RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
So I think I will be getting a bilevel soon. My sleep doc put the order through but she said the respiratory therapists could still get in the way and force me to do more testing for insurance purposes. I'm hoping this is not the case.
Since my AHI is pretty severe at 59.6 both my doctor and the sleep tech said it's a bad idea to take a break and that I should continue with the CPAP in the meantime but I just feel so crappy during the day. What can I do? I'm on sleep meds and they help a little but I feel like I'm just floating through each day. Any advice in the meantime?
09-01-2024, 10:21 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-01-2024, 10:22 AM by ISeekRem.
Edit Reason: head of bed
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RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
I suspected I needed a bilevel when using standard CPAP when I had trouble breathing out fully. It would lead to breathing issues for me. Is this what is happening?
My advise:
In the interim, if you're not going to use CPAP, get a wedge pillow from Amazon. It looks kinda like a triangle. Put it on top of or underneath the head of your mattress to elevate your bed. I have moderate OSA, and this has worked for me until I was able to tolerate my bipap. Elevate your bed and sleep on your side, as the airways stay open better than on your back, most likely. Don't bother with trying to elevate yourself with standard pillows, as it doesn't work from my experience. Get the wedge pillow.
RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
(09-01-2024, 10:21 AM)ISeekRem Wrote: I suspected I needed a bilevel when using standard CPAP when I had trouble breathing out fully. It would lead to breathing issues for me. Is this what is happening?
What we've determined is that my breathing is too shallow regardless of what pressure I'm on on the CPAP. My airways attempt to close, and although it doesn't lead to a full on apnea or hypopnea, it still wakes me up and causes a very fragmented night of sleep.
RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
(08-27-2024, 06:26 PM)Idub88 Wrote: Hoping something clicks for me soon.
Yeah it should, you're still young in therapy terms :
I suffered with cruddy apap treatment for two years (even dialed in I had arousals and microarousals) then I tried bilevel and slept a bit better, but when I finally moved to cpap (with flex-not epr/resmed) it made a massive difference and I average under 1 ahi/rdi now and sleep on average 9 hours a night. I'd suggest trying other machines on cpap mode (besides resmed).
RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
If your doctor prescribes a bi-level, that's what the DME has to provide. It's not up to them, and they have no right to ask for another sleep study. It is not required. Tell your doctor that you want a ResMed AirCirve 10 Vauto, not just any bi-level. He can write that on the prescription or otherwise let the DME know that they are to provide you that particular machine.
I know this because I went from an Autoset to the above machine late last year. The doctor is in charge, not the DME.
Machine: ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto
Mask: Bleep DreamPort Sleep Solution
RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
Phaleronic - I'm already having so much trouble getting hold of the Bipap, the idea of tracking down another machine sounds stressful, lol. My AHI is consistently under 1 but I'm still having a bunch of arousals and micro arousals and they seem to happen every 15 minutes or so. Charts below.
Deborah K. - The Aircurve 10 Vauto is the exact machine the sleep doc prescribed. I'm hoping it all goes through. I'm just having to wait to hear anything with the long weekend.
Disclaimer, I was not asleep this whole time. I woke up about 7 and laid in bed for a while:
RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
(09-02-2024, 10:35 AM)Idub88 Wrote: Phaleronic - I'm already having so much trouble getting hold of the Bipap, the idea of tracking down another machine sounds stressful, lol. My AHI is consistently under 1 but I'm still having a bunch of arousals and micro arousals and they seem to happen every 15 minutes or so. Charts below.
Deborah K. - The Aircurve 10 Vauto is the exact machine the sleep doc prescribed. I'm hoping it all goes through. I'm just having to wait to hear anything with the long weekend.
Disclaimer, I was not asleep this whole time. I woke up about 7 and laid in bed for a while:
Idub88, sure I understand, some of those waveforms are almost matching cheyne stokes respirations but without the curtailed patterns at the end...
RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
(09-02-2024, 11:51 AM)Phaleronic Wrote: Idub88, sure I understand, some of those waveforms are almost matching cheyne stokes respirations but without the curtailed patterns at the end...
Should I be concerned about that?
RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
(09-02-2024, 12:00 PM)Idub88 Wrote: Should I be concerned about that?
I don't think so right now, but if the CAs show up more often will need to check them out.
RE: Thinking of Taking a Break Until I Can Get Bilevel
Is it really that bad of an idea to take a break? Slept like crap again last night on a pressure of 20cm. I am fighting with the insurance just to hear back from someone. I'm tired of feeling like crap and I wish I never knew about my diagnosis.
