BiPap St Cost $$$$$

[tsduke]

Not that I don't want to make changes. I do. Just thought I should hit the first follow up with my sleep doctor first. At least give him a chance as i don't want him blaming me for bad treatment if I had messed with settings.

I know one thing I don't like with the ST so. Not sure if it's ST characteristic or all bipaps will have this...the EPAP <> IPAP transitions seems harsh/abrupt to me most the time. Especially when I'm trying to relax and fall asleep. Sometimes I also feel like it transitions when I'm not ready making it feel unnatural.

[Pugsy]

I don't remember exactly what options are available on the ST to smooth out that transition between inhale and exhale.
I have used (tried for just the sake of trying) a ResMed ST but I couldn't use it in ST mode because the back up rate thing drove me crazy ...but I was able to smooth out the transition between inhale and exhale in S mode by playing with the rise time settings (I think that was what they were called...it's been a couple of years and I don't remember exactly).

Can you look in the clinical setup menu area and see what your options are?
I don't have the time to go get the manual and read it to see what the choices are.
Maybe we could tweak the comfort settings a bit so you would hate it a little less.

My air conditioning went out this morning and I have a bunch of stuff to get done before it gets god awful hot in the house.

[tsduke]

Rise Time Comfort Feature
If enabled, the device provides a feature called Rise Time in all ventilation modes except CPAP. Rise time is
the amount of time it takes the device to change from the expiratory pressure setting to the inspiratory pressure setting. Rise time levels of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 progressively reflect slowed response of the pressure increase that will take place at the beginning of inspiration. A setting of 1 is the fastest rise time while a setting
of 6 is the slowest. Adjust the rise time to find the most comfortable setting for the patient. Rise time cannot
be adjusted when Bi-Flex is enabled.

Not sure if these is worth adjusting or ralated.

Ti
This screen allows you to modify the Inspiratory Time setting.
You may adjust the setting from 0.5 to 3.0 seconds in 0.1 increments. This setting only displays if PS max is greater than
zero and BPM is not set to Off or Auto

[tsduke]

For the heck of it I'll post a zoom shot from a couple nights ago.

screenshot-20190910-171324.png (391.73 KiB) Viewed 615 times

[raisedfist]

What is your backup rate set to?

[tsduke]

10 Bpm. I believe that is where it’s set.

[raisedfist]

I would set it to 8bpm or lower for a night and see if the amount of timed breaths go down. This tests whether the rate is kicking in due to central apnea, or just because you're naturally breathing below the set rate.

[TropicalDiver]

And there is a low hours ASV machine posted here for $1100...I suspect no script needed.

[Goofproof]

Holy !@#$!

The first month rental charge for my BiPap ST went through insurance. They billed $650 to insurance and there was $0 network discount. Now freekin way! $6500 total cost for this machine. That means when my insurance deductables resets in January I will get hit with about $2100 out of pocket in 2019 just for 5 months of rental.

Seriously considering going untreated now that I've seen this.

I think I'd tone it down a bit, the state might decide to pull your auto licence, and the Ins. company might decide you with untreated Sleep Apnea, are a health time bomb. Jim

The Internet is Forever.....

[Jas_williams]

For the heck of it I'll post a zoom shot from a couple nights ago.

screenshot-20190910-171324.png

Ok your apnoea look like periodic breathing to me do would be central in nature although the ST is giving you breaths. The breaths from the ST seem like a kick in the teeth you can make them softer by increasing the rise time a value of 3 suited me

You can also change the cycle sensitivity to high so the breath stops quicker on exhale

[tsduke]

Not sure how to change the cycle sensitiviy.

[tsduke]

Learned today that I can't go out and buy a machine on my own and still have insurance cover replacemnent cushions, masks, hoses, etc. I have to "complete" a purchase through insurance first. So if I want my gear to be covered for life I have to first complete the 10 month rent to own. DME said all insurance they work with is the same way.

[Pugsy]

Who told you this....your insurance or the DME?

Your DME must not work with Medicare because Medicare doesn't work that way.
My Medicare has never bought me a machine yet for the past 10 years they buy me masks or other stuff as I need/want it.

[tsduke]

Yes, the DME did. I will be following up with insurance though. She did not mention medicare, she just said all the insurace they work with is the same.

I wouldn't rule out that it might be quite possible you are grandfathered in considering how long you have been getting treatment.

[Pugsy]

Pretty much all DMEs will work with Medicare patients because that's their bread and butter.

I would bet my last dollar that you are getting lied to.

Most insurance companies are tickled to death that you didn't ask them to pay for a machine and will gladly pay for the other stuff.
Saves them the cost of the machine.