need some advice, testimonies on Cpap usage, help

Hello to all,
Been reading through the forum. I'm about as messed up a sleeper as you will find. I have severe sleep apnea due to obstructed nasal passages. I went to my doctor and they want me to run up over $4000 in sleep studies, etc., before they can get my insurance to approve the unit which will run another $1500 or so. With my deductible, I'm looking at $1100.

Anyhow, to avoid this long expensive process, I've managed to locate a good old doc that will prescribe me a self adjusting machine and let me bypass all the sleep study BS. Problem is, this leaves me paying for the machine itself out of pocket.

Can any of you fine folks in this forum recommend a good self adjusting unit? I would rather pay a little more and buy a more reliable unit.

How long do these devices last? Are they durable? Will they last 3-5 years with nightly use?

Also, do they really work? Do any of you have any testimonies on dramatic changes? I've read they can improve people's lives dramatically, but I don't want to buy into the hype, just down real testimonies from real people who have experienced using these machines.

Thanks everyone in advance for any help you can offer.

My symptoms are severe, I wake up suffocating numerous times per night, snore louder then a grizzly, wake up with blood in my mouth, dry mouth, groggy sleepy all day.

Thanks,
Dale

Hi wannabesleep,

I would suggest you think about renting an auto-adusting cpap for a month or so. Get one that records all your sleep data. This will tell you how severe your apnea is. If it is as severe as you suspect you may need a bi-pap. The rental trial might save you from having to buy two machines. If you have difficulties breathing through your nose I would suggest getting a full face mask.

As far as "Do they really work?" It depends on your personal situation. I would take peoples posts about their experiences on their face. I don't think people have posted any hyped results of their experience on cpap. As you can read some have great success and others don't.

Feel free to post any questions you have about particular equipment you are considering. There are people on the forum with experiences with most all the equipment available.

Good luck!

I know the $1,000 co-pay seems like a lot to pay, but in the long run it might be better for you to have the tests. You need to find out what pressure to get your machine set at, etc. I guess I'd be wary (myself) of a dr. who would just hand you a machine with no testing to see what's best for you. Is he going to test your pressures? I don't think there is any such thing as "hyped" testimonials. Everyone's apnea situations are different & some experience more success than others. I LOVE my CPAP machine. It's a made a HUGE difference in my life & probably saved it, too! But the adjustment period was difficult. I think everyone goes through an adjustment period. For me, I had made up my mind that this was going to work (vrs. struggling to breathe every night before the CPAP) & I made it through the adjustment period of a few weeks & am very happy now. Anyway, I wish you the best whatever you decide to do. I don't know that much about the machines & such, but I do have the gel mask by Respironics & have found it to be very comfortable & it fits me well (petite size).

Hey if you have a Doc that will write the script you are 1 lucky dog.. Consider this..The auto unit will automatically titrate you as you sleep. Changing levels thru the night as you change,, Why do you need to pay a sleep lab thousands to get the same information. You can even collect the data with one of the available programs to show your Doc if there is any doubt. As far as out of pocket expenses go... YOU CAN PURCHASE A AUTO UNIT ONLINE WITH ALL THE ACCESSORIES FOR LESS THAN YOUR INSURANCE DEDUCTABLE AT A DME !!!
Its a nobrainer as far as I am concerned.. Kiss your Doc for having the BALLS to go against the norm . Hey we're talking about $700-$800 depending on the unit and mask you choose. Thats probably a few hundred $ less than your deductable at a DME with insurance !!!

Thats my 2 cents worth of rant ..The internet is a wonderfull thing..It can save a ton of money for us Hoseheads..

To answer your other question...YES..CPAP does work for us sleep apnea sufferers.. It keeps us from dieing in our sleep from heart failure or falling asleep while driving and killing ourselves and some innocent family..

Cheers,
Chris

Wannabe,
Have you asked about some sort of Roto Rooter type of surgery for your Nasal passages? Have you ever had a broken nose? I know people that have had to have that done because they got their nose broken in a fight or a car wreck or what not. I know drinking alcohol made My snoring and Apnea worse. To answer Your question about the CPAP, it has changed My life consdiderably. I was falling asleep behind the wheel quite a bit, even on the way to work. My sleep study showed I was having 120+ episodes an hour, It was getting scary there for a while. My Wife sleeps better now also because I'm not snoring anymore. But I go the whole day without getting sleepy, I used to have to take a nap after work, not anymore..

wannabesleep wrote:Hello to all,
Been reading through the forum. I'm about as messed up a sleeper as you will find. I have severe sleep apnea due to obstructed nasal passages. I went to my doctor and they want me to run up over $4000 in sleep studies, etc., before they can get my insurance to approve the unit which will run another $1500 or so. With my deductible, I'm looking at $1100.

Anyhow, to avoid this long expensive process, I've managed to locate a good old doc that will prescribe me a self adjusting machine and let me bypass all the sleep study BS. Problem is, this leaves me paying for the machine itself out of pocket.

Can any of you fine folks in this forum recommend a good self adjusting unit? I would rather pay a little more and buy a more reliable unit.

How long do these devices last? Are they durable? Will they last 3-5 years with nightly use?

Also, do they really work? Do any of you have any testimonies on dramatic changes? I've read they can improve people's lives dramatically, but I don't want to buy into the hype, just down real testimonies from real people who have experienced using these machines.

Thanks everyone in advance for any help you can offer.

My symptoms are severe, I wake up suffocating numerous times per night, snore louder then a grizzly, wake up with blood in my mouth, dry mouth, groggy sleepy all day.

