Nobody uses ACPAP ? Wow.

[OneFast3]

Hello new here. Been on ACPAP for about 1 month now for testing. Played with a few masks that they gave me at my 1st sleep study, seem to like the Swift Fx (even though it's not suppose to work at my pressure so I was told, lol) over the Quatro FFM.

Well doctor has prescribed 16 as my pressure now they want to give me a CPAP machine. Talked to DME and said I wanted to keep or get a ACPAP set at my 16 and was told no they are only for rentals as test machines to figure out pressure. Call sleep dr office and was told nobody uses the ACPAP's for everyday use. Did not talk to dr directly yet. Not sure where to go with this because I really think I want the ACPAP machine.

How should I go about this to get the ACPAP machine? I have read some of the guides and FAQ's but still not sure how to push this issue.

[Goofproof]

ACPAP??? The term you need is a CPAP... At 16 cm, you really need APAP OR a Bi-PAP machine, the bi-pap is used for higher pressure needs, but the APAP is also a good option. Both sell for a higher price than a plain jane CPAP, like they will want to give you. Be sure to get aunit that collects full data, that you can use with software to guide your progress. Jim

[no-hard-mask]

I'm going to guess that he meant Autotitrating (Auto) PAP. My first one was an S7 auto that was branded as Autotitrating. Very good machine, btw. Just big, heavy.

[OneFast3]

Yes sorry was in hurry when posted. I'm talking about the auto machines.
Guess it's apap (auto machine) and cpap (1 set pressure) ?

[caffeinatedcfo]

See my machine below, which can be used in auto-adjusting or straight CPAP mode. Is that what you mean?

I have a pressure prescription for 10cm CPAP, but doctor originally wrote script for auto-CPAP 4-20cm pressure while waiting for titration study. So my insurance paid for the S9 Autoset.

I have it set for 10-20cm pressure (I generally go 1/2 the night at 10, then pressure needs adjust to 11-12 in second half of the night).

And yes, you can use the Swift FX Nasal Pillow for a 16 pressure (or higher). I know of someone on this forum with pressure of 21cm that uses this mask.

[Janknitz]

I don't know if it's the majority, but many of us here have APAP's. An APAP can be used in CPAP (fixed) mode or APAP. Sometimes APAP is needed for people who have varying pressure needs throughout the night--for example my apnea is worse in REM. Other people find a fixed pressure is less likely to disturb their sleep and gives them better therapy.

You can have EITHER a CPAP or an APAP, since if your doctor wants you to have a fixed pressure an APAP can be set up that way.

The problem you will face is that if your doctor writes the prescription for CPAP at a fixed pressures, MOST (not all) DME's will refuse to give you an APAP. Not because there's anything wrong with an APAP, but because they make more PROFIT on an CPAP since it costs them less and they get the SAME amount of money whether they give you the cheapest CPAP or the most expensive APAP.

At that point you have a few choices:
1. Ask another MD to write a prescription for the specific machine you want.
2. Pay out of pocket for your own machine from an online supplier like our hosts at cpap.com (most insurers won't pay or reimburse for online purchases, but a few will).
3. Find a DME who WILL give you an APAP anyway (small chance, much aggravation!).

Be sure to read "What you need to know BEFORE you meet your DME" in my signature line below. Then you'll know what you're up against.

BTW, does your doctor have a financial interest in the DME? That may be why he wants you to have the cheaper machine. More profit for him.

[Kate M]

ACPAP??? The term you need is a CPAP...

ACPAP , the term that the OP used is actually more correctly descriptive than any of the usually used terms Auto-adjusting Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or ACPAP is, IMO, the best name for it. And the term (that usually used one) the OP is looking for is actually, APAP

Blessings,

Kate

[Goofproof]

ACPAP??? The term you need is a CPAP...

ACPAP , the term that the OP used is actually more correctly descriptive than any of the usually used terms Auto-adjusting Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or ACPAP is, IMO, the best name for it. And the term (that usually used one) the OP is looking for is actually, APAP

Blessings,

Kate

Shouldn't that be, AACPAP then? Jim

I prefur XPAP, it keeps the mystery in your treatment!

[archangle]

Many members of the medical mafia are opposed to APAP machines because they want to keep charging you for followup office visits and sleep tests. They will rationalize it, but that's the root cause.

However, even an APAP machine isn't just "turn it on and forget it." It needs to be set to a correct pressure range to work best for the individual patient. If the patient can't adjust to APAP, most APAP machines can be set to deliver manual CPAP at a fixed pressure.

[Randyp1234]

Many members of the medical mafia are opposed to APAP machines because they want to keep charging you for followup office visits and sleep tests. They will rationalize it, but that's the root cause.

However, even an APAP machine isn't just "turn it on and forget it." It needs to be set to a correct pressure range to work best for the individual patient. If the patient can't adjust to APAP, most APAP machines can be set to deliver manual CPAP at a fixed pressure.

I was really lucky in this. My family doctor wrote my scrip. When the nurse called to ask me what DME to send it to we discussed what the scrip was going to say and I told her I'd rather have an APAP. She asked what that was and when I told her she said "OK, sure, we can do that."

[riveter]

My prescription was for 17 cm. I could not tolerate that pressure with a CPAP. The APAP I can tolerate. I would recommend it. Also, a pressure ramp feature is nice for helping you get to sleep.

[chunkyfrog]

Many people with higher pressure requirements would normally have to use bilevel machines,
but manage with a less expensive APAP. Small wonder some insurance companies are going the APAP route.

[OneFast3]

Well they ended up putting me on the System One RemStar Pro with C-Flex+ (460P) for now set at 16 cm. They say my Insurance (Aetna) requires me to attempt to use the cpap before any other options would be considered. Have long time to figure it out, 12 months of rental before insurance will "buy" it for me and all rental fees paid goes toward purchase somehow.

This was my 2nd night on it and I have to use the ramp to even feel like I can breathe when i try to use it. I notice and see on my charts I mouth breathe a lot now that i'm on this now which I didn't very often on the auto one. Maybe a bi-pap will help with this ? Was told at last visit they even tried a bi-pap at my sleep study.

Sad thing is this has been 29 days I have been on any machine and have not got 1 night of full sleep yet. Seems I do feel better throughout the day at least. Cant wait till someone gets this right.

Mask wise think I like the Swift FX the best (maybe time for pad a cheeks). Tried the Aloha and like the feel of the straps better but came off in the morning just before I was getting up and didn't feel as good to me in the sealing department.

Still have to do some hose management also as i'm a very active sleeper.

[Pugsy]

They say my Insurance (Aetna) requires me to attempt to use the cpap before any other options would be considered.

Who is "they say"...DME who supplied the machine? Always, always call your insurance company and you find out directly what the insurance will or will not do.
Most of the time the machines are paid by billing code and not model name.
CPAP machine (fixed pressure) or APAP machine (auto adjusting pressures mode machine) are normally the same billing code.
Insurance doesn't care in most cases. DME cares because the CPAP machine is less costly than the APAP machine so it increases their profit margin.
Have you read this
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

If you are having problems exhaling with pressure of 16 cm...start complaining now about it now...don't wait 12 months.
You might do better with bilevel pressure machine.

[ChicagoGranny]

Get someone to give you the link to download the Encore Viewer software and start using it right away. This is a key to being successful.

Was told at last visit they even tried a bi-pap at my sleep study.

... and the results of the BiPAP trial were?