On My Own....GRRRRR

Hey there! I have an idea…SKYPE. If you have a laptop then why not SKPYE with the supplier and/or respirologist from your location. They could charge the service as per the usual manner, it's an office visit…your there face to face just via a screen. You could show them exactly what's going on (or not, as the case may be). Good luck!

Suzanne in Kelowna, BC

PS what region are you in?

Yes of course the time is more important if you are not getting the desired results. After wasting a huge amount of time when you get nothing then you will be disappointed and give up you try. Try the doctor near you, probably your mind will feel relax even with few results.

Reading for 2 hrs—— Pressure 9, Leaks 0.10 L/s, AHI 0.0, AI 0.0, HI 0.0
I like the zeroes, but wish I could get the hrs…never sure on the leaks.

What are your "needs"? Support or supplies?
I am sorry to hear that you feel abandoned…but you know you are not abandoned here. :)
I would hope that your local doctor would be more helpful of the service you need now that the CPAP person can no longer travel to your area. Have you talked to your local docs office to see what they are planning on offering to fill in the gap of lack of service?

Hi Tracy, Support is part, but also am still lost on only getting 2-4 hrs on the machine. I finally have everything else worked out & have been trying to extend the hrs. When I wake up the first time mask is still on everything is fine so I try & go back to sleep, but after laying awake for about another hr or 2 I give up take the mak off & finally go to sleep…Any suggestions????? I feel like this is taking me forever…

Thanks

And MY guess is that your pressure needs some tweaking - and just as likely the CPAP you have been provided with is not capable of providing any efficacy data.

Just in case - which brand and model CPAP are you using? If by some chance it is one that is capable of reporting efficacy data (Leak, AHI and AI) that data will go a long way to pin pointing what your problem(s) is/are and thus give some clues for correcting the problem.

Perplexed: The machine is the s8 auto & it does give me the info, that the RT seems not to want me to see. But I figured it out own my own. I will write it down for a week, Post it here on the thread & maybe someone will be able to give some pointers…Have not given up yet.

Thanks

Ahhhh, good. I LOVED my S8 Elite! That was my "starter" CPAP back in October 2006. I've been switched to a bi-level due to my COPD since then but … I sure did hate to give up my Elite. My first love … *sigh*

Perplexed: just curious, I have recently been diagnosed with COPD. Why were you switched to a bi-level due to it? What's the reasoning? Thanks!

The bi-level makes for easiier breathing and allows for a higher IPAP w/a lower EPAP than the straight CPAPs w/their liminted expiration pressure relief. Not all COPDers need a bi-level, especially not in the earlier stages of COPD. Mine is quite severe now. I am on 02 supplementation 24 x 7 and w/my bi-level PAP at night.

I didn't get so lucky, mine is the older s8 auto. Have a wonderful evening.

Well, I bought a slightly used Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage (236 hours on it) out of pocket so I would have a backup/travel PAP and I loved my Vantage too. But I didn't get to use it long before I was switched to the bi-level.

I liked my Elite and AutoSet Vantage so much when I was switched to a bi-level in March 2008 I insisted on the Resmed S8 VPAP Auto which was released in January 2008. I've been VERY happy w/it.

I also have a PR SystemOne BPAP Auto and like it (I prefer to have a backup/travel PAP as well as my "usual" PAP). And I get excellent therapy w/it - but I still prefer my Resmed S8 VPAP Auto.

Its too bad you had to fire that sleep doctor who suggested you needed a bi-level. They really do make breathing easier for many of us. They do require yet another titration study w/a bi-level but for many of us it is worth it. Unfortunately most insurances require that we "fail" CPAP therapy before they will pay for a bi-level.

The bi-levels allow a greater "gap" between inhalation pressure and expiration pressure than the EPR or C-Flex/A-Flex pressure settings of the APAPs which only allow a pressure "gap" of 3 cms at the most.

I actually was told that I failed cpap, so I don't understand what they are waiting for. But I will keep you posted, Thanks so much.

But isn't the "bi-pap" slleep doc the one you "fired"?? And you need a bi-pap titraton study before they can script you a bi-pap.

Almost, but we are waiting to get set up with a new sleep study whenever that will be. The hospital is slow here

what you really need is a good local face to face RT to help you with the challenges. You have more issues than just osa, and it might be part of the problem. All I can tell you is to keep using cpap, partial treatment is always better than none. remember to use it during day time naps as well.

Tracy has more experience w/CPAP therapy than I do. And I sure do agree w/her - use your mask and PAP every time you sleep or nap. PAP isn't a cure, its a therapy. Just like your glasses, they can only help you see when you wear them.