Long-necked non-obese "moderate" apnea seeking advice

[sc0ttt]

now, now...don't forget the Respironics machines. Mine doesn't show the smiley face when I meet compliance, or mask leakage is low or whatever... but the 560 does a beautiful job of keeping me breathing, supplying all the info I could ask for (and some I don't know what it's for) and has enough bells and whistles to keep my techie side amused.

I'm happy with mine too. Resmed's strength seems to be in convincing the right people that their machines are each worth $150 more than the comparable PR models.

[palerider]

15% need an ST or ASV machine.

15% of what? There is no way.

Unless you are talking about 15% of the geriatric ward.

Happy with my Respironics BTW.

that's nice.

Patients with complex sleep apnea at first appear to have obstructive sleep apnea and stop breathing 20 to 30 times per hour each night. But unlike typical obstructive sleep apnea patients, their breathing problem is not completely alleviated by a CPAP (continuous airway pressure) machine, which functions like a pneumatic splint to open a patient's airway. Instead, once the CPAP is applied to complex sleep apnea patients, the obstruction seems to dissipate, but still they do not breathe properly. Symptoms of central sleep apnea then appear and fragmented sleep results, due to frequent pauses in breathing.

Prevalence:
Abstracts of several studies are posted separately below. In the Mayo study, the prevalence of complex sleep apnea syndrome, OSAHS, and CSA (in 223 adults consecutively rerferred over 1 month) was 15%, 84%, and 0.4%.
In the Australian study, the prevalence of 'CSA-CPAP' was found to be 13%.

[NachtWürger]

, the prevalence of complex sleep apnea syndrome, OSAHS, and CSA (in 223 adults consecutively rerferred over 1 month) was 15%, 84%, and 0.4%.
In the Australian study, the prevalence of 'CSA-CPAP' was found to be 13%.

You are counting the transitory cases who almost never get prescribed advanced machines to handle centrals. The actual prevalence of persistent central is very low.

But it matters not to the OP. He has received simple and good advice from several people. Senseless to try to confuse a new user at this point.

[Captain_Midnight]

Longish neck and not obese? Hmmm, that's me, as well.

Moderate OSA? Don't underestimate the severity of "moderate", the divisions are quite arbitrary; and I believe that one person's "moderate" can often be another person's "severe".

Which machine? Well, you just might notice a little brand loyalty hereabouts, and that's not a bad thing. I read great things about the autoset machine from my fellow apnea patients, but my personal success with the PR-1 (AHI = 0.2) is such that I'm not planning a change.

Good luck navigating the maze of insurance paperwork and etc, things will eventually work out, and you will very likely notice a very nice change in many aspects of your health and life.

.

[qckndrty]

Be sure to get a copy of your prescription. I would get a data-capable machine: Resmed S9 Autoset with humidifier. Make sure the prescription specifies "Resmed S9 Autoset with humidifier". There are a lot of scam-artists out there. A data-capable machine will allow you to track your therapy and leak rates. Have the doctor write a separate prescription for the mask. Have him write "cpap mask of patient's choice". Make a copy of the script. The mask search is the most important part of the therapy. You need a mask that is comfortable and doesn't leak. I went through 6 or 7 masks before I found what is comfortable for me. Educate yourself here, and don't hesitate to ask questions.

Sheriff

I took this advice with me today to the doctor and asked for the same machine I've had for the past 13.5 years--Resmed VPAP S with humidifier. Bam, she wrote it on the script along with patient's choice of mask. Gave me a copy of it too.

[Tatooed Lady]

Lucky you!! I felt like a confused ferret, what with all the distraction they threw at me so they didn't have to lose my bu$ine$$ by giving me my prescription.