CPAP or APAP

[Josh S]

This all so confusing. I was diagnosed with sever sleep apnea.
My pressure number was 6, is there any reason to think I may need APAP?
My Dr, hadn't even heard of them when i asked.

I will paying out of my pocket, and want make sure I get the right machine.

As of now I am looking at the ResMed S8 Elite w/ humidifier.
Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Wulfman]

Josh,

In my opinion, getting a machine that will record your nightly sleep statistics and the software to help interpret that data is of more importance than whether you get an "Auto" or a straight CPAP. Even with a straight CPAP you can move your pressure up or down to find the right setting. Sure, APAPs are nice, but you CAN do it without one.....especially if money is an issue. If money is not an issue, go for the "Auto".

Best wishes,

Den

[NightHawkeye]

My pressure number was 6, is there any reason to think I may need APAP?

Maybe no, maybe yes. Here are some reasons that folks give for getting an APAP.
1) Because they or their sleep doctor don't believe the titration value
2) Because the sleep lab couldn't really get a good titration value
3) Because their pressure needs vary through the night and high pressure bothers them
4) Because they want the best
5) Because they don't want to have to upgrade the machine later

No one here can say how many of these might apply to you. Your pressure of 6 is low, so it's tempting to think that an APAP wouldn't have much to do. After all the minimum pressure of any of the machines is 4, I believe.

I ran a poll a number of weeks back asking how many folks were still at their titrated value and the answers was not many, so, like Den just said, make sure you get a machine and software to go with it so that you can monitor results. That's the most important part.

Regards,
Bill

[dsm]

Most new model CPAP machines can record and return detailed nightly sleep data.

Awhile back this was not the case, only some CPAPs did. The access to detailed nightly data appealed to many of us getting started in xPAP therapy. AUTOs were put forward as a great source of detailed recorded data & some bought them for that reason alone (it was certainly a motivator as to why my 1st machine was a Remstar AUTO with cflex).

But to be quite honest, an AUTO is a waste in your case. You would do better with either of these brands (the models that save the detailed data) ...

Remstar M CPAP
Resmed S8 CPAP
Puritan Bennett PB420 CPAP
F&P HC60x CPAP (the latest of these has a built in heated hose - something many folk will die for )

Good luck in your choice

Cheers

DSM

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, hose, Puritan Bennett, cflex, CPAP, auto

[Darth Vader Look]

You were titrated at 6 cmH2O and are wondering if an Auto is the way to go. As another poster replied, if it is a matter of money go for a data recording CPAP and we are not talking just compliance hours for data. You want all the data. The auto for me is my way to go. If I need a straight CPAP I have that option with the Auto. Here is my take on why the auto is for you.

Many people don't realize that they at some point end up sleeping on their backs for part of the night. My wife didn't until I told her. The prone position is where the worse OSA is most likely to be experienced. I was titrated at 6 to 7 cm. On 3 separate occasions I woke up sleeping on my back where I was unable to breath while on straight CPAP at 7 cm. My pressure was upped to 8 to 9cm. Typically a pressure to open the airway while lying on your back is 9 to 10cm. You are at 6 cm. With the auto set at 6 to 10 you most likely would not experience an OSA event even if you slept all night on your back and for the most part you would likely stay at the 6 cm level throughout the night. NightHawkeye had some excellent reasons as well. Either way, a data recording machine is the way to go .

[rested gal]

Josh,

In my opinion, getting a machine that will record your nightly sleep statistics and the software to help interpret that data is of more importance than whether you get an "Auto" or a straight CPAP. Even with a straight CPAP you can move your pressure up or down to find the right setting. Sure, APAPs are nice, but you CAN do it without one.....especially if money is an issue. If money is not an issue, go for the "Auto".

Best wishes,

Den

I'm a big autopap fan, Josh, and I'd personally get an autopap no matter how low my pressure was. I'd do it because things can change as DVL pointed out -- in the future, or night to night, or even during the night.

As much as I like having an autopap, I think Den's absolutely right. Having a machine that will give you detailed data the next morning is more important than the actual type of machine it is. Especially since you've been prescribed a low pressure in the first place. The S8 Elite you're considering is a very good choice for a straight CPAP machine, imho.

With that ResMed machine you can bring up AHI data in the display window on top of the machine from the night before, as long as you look at it before noon when it will reset itself for the next session. No software needed to see your AHI, leak rate, AI and HI. That's a very nice feature in ResMed machines. Would give you the kind of information that could be very useful in deciding if your pressure needs to be tweaked up a little more.

Best of luck with your treatment!

[Josh S]

Thank you all so much, you have been so helpful. After all you have said I think I will go with the Resmed S8 Vantage EPR Auto and H3i Humidifier. For a little more money it seems like this will give me a better chance of success.

This web site is such a gift to us who are new to world of sleep apnea!