[CPAP] Advice on my apnea results and getting a new machine

[kaulny]

Hi everyone,

I recently got diagnosed with sleep apnea and was recommended a BiPaP machine. I'll be buying out of pocket so I've been eyeing up the ResMed S10 AirCurve VAUTO.


I have ended up in a situation where I don't really have access to a physician right now so I guess I'm asking on this forum for help. I will try and find a sleep specialist but the earliest one will be available late next month and I don't want to wait that long.

I recently took a closer look at my sleep study results and while they've diagnosed me with obstructive sleep apnea. There seems to be a table with "CA", "OA" and "MA" events listed with and without the machine. Now, I'm guessing this refers to Central Apnea, Obstructive Apnea and Mixed apnea. I'm confused as to what the results mean as it seems like I'm also having central apnea events that aren't really going away on the BiPaP machine, yet I've been recommended BiPaP. My AHI is 65 without the machine and 12 with it.

I'm uploading the relevant pages here with these events as I can't seem to make sense of them. I'm planning to spring for a used BiPaP out of pocket and get an ASV through insurance after a sleep specialist consultation, if possible. Any comments/suggestions on my results and the plan?

           

first 2 images are With BiPaP. last one without it.

[Ron Poelstra]

If you are purchasing out of pocket, I would seriously look at a Resmed 10 ASV machine.  Although you have very few CA events and mostly OA I think the ASV would make sense.  I would hope that some of the moderators and other members will weigh in on this.

[SarcasticDave94]

You do have a tendency to get Central Apnea and Obstructive. The likelihood is ASV might be better due to the Centrals.

Remember that all Central Apnea are consistently inconsistent, up and down randomly.

If you buy the BPAP, you'd get the chance to prove whether or not it will help. Use and build evidence, writing in a sleep diary how things went. The diary notes will be your take, your opinion on how things are going, include the answer to "How do you feel?". The data is objective, your comments are the subjective. Share all this with the doctor.

When you get a PAP, Apnea Board members will be able to help you do setup while getting your subjective info and with OSCAR.

[staceyburke]

Depending on your deductible it may be cheaper just to buy the machine you need. 

There will be other sleep studies and another test to find out what pressures and settings you will need- all that may well be more than just buying the machine. You will save months and maybe money just getting the machine you need paying out of pocket.

[Gideon]

After review of your sleep study I believe you would be better off sourcing a low hour ResMed ASV. You can try a VAuto and maybe setting Trigger to high or very high would resolve a chunk of your centrals, but I'm sure an ASV would work.

Are you comfortable with reselling the VAuto, don't do it here though. That way you can recover most of the VAuto cost if you go that route and it doesn't work for you. Others here are good at finding good used deals, of course with all the caveats of buying used.

What direction do you want to go?