75 year old male; even with very severe sleep apnea am relatively symptom free with no tiredness upon waking; do not wake up during the night; snoring is relatively minimal; some occasional tiredness in late afternoon. Epworth score of 8. I do not have any typical risk factors (over weight; opiate use; or heart disease – blood pressure is normal). Until 2 years ago my health was excellent but at that time diagnosed with Grave’s hyperthyroidism. Thyroid levels for last 16 months in normal range from very low dosage Rx.
Sleep doctor I am seeing is quite good. Has just ordered brain MRI to rule out physical abnormality to brain stem areas which would contribute to the CSA observed.
1) Any suggestions for upcoming 2nd sleep study (with CO2 monitoring) to get most useful info from it? {I understand that this forum's users will be better at suggesting tweaks to settings and therefore perhaps the sleep study while required by Medicare/insurance is somewhat of a formality.}
2) Am I correct that most forum users prefer ResMed ASV machine over Respironics? {I am leaning toward ResMed and might not have opportunity to try both.}
3) During recent sleep mask fitting appt. (including CPAP and ASV air flow which was fine but low pressure), I was fitted with Respironics Wisp nasal mask. During initial sleep study I had started out with nasal mask but due to some mouth breathing had been switched to full face mask which in that setting and dealing with the shock of sleep apnea diagnosis I found to be rather claustrophobic. Assuming that at home mouth breathing might be minimal is there any advantage for ASV treatment mode to use full face mask versus nasal mask?
4) Sleep Dr has already diagnosed and recommended ASV treatment. Is it likely I'll need to "fight" with Medicare to go straight to ASV even though initial sleep (split night) study already showed that the limited CPAP time had no improvement to CSA events. {Given the very high AHI, I am eager to begin effective treatment ASAP.}
Once I have actual data from sleep study and then home use will share that as well. Expect I will use OSCARS.
Thanks