[Treatment] Valtor Therapy Thread - from Autoset to Vauto

[Valtor]

I also use tidal volume around the event to know if I was awake. In your case, you have pulse rate data that can help determine arousal.

I just ordered an O2Ring, that'll make interpretation easier I think.

[Valtor]

I found this video interesting in explaining how to detect arousals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W_9u1hEum4&t=3m43s

[Valtor]

Wow that really shows how much better a bi-level is. Can't wait to get mine.

[Valtor]

...Noncompliance results in loss of the device, usually within 90 days of starting, and it is returned to the DME...

So on that subject, I am getting the AirCurve tomorrow and then I'll stop using the AirSense and my RT/DME will no longer get my usage/compliance stats over cell network.

How can I prove compliance to my pulmonologist using a machine that was not even prescribed to me? Should I even bother to tell RT/DME that I'm using another machine and not buying the rental?

I'm not sure how to handle the next few weeks I have left with the RT/DME and at the end of it I am supposed to have a follow up appointment with my pulmonologist.

Can I just print usage data from Oscar and bring that to my appointment? I would just like to keep a prescription active even if it is just a prescription for a CPAP. Because that way, I can still buy supplies, masks, etc... without having to import hardware.

[Sleeprider]

Let's give it a few days to dial things in. The improvement should be pretty persuasive in the data. You can inform your doctor that you are continuing therapy with a bilevel option that works better. At your next visit, provide the data that shows use, efficacy and other information that demonstrates compliance, effectiveness and all the things that keep your insurance in force for supplies. At the next PAP replacement cycle, you should be approved for bilevel. I don't know where you are with regard to your CPAP compliance, or how this works in Canada. If the health system owns the CPAP, they may repossess it and any payments would stop. The point is to convert to bilevel for future prescriptions.

[Valtor]

My "myAir" compliance is near perfect so far. This is the data they currently get from the AirSense 11. It seems that being compliant means you use the machine for at least 4 hours per night for at least 70% of nights in a 3 month period.

This compliance data will drop to 0 from today. The doc expects a usage report from the RT/DME. The doc does not follow this himself.

The RT/DME will be handing out a pretty poor usage report showing near perfect usage for the first few weeks and then nothing following that.

So I am wondering if it is worth my while to share my usage data with the RT/DME or just let them provide a poor report and show up to the doc's appointment with my own print out report and data?

If I do share this with the RT/DME, then of course they might be angry that I am not going to buy the machine after the 3 month rental. It looks like this is their business model, selling machines with 250% margins.

Anyway, as always thanks for your input.

[Valtor]

I got my AirCurve 10 VAuto. It has the newer humidifier version with rounded metal plate. So it's fairly recent hardware.

It even has cell network connectivity and it is showing 2 bars. I added it to myAir, but I do not know if the connectivity will work here in Canada. We'll see.

I decided not to worry about how I'll handle proof of compliance. The Universe will sort it out.

After all, as you said in the first page, in the end it's really between me and my primary care doc anyway (family doc). Plus I discovered that a prescription is not required by law here in Canada, although most insurance requires one.

I'll set it up with this for the first night.

VAuto mode
EPAP Min 4
IPAP Max 14
PS 4
Ti Max 3.2
Ti Min 0.3
Trigger Med (or High, not sure yet)
Cycle Med

[Valtor]

So here's the result of my first night on the AirCurve.

There is only one real event, I checked the others and they are just me changing position. I included a zoom of that single "real" OA (plus another random zoom).

I don't know if it is just the placebo effect, but I really do feel more refreshed this morning.

I was surprised to find that I had to change both the trigger and cycle to low in order to feel most comfortable. Here are my current settings.

EPAP Min 6
IPAP Max 14
PS 4
Ti Max 3.2
Ti Min 0.3
Trigger Low
Cycle Low

So I guess I should try to slowly increase the min EPAP now? By 1 each new night or just 0.2 until there are no longer any OAs?

I'm also getting a new mask today. An AirTouch F20. So I guess I need to increase min EPAP just because I'm going from nasal to FFM?

[Valtor]

Oh and would it be possible to rename this thread to: "Valtor - Therapy Thread" or something similar.

Thanks!

[Sleeprider]

Thread has been renamed. It's hard to argue with better results and more rested sleep. How did you come up with trigger sensitivity on low? We usually use a higher trigger to avoid CA or just leave it at medium. I wanted to add, that we're just gaining forum experience with CPAPspecials, and I'm glad that transaction went smoothly.