desert rider wrote:More great advice. Thanks DreamOn.
I was in your shoes not long ago, and I remember how much information there was to absorb. I was having a difficult time concentrating on
anything for more than five minutes, and I felt like I was thinking in circles! This is an
excellent link that should explain all about APAP machines:
wiki/index.php/AutoPAP. Basically, an APAP provides a flexible pressure based on a set pressure
range, while a regular CPAP provides one continuous (set) pressure. If you read the article, you will understand more about the benefits of an APAP.
Do you know what your machine pressure is set at? I'm sure many will disagree with me (and that's okay), but
for my situation I think a regular CPAP is just fine. My set pressure is very low, at only 6. The lowest setting on the machine is 4, so I can't go much lower than I am. I figure that if my AHI (apnea+hypopnea index) is too high then I can try a higher pressure if I feel that's needed. If my titrated pressure would have been higher, then I definitely would've pushed for an APAP, because my pressure may have varied a lot more, depending on sleep position, etc. The thinking is that you don't always
need the higher pressure, so why be at that higher level all night long, when it's only needed part of the night. The APAP will adjust the pressure as needed, within the range that's set on the machine. Also, an APAP can be run in set-pressure CPAP mode, which makes it a more flexible machine. But be sure to read that wiki linked above because it explains it much better than I can!
As far as machines go, the brand may be dictated by what your DME has available. If they work with a particular manufacturer they can always order one for you if they don't keep it in stock. In my case, which is VERY typical, my DME didn't stock the ResMed Elite II that I wanted (because it has full data capability). They only stock the ResMed Escape, which is a basic model similar to the one you have now, so they had to order the Elite II. You see, the insurance billing code is
the same for both CPAPs and APAPs, whether they're fully data capable or not. So the DME makes more
profit if they sell you the most basic machine. As you have probably noticed, that's a touchy subject around here.
Once you decide whether you want to push for a CPAP or an APAP, then it'll be easier to compare models between the different manufacturers. Among the fully data-capable machines, there seem to be few differences in what kind of data they give you. When I was trying to decide which regular CPAP to purchase, I made up this decision chart. To start, you can get the info off the machine's LCD screen and then get the software if you want to. The software will show a bit more information, with nifty graphs.
As I understand it, the machine you have now (M Series
Plus C-Flex CPAP) ONLY shows the Hours of Use. No other data.
I'm not positive, but I think that the LCDs on the equivalent APAPs show the same information as in the chart above for the regular CPAPs. Perhaps someone more familiar with those machines can confirm that. The
APAPs by the major manufacturers (all fully data capable) are:
Respironics M Series Auto with A-Flex
ResMed S8 AutoSet II
Covidien SandMan Auto
DeVilbiss IntelliPAP AutoAdjust
The machine you have right now will give you good therapy. But it has a set pressure and won't provide you with any details to keep track of it, as you want to do.
Anyway, this should be enough to get you started and keep you busy for a while! Take it one step at a time. I hope you have a good 2nd night and get more sleep!
~ DreamOn
