Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

Picking a CPAP
#1
Picking a CPAP
Especially with Medicare advantage systems....  I have an appointment to meet with the Doctor to schedule my sleep study.  My current CPAP is a brick with no info recording, no auto settings, just a ramp up to my max pressure where it stays all night.
Therefore, I am certain that I will be getting a new machine (and will insist on it).  

I understand that the Doctor provides guidance on type of machine and its capabilities but did you get any input on specific brands or models within his/her specifications?

When I got my first machine, 12-14 years ago, I didn't know anything about it - when to the DMS office and was given a machine, no discussion, no real training, nothing.  

Appreciate you sharing your experiences on the topic.

Michael
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Picking a CPAP
Tinman53,
Glad to hear you will be scheduling a sleep study.  Your doctor will determine your needs (meaning the type of machine you will need) from the data on your study.

The first thing you should do is call your insurance and find out what coverage you have for your sleep study and machine.  Also, ask for a list of DME's (Durable Medical Equipment providers) that they contract with.  This way, you have a choice of who to use ahead of time.  

Here is a link that may help you understand a little more about the different machines available.  

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ne_choices
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

_______________________
OSCAR Chart Organization
How to Attach Images and Files.
OSCAR - The Guide
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing therapy
OSCAR supported machines
Mask Primer



INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Picking a CPAP
After you read the choices link read the following link about DME's. http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...with_a_DME
Download SleepyHead
Organize your Sleepyhead Charts
Posting Charts
Beginner's Guide to SleepyHead
Mask Primer
5
Advisory Members serve as an "Advisory Committee" to help shape Apnea Board's rules & policies.

Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.



Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Picking a CPAP
Thanks for the input. I read both the wiki sites.

I must be living right. My initial appointment with the Sleep Doc, new to me (old Sleep Doc did absolutely nothing first time around, as a matter of fact, I never met him) was scheduled for the end of next month. I sent an email to the office and asked them to consider me as a replacement for any cancellations. Got a call today and they changed my appointment to Tuesday! I am hoping that I can get in for the study within the next two weeks and get this process moving.

In dealing with medical services extensively in the past I have learned something very valuable. The medical team you hire works for you, the patient, not the other way around. I fired my PCP a few years ago and it saved my life. I am not afraid to fight for what I believe is right, but I like to have all the information I can obtain before going down that road.

Thanks again.
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: Picking a CPAP
Good for you. It’s important to be armed with information before your visits. Hope you get your study soon.
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

_______________________
OSCAR Chart Organization
How to Attach Images and Files.
OSCAR - The Guide
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing therapy
OSCAR supported machines
Mask Primer



INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#6
RE: Picking a CPAP
Had my preliminary meeting with my Pulmonary Doctor. Ran some pulmonary function tests and discussed my history. He was amazed that my CPAP has been operating this long (about 12-14 years) and that I have never been contacted about replacing it or being retested.

My Sleep Test has been scheduled for the 18th, but they will contact me if somebody drops out of a scheduled test. He has already indicated that he is certain my settings will have to be increased and that I will be supplied with an AutoPAP or Auto BiPAP, depending on tests results.

Looks like things are moving along. I was very satisfied with our meeting and his willingness to discuss things until all my questions were answered.

Thanks your support and assistance!

FYI: we discussed ASV units, but he said that they are being boycotted right now due to some deaths during testing with cardiac patients.
When is this “old enough to know better” supposed to kick in?
Post Reply Post Reply
#7
RE: Picking a CPAP
Tinman, the only reason to consider an ASV machine is if you have central or complex apnea. For most people using CPAP, an appropriate upgrade is the auto CPAP, and the best of those is the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset. If you had a machine with data, and especially auto-titrating, it is unlikely you would even need another sleep study as you would know exactly your efficacy and range of effective pressure.

If you don't have any complications, just get the Autoset, and keep copies of your sleep studies for future reference. Since 2008, I have never had another sleep study, and don't anticipate I will ever need one.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#8
RE: Picking a CPAP
The doctor mentioned different types of PAPs and had not mentioned the ASV machine so I was curious and asked about it. That when he told me that information. He did say that I would need at least an AutoPAP. So, it will be interesting to see what the sleep study shows.
When is this “old enough to know better” supposed to kick in?
Post Reply Post Reply
#9
RE: Picking a CPAP
I don't agree to a ban of my ASV machine. Second opinion? That doc is a little bit ill informed.

OK seriously, the ASV machine is not the device you need. Being curious and asking questions is perfectly OK though. I will say that the longer I'm here on Apnea Board, the more ASV machine users have cropped up. When I first signed up, I was only aware of a few. And that didn't include myself as I was on BPAP at that time.

For you? APAP should be fine and you'll gain a smart device too with a newer model.

Coffee
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#10
RE: Picking a CPAP
Auto bilevel is a very nice improvement on CPAP for comfort. The Airsense 10 Autoset offers up to 3 cm of exhale pressure relief which functions a lot like bilevel. For higher pressure support you need a true VPAP or BiPAP machine which increases the cost, but offers a lot of flexibility. Many sleep tests do nothing more than judge your needs for CPAP pressure, with no real analysis of your respiratory parameters. Pressure support in bilevel can make a big difference in tidal volume, minute vent and can effectively increase oxygenation and reduce CO2 retention. This won't even be considered unless the doctor is looking for it in the results, or designs the test to evaluate bilevel therapy. We have seen a lot of very poorly evaluated sleep tests on the forum. Keep in mind they are conducted by technicians, then reviewed and signed by doctors. I have personally seen miscalculated AHI and individuals with serious oxygen desaturation where the tests simply ignored SpO2 when AHI was "satisfactory". We have also seen people with moderate and severe complex apnea titrated on CPAP when their symptoms did not appear on the test for the period of a particular pressure. I am very skeptical of the value of many tests and think most people end up better treated when they obtain a machine with full data and auto-adjusting pressure, then become informed of the meaning of those results so they can help their doctors to help solve those problems, or to self-titrate and optimize therapy.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Help picking a new CPAP machine. edyurgal 19 1,915 09-15-2023, 12:26 PM
Last Post: edyurgal
  Picking up where I left off - My CPAP Therapy Thread SwirlySauce 38 2,774 04-10-2023, 03:48 PM
Last Post: SwirlySauce
  Need advise and help picking correct CPAP leanintoit 7 899 02-16-2022, 12:29 AM
Last Post: leanintoit
  [Equipment] Help Picking First Machine ultramag 8 1,696 10-03-2017, 10:25 PM
Last Post: zack37
  [Equipment] Picking Up A New ASV, Quick Question Shift Worker 6 1,559 08-08-2017, 08:02 AM
Last Post: Shift Worker
  [Equipment] New user needs help picking ASV machine with great software. Sleepyhead? Others? gtrlum 4 1,530 06-27-2017, 06:24 PM
Last Post: gtrlum
  HELP - Picking a Cheap CPAP to start with! thcguy12 14 3,493 01-30-2016, 01:09 PM
Last Post: Mr. Van Winkle


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.