POLL CPAP or APAP, Data or no Data

[kopoloff]

I'm all fired up about what the manufacturers offer us. (see my earlier thread)

I'd like to get a bit of an idea of the proportion of people who have data, and have fixed or auto machines

K

[Julie]

You've left out an option - Auto with data capability. "Just" having auto is not enough I think as you're asking about Cpap with data.

[dsm]

The 'fixed pressure' kind of kills the survey ???

Can you further explain what it is you want to survey ?

Tks

DSM

[Bearded_One]

I am not sure what you are getting at. I have several machines; two are auto that I have software for and a few are straight CPAP with compliance only data. I use a straight CPAP with compliance only. I rarely use an automatic to check my numbers.

[Catnapper]

Auto-bipap and full data checking here.

[Kiralynx]

Bipap Auto SV, full data. Would love to have an oximeter recording along with everything else.

[cpapsue]

Since, at the discovery of your own OSA, you don't know all your options. I realized I wanted a data capable machine because of what I read here. I didn't understand that there were also smart machines that could adjust pressure as needed for you.

After some reading here, I called the DME to see what my prescription said and was able to change it over the phone to the machine and mask that I thought were better for me. There was no offer of anything else, but at least they complied easily with my request.

It seems to be a good idea to have a machine that can 'grow' or change with your condition. Why be locked into whatever machine someone else decided you should have. It would be too simple to have a choice of a few that could adjust. But, probably, less money to be made.

Just my thoughts.

[plr66]

Well I guess I'm not clear about what you're measuring here either, since I don't know the "earlier thread" you have referred to. I may have just mis-registered on the poll, since I actually have auto machines, but have found my optimal therapy using fixed pressure cpap, and so clicked on fixed pressure full data...

[Section1]

I have a plain basic CPAP at a fixed pressure that my doc prescribed. No data recording as of yet for me.

[BleepingBeauty]

I've been "stuck" with a straight compliance-only CPAP machine for the 17 months I've been on therapy now. Been fighting for a data-capable machine for about a year, unsuccessfully. Had the doctor write a scrip for a new machine last March. DME says insurance won't cover it; insurance says they need an authorization request from the doctor; doctor says my prescription IS my authorization... Round and round we go, and I still don't know what's happening while I sleep.

[DreamStalker]

It is very simple really ...

An APAP can be set to do anything a CPAP can do and more ... A CPAP cannot be set to run as an APAP and in some cases has fewer features than an APAP.

They both have the same insurance code so the copay is the same for both (regardless of what the lying DMEs say).

Its like behind door # 1you have item A for $10 and behind door # 2 you have items A & B for $10 ... which do you choose?

[DreamStalker]

removed double post.

[robertmarilyn]

My cram course in all things XPAP and data and such, started the night of my first sleep test on Feb 21. My titration test was just a few days later so I didn't have time to become the "expert" that I am now, a whole 6 weeks later. So I got sent home with a CPAP set at 14 with no pressure relief. I couldn't exhale at all and was swallowing air, suffering severe acid reflux and felt terrible. Went back to the doctor and he swapped the APAP for an autopap set at 4-17. And I was locked out of everything but getting to change the EPR.

It is hard for me to breath with my mask on with the lower setting below about 8, plus I am having some other problems probably related to this particular machine not being right for me and due to my LES being faulty (seeing the gastro doc on Tues), so I learned what I needed to do in order for me to understand how I could make my machine data accessible to me and what software and reader I needed and now I am able to see what is going on with me during the night and how I respond best to various settings. And my starting pressure is set at 11 right now, where I am much more comfortable than when it was starting a 4.

So I came home with an APAP that I was totally locked out of and I've changed it to an APAP that provides me with the detailed data of what goes on when I sleep at night (by using the software, reader, and my computer).

[Slinky]

Fully data capable bi-level auto.

YOU figure out where you want to place THAT answer in your poll. I can't.

[jnk]

Fully data capable bi-level auto.

YOU figure out where you want to place THAT answer in your poll. I can't.

This poll makes much more sense than mine a while back. Here is how I read the choices of the poll:

(1) A non-auto CPAP or BiPAP without AHI* data.

(2) A non-auto CPAP or BiPAP with AHI* data.

(3) An auto of any sort, which gives AHI* data.

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[*edited from "full data" to "AHI" data.]