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While I'm sleeping better since my June, 2013 diagnosis, I'm not waking really rested and refreshed. Also, I am more tired than I'd like to be with a serious 6:00 pm sleepiness.

 

I understand that some have found that they do better with a different machine. Right now I have a standard CPAP machine, the continuous air presssure variety. The question: Have some of you found that you do much better with an Auto-Adjusting ASV machine which (as far as I understand) "breathes with you"?  If so, pleaee let me know.

 

Also, if the Auto-Adjusting machine proved to be an improvement for you, would it be best for me to talk to my doctor to see if I could get a prescription for it? (A prescription would cut my cost, I think. Otherwise, I'll have to buy it outright.)

 

I'd appreciate advice.

 

Thank you!

 

 

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ZolliStar, I went straight to an auto so can't really compare but from what I have heard there are two major benefits, first, the comfort factor of not having the high pressure all night and second, it adjusts to what you require, so if you use sleepyhead software, you can really tell how your therapy is going. You can see whether you are hitting the maximum pressure setting and if you want you can adjust your pressures accordingly. I am on another website and most recommend the auto machines either a Resmed Autoset which is what I use or one in the Phillips Flex range. They recommend that for anyone starting out, that can afford one to go with an auto machine. Hope that helps. 

This helps a lot, Terry!  Thanks for letting me know.

How is your dog??



Terry Vella said:

ZolliStar, I went straight to an auto so can't really compare