Sometimes the Doctor is good and patience can pay off!

[DanGr]

Sometimes the Doctor is good and patience can pay off!

A good ending story for once! (with a bad start though)

Two months ago I was faced with a not so good Lung Doctor (or probably one that could only handle standard cases). It seems I might be doing Complex Sleep Apnea... but maybe very little. A Freq Timed xPAP might not be the best option anymore, maybe a nornal AutoPAP would be enough for me, while the ASV could be overkill for me (and more expensive), but still to make a very short story I was stuck with a prescription for a non-configurable BiPAP 16/8 with a Timed Frequence of 14 (a 6000$ BiPAP with timed capabilities that could only do that, no Auto mode, etc) and that's it, I even went back to see him so we could investigate and he said that is what I needed and we could see later how it went without even wanting to listen or maybe inquire about my 'potential' special needs, or have ranges of settings to let the DME experience a little (if you need another machine you are stuck with the wrong model that can't do anything else!).

Of course I then read a lot about this and got some help from this forum and decided to wait and get a second opinion in order to have the best solution for myself.

I went back to my family doctor and said I wanted another opinion and so I got a 'blank' reference (not a specific name) (we need reference to be able to see a Specialist in Quebec), this means I could pick any Lung Doctor or ENT doctor I wanted. I called my DME and asked who in the past was working closely with them and maybe knew about ASV xPAP, they got me this Doctors name saying he was the best (he even give conference to other doctor about Sleep Apnea!).

Only Problem, I had to wait 45 days before my appointment... it was so worth it! (it was hard on the morale at time when you know your condition that is not theated and can't get up in the morning or have a bad day, etc).


So 45 Days later this morning this appointment with the 'super' doctor that basically pretty much comfirmed all I had read or was told in the last few months, told me lots of information that actually made sense. He thinks there are chances a simple AutoPAP would do the job for me and I probably will not do enough Central to be worth anything more (but he will know more after a month).

So he put me on a custom 'Protocol' he worked with the DME I happen to use which is this:

So for 1 month I will be on a rented machine (I beleive the REMStar AutoSet Series M at 6 to 12 pressure) after 2 weeks the DME will lend me an Oximetry recorder then they will get all my data and send it to my 'super' Doctor. And after a month form the first night I will go back to see my doctor. From there he will see if the AutoPAP and settings are good for me, or if needed will have me try another machine or settings (who knows I might end up with a ASV but only if really needed which makes sense).

The DME is actually renting the xPAP if I keep it them I only pay the difference to buy it (isn't this cool?) and if I need a different xPAP during this process same thing, they take it back, rent me another one and every penny I spent will be credited when I buy!

Speaking of a good DME, for some reason they said they owed me a rebate (I think form the second titration, 400$ or something) so the CPAP renting is free for me! (then again I have to pay it later so kinda the same).

All this saying that I think I am in good hands and on the way to find the perfect fit for me!

Finally I would like to thank RestedGal to be just super and StillAnotherGuest for their great help!

Dan Gr

[rested gal]

I went back to my family doctor and said I wanted another opinion and so I got a 'blank' reference (not a specific name) (we need reference to be able to see a Specialist in Quebec), this means I could pick any Lung Doctor or ENT doctor I wanted. I called my DME and asked who in the past was working closely with them and maybe knew about ASV xPAP, they got me this Doctors name saying he was the best (he even give conference to other doctor about Sleep Apnea!).

Dan, that is so wonderful! You certainly are a proactive person, and so smart. You really know how to do your research.

Hope all goes well for you. Sounds like you're in very good hands now!

[Bookbear]

Good to hear a success story! Keep us posted.

[DanGr]

Hey all,

Well last night was my first night with my brand new M Series Auto PAP with A-Flex (I used the setting 3).

It went relatively well, the pressure is set Auto from 6 to 12 and the pressure per say never bothered me (of course I can't read the data, I ordered the Infineer DT3500 yesterday only).

The Opus mask seemed to work very well without leaks (or so it seems no data reader yet), it is so small and the swivell hose moves any way! For some reason it was too tight (although not from the straps) and pushed my nostril quite a bit so I had sore nostril when I woke up (and major strap lines on the cheek that only went away after like 1h+).

Any cheek protector thingies for the Opus mask (it seems to be the Opus 360 although it doesn't say that on the box but the model number matches the one from cpap.com).

Basically with this program (it seems that is what cost 400$) I have it for 1 month, after 2 weeks they will get my data + an oxymetry and send that to my Doctor, after that month the Doctor (if you didn<t read the above poast, this is an Uber good doctor!) will either recommend to keep that machine, maybe change some settings or if needed will request I try another machine (I guess BiPAP or if ever needed ASV).

I still thing I do Central (or major OSA sometimes) and I think 2 woke me up last night because I couldn't breath, I think it is because of the A-Flex setting, I needed to breath but A-Flex makes it that it gradually pushed air and so couldn't fill my need fast enough so for a few second no air was coming in! Fortunatly I only calmed down for a second or 2 until the air came in.

Anyway, will see how the second night goes!

Regards,
DanGr