01-27-2025, 03:10 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-27-2025, 03:13 PM by Charleigh. Edited 1 time in total.)
New with questions (here for my teen son)
Hi there,
After having health issues, fatigue, and low energy for over a year we turned to a sleep study as a bit of a last resort for my 15yo old. It turned out he has severe sleep apnea. He had a septoplasty and turbinate reduction done a month ago in order to better tolerate Cpap (he has been a big time mouth breather when sleeping). We just had the second sleep study with titration and he did very well. He tolerated it fine and used a full Evora mask for the study. I am not quite sure they had his levels high enough? The tech went in with this preconceived idea that DS would need a level 9 and that is what he listed for him to use. I feel like he will need more pressure? He still did not have REM sleep. It is strange that his original study had no central apnea and the one with titration had 9 central events. Is this normal? His final report was much improved though so we can't complain. I am posting his test results for titration for your expert thoughts. As we move forward and hope to get his own machine in as soon as insurance approves, I would appreciate any input y'all have to help this be as successful as possible. He is desperate to feel better ASAP. Thank you all so much <3
In his titration study...
https://imgur.com/xwxKkCi
https://imgur.com/xwvrWZ1https://imgur.com/xwvrWZ1
RE: New with questions (here for my teen son)
It was a titration study (e.g. a study to try various settings after a sleep study has concluded apnea) and by using a CP of 9 they got his AHI down to 1.5 (pretty good for the first time use) and they say after some monitoring they will perhaps alter that setting.
The second to last paragraph on the first page says they used various pressures and reading the report and results, the 9 cm setting to me is more of a study conclusion and not a vague notion which happened to be right. But say it was a notion and after the study it is actually the right pressure? That's good isn't it? The destination matters more than the journey, doesn't it?
Could it be possible that the tech, after doing 5,000 studies has a wee bit of a clue where to start based on a general assessment of the patient in front of them? And 9 is a pretty common average amount or pressure.
The smart thing would be to buy an APAP machine and that can be set with a range of say 7 to 12 cm, so if 9 cm is inadequate now and then, the machine will increase the pressure to 10 or 11 etc., but more likely 9.2 or 9.3 or maybe even down a bit to say, 8.8 or 8.5.
Also read through a few posts here, search on central apnea, lots of people have none then CAs emerge with treatment and they resolve with time or are of trivial duration.
RE: New with questions (here for my teen son)
If you download and post Oscar charts we will be better able to help you. Oscar is our free apnea reporting program that creates great charts that help us see what is going on with each night's sleep. You can find it at the top of every page, in the black ribbon.
01-28-2025, 01:35 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-28-2025, 01:36 PM by Charleigh.)
RE: New with questions (here for my teen son)
@Rickyricardo
This is very helpful and makes perfect sense. Thank you for taking the time to explain things to me. Your thoughts on the central apnea are a huge relief to me, I was afraid we would move from problem to another. Thank you so much.
(01-27-2025, 08:20 PM)Deborah K. Wrote: If you download and post Oscar charts we will be better able to help you. Oscar is our free apnea reporting program that creates great charts that help us see what is going on with each night's sleep. You can find it at the top of every page, in the black ribbon.
We do not have a machine yet and I do not know what Oscar is but when we get a machine I will try to figure it out. Thank you
01-28-2025, 09:58 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-29-2025, 12:44 PM by SarcasticDave94. Edited 2 times in total.
Edit Reason: Typo edit
)
RE: New with questions (here for my teen son)
I would suggest you do a bit of homework to prep yourselves for this CPAP. Check with your insurance customer support, asking which DME suppliers are nearby in-network. Find out by searching the companies mentioned, which has the best customer ratings. You can post the list here for comment as you see fit.
Also, your best bet on the machine, you'll need to voice your decision, don't let the DME choose for you. I will suggest the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet, or the newer ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet. Tell your doctor you want this specific device, and also tell the DME you expect ResMed. This is important enough as it influences success when you're working with a great therapy tool.
The reason you'll want to do this? The DME may send a lesser capable level or brand of CPAP. This is the gold standard for most here.
Mask Primer
Positional Apnea
Attach OSCAR, etc.
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.
01-28-2025, 10:26 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-28-2025, 10:29 PM by Sleepster. Edited 1 time in total.)
RE: New with questions (here for my teen son)
(01-28-2025, 01:35 PM)Charleigh Wrote: We do not have a machine yet and I do not know what Oscar is but when we get a machine I will try to figure it out. Thank you
SarcasticDave94 gave you some good advice on the choice of a machine. You can get the doctor to specify the machine you want on the prescription so the DME can't mess with you and try to make a larger profit by selling you a lesser machine. Do not take possession of any other brand or type of machine. DME's can be like used car salesmen, and will tell you anything to unload their merchandise.
