Kaiser, Apria, A-flex

Hi all you well rested people!

I have been using a CPAP machine for about three weeks now and I'm very encouraged by my improved sleep -- I haven't slept this well in 15+ years and now I know why I was always tired. At first I borrowed a respironics 500M with C-flex from Kaiser. After two weeks, they took back theirs and gave me my own, which I'll have to pay 20% towards when Apria bills me. The night before I returned the loaner, I googled "best CPAP machine" and found this site.

I've been gradually getting used to the mask (comfort gel) and I'm now getting 6+ hours a night with it, which is a revelation for me. However, since the first night, I've felt uncomfortable at the end of exhalation, as the C-flex increases the pressure too early and too abruptly for comfort. I have to consciously work against the pressure to get the last bit of air out and it makes me feel anxious. After reading a bit here and there, I've come to the conclusion that A-flex might be what I want.

When I went to give them back the loaner and get a new machine, I asked about A-flex. The respiratory therapist (?) told me that Kaiser only has one model available and it only has C-flex. So I took it home with me.

Now, I just came across a thread (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29134&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... lex+kaiser) in which djtowle mentions getting a machine with A-flex from Kaiser (third post). Further down in the thread people talk about a 30 day period with Apria in which it will take back a machine that you're not happy with.

The people in the sleep lab are nice, but I think they don't want me to know much about my treatment. When I mentioned this site to the guy who set up my machine, he said that he didn't know of it (which I doubt highly) and further implied that they (I assume he meant the kaiser sleep lab people) didn't think too highly of patients participating in web discussions about CPAP. When I mentioned the software, he gave me a sour look and said that I couldn't get it. To his credit, he did say that they would be happy to download the info and go over it with me at any time -- I can even mail in the card. He also set the entry and ramp levels a little lower than he wanted at my request (I wasn't used to higher starting pressure yet) and said I could bump them up one if and when I wanted to (I did so the next night).

I realize from my own limited experience that some of my CPAP problems are counter-intuitive -- for example, at first I felt that I couldn't keep the mask on throughout the night was because the pressure was too high, when in fact it was the opposite. I understand the Kaiser RTs not wanting patients to fool around with the machines, as they are experts and new patients are novices, and it's definitely possible to make things worse if you don't know what you're doing. It's quite possible that this is the only machine I can get, but given the RT's attitude, something tells me that I might find otherwise if I do a little rooting around. So...

Does anybody have recent experience with the sleep lab at Kaiser?

Was the RT right about A-flex not being available?

Will Apria take back my machine (I've used it about 29 hours since I got it on June 30th) and exchange it for a model with A-flex?

Can anyone with an A-flex machine tell me if I'm likely to feel more comfortable with A-flex, or is it not that much of an improvement?

I'm just a poor musician. I can't really afford to go out and get a full priced machine, but I can afford to spend a little time dealing with bureaucracies if it will get me the machine I want/need. I'm gonna bug them about this on Monday. Before then, it would be great to hear from anyone who could share his or her own experiences and/or offer me advice about how to go about this, or whether I want/need it in the first place.

Thanks in advance!

I have A-Flex, love it, and use it. So does my mother and tons of other people. For me, it makes breathing with the machine feel so normal, you can't tell the machine is on at times. However, one cpap machine does not fit all, and some spend some time experimenting trying to find the best fit. The M-Series w/ Aflex does have the advantage of providing the options of being set on A-Flex, C-Flex or just straight cpap, which some find to best treat their symptoms. It easily tracks your data, that with software, you can take the important step on tracking your therapy effectiveness and progress.

If you want A-Flex, and your sleep dr. or even your primary care physician writes a prescription for you for a specific machine w/ a-flex, I believe your insurance company will be obligated to provide it.

Good luck, and keep up the good work.

Georgio

joeschmeaux wrote: I asked about A-flex. The respiratory therapist (?) told me that Kaiser only has one model available and it only has C-flex. So I took it home with me.

That's what they want you to have, because they make more money.
They're not really interested in your therapy.


The people in the sleep lab are nice, but I think they don't want me to know much about my treatment. When I mentioned this site to the guy who set up my machine, he said that he didn't know of it (which I doubt highly) and further implied that they (I assume he meant the kaiser sleep lab people) didn't think too highly of patients participating in web discussions about CPAP. When I mentioned the software, he gave me a sour look and said that I couldn't get it. To his credit, he did say that they would be happy to download the info and go over it with me at any time -- I can even mail in the card.

But, the great disqualifier....now ask yourself,
"Self, why would they not want me to know about my therapy??"
"Self, why would they not want patients discussing cpap.....anywhere?"

....hey, self....you can get the software.

He will be happy to download your info.....what an angle of mercy.

What a load of the familiar brown substance.



It's quite possible that this is the only machine I can get, but given the RT's attitude, something tells me that I might find otherwise if I do a little rooting around. So...

Start rooting.....do you have a working relationship w/your doctor?
Is he a Kaiser doc????
Tell him to write a Rx for an Apap w/aflex.
With Rx in hand, The Big A has to fill it.

I can afford to spend a little time dealing with bureaucracies if it will get me the machine I want/need. I'm gonna bug them about this on Monday. Before then, it would be great to hear from anyone who could share his or her own experiences and/or offer me advice about how to go about this, or whether I want/need it in the first place.

I can't speak to aflex being right for you. It was not right for me......BUT....I fought the battle to try it.
Work it. The bureaucracy is attempting to stick it to you....just like they do to the majority of new patients.
Fighting for a good machine is a rite of passage to cpap therapy.

Go the distance! You will not regret it.