Apnea related or something else

Nathan M wrote:ref number for cpap is 220p

You got screwed! That one only records what time you've had the machine turned on.

Your doctor cannot diagnose CPAP problems with that machine.

Fight with your DME to get at least a Philips (PRS1) PRO model, not a PLUS model.

If necessary, get a prescription and buy a new PRS1 Auto or S9 AutoSet online out of pocket. You'll probably spend less money getting a data capable CPAP machine than stabbing in the dark checking for heart problems, etc. Unfortunately, you'll probably have to learn how to read the data yourself. Many doctors have their head up their stethescope and won't look at the data the machine collects every night. You can get software to read the data from a PRS1 or ResMed S9 AutoSet machine.

A good data capable machine will record every breath and every apnea all night long, and it's like a mini sleep test every night. It's possible that you are having a severe apnea attack and need your pressure adjusted.

With the machine you have, the only data your doctor can get is from another sleep test.

However, don't assume it's a CPAP problem. Apnea sufferers can have the same severe medical problems that non-apneacs have.

Keep checking with your doctor, but that sounds very much like what can happen with an apnea attack. At the very least, you need to get a good data capable CPAP machine to rule out apnea/CPAP problems. With a good machine, you'll be able to look at your breathing at the time period of your attack and see if you stopped breathing.

Read the links in my signature line for some links to info on not getting screwed by the medical mafia.

Good luck.

Yeah, it's looking like I'll have to fight them over getting a different machine. My doctor did say that there is an adapter that can be plugged into my machine that will allow it to record more data. I had him switch my mask to a full mask, just in case it was a problem with me opening my mouth during the night. I asked him about the attack I had and he seemed to think it was a panic attack, but I am still getting into a cardiologist to further rule out any heart conditions. My aunt had issues once before and they done ekg's and holter monitor, etc. Only to tell her everything was normal. She then had a stress test done and found out she had a 90 percent blockage in her heart. As I am writing this, I had a terrible nights sleep last night. Just felt really jittery and anxious. I checked my bp and it was 130 over 82 with a pulse rate of 62. It's the strangest thing, because the night before last, I had a really good nights sleep with a full mask that was borrowed. I felt great all day yesterday and then late yesterday evening I could feel my heartbeat beating just while sitting. It just seemed like a stronger beat. I didnt have to check my pulse or put my hand on my chest to feel it, I could just feel it by sitting still.

Either way, I'm going to try and get a new machine and also going to see a cardiologist.

Nathan M wrote:Yeah, it's looking like I'll have to fight them over getting a different machine. My doctor did say that there is an adapter that can be plugged into my machine that will allow it to record more data.

I'll bet he's talking about the wireless modem that allows him to see the data remotely. Unfortunately, that just shows the same data as the SD card, and it's still just "compliance" data, i.e. the hours and times you used the machine.

That's a fairly new machine, so it's possible there's some sort of new optional data adapter, but I doubt it.

Nathan M wrote:Either way, I'm going to try and get a new machine and also going to see a cardiologist.

GO GET EM! It's a shame you have to fight to get proper treatment.

Either way, I'm going to try and get a new machine and also going to see a cardiologist.

Glad to hear this. If you fight for the machine you want, you may or may not win. But if you don't fight, then you certainly won't win.

As for seeing a cardiologist, you win any way you look at it. Best case: you learn that there's nothing whatsoever to worry about. Worst case: you find out there is a problem and you develop a strategy for dealing with it that takes into account your apnea issues as well.

Keep us posted.

So I am switching my family doctor up too, as I feel he tries too hard to fix things naturally. Also, I've done some researching and have seen that a hiatal hernia can cause anxiety and insomnia by pushing on the vagus nerve. This intrigues me, because I have so many stomach problems. It's something I definitely want to run by my doctor. Nothing new to report as of now, but will be keeping you all updated.