Repeated my sleep study...more confused than ever.

lawdognellie · Post by **lawdognellie** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 12:23 am

Well, I've now done 2.5 sleep studies and I'm not sure what to make of the data. According to my APAP machine, I need a pressure of 17. My first real sleep study found I need a CPAP with a max pressure of 10. Obviously, there's a major difference between 10 and 17! However, the sleep study apparently was questionably (according to my new and competent doctor) so I had to repeat the sleep study. Additionally, review of my card from the machine (by the head sleep tech) showed that I was still having events for the 1st hour b/c my bottom pressure (10) was too low. Well according to my new sleep study, I need bipap at a setting of 14/8. So now I'm gonna get a new machine, but since none of the results are even slightly consistent, I'm not sure what to think!!! Anyone have any ideas? Why would the APAP have a much higher pressure than a sleep study???

Sarah

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:26 am

14/8 is not that inconsistent with the 17..

First of all, it implies you need a higher pressure than 10 to get rid of events that occur when you inhale. By giving you 14/8 they're adding considerable pressure relief when you exhale (only 8 ) - which will make the therapy much easier to to take.

A theoretical reason for the APAP shooting the pressure up is that is was misidentifying some thing in your breathing. APAP's are not prefect, and their algorithm may at time do things wrong. I also think its possible that your too low pressure was causing a cascade of events that may have driven the pressure higher.

As for a bi-pap, Suz-E-Q has just quoted a recomendation from Rested Gal.

O.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:38 pm

lawdognellie, since you're going to be given a "bi-level" machine, I'd request (and insist on) the Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex, if it were me.

Not just a BiPAP with Bi-Flex, but the BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex. The "auto-titration" mode in that bipap doesn't have to be turned on unless you want to operate it both ways at the same time...as a bipap and as an autopap.

First and foremost, that machine IS a bi-level machine (bipap.) It can always be set to operate just as a bipap, if it turns out that's better for you than using auto-titration to vary the pressure as needed.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:09 pm

Also you are using a nasal mask. Are you sure you are not having, excessive leaks, do you have proof. If leaks are excessive the numbers can be incorrect. Jim

lawdognellie · Post by **lawdognellie** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:21 pm

I used my mask on all three sleep studies, so mask leaking shouldn't be the issue...just no clue as to whether I should trust a 14 pressure if my auto machine thinks 17....

Sarah

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:27 pm

lawdognellie wrote:...just no clue as to whether I should trust a 14 pressure if my auto machine thinks 17....

Sarah]

If I were in doubt about trusting "14" as the IPAP pressure, that's all the more reason I'd want a BiPAP Auto - to use it both ways at the same time if I wanted to.

A prescription for "bipap" (or "bi-level) could certainly be filled by the DME with the Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex machine because it IS a bi-level machine. It would be billed as a "bi-level" machine just as if it were a plain bipap.