CPAPtalk.com

GOOD GIRL, PAM! BISCUIT!

Seriously, best of luck to you both. You in particular are going to need it as he goes into that lovely "early therapy mode" and fights it, and you, and becomes increasingly frustrated.

We're here for you, buddy.

Ooo! Just thought of this. Ask the doc if you can get some Valium to sedate him when he becomes too much of a PITA.

Huggers,
B.

Oh my, I wasn't sure I was reading the 47% right. I'm going to be on my third night of treatment, and I already feel better. You can read through my thread... it's really long... but there is some answers to questions in there.

viewtopic/t38502/Kennys-CPAP-Thread.html

Best of luck. He will feel better for SURE!

They' gave him M series pro---pressure 19. I don't know much about high pressures (mine's only 8-1/2 to 9), but in thinking some people here use bipap-type machines with high pressures, I asked about that. She said since he did well with that pressure at the sleep study, they can't yet justify to the insurance company that a bipap is needed. If he can't adjust to 19 at home after two weeks, then they could justify it insurance-wise. Anybody know if that makes sense?

I can see this isn't going to be a easy road. I was hoping he could use a Hybrid or Liberty, but she said she wouldn't recommend anything that blows air into your nose with that pressure, so right now he has a Quattro. He's used to falling asleep reading or watching TV, which he can't now because he can't wear glasses with this mask---so he's complaining about that.

Cpap wasn't a "fixed everything" answer for me, as I have other health issues that play into me being tired a lot. Although I do see a difference, I never was one that had a major improvement in how I felt. But I know it's a major benefit to my health. (Another reason that the data is SO important for me--I can't go by how I feel to know if it's working.)

Pam

WearyOne wrote:They' gave him M series pro---pressure 19. I don't know much about high pressures (mine's only 8-1/2 to 9), but in thinking some people here use bipap-type machines with high pressures, I asked about that. She said since he did well with that pressure at the sleep study, they can't yet justify to the insurance company that a bipap is needed. If he can't adjust to 19 at home after two weeks, then they could justify it insurance-wise. Anybody know if that makes sense?

Pam

I think that since bipaps do cost somewhat more than regular CPAP, insurance companies require that it be shown the regular CPAP did not provide adequate therapy before they'll spring for the bipap.

WearyOne wrote:they can't yet justify to the insurance company that a bipap is needed. If he can't adjust to 19 at home after two weeks, then they could justify it insurance-wise.

If these people only knew what it was like to exhale at 19, you wouldn't have to go through all this BS. Tell him to hang in there and use the ramp as much as needed...it may be difficult to fall asleep at 19. The more he complains, even sooner than two weeks, the more likely to get a bipap. The Quattro is a good mask for this much pressure, just make sure that the seal and his face are clean at bed time to minimize the leaks that are practically unavoidable upon exhale at his pressure.

Eyes on the goal.........
James

When I am on straight CPAP, I use 18 - I didn't have much problem with it (breathing out) even on a machine with no exhale relief.


My father's sleep study showed O2 levels similar to 47% - he is good about using the CPAP, but even after 2 years, he still says it doesn't help him. But those around him know it does, since he doesn't fall asleep while talking to you anymore.

Pam,

Try your Nasal Aire II on him anyway. At least he could wear that while watching TV or reading, then switch to the Quattro for sleeping.

If you need more cannulas, let me know. I've got several spares sitting here, and I can also have a full Test Drive mask shipped to you.

Cheers,
B.

Babette wrote:Pam,

Try your Nasal Aire II on him anyway. At least he could wear that while watching TV or reading, then switch to the Quattro for sleeping.

If you need more cannulas, let me know. I've got several spares sitting here, and I can also have a full Test Drive mask shipped to you.

Cheers,
B.

I'll definitely keep that in mind---THANKS! I will tell him about the NAII and see what he wants to do. I also have a Liberty I'm not using that he could try. They fitted him with a medium Quatto, but said he was actually between a small and a large (but closer to the medium!). That, of course, has no relation to what size cannula he'd need, so I'm not even sure what I'm mentioning it.

Sepool, so your dad's was around 47%. It's encouraging to hear that he continues to use it even though HE doesn't see any difference. Sometimes over time I think we forgot how we felt without it, and even though we still might not feel great, it can still be better than we were---not to mention the health benefits of increased oxygen!

Pam

WearyOne wrote:She said since he did well with that pressure at the sleep study, they can't yet justify to the insurance company that a bipap is needed. If he can't adjust to 19 at home after two weeks, then they could justify it insurance-wise. Anybody know if that makes sense?

Yes, unless you have significant, documented comorbidities (severe asthma, COPD) you need to "fail" CPAP in order to get insurers to cover a BiPAP (or even an APAP sometimes nowadays). You may want to look at some of my previous postings on threads that related to insurance policies on APAPs and BiPAPs to get a better feel for what constitutes failure according to our generous, thoughtful insurance companies.

Unfortunately, I would imagine at 19 on a machine with no exhalation relief he may not have that tough of a time doing so. Let's hope otherwise.

Wonder if a confirmed 47% actually sets a record for desats on this board.

old64mb wrote:

<snip> Unfortunately, I would imagine at 19 on a machine with no exhalation relief he may not have that tough of a time doing so. Let's hope otherwise.

Wonder if a confirmed 47% actually sets a record for desats on this board.

Sepool said his dad was around 47%, but I was also wondering the lowest desat for folks on this board. Might do a poll, if I can figure it out.

His CFlex is set on 3, which she said meant he was getting 16 on exhale. Now, I thought with CFlex it was not exactly one point of pressure for each CFlex setting (I thought that was with EPR), but I didn't debate it with her since I wasn't sure.

Pam

WearyOne wrote:His CFlex is set on 3, which she said meant he was getting 16 on exhale. Now, I thought with CFlex it was not exactly one point of pressure for each CFlex setting (I thought that was with EPR), but I didn't debate it with her since I wasn't sure.

My bad! She's right. Thought the Pro didn't have C-Flex, but did have data. Listen to those who know what they're talking about regarding machines rather than the newbie.

Definitely do look into the insurance requirements for BiPAP, though - it'll take a load off of your shoulders if you know exactly what he needs to have had happen in order to get one (and let's hope that's not necessary), and I can guarantee the MD will appreciate having all the boxes checked off if it comes to that.