PLEASE HELP! Central/Complex apnea

[hopeforusall]

I apologize for the length of this plea, but I have few options and a dilemma that might be a bit more complex than usual. My health is quickly degrading and any insight would be hugely appreciated!

About 7 months ago, while awake and trying to sleep, I started waking with a gasp, and with what might best be described as adrenalin surges and body tremors. This kept happening about every 2 minutes. After about 4 hours, sleep came, but another episode hit after about an hour. I quickly put on a pulse oximeter and it read 71%. This nightmare has continued over the last
7 months, with my 5 pulse oximeters (including a 12 hour constant monitor that has detailed graphs) showing oxygen going down to around the 88-92 range every couple of minutes while trying to sleep (over and over again), and then a low to mid 70 range during sleep (in sleep blocks of 1 - 2 hours).

I do not have insurance but about 6 weeks ago was able to get ahold of a Resmed Airsense 10 Cpap, which I have been using on all variations of settings (in manufacturer mode), from auto, to constant stream, from a pressure of 4 to a pressure of 12. Nothing has helped. Presumably, the apnea is Central or Complex.

I do not have the funds to get a sleep study or purchase an ASV machine. I know someone who may sell their RESMED S9 VPAP ADAPT. I may also be able to get a used ResMed AirCurve 10 VAuto. I understand the Aircurve is not for Central/Complex apnea, but there was a board member here ('mhehe') who explained that he was able to get the Aircurve to work for him with moderate success. This is the message thread title (I am not allowed to post links yet): Thread-ResMed-AirCurve-10-VAuto-vs-ASV-to-Treat-Central-Apnea
Replies by User: mhehe

Can anyone offer any guidance for someone on a very limited budget? Any thoughs on the S9 Vpap or Aircurve VAuto using the settings indicated by 'mhehe'? Are there any other machines or recomondations for someone with constant hypoxia episodes when awake and trying to sleep followed by severe sleeping hypoxia?

Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!

P.S. Non-smoker, middle-aged, normal BMI, normal labs and cardio results

[Gideon]

Welcome to the forum

To start get OSCAR, make sure there is an SD card in your ResMed, and post a copy of your daily charts. That is how we do our best for you. Interpret the charts, identify issues, likely some you didn't even know you had, and suggest changes to improve your therapy and get you a good repeatable night's sleep.

[hopeforusall]

Thank you Gideon. Michigan people are alway the best! Will get an SD card and try OSCAR.

Have limited time to get the RESMED S9 VPAP ADAPT. Would welcome your input on that, if any.

[Gideon]

It's an older but very capable machine. If it's a good price of grab it. If it's not for you it should be a fairly easy resale . That's one reason I want to see your charts, as that will give us a better understanding of your needs. If your apnea is actually Central or Complex then the S9 makes more sense.

[hopeforusall]

       

Hey Gideon. Would the 2 attached tracking data images offer any insight? I have hundreds of them that essentially show the same O2 desaturation issues over the last 7 months. Thank you again!

[Gideon]

As you know you have a DSat problem
On those two charts the significant reading is 7.5 and 25 minutes under 88% oxygen.

Was this with or without CPAP

[hopeforusall]

Both charts (the asleep one & the awake one) were without the cpap. The numbers do not seem to change much with the cpap on, regardless of the settings I try (auto set, contstant stream, high pressure, low pressure, etc). Have not tried cpap pressure lower than 6 or higher than around 12 though. Not sure if it is worth testing that.

[Gideon]

Show data that was with CPAP, and also show the Daily Charts. Your Sats should be significantly improved, otherwise prepare for a life with supplemental oxygen!!

[hopeforusall]

I have attached fresh data from the few hours of sleep today with CPAP at a pressure of 9.8.

Are you saying that I need an oxygen concentrator (which I should be able to get no problem) IN ADDITION to an ASV or CPAP OR BIPAP?
I always assumed that when the breathing stopped, oxygen from a concentrator would not get the chance to inhale.

Can you please clarify your supplemental oxygen comment based on the fresh data with CPAP? It seems your reply on this will be VERY important!

[Gideon]

I can't tell. It will take measuring your Sats while using a PAP overnight. The use of a PAP typically (not always) makes a significant improvement in SATS.