Titration Study Results

[hookedonstitch]

Probably getting ahead of myself here but how do I talk to my Dr. about this when it has never been mentioned?  I will try for a few nights to a week to see what pressure the APAP wants to settle on.  

Even if I set it to 12, if it's not needed for an event it shouldn't go that high?  Am I understanding this the right way?

You probably don't... Most doctors don't try to treat flow limitations and will think you are crazy if you ask for bilevel to treat them, especially when you have a titration study saying your apnea is treated. Most people end up buying machine out of pocket and self titrating. First step is seeing if higher pressure fixes the flow limitations as it might.

Resmed's algorithm increases pressure after apneas, hypopneas and flow limitations. When set on auto mode if the higher pressure helps it will reduce flow limitations until they are not an issue and then the machine will stop increasing pressure unless more apnea/hypopnea/flow limitations occur. If no flow limitations are occurring it will then try lowering pressure slowly until apnea/hypopnea or flow limitations cause it to increase again.

If I have asthma (which is now back under investigation) can I still use an APAP?  Now that my heart tests are normal, I will have to revisit the lungs as the culprit for my breathlessness and wheezing upon exhalation.

My issues with breathing started long before the Sleep Apnea diagnosis.

[hookedonstitch]

Probably getting ahead of myself here but how do I talk to my Dr. about this when it has never been mentioned?  I will try for a few nights to a week to see what pressure the APAP wants to settle on.  

Even if I set it to 12, if it's not needed for an event it shouldn't go that high?  Am I understanding this the right way?

You probably don't... Most doctors don't try to treat flow limitations and will think you are crazy if you ask for bilevel to treat them, especially when you have a titration study saying your apnea is treated. Most people end up buying machine out of pocket and self titrating. First step is seeing if higher pressure fixes the flow limitations as it might.

Resmed's algorithm increases pressure after apneas, hypopneas and flow limitations. When set on auto mode if the higher pressure helps it will reduce flow limitations until they are not an issue and then the machine will stop increasing pressure unless more apnea/hypopnea/flow limitations occur. If no flow limitations are occurring it will then try lowering pressure slowly until apnea/hypopnea or flow limitations cause it to increase again.

If I have asthma (which is now back under investigation) can I still use an APAP?  Now that my heart tests are normal, I will have to revisit the lungs as the culprit for my breathlessness and wheezing upon exhalation.

My issues with breathing started long before the Sleep Apnea diagnosis.

And unless the Dr. prescribes a BiPAP so that my insurance will cover 95% of the cost I simply cannot afford it.  Here in Canada they are going for over $2000 on average (New).

[SarcasticDave94]

Asthma, COPD, and other respiratory disease can complicate things, but if you're doing well with an AutoSet then I'd not change it. The VAuto may be better if you can get one easily, as it has pressure support and the timing set that might be helpful.

If you're diagnosed with Asthma and it progresses, maybe later you'd possibly need a PAP again like the VAuto unless your status is worsened then you might need more specialized machines like an ST-A.

Going with how you're progressing on an AutoSet, you're likely to do well staying on AutoSet or VAuto at most.

[hookedonstitch]

Asthma, COPD, and other respiratory disease can complicate things, but if you're doing well with an AutoSet then I'd not change it. The VAuto may be better if you can get one easily, as it has pressure support and the timing set that might be helpful.

If you're diagnosed with Asthma and it progresses, maybe later you'd possibly need a PAP again like the VAuto unless your status is worsened then you might need more specialized machines like an ST-A.

Going with how you're progressing on an AutoSet, you're likely to do well staying on AutoSet or VAuto at most.

So far I don't notice any worsening by using the Autoset so I will trial some pressure settings and see what happens.  

I really appreciate everyone's feedback.  I'll be back next week for a check in!

[Gideon]

Ontario Canada, get the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset for Her. It is on the health care list as a simple CPAP (it isn't) but it will be better for you than what you have.

[hookedonstitch]

Ontario Canada, get the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset for Her.  It is on the health care list as a simple CPAP (it isn't) but it will be better for you than what you have.

This is the machine I was given, I will fix the info in my profile.  I wasn't given a choice when I got it but I'm thankful that I got a good machine and only paid $50 out of my own pocket for it.

[hookedonstitch]

I have my initial sleep study report and my titration study and could really use some feedback on both.

[hookedonstitch]

Recent waste of time (I mean titration study)

[hookedonstitch]

I was also given a sleeping tablet with the titration study

[SarcasticDave94]

Yep that supposed titration was like a joke. Starting at 6, ending at 6 with apparently no changes. Even blind squirrels can see that isn't a titration.

OK that aside, what do you feel you lack as is? Are you feeling like your therapy is working OK? What do you want to improve?