Newbe with Complex Apnea

[Nooblakahn]

A quick note for you to mention the Respironics ASV machine was just released as a Series 60 model. That means in addition to the heated humidifier you can use a heated hose. It may be a bit pricy to purchase that unit, but it also means that last years system one ASV units will be selling for discounted prices. If you are buying out of pocket, those may become quite attractively priced about now.

Thanks for the tip on this. Id like to have one of those as a backup to my s9 vpap adapt. So potentially good news.

[racprops]

OK Just got home from my second sleep study, the one to figure out rather Bi-Level or ASV…

ASV won, I was switched over after the first hour.

Ran into a problem: Seems I stop breathing just as I start dreaming, or skip a breath of two..with the Resmed ASV it powers up and pushes max pressure into my face mask and keep waking me up.

And it also had a habit of taking control and making me breath at its rate…

This seemed to get better as we when along.

I think I read somewhere that the Resmed machines do this.

I hope the newer Resonanoic machines are a little more forgivable. OR that I can get it to start as a bi-level and switch to ASV once I am sleeping and it begins tracking my breathing cycles.

Now I have to wait until Next Monday (a week from the upcoming Monday..to get the results and prescription.

Rich

[racprops]

More on the Sleep Apnea:

Last night's sleep study did not cause a sudden improvement in my energy or awareness.

I am still tired and fell asleep in the afternoon…

Last night study showed what an uphill fight I face with the machines and adapting to them.

So with what I have read on apnea boards which tell of the breaking in and getting used to these treatments I can only hope things will settle in and I begin to see improvements around 4 to 6 weeks.

As I had originally feared, the cure is almost as bad as the illness….

Rich

[Kiralynx]

I am looking at a Respironics System One BIPAP Auto SV Advanced Machine with Heated Humidifier.

Rich,

I don't have the System One -- I have its predecessor, two generations back.

If you need an ASV, you need an ASV.

I was not titrated on an ASV -- I was titrated for straight BIPAP at 10/14. The one GOOD thing Apria ever did for me was have an RT who looked at my sleep study and said, "I think you're going to need an ASV," and spoke to the doctor about it.

I started out using the ASV at 10/10/14. I could NOT stop the leaks, and I struggled to breathe out against the 10.

After looking at my data for about a week, I called the RT and explained the problem, and said I thought my EPAP should be lower, but that the MinIPAP and Max IPAP seemed to be fine.

We changed things to 6/10/14, and that's where I am today, 4.5 years later. My AHI is usually 1 or less and I can sleep through the night without mask or machine issues.

Having data from your machine and following it on a daily basis is, in my opinion, essential if you're working this mostly on your own.

You might see if you can get your primary care physician to write the script for the machine.

I'm not sure exactly how it would be written for the new System One ASVs, but you definitely want the heated humidifier,and "Mask of Patient's Choice" on there.

[Julie]

What mask are you using? It can make all the difference to how you feel - e.g. if you lose most of the ASV air out of your mouth when asleep, you should look into 'full face' masks that allow your mouth to be open, but keep the air in.

[racprops]

Thanks, good info..

I was using a total Face Mask :

https://www.google.com/search?q=Respiro ... 48&bih=959

Rich

[racprops]

Saw my sleep Doctor today and he confirmed I need an Respironics ASV machine, so we ordered a PR System One BiPAP AutoSV Advanced DS950HS model number from Vender #2, and got a great deal on my Respironics FitLife total Full Face CPAP Mask With Headgear as well.

So a couple of questions: Where can I get the complete tech manual for this?

And where can I get the best software to monitor my treatment, is it Sleepyhead or??

Thanks.

[Pugsy]

SleepyHead is hit or miss with this model. Give it a try though. Some have good luck and some don't.

Give me a minute and I will send you a PM to help you with your other requests.
I can get you the manual and Encore that will work.

[racprops]

A thousand thanks.

Rich

[racprops]

I have been advised I should have my blood gasses checked to see if I am a co2 retainer.

My friend is concerned that I might be falling into Hypercapnea = co2 retention

He writes:

"Normal Blood gas levels being close to 40 mm hg on measurement, but when 50 60 70 and higher effects you more. co2 can lower your PH meaning acidosis in the blood or lower PH, and also can effect conscious levels or even apnea. Real high obviously more a problem.

Kidneys can compensate for PH by retaining higher bicarb levels to balance it to more normal or normal. Your lungs pick up oxygenation for transport and organ function and metabolism, and they eliminate co2, (a byproduct) from metabolism and return to the lungs for elimination.

Obstructive lung disease patients, as in emphysema etc etc have about 35% as being co2 retainers like this. Important to know about for you, for your apenic phase (base-line) so to speak, as is your co2 already at high levels (before apnea occurs) etc.

They should go over with you all your tests as in apnea durations in seconds. How many obstructive verses central caused. Also Hyopopnea's, which are not quite apnea, but very to very very shallow air movement episodes. Also how many if any, oxygenation desaturations (Low Oxygen Levels) during apnea, and for how long a period are they in seconds vs how many.

You should be evaluated in a sleep study for your new machine and after a few weeks of use as to where it is going with your treatment. This should be thorough as this is life itself and serious.

For sure tested also after you are able to sleep entire nights through on it for the study as to efficiency. This is not what anyone desires to do Rich, but I can't express enough to be compliant with your therapy you need to have.

It takes time to adjust to this kind of therapy, and you need to be cared for periodically also, when you have. "

So I remember reading some where about recording O2 monitors but cannot find them.

So I am asking reactions to my new friends concerns and where I can find notes about recording O2 Monitors.

Rich

[Drowsy Dancer]

I think a "recording O2 monitor" must be the same thing as a pulse oximeter? Very easy to find under that name.

[racprops]

I will need one that will record all night as I sleep.

Rich

[Pugsy]

I will need one that will record all night as I sleep.

http://www.pulseoxstore.com/Downloadable-Pulse-Ox.html

[racprops]

Thanks

Rich

[JohnBFisher]

Rich,

Some notes on your experience ...

... Ran into a problem: Seems I stop breathing just as I start dreaming, or skip a breath of two..with the Resmed ASV it powers up and pushes max pressure into my face mask and keep waking me up. ...

That's not really that unusual. Though from this description alone, it's not like you have hypercapnea (retain CO2). Have it checked, by all means. However, this would tend to occur during that transition from one sleep state to another. It's quite likely this is due to problems with your central nervous system - and not over tired chemoreceptors. But that's just my opinion.

... And it also had a habit of taking control and making me breath at its rate… ...

Yup. And if you have problems with not maintaining a good pace (and just stop), you might just need that "enforcer". It takes time to adjust, but you will.

... This seemed to get better as we when [sic] along. ...

Exactly. You adjust to this type of therapy fairly quickly. It normally only takes two or three months to be completely adjusted to the ASV therapy.

... I think I read somewhere that the Resmed machines do this. ...

Yes. It has a "tight" sports car feel. It WILL insist that you breathe regularly.

... I hope the newer Resonanoic [sic] machines are a little more forgivable. OR that I can get it to start as a bi-level and switch to ASV once I am sleeping and it begins tracking my breathing cycles. ...

No. It's either ASV or not, even on the Respironics. But the Respironics does have a "looser" feel to how it tracks your breathing. But that might not be what you need. Though any ASV is better than no ASV therapy.

... Now I have to wait until Next Monday (a week from the upcoming Monday..to get the results and prescription. ...

Best wishes as you move forward. By the way, it may be weeks before you start to feel better. Really poor sleep due to oxygen deprivation DRAINS a body. So, don't expect to bounce back immediately. Still you should feel much better in just two or three months.