If your prescription is for CPAP it must state the pressure to be set at, if it is for Auto no other info is required. I don't believe you can get an Auto if you prescription states CPAP or vice versa.dsm wrote: So my next question is, do doctors writing these prescriptions in the US specify an AUTO machine or just CPAP & leave it open as to if it is AUTO or not ?
WHY use CPAP when APAP works well for you?
Re: Another obvious question.
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texan27028
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 7:05 am
- Location: North Carolina
- Contact:
Wow, good topic! I wish I had read this before going in to discuss the OSA with the sleep doctor. When I went to see him after being diagnosed, I didn't know enough about SA to ask the right questions.
I was satisfied with the CPAP until I read the posts on APAP......wish I had one now.
I was satisfied with the CPAP until I read the posts on APAP......wish I had one now.
AHI - 25
11 cm/H2O
'Never Squat With Your Spurs On'
11 cm/H2O
'Never Squat With Your Spurs On'
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rested gal
- Posts: 12883
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
DSM, if you want to cover all bases now and in the foreseeable future, perhaps have your doctor state several different types of machines and pressure settings - all three on the same prescription. Something like:
CPAP - pressure 15 cm H2O
AUTOPAP - pressure range 8-17 cm H2O
BI-LEVEL - pressure IPAP 15, EPAP 12 cm H2O
Then you could order whichever you wanted. Your prescription would be on file, so maybe if you wanted to try a different machine down the road, you wouldn't have to go through the hoops again. Maybe?
Perhaps ask the good support folks at cpap.com if an Rx with several types of machines prescribed at the same time would work for buying a different type of machine later.
CPAP - pressure 15 cm H2O
AUTOPAP - pressure range 8-17 cm H2O
BI-LEVEL - pressure IPAP 15, EPAP 12 cm H2O
Then you could order whichever you wanted. Your prescription would be on file, so maybe if you wanted to try a different machine down the road, you wouldn't have to go through the hoops again. Maybe?
Perhaps ask the good support folks at cpap.com if an Rx with several types of machines prescribed at the same time would work for buying a different type of machine later.
Yes, I think that is the next common sense step. I already have the 1st prescription from my doc but will go back to her & ask that she add in APAP as a further option as you suggest.rested gal wrote: Perhaps ask the good support folks at cpap.com if an Rx with several types of machines prescribed at the same time would work for buying a different type of machine later.
Tks all
DSM
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littlebaddow
- Posts: 416
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:21 pm
- Location: Essex, England
My doc gave me a sheet of headed notepaper with one line on it as follows:
Rx. CPAP @ 11cm H2O
Fortunately, this was sufficient to buy the Remstar Auto with c-flex and a heated humidifier from the folks at cpap.com.
Best investment I've ever made (no insurance) and in six months of successful use, I've rarely needed the prescribed pressure.
Rx. CPAP @ 11cm H2O
Fortunately, this was sufficient to buy the Remstar Auto with c-flex and a heated humidifier from the folks at cpap.com.
Best investment I've ever made (no insurance) and in six months of successful use, I've rarely needed the prescribed pressure.
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
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Airsense 10 & Airfit N20
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WillSucceed
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:52 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
APAP vs. CPAP
When I went in for my "consultation" with the Dr. (he gave me 5 min. ->the guy is a real peach!) I asked about APAP. I was told that it was only for people in places like Eastern Canada where they don't have sleep Doc's. I had learned about APAP from the Respironics website. Sadly, I did not know about this forum at that time.
Had I known then what I know now, I would have stayed in his chair, refusing to move, until I got a script for APAP. That script might have saved me from all the battle and hassle that I had with the insurance company after they coughed up for a straight CPAP. For this reason (and many others) whenever I talk to someone who is having sleep issues or, is waiting for an app't with the doc., I ALWAYS beg them to spend time on this, and other, forums so that they can learn what they need to know BEFORE they go in for their appointments.
Had I known then what I know now, I would have stayed in his chair, refusing to move, until I got a script for APAP. That script might have saved me from all the battle and hassle that I had with the insurance company after they coughed up for a straight CPAP. For this reason (and many others) whenever I talk to someone who is having sleep issues or, is waiting for an app't with the doc., I ALWAYS beg them to spend time on this, and other, forums so that they can learn what they need to know BEFORE they go in for their appointments.
I sent a fax to cpap.com so that it would be there 1st thing wed morn & supplied a copy of the letter from my doctor. I asked if they would confirm that it was enough for them to sell me the RemStar CPAP Auto (asked if they would email me) but I haven't had a reply.
I will send the fax again over night here (Australia) in the hope I get an answer tomorrow.
Basically I asked my doctor to write a letter as I had been advised, then asked cpap.com if this doc's letter plus the copy of the sleep studies clinic page, was enough for them to allow me to proceed with a purchase.
I am finding this process of trying to satisfy everyone on the exact docs & wordings etc: to be a bit of a painful process. Hopefully they will reply, and will confirm the letter is acceptable.
Increasingly disappointed DSM
I will send the fax again over night here (Australia) in the hope I get an answer tomorrow.
Basically I asked my doctor to write a letter as I had been advised, then asked cpap.com if this doc's letter plus the copy of the sleep studies clinic page, was enough for them to allow me to proceed with a purchase.
I am finding this process of trying to satisfy everyone on the exact docs & wordings etc: to be a bit of a painful process. Hopefully they will reply, and will confirm the letter is acceptable.
Increasingly disappointed DSM
