ASV op BIPAP- which one?

[Glamdrhel]

Hi everyone

I need some help to choose a new machine.
I currently have a resmed s9 auto. I have been using this cpap on and off for the last six years without once getting a good nights sleep. About the longest I have held out using it was four months averaging 6 to 8 hours every night and still waking up feeling tired.

My problem is I was fairly clueless about sleep apnea when I got the resmed S9 auto cpap.
Looking at my sleep study now It looks to me if I should have gotten an ASV right from the start.

The sleep labs near me all want to sell me a BiPaP machine , telling me that it will do the Job. On pressing them about a sleep study with an ASV machine it turns out none of them have one to do a study with!! It is starting to feel that my local sleep labs have no clue about what machine to use for what type of sleep apnea.

I have included the results of the last sleep study I did below. Any advice as to what type of cpap to get will be greatly appreciated.My main concern is that an ASV machine is hugely expensive here in south africa with a BiPap beeing more than two thirds cheaper. (and my medical only pays a small part of the cost). That beeing said I will rather get an ASV if its what I need than getting a Bipap and sitting with another expensive white elephant.

Please share your experience with someone who is really getting desparate to make this work.

Thanks

       

[Walla Walla]

I would say based on your sleep study that a regular BPAP won't help you.

[Shin Ryoku]

I have a few questions:

1) Did you have a titration study on CPAP?

2) Do you have a sleep specialist doctor who agrees that you have failed CPAP?

3) Do you know what your AHI is on CPAP?

I would recommend against buying any machine unless you have an in lab titration study showing successful use of the mode of therapy employed by that machine... unless that isn't possible to do in your location.

[Glamdrhel]

I have a few questions:

1) Did you have a titration study on CPAP?

2) Do you have a sleep specialist doctor who agrees that you have failed CPAP?

3) Do you know what your AHI is on CPAP?

I would recommend against buying any machine unless you have an in lab titration study showing successful use of the mode of therapy employed by that machine... unless that isn't possible to do in your location.

hi
1) unfortunately not, did not know enough then to ask. However my "tritation" consisted of the tech putting me on an auto cpap with a full face mask, slept for only about an hour. Only saw the tech again the next morniing, she looked at the average pressure which was 7 if I remember correctly and that was it. Got a normal cpap set to 7 with a fullface mask ( no choice) , that never worked well, couldn't sleep more that an hour at a time with it.

That ended with the sleep study above after I complained treatment wasn't working. I was given the S9 auto with no tritation study done. Was just told to leave it on auto.

2) This one is more difficult. My Pshyciatrist believe my CPAP is not working. After a telephonic conversation with a neurologist I was advised to try BiPAP or ASV.There is no doctor spesialising in sleep studies near me, the best I can do is a neurologist who is 2 hours drive away. Unfortunately my appointment with him is only in April.

3) Very good AHI , useally between 0.5 and 3. Although the numbers look good I am still waiting to wake up feeling refreshed and not feeling tired.
   

thanks

[Shin Ryoku]

With AHI that low, it seems unlikely that a new machine will solve everything. Do you know if you are having oxygen desaturations while on CPAP?

[Glamdrhel]

Hi
Yes, SP02 goes to an average of about 90 to 92%. Can't check however as my oximeter have left for electonic heaven

[Shin Ryoku]

Can you tell us more about your health?

[Glamdrhel]

I am fairly healthy except for the sleep apnea.
I am a bit overweight and taking medicine for depression (Yelate and Dopaquel to help me sleep) due to having to cope with a special needs daughter.
I am also taking ritalin to help me stay awake during the day as prescribed by a neurologist.
my main problem is increasing episodes of falling asleep during the day acompanied by heat flushes and stopping breathing during these episodes.
As I spend a lot of my time on the road for work I wouldn't be able to drive safely if it was not for the ritalin keeping me awake and aware.
I don't drink or smoke.
Was tested negative for narcolepsy and epilepsy.

Please ask if you want to know more.

[Walla Walla]

Probably help a lot if you posted a daily sleepyhead chart following the setup order in the links below.

[Glamdrhel]

Thanks for all the help so far.

As i somehow messed up my sleepyhead data so that most of the data is gone I will post tonight's results tomorrow.

Going to bed now ...