Should I be using an "AutoSet"?

I have been using the S9 Elite for about 4-5 months. Was diagnosed with OSA, with around 60 events/hr during 1st sleep study (some as long as 83 seconds). Looking at my stats, my obstructive events seem to be under control. But it appears that Central events have increased slightly according to the machine stats. Current 4 month average is Obstructive 0.9, and Central 3.6. Should I have been prescribed the S9 AutoSet, or is the differential minimal? Or am I completely off base as to the value/difference of the two models?

It seems that I know more about apnea and my current machine than most of the techs and sleeps center nurses. At my last followup visit, I had two different people interpret my machine data in two completely different ways, and the Doctor never even came into the room for me to verify which one was correct. The first nurse came in and said that she was sent to change my mask fit/size because the leakage was out of control. She did not know where the hose attached to the machine, how the heated hose worked, or where to turn it on. I have since acquired the ResMed software only to discover that the Median leak was not measurable, and my 95th percentile leak has been under 5 for months.

I mistakenly believed that the machine data and compliance info would be used to evaluate and fine-tune my health. However, I now know (at least with my HMO) that it is only used for insurance justification. As many of you here have already discovered, no one cares about your health as much as you.

Well, I guess you cant experiment with a range of pressures with the elite, but you are still getting your downloading your stats so that is good..

I dont know what I would have done without an auto machine, as I have been having a struggle for a very long time, and because its an auto

I can try different pressure ranges.. You on the other hand can try a notch up or down if you need to...

Do you feel you are doing well with yours now? Lots of people have the elite and love it.. if you dont have a complicated situation, its probably
a very nice machine..

but, an autoset you can run both ways, so I think that gives you so many more choices..

rested gal posted links to a lot of information about central apneas here: viewtopic.php?p=22702

FlyingB wrote:I have been using the S9 Elite for about 4-5 months. Was diagnosed with OSA, with around 60 events/hr during 1st sleep study (some as long as 83 seconds). Looking at my stats, my obstructive events seem to be under control. But it appears that Central events have increased slightly according to the machine stats. Current 4 month average is Obstructive 0.9, and Central 3.6. Should I have been prescribed the S9 AutoSet, or is the differential minimal? Or am I completely off base as to the value/difference of the two models?

It seems that I know more about apnea and my current machine than most of the techs and sleeps center nurses. At my last followup visit, I had two different people interpret my machine data in two completely different ways, and the Doctor never even came into the room for me to verify which one was correct. The first nurse came in and said that she was sent to change my mask fit/size because the leakage was out of control. She did not know where the hose attached to the machine, how the heated hose worked, or where to turn it on. I have since acquired the ResMed software only to discover that the Median leak was not measurable, and my 95th percentile leak has been under 5 for months.

I mistakenly believed that the machine data and compliance info would be used to evaluate and fine-tune my health. However, I now know (at least with my HMO) that it is only used for insurance justification. As many of you here have already discovered, no one cares about your health as much as you.

Welcome to the world of medical incompetents.......and reality.
If you're having issues with Centrals, an APAP with a range of pressures may have adverse effects.
You didn't say what your pressure or other settings were, but I'd venture to guess that you can do just fine with the machine you have.......with a little tweaking and studying your reports.


Den

I have an S9 Autoset and I remember seeing something in the literature about it sensing centrals and taking some action to minimize their impact.