03-11-2024, 10:48 AM
Help with settings after BiPAP Titration
I'm currently on my second try with CPAP and have been using it for about 2 months. My first round of CPAP was a few years ago and they recommended BiPAP based on my results but couldn't fulfill the order because of recalls so I sent back the CPAP at the time and hadn't tried again until recently.
On the MyAir app, I can see my data is really inconsistent. Anywhere on average from less than 1 events per hour up to 15+. I have nights where my AHI is less than 5 but last week over the course of 3 nights, I went from 15.4 AHI one night to 0.9 the next night and then back to 7.8 the next night.
The doctor who ordered my CPAP couldn't treat complex sleep apnea so they referred me to a doctor who ordered a BiPAP titration. I met with him for the results and he told me that there wasn't much difference between BiPAP titration and the CPAP results from my machine. He said that since my results were "under 5" that I was meeting the goal of therapy and a BiPAP wouldn't be helpful. He said that a BiPAP titration with backup rate could get my AHI down to below 1 but he said that "there's not much of a difference between 3.5 AHI and 0.9 AHI" and he said it wouldn't be worth the effort to do another titration for that. His recommendation was a prescription for stimulants to take during the day and to see me again in 2-3 months. I asked him if my current CPAP settings (7 - 10) are as good as it gets for me based on what he's saying and he agreed and said 9-10 is the ideal pressure for me.
Ultimately I just don't feel well rested when I wake up and I don't like the idea of having to use stimulants to get through the day. I feel a big difference when I do have good nights with low AHI and I felt that way waking up after the BiPAP titration. I'm confused as to why this doctor would recommend against something that would lower my AHI to near zero? I assumed the practical goal (beyond the bare minimum insurance requirements) is for me to get as close to zero to put me closer to normal health? I have a hard time believing that such drastic swings in my AHI are "as good as it gets" for me.
I'm in my early 30's having dealt with some form of apnea for almost 10 years and I'm trying hard right now to treat this fully to avoid putting any more stress on my body and heart. I'm considering not returning to this doctor but I'm also not sure what I should do from here. Thanks in advance for your help
On the MyAir app, I can see my data is really inconsistent. Anywhere on average from less than 1 events per hour up to 15+. I have nights where my AHI is less than 5 but last week over the course of 3 nights, I went from 15.4 AHI one night to 0.9 the next night and then back to 7.8 the next night.
The doctor who ordered my CPAP couldn't treat complex sleep apnea so they referred me to a doctor who ordered a BiPAP titration. I met with him for the results and he told me that there wasn't much difference between BiPAP titration and the CPAP results from my machine. He said that since my results were "under 5" that I was meeting the goal of therapy and a BiPAP wouldn't be helpful. He said that a BiPAP titration with backup rate could get my AHI down to below 1 but he said that "there's not much of a difference between 3.5 AHI and 0.9 AHI" and he said it wouldn't be worth the effort to do another titration for that. His recommendation was a prescription for stimulants to take during the day and to see me again in 2-3 months. I asked him if my current CPAP settings (7 - 10) are as good as it gets for me based on what he's saying and he agreed and said 9-10 is the ideal pressure for me.
Ultimately I just don't feel well rested when I wake up and I don't like the idea of having to use stimulants to get through the day. I feel a big difference when I do have good nights with low AHI and I felt that way waking up after the BiPAP titration. I'm confused as to why this doctor would recommend against something that would lower my AHI to near zero? I assumed the practical goal (beyond the bare minimum insurance requirements) is for me to get as close to zero to put me closer to normal health? I have a hard time believing that such drastic swings in my AHI are "as good as it gets" for me.
I'm in my early 30's having dealt with some form of apnea for almost 10 years and I'm trying hard right now to treat this fully to avoid putting any more stress on my body and heart. I'm considering not returning to this doctor but I'm also not sure what I should do from here. Thanks in advance for your help