Thanks,
Dale

If you can get your hands on a RESPIRONICS REMSTAR AUTO or a RESMED SPIRIT they are both exelent auto adjusting machines. the mask is another issue, Im a mouth breather so a full face mask is the ticket for me. The remed full face ultra mirage is a great mask also the new fisher paykel full face is great, the worst ive tried is the respironics comfortfull full face mask. When you start using an autopap dont give up it takes some getting used to. After all it really is a live or die issue.

wannabesleep, I'm not suggesting you bypass a PSG (sleep study), but if you do decide to forego the study and go straight onto an autopap with software to monitor yourself, you'll be doing exactly what I did. I, too, got a sensible old G.P. to write a prescription for autopap...and I've never regretted it. I have no insurance. I spent the money that would have gone for a sleep study on good equipment instead. A good autopap with software, heated humidifier, several masks, eventually a heated hose, etc.

I will say this - had I been having serious problems with fatigue, exhaustion, or had not otherwise been very healthy, I'd have bitten the bullet and gone for a sleep study. But with mild yet very definite symptoms of classic OSA, I saw no need to pay for an expensive one night snapshot to tell me what I already knew based on a lifetime of snoring, drowsy driving, and dragginess getting going in the mornings. I also did a little self-test. While awake, if I consciously relax my throat as much as possible, it closes - shuts off completely - plain and simple. That alone made me realize what was happening to my airway during the total relaxation of sleep - no wonder my snoring was horrendous.

Armed with the good old doc's prescription, I bought all my equipment online. An autopap with software was an absolute "must" if I was going to do this without a doctor's supervision. It's worked out extremely well for me. From day one on cpap, I woke up feeling like a "morning person" for the first time in my life. Message boards like this one and the one at talkaboutsleep are invaluable sources of information - in many cases better advice than what's provided by the busy professionals. Good luck.

Hi Wannabesleep:
I'll spare you the hype --> I was falling asleep at my desk every day and, spending my entire night napping until I went to bed. After sleeping all night, snoring up a storm and waking feeling as tired as I did when I went to bed, I saw my Dr. and had the sleep studies. Moderate to severe OSA (39 events per hour) I have been using cpap for a little over a month now and I am a different man.
I get through the day not needing any naps and with only a bit of yawning. I get to sleep easily and wake up feeling really good. Also, about 20 lbs. have simply fallen off me.
This was not easy... I've needed lots of advice and encouragement to stick with it (this forum is GREAT) and have needed to lobby/advocate for myself HEAVILY with the Dr. and the insurance company.
I'd enourage you to stick with it and find great sleep and great health overall.
DON'T GIVE UP -EVER!!

Thanks everyone for the help.
I've decided to save a few buck to go with the Remstar plus with Cflex and a humidfier. My doctor set the prescription for 12 CM. What do you folks think? Will this be sufficient?

Thanks,

Guest, if you are "wannabesleep" and simply forgot to log in, here's my advice (I'm not a doctor...this is just my opinion): I'd get an autotitrating cpap - also called an autopap. Since you plan to skip having a sleep study and you want a machine that will help you sleep well for the next several years, you're going to need a machine that can vary the pressure automatically depending on what you need throughout the night. Just guessing at a pressure to use with a straight cpap is not a good way to go about it, imho.

I'd definitely not buy just a straight cpap, even one with C-Flex, like the REMstar Plus you are thinking about. If you plan to self-treat, get yourself an autopap with the software, so you can have a better idea of what's happening in your sleep, night after night. If you like the idea of "C-Flex" to relieve the pressure during exhalation, then consider the new Respironics REMstar Auto with C-Flex. Do get the software!! Encore Pro software and a card reader is what's needed for the Respironics autopaps.

What you want to do can work for you, but I truly believe you need an autopap with software to make it work well. Good luck.

Hello,
Thanks everyone and restedgal for the priceless advice. I've decided that you're correct and saving a few hundred bucks is not worth it in the long haul. I've decided to step up and get the newest machine. The remstar auto with Cflex. It's going to set me about $1100 with the mask and all.

My question is about how the software works. How do you read the software? Can this be insterted into your computer? Or is it done by your physican only?

Again, thanks everyone for your tips and advice. I'm new to this but have been suffering for years from sleep apnea. I can't wait for the chance to get a real nights sleep.

I did not have a sleep study...went with an autoCPAP...the PB GoodKnight 420E. I am doing the best that I have done in about 8 years!! Wow...what a lovely machine!! Don't tell my wife...but I think that I am in LOVE!!

Good night!!

SleepingSwede

wannabesleep, you'd need to purchase the Encore Pro software yourself (sorry - more money out of pocket!) But well worth it for monitoring you own treatment. Hope your computer is a PC running Windows since that's what the software needs. Respironics' machines also need a "card reader" to download the overnight results into your computer. If you'll call the 800 number for cpap.com or any online store, you can compare prices for the software and card reader. A "smart card" comes with the software, but the card reader is an additional cost unless the store says it's included in a package deal. Most stores that offer the Encore software also have the card reader that is needed. Plug the card reader into your computer and install the software from a CD.

There's a slot in the side of the autopap for the "smart card". It collects your sleep data during the night. In the morning, just pull the card out, take it to the card reader at your computer and view your overnight data on your own computer.

The Puritan Bennett autopaps do not require the extra "card reader". PB's Silverlining software can download the 420E autopap's data directly to the computer via a cable that you just plug in between machine and computer. However, that means you have to either carry your machine (no problem, it's so lightweight) to the computer, or have a laptop you can carry to the machine. There are pros and cons as to which method is easier at home - smart card/card reader or simple cable connection. I've used both manufacturer's autopaps (420E and REMstar, but not with C-Flex) and have no problem with looking at my data with either software/method. The only reason I'm recommending the Respironics autopap with C-Flex for you is because you mentioned wanting the option of having C-Flex - which does sound very comfortable.