My Doc Says: "Ignore the Numbers."

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:21 pm

Slinky wrote:I just put several cement blocks around your soap box to steady it for you.

LOL

I have been a bit gabby today (in a confrontational sort of way).

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:24 pm

Nope, nope. Your comments are appreciated. And sometimes offer a different and interesting point of view that bears consideration. Really, "corporate pollution" was just brilliant phrasing I shall borrow repeatedly!

And I've spent way too much time in this forum today. I'm "cat sitting". Our stray who moved in pulled out her stitches from her spay yesterday so had to run her back in for repair and today have had to make sure she leaves the new stitches alone.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:30 pm

Weezer wrote:Well, I think I'm stuck with my doctor, so the question remains: where do I go from here?

I've requested my sleep study from Kaiser. So far I'm waiting to receive an authorization form from the medical records department – and then I have to wait another two weeks for them to pull it up and send it. How's that for red tape?

I have my Autoset Vantage on a rent-to-own basis. It's $180/month, $900 to buy it outright. Kaiser gave me an M-Series Plus, which makes a very loud whirring sound, isn't data capable, and of course, has no auto adjust feature.

So far, I consistently get a leak rate of zero with no chin strap or mouth taping. The Swift mask is pretty comfortable. What bugs me is the loud whistling sound the Vantage makes, which makes it hard to sleep and wakes me up.

I took it back to the DME, which replaced it, but this one sounds exactly the same. The tech said, "That's how it sounds." Now I have to decide whether to shell out nine hundred bucks for the darn thing. The Respironics Auto "tank" is unavailable at every DME I called – replaced by the M Series. I could purchase one online, but I've already sunk money into the ResMed and don't want to buy without trying it.

The S8II might be quieter, but isn't available in the States yet – and who knows when it will be?

For me, the bottom line is compliance. On that, I agree with my doctor. Using the thing all night, every night is more important than constantly tweaking the numbers. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done.

Here's the thing. I was diagnosed with an AHI of 10.2, 11.8 on my back. My AI is consistently under 5, but my HI goes up to 10 and higher – both on straight CPAP set to my titrated pressure of 11 and APAP set to 7-15.

Without my original sleep study, I have nothing to compare it to – but I don't feel like therapy is working for me and the numbers say it's not working for me, so who do I listen to: my doctor or common sense?

Sounds to me like you are using some other DME if they are pushing a S8, Kaiser usually issues Remstar Auto's, I would ask for a A-Flex machine before I'd give anyone $180 a month for an S8.

You can buy the Remstar A-Flex for $579, if you shop around you can probably get it cheaper. Find a lower price CPAP.com will match it.

Weezer · Post by **Weezer** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 6:49 pm

As far as I know, Kaiser will not issue APAPs to anyone – just the bare-bones M-Series Plus, which is awfully loud. If you want one, it's out of pocket.

Like I said, the old Remstar Auto "tank" seems to be discontinued – at least at every brick & mortar DME I've called in the L.A. area. And I can't imagine shelling out $500+ for a machine w/o trying it. I can't understand why Respironics would replace a perfectly good machine with the M-Series.

Yes, my DME is pushing the ResMed Vantage. They say it's the best by far. I know it's the most expensive, but that's not the same thing, is it?

I like the LED capability. I have a Mac, so software isn't an option for me.

But I've tried everything to keep the darn thing quiet. Earplugs don't work as the sound is coming through the hose. I even built a makeshift "soundproof box" for it, but it's the same problem. Maybe a longer hose?

The whistle is driving me batty!

Moby · Post by **Moby** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:16 pm

Mine is really quiet.

Are you using the humidifier?

Di

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:27 pm

Moby wrote:Mine is really quiet.

Are you using the humidifier?

Di

Di makes a good point.

If you're using the humidifier, and the lid isn't snapped shut tight, you can get noise.

Weezer · Post by **Weezer** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:06 pm

Yep, using the humidifier – and the lid is closed.

Am I the only one hearing a whistle with this machine? It's the second one I've tried.

j.a.taylor · Post by **j.a.taylor** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:55 pm

Weezer wrote:Yep, using the humidifier – and the lid is closed.

Am I the only one hearing a whistle with this machine? It's the second one I've tried.

Interesting that you've had two of them do this.

I haven't had a whistle with my Vantage.

However, I had the same thing with the S8 Compact I had before the Vantage. At first, I didn't notice it, and thought it was pretty quiet. However, one night while traveling with it, I heard it whistle. After that, it whistled so bad (or I was just more aware of the whistle), that I purchased a hose filter from our hosts. I figured I could get extra filtering, and maybe that would soften the whistling sound.

The filter actually made it worse! I figured it was a ResMed thing, and was all ready to search for a solution when I received my Vantage, but it was quieter than the Compact, and I've never had any problems.

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:34 am

I have a Respironics M DS200, it is very noisy. I usually use an M series plus. It also is noisy. But I don't mind it.

Before I ordered my M series auto with aflex my doc said "don't buy anything until you talk to me". Bull.

My sister in law is having problems with her treatment. She went to my doc and dumped him. She just went to an ENT who apparently is very good. He basically said doctors and DME's don't know machines. And once you know you have apnea, the only options are masks and machines of different types. So doctors are of limited use for most people.

DME's and doctors hate educated patients.

She already has nasal surgery for some problem, and they butchered her.

No surgery or drugs for me. Machines are working well for me.

If all people diagnosed with sleep apnea discovered this group before contacting a DME the world would be a better place.

Humidifier

Additional Comments: ozzie heated hose.