Questions about Ambien and new machines

[peke]

Hi all. I started with a CPAP 25+ years ago, then went to a BIPAP. and other machines. All machines were causing a lot of central apneas. I went through all sleep doctors in my state, all pulmanologists. My sleep was getting worse, and a new doctor in Ohio put me on a Res-Med Adapt SV. The one that looked like a boat on the nightstand. My new doctor was a neurologist and the new machine was 15 years ago. That machine died and I use a Res-Med VPAP Adapt now. (S9??) My sleep was better with only a few central apneas. The neurologist told me that I had narcolepsy and told me that I seldom get into REM sleep.

I need a new machine since my current one is 7-8 years old. At my sleep study, I used an Ambian since they wanted me to go to sleep at 8:00 p.m. I usually go to sleep around midnight. The tech only tried a cpap with me and decided to not use a vpap. She recommended a cpap.

1. When using Ambian at a sleep study, does it change the study/reports in regards to central apneas or hypopneas or anything else?

After using a VPAP for so many years, I am worried about the central apneas getting worse again. I don't know what numbers the machines were set on, but at one time they were even up to the highest numbers with the CPAPS/BIPAPS. The higher numbers caused more centrals. 3 pulmanologists said I was doing fine. Nope! I would wake up gasping for breath and saw flashes of light in a totally dark room. I was exhausted every day which is why I went to a neurologist doctor who was the 4th certified sleep doctor.

So now it looks like I am getting a CPAP through Tricare Select Humana. In 7 months, I will be on Medicare, too. Tricare will change to Tricare for Life, I think.

2. Should I wait until Medicare kicks in to get a new machine? Tricare website says it will pay for a CPAP, but doesn't mention bipaps, autos or Vpaps.

3. If I can only get a CPAP, should I go with Res-Med Air Sense 10 (or the Auto one) or should I try Respironics Dream Station? I assume they will try the regular cpap, not the Auto Set one. My newest doctor doesn't have any preference and did not tell me which model. My new DME carries Respironics Dream Machine, but can order the Res-Med. They probably have a higher profit margin on the Respironics so they carry that one.

4. What are the differences between the 2 brands as far as reports go? I know about noise levels, size, etc. I read that the Res-Med shows central apneas, but couldn't find that info on the Respironics machine.

5. Anything else I should know? Do you need more info from me?

I believe my numbers are set at 4-10 right now. I want to choose the right machine for me, not the right machine for the DME. I use Res-Med's P10 For Her currently.

6. Is there any difference besides the color/flowers on the Air Sense 10 For Her vs the black one? Res-Med's site says there is a difference.

Thanks for any advice. I am not looking forward to using a cpap again, but maybe machines have changed.

[Pugsy]

1. When using Ambien at a sleep study, does it change the study/reports in regards to central apneas or hypopneas or anything else?

No

6. Is there any difference besides the color/flowers on the Air Sense 10 For Her vs the black one? Res-Med's site says there is a difference.

Yes. There is a difference.
I assume we are talking about the new AirSense 10 models....
AirSense 10 Autoset...the black one...has 2 modes of operation....1. fixed cpap mode 2. auto adjusting or commonly called apap mode

AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her...the gray with leaves on it... has 3 modes of operation ...1. fixed cpap mode..2 auto adjusting mode 3..and very special and different auto adjusting mode with a totally different algorithm than the regular auto mode.

[peke]

Thanks you, Pugsy!

[peke]

What are the differences between the 2 brands as far as reports go? I know about noise levels, size, etc. I read that the Res-Med shows central apneas, but couldn't find that info on the Respironics machine.

[Miss Emerita]

What are the differences between the 2 brands as far as reports go? I know about noise levels, size, etc. I read that the Res-Med shows central apneas, but couldn't find that info on the Respironics machine.

The ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset (or same For Her) and the Phillips Respironics Dreamstation are both data-capable. With the help of the Oscar software downloaded onto your desktop or laptop computer, you will be able to see a wealth of data, including central apneas.

Many people who have tried both prefer the ResMed machine because it syncs up with your breathing better. For me, that was a huge plus.

One thing that can be confusing: sometimes people use "CPAP" as a very general term covering auto-adjusting and non-auto adjusting machines and regular and bilevel machines, sometimes even ASV machines. Other times, people use "CPAP" to mean non-adjusting regular machines.

So always be very specific when you are communicating with sleep clinics, equipment suppliers, and the like. Either give the full name of the machine you are talking about (e.g., ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset For Her), or at least say you want an auto-adjusting machine.

[SleepGeek]

TFL will pay whenever Medicare pays.

But if I was you I would get a sleep study done with the VA. Then you will have a backup.
OR If you have a copy of an old PSG bring that in to your Primary VA doc - you do have one right?

If you don't have a copy of an old one get one.

[peke]

Just Tricare for me, but my husband goes to the V.A.

Thanks.