UPDATE

So it's been 10 days since I returned the BiPAP loaner to the DME. The day after I returned it, I called my Dr. and told him my results. He said that was good and that he agrees it was a good idea to switch me to a BiPAP machine. Yeah!! But, he needed me to go for a "BiPAP" sleep study to find out what pressure to write on the script. Ok, I told him what I had the machine set to and that it gave me great results, but he still wanted me to do the sleep study. Fine. I talked to the girl at the front desk and would you believe it, they had an opening that night. Well that was just a little bit too short of a notice for my wife, and the next available appt. wasn't until the end of January. I called the Dr.'s office back and the girl told me they just had a cancellation for the night of the 20th, so I said sign me up. I went that night along with my Breeze mask and tape in hand, which the tech. at the sleep center suggested I not use my tape. Whatever. The night went very well. I had 2 periods of REM sleep and slept for 356 minutes. My AHI for the night was 19, with 17.5 of those being Hypopneas.

So I go back to the Dr. yesterday for a follow up appt., paid $25 for him to look at my throat and then write me script for a Respironics Auto BiPAP w/Bi-Flex. WOOO HOOO!!!!! I'm so excited. I then called the DME once I got back to work, and my RT was off for the day, but I gave the information to the other RT that works at the DME. I called the DME back this morning to make sure my RT received the information and he did and the BiPAP is on order. It should be here next week sometime he said. No questions asked!!

What a nice Christmas present for me this year, albeit late.

I so cannot wait for this. As expected, my aerophagia came back immediately after switching back to my S8 and it's been here ever since.

Happy New Year and a big thanks to all of the wonderful people here. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am with my treatment.

Jack

I'm so happy for you Jack!! I'm sure you'll be feeling better in no time once you get your new machine!

Brenda

Hey Jack-
did you get the regular or the "M" model?
What influenced your decision either way?
I'm going to be getting a bipap in January and I'm dithering between these two models.

thanks,
Maryb

Wonderful!!!! Good for you for keeping on until you got what you wanted. I did the same and also had to go for another study for the same reason your M.D. gave you. However, after the study, my machine was set from 4 - 20. Needless to say, I had to make my own adjustments -- 4 is not nearly enough air for me.
My bi-auto makes all the difference in the world with aerophagia -- also I sleep for much longer periods of time without waking with it. I asked for and got the M series -- I like the idea of on screen info. -- (size was also a plus - but with humidifier, it is not much smaller than the older version) -- but I am having trouble with the heated humidifier. My stand alone went out - so I am having to use the integrated that came with my auto and it does not put out nearly the amount of humidification or heat that the stand alone does. Thus, I am currently plagued with serious sinus problems. Also in the process of trying to get my prescription so I can get mask, hoses and filters from cpap.com.

Maryb wrote:Hey Jack-
did you get the regular or the "M" model?
What influenced your decision either way?
I'm going to be getting a bipap in January and I'm dithering between these two models.

thanks,
Maryb

Mary,

I am getting the regular "tank" model. My decision was based on the fact that I had this exact one as a loaner and it was very, very quiet comapred to the M series. I had an M series Plus CPAP and that thing was very noisy.

Good luck and Happy New Year!!!!

Jack

What a journey, heh?! Glad you're making progress to finding effective therapy. Congrats!
Kathy

Congrats, Jack! May the new year be filled with peaceful sleep for you!