[Treatment] Newly diagnosed and I have some questions

[Sleeprider]

Ash, welcome to the forum. Your sleep test shows a positional apnea, with a significant reduction when not in the supine position. As a vet, you understand a lot about the respiratory system and how position and anatomy can affect the airway (especially with brachycephalic breeds) . At Apnrea Board, we have done a lot of thinking about how sleeping position affects the airway, and have a substantial base of anecdotal information that suggests a lot of obstruction can be eliminated by means of positional therapy. As examples, please consider reading our wiki on Positional Apnea, http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...onal_Apnea and also the Soft Cervical Collar wiki in my signature links.

What we have found is that CPAP is an important therapy, but that many individual also benefit from positional therapy, specifically, no allowing flexion of the neck that obstructs the airway. I have personally come to the conclusion that sleeping supine is a myth, and the real cause of positional apnea is "chin-tucking". Certainly there are mechanisms at play in supine sleeping, but I don't think they apply to you any more than they do to most of our members the experience positional apnea in spite of using CPAP therapy. I mention this to encourage you to consider alternatives to the inflatable device on your back. Give it some thought, and I'd be interested to hear what you come up with.

CPAP achieves its efficacy by stenting the airway against tissue impingement, and also enhances oxygenation through PEEP (positive end expiratory pressure) and improves ventilation, driving down CO2. If you can resolve obstruction, and maintain your SpO2 needs without CPAP, that is one less thing to worry about in your life, and CPAP can be as disruptive to sleep as mild apnea, so you may indeed not perceive any positive benefits from therapy. You can self-monitor if your needs change by purchasing an inexpensive recording oximeter, and periodically wear it at night. If anything changes, you will be the first to know. Good luck, and if you ever decide to try CPAP, be sure to check back here for a machine recommendation. The Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset CPAP is by far your best choice for comfort and effectiveness.