The ResMed AirSense 10 is a good choice, but I would recommend the ResMed AirCurve 10. It allows for a greater selection of pressures and is therefore more comfortable. It can be a challenge to start CPAP therapy, especially for a teenager. The thing to understand is that this is not just a machine to help you breathe better. It will improve both physical and mental health, and especially cognition. It will be a life-changer for him.
Sleepster
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.
01-28-2025, 11:40 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-28-2025, 11:42 PM by SarcasticDave94.)
RE: New with questions (here for my teen son)
Further info, as I forgot. Ask the doctor to specify the ResMed and put the phrase Dispense As Written (DAW) on your script. Then the shenanigans of swapping machines Sleepster mentioned is no longer legal for your prescription fill.
The AutoSet is the auto CPAP, and the VAuto is a bilevel. He's correct. The VAuto is more capable, certainly it won't hurt to request it from the doc.
Mask Primer
Positional Apnea
Attach OSCAR, etc.
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.
01-29-2025, 12:36 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-29-2025, 12:39 PM by Charleigh.)
RE: New with questions (here for my teen son)
(01-28-2025, 09:58 PM)SarcasticDave94 Wrote: I would suggest you do a bit of homework to prep yourselves for this CPAP. Check with your insurance customer support, asking which DME suppliers are nearby in-network. Find out by searching the companies mentioned, which has the best customer ratings. You can post the list here for comment as you see fit.
Also, you're best bet on the machine, you'll need to voice your decision, don't let the DME choose for you. I will suggest the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet, or the newer ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet. Tell your doctor you want this specific device, and also tell the DME you expect ResMed. This is important enough as it influences success when you're working with a great therapy tool.
The reason you'll want to do this? The DME may send a lesser capable level or brand of CPAP. This is the gold standard for most here.
Thank you so much for your help. The Med supply called today and I told them we only want a ResMed and he said that is about all they do these days and he will note it, so hopefully that will help get us in the right direction.
(01-28-2025, 10:26 PM)Sleepster Wrote: SarcasticDave94 gave you some good advice on the choice of a machine. You can get the doctor to specify the machine you want on the prescription so the DME can't mess with you and try to make a larger profit by selling you a lesser machine. Do not take possession of any other brand or type of machine. DME's can be like used car salesmen, and will tell you anything to unload their merchandise.
The ResMed AirSense 10 is a good choice, but I would recommend the ResMed AirCurve 10. It allows for a greater selection of pressures and is therefore more comfortable. It can be a challenge to start CPAP therapy, especially for a teenager. The thing to understand is that this is not just a machine to help you breathe better. It will improve both physical and mental health, and especially cognition. It will be a life-changer for him.
I really do think it will be a life-changer for him. He is antsy to get it and feel better and have better mental clarity. He has somehow managed to maintain straight A's, even in his college dual enrolled classes but it takes all of his time and energy and so much more time than it should because he is so tired and mentally fatigued. My kiddo is ready to feel better. I'm hopeful it won't take too long to get his machine.
01-29-2025, 12:47 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-29-2025, 12:47 PM by SarcasticDave94.)
RE: New with questions (here for my teen son)
Wishing y'all the best in therapy. Keep us updated here. This is your thread.
If you get OSCAR charts on your computer, you'll probably see more data than even the doctor will be tracking.
Mask Primer
Positional Apnea
Attach OSCAR, etc.
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.
RE: New with questions (here for my teen son)
(01-29-2025, 12:36 PM)Charleigh Wrote: He has somehow managed to maintain straight A's, even in his college dual enrolled classes but it takes all of his time and energy and so much more time than it should because he is so tired and mentally fatigued.
I've had students like that. They have learned how to function despite that tired-all-the-time feeling.
Quote:My kiddo is ready to feel better. I'm hopeful it won't take too long to get his machine.
Good for him. A positive attitude is what's needed. Just beware that he may not like using the machine. At first the hose and the pressure are a huge bother, and at first he may get less sleep, not more. And there may be complications like aerophagia. So it may not be a picnic in the park. But the human body is capable of an amazing amount of adaptation, and if he perseveres he will definitely get to the point where he's fully adapted and the CPAP machine, along with the hose and the pressure, will seem like a normal part of life. For some people this is easy, but I'm just warning you that for a lot of people it's difficult.
CPAP therapy is one of the most effective medical treatments in existence, but it suffers from a large percentage of patients not complying. In other words, it's a highly effective treatment with a not-so-good compliance rate.
Sleepster
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.
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