Oxygen concentrator instead of CPAP or BiPap?

My doctor just brought up this possibility today. Anyone familiar with this approach? My main problem seems to be Central events.

bluetrout wrote:My doctor just brought up this possibility today. Anyone familiar with this approach? My main problem seems to be Central events.

If you are not breathing the O2 will not get into your lungs.

I started on an oxygen concentrator for almost one year until I could be tested and get a machine. When I was in the hospital for a knee replacement, it was noticed that my blood oxygen was dropping when I slept. My doctor prescribed the concentrator to be used at night. I had to go through two rounds of sleep tests and titration tests because my first doctor did not follow medicare rules. The oxygen concentrator kept me going until I got my machine. My blood oxygen dropped so low during my second sleep test, the put me on supplimental oxygen so they could complete the test.

Only if you run the hose in your nose down into both lungs. That way you can get past the obstruction that is causing the apnea. Jim

i suggest you go to a board certified pulmonologist/ sleep doctor.

greatunclebill wrote:i suggest you go to a board certified pulmonologist/ sleep doctor.

That's exactly to whom I am going.

Step away from the quack.
Find a doctor who has a brain.

bluetrout wrote:My doctor just brought up this possibility today. Anyone familiar with this approach? My main problem seems to be Central events.

This is a question to ask a pulmonologist, not your primary. My late Dad's apnea was resolved with an oxygen concentrator, but he needed the concentrator ANYWAY. About half the time my brother is hospitalized, they use oxygen instead of his bipap; but again, this is the determination of a pulmonologist. My brother's main problem isn't apnea, although he does have mild apnea, but reduced lung function. Anyway, bro finds it works for him just fine as did my Dad.

Also, it is possible that your insurance will not cover it without approval from a pulmonologist unless you have other indicators of low oxygen in your blood. Concentrators can be rented - if it doesn't work, you just give back the concentrator. For many though, they just hook up a concentrator to a cpap or bipap.

edited to add: I see that you are seeing a pulmonologist. I'd go with what he suggests, but check with your insurance FIRST, especially if you are on Medicare. Medicare has very specific requirements and you don't want to get stuck for the bill.

Thanks sew tired. Good advice and it goes along with some info I am getting. Much appreciated.

Seems that central events can be reduced, even eliminated by the use of an oxygen concentrator. Thus the CA does not occur and breathing is simply not compromised. It's interesting. I want to say however that the more I learn about all this, the more I understand how individuals vary in their response to apnea treatment just as the underlying causes for apnea vary.

I have worked several patient's that are using oxygen in treatment for their central apnea. I have worked with many patient's who are using a more advanced positive pressure therapy in treatment of their central sleep apnea. Here is my point, every person is very different and the approach that wearing oxygen at night is somehow "easier" than wearing a positive pressure machine/mask is not the best mindset to have. That given, I am not saying that is your approach by any means. I am simply, just saying.

I agree with most of the above comments that seeking out a pulmonologist over a primary care physician may be one of the best alternatives as central sleep apnea can be somewhat difficult to decipher and what to do. The best option for you is to have a sleep study (I'm assuming you have already?). The diagnostic portion will help identify the central sleep apnea if it is ever present and the titration portion will find the correct positive pressure device for you. It truly depends on the technician or provider you speak with to whether or not certain positive pressure machines will correct central sleep apnea or not. Bi-level therapy is debatable and auto servoventillation machines will correct them. It may mean that you need a titration sleep study to best find the way to correct the central sleep apnea.

The debate with oxygen is that it is not the best approach. It seems that if you have central sleep apnea and have been titrated to the correct machine - then after the fact that certain machine is actually not correcting your problem then you the possibilities change to what would best take care of your situation.

This can all be so confusing and I hope this makes sense for you!

thecpapguy! wrote: The debate with oxygen is that it is not the best approach. It seems that if you have central sleep apnea and have been titrated to the correct machine - then after the fact that certain machine is actually not correcting your problem then you the possibilities change to what would best take care of your situation.

Good info. Thanks. I have had 3 sleep studies. It may well be the case that I'll end up with the ASV (?) machine you mention. The BiPap machine really did not work. Surprised me. I had hoped that it would do the job. My pulmonologist said that central apnea can be mysterious. At times it seems to actually react negatively to some therapies. The journey continues. Again, thank you for your input.

I'm on both an ASV and supplemental oxygen.
I started out with an auto BiPap and, while I eventually got my numbers down to below 2 for total AHI, I still felt crummy during the day. The ASV takes care of the centrals and the obstructives pretty well but the O2 levels were not very good - hence the supplemental O2 at night. I never filed for insurance for the concentrator because I never was below 88% for more than 5 minutes at night, the criteria for being reimbursed. My concentrator only cost about $700 so it was not a huge deal to just pay for it. BTW, my O2 level during the day drops down to the 90 to 93% range on room air and, on a airplane, I have to hyperventilate to keep it above 90%

Thanks JDS. I also paid for my concentrator.....not a big price and I can get started now. I may end up with the setup that you have. The ASV has been mentioned by my doctor when I went from APAP to BIPAP. I'll see how the O2 only works and we'll go from there.

bluetrout wrote: . . . My main problem seems to be Central events.

Is there a cause of the central events that is known?