Can Anyone Please Review My Sleep Study Report. Scared And Worried

[EastWeekender]

Went to the doctor and he was clear. I need to use CPAP.

I am disappointed.

His approach was ... use CPAP and start losing weight and making other changes like getting a flat stomach etc whilst using CPAP then after more than 6-9 months ..another sleep study can be done.

What do I do ... I have a deviated nasal septum and he wants me to use a nasal mask only.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Whether you can use a nasal mask or not depends on the severity of your deviated septum. I have one as well and can use a nasal pillow mask fine. My biggest issue is allergies, so I use a spray of OTC Flonase or neti pot to help relieve the symptoms.

If you do not like the idea of using a nasal mask, ask him to let you use something like a ResMed F30 or Fisher and Paykel Evora. They are called full-face, but are more like half-face as they do not fully cover the nose.

From the sounds of things you lucked out and got a good doctor. He sounds like he knows what he is doing and wants to help. We could use more like him in the States.

[EastWeekender]

Its funny you say that because I am in India and my doctor was constantly bragging about how he is the member of the American Association Of Sleep Medicine and how in USA things happen in a certain way etc.

All things said and done ... I have reconciled to the fact that I will have to use CPAP.

I was wondering is it realistic to expect that if I make some drastic changes to my lifestyle for better then my sleep apnea can reverse or go away.

I asked this to my doctor but he gave a vague answer which I understand since he wont give make a definitive statement based on anecdotal evidence.

[SarcasticDave94]

In most cases, Apnea can be treated but not cured. CPAP is a treatment device, controlling symptoms.

Losing weight can help with Apnea reduction, but again realistically it probably will not be the only thing you need to change. Weight loss and CPAP therapy gives better chance to get well rested. If weight loss in the hundreds of pounds lost, ok it may affect Apnea more than the average person.

[Deborah K.]

I don't know what pap machines are available in India, but most in the US prefer the ResMed machines.  If you need a basic machine the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset is excellent.  Even if your doctor prescribes static Cpap pressure, the Autoset is the best, because most find that they do better with a range of pressure.  The Autoset offers both.  If you need a bilevel machine the ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto is excellent.

Best of luck with your upcoming treatment!

[EastWeekender]

Thank you for your inputs.

What is the difference between a bilevel machine and a non bilevel machine.

It will probably be "ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset" for me however what is the advantage of using "ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto" over "ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset" ?

[Deborah K.]

A bilevel is a more sophisticated machine than an autoset.  Sleeprider, the best advisor here, says it's the machine everyone should have, but it costs more than the autoset.  It lowers high flow limits better, reduces one's arousal rate, and increases airflow without increasing respiratory effort, resulting in not needing such high pressures.  In my case, it also increased my tidal volume by quite a lot.  It's also more comfortable to use.

There are probably other things too, but those were the ones that affected me when I decided I needed to switch to a bilevel.

I hope I answered this clearly.