09-23-2017, 09:23 PM
Help Picking First Machine
Hello!
I have an appointment Monday afternnon to get set up with my first machine since being diagnosed. Thanks to all the info here I feel like I am going into this pretty informed. Definitely know a lot more than I did a few weeks ago. I think I have my choices narrowed down to 2 machines but I am hoping to get a little additional input and reassurance.
First, some pertinent details about me from my sleep study and how this came about. I am a linehaul driver for a large LTL carrier. I don't live the stereotypical truck driver life as I go for a 8 or so hour trip, get put up in a motel, then make the return trip home the next day after the required DOT rest. Nevertheless, I got forced into having a sleep study as part of a routine physical. Turns out in my case they were right I guess because I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea as a result of that study. My AHI came back at 76.5, so I guess I was quite the over-achiever even.
The more detailed results of my study were as follow: I spent 388 minutes in bed and splept 256 of those minutes with the lowest sleep efficiency being 66%. My sleep latency was 14.9 minutes with a REM latency of 294 minutes. My overall sleep showed increased stage I and II sleep, absent of slow wave and reduced REM sleep. I had a split night study and during the diagnostic portion I spent 204 minutes in bed and slept for 120 minutes with a sleep efficiency of 59%. During that portion I had one central and no mixed apneas, 41 obstructive apneas and 111 hypopneas. REM sleep was not seen during the diagnostic portionand my supine AHI was 62. My avg. oxygen saturation was 92% with a low of 82% and 20 minutes spent below 90%.
During the treatment part of the study, unfortunately, they did not achieve my optimum CPAP pressure. They initiated treatment at 5 cm water and had worked up to 13 cm water before we ran out of time. Despite this, I did show significant improvement during the treatment portion with the AHI dropping to 8 per hour.
This all culminated to a RX for an E0601 APAP set at low 12cm H2O to high 18cm H2O with a E0562 heated PAP device humidifier.
I believe after discussing machines, options, and insurance coverage over the phone with the DME that I am going to be able to choose between the ResMed AirSense 10 or a ResMed AirCurve VAuto. I have had in my mind the last couple of days that the Air Curve would be the way to go. My reasoning is that it will do anything the Air Sense 10 will but will go to a higher pressure if necessary and that the high/low pressures can be set further apart. I am pretty certain there is going to be some diagnostic work left even after getting my APAP given the fact they admittedly don't even really know what my pressure should be set at. Also, I intend to buy the machine vs. renting so the one that can grow and adapt with me the most over the next few years is part of my consideration.
Anyway, it was past time I should say hello and thank you for all the info and knowledge I've taken advantage of already. It also seemed like a good idea to get a little extra input form those who've walked this path before me. Thanks in advance for any input you may have. If I didn't include any needed info please let me know.
I have an appointment Monday afternnon to get set up with my first machine since being diagnosed. Thanks to all the info here I feel like I am going into this pretty informed. Definitely know a lot more than I did a few weeks ago. I think I have my choices narrowed down to 2 machines but I am hoping to get a little additional input and reassurance.
First, some pertinent details about me from my sleep study and how this came about. I am a linehaul driver for a large LTL carrier. I don't live the stereotypical truck driver life as I go for a 8 or so hour trip, get put up in a motel, then make the return trip home the next day after the required DOT rest. Nevertheless, I got forced into having a sleep study as part of a routine physical. Turns out in my case they were right I guess because I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea as a result of that study. My AHI came back at 76.5, so I guess I was quite the over-achiever even.
The more detailed results of my study were as follow: I spent 388 minutes in bed and splept 256 of those minutes with the lowest sleep efficiency being 66%. My sleep latency was 14.9 minutes with a REM latency of 294 minutes. My overall sleep showed increased stage I and II sleep, absent of slow wave and reduced REM sleep. I had a split night study and during the diagnostic portion I spent 204 minutes in bed and slept for 120 minutes with a sleep efficiency of 59%. During that portion I had one central and no mixed apneas, 41 obstructive apneas and 111 hypopneas. REM sleep was not seen during the diagnostic portionand my supine AHI was 62. My avg. oxygen saturation was 92% with a low of 82% and 20 minutes spent below 90%.
During the treatment part of the study, unfortunately, they did not achieve my optimum CPAP pressure. They initiated treatment at 5 cm water and had worked up to 13 cm water before we ran out of time. Despite this, I did show significant improvement during the treatment portion with the AHI dropping to 8 per hour.
This all culminated to a RX for an E0601 APAP set at low 12cm H2O to high 18cm H2O with a E0562 heated PAP device humidifier.
I believe after discussing machines, options, and insurance coverage over the phone with the DME that I am going to be able to choose between the ResMed AirSense 10 or a ResMed AirCurve VAuto. I have had in my mind the last couple of days that the Air Curve would be the way to go. My reasoning is that it will do anything the Air Sense 10 will but will go to a higher pressure if necessary and that the high/low pressures can be set further apart. I am pretty certain there is going to be some diagnostic work left even after getting my APAP given the fact they admittedly don't even really know what my pressure should be set at. Also, I intend to buy the machine vs. renting so the one that can grow and adapt with me the most over the next few years is part of my consideration.
Anyway, it was past time I should say hello and thank you for all the info and knowledge I've taken advantage of already. It also seemed like a good idea to get a little extra input form those who've walked this path before me. Thanks in advance for any input you may have. If I didn't include any needed info please let me know.
