings.......
EPAP pressure is supposed to reduce Apneas and IPAP pressure is supposed to reduce Hypopneas.

This machine is supposed to be capable of going up to 25 cm.

Operating pressure range: 3 to 25 cm H2O
Maximum single fault pressure: 30 cm H2O
Dynamic pressure characteristics
VAuto mode: 4 to 25 cm H2O
(Pressure support: 0 to 10 cm H2O)
S mode: IPAP: 4 to 25 cm H2O; EPAP:
3 to 25 cm H2O
CPAP mode: 4 to 20 cm H2O


Den

.

[Jenk2k]

IMO its dumb because apnea doesn't usually go away without surgery of weight loss.

A baseless statement for most.

The AirSense 10 actually uploads data on it's own to ResMed's online application called MyAir and its included free. SD cards are becoming a thing of the past.

MyAir is nothing compared to the output of SleepyHead (also free, of course you can donate too if you wish). SD cards are hardly a thing of the past. All the modern machines have them luckily.

.... I charge $150 for a home sleep study but I'm in Las Vegas.

Oh you are a tech too? No wonder you are pushing MyAir and made the baseless statement about surgery and weight loss.

Since you are in Las Vegas, perhaps you have some betting tips?

I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I am new here, but is that kind of tone necessary?

[LSAT]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I am new here, but is that kind of tone necessary?

Often it is...You can't be thin skinned on this board

[Jenk2k]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I am new here, but is that kind of tone necessary?

Often it is...You can't be thin skinned on this board

I'm someone who has done tough jobs that involved confronting bad people directly. I have never consider myself thin skinned. Some of the comments on this board are unwarranted. People come here for guidance and help and support. There is alot of chastisement for very minor stuff. It just reads like jumping on the weak. This can be a confusing disorder, doctors can give misguided advice, people experiencing problems can have emotional issues associated with poorly treated apnea. I'd venture to say a little restraint and compassion would be a good thing.

[Wulfman...]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I am new here, but is that kind of tone necessary?

Often it is...You can't be thin skinned on this board

I'm someone who has done tough jobs that involved confronting bad people directly. I have never consider myself thin skinned. Some of the comments on this board are unwarranted. People come here for guidance and help and support. There is alot of chastisement for very minor stuff. It just reads like jumping on the weak. This can be a confusing disorder, doctors can give misguided advice, people experiencing problems can have emotional issues associated with poorly treated apnea. I'd venture to say a little restraint and compassion would be a good thing.

Yes, you're quite right in all you've said.
However, what we have here is a collection of "adults" who are often very opinionated and not about to be told what to do or how to do it. Some of those "adults" are coming here for advice and some are here to give it. This has been this way (in various forms) since the beginning of this forum and the existence of ALL forums on the Internet. Yep, it's a tough world out there and sometimes not for the faint of heart. Take what you find helpful and ignore what you don't.
Think of it as free "entertainment". None of us are paid for the advice we provide here.
Welcome to the forum.......glad you could join us.


Den

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[Drowsy Dancer]

There have been a fair number of individuals (forum members) who lost weight and actually needed MORE therapy pressure. Maybe that would come under the category of "dramatic change".

<raises hand>

Lost 70 pounds, increased pressure.

My n=1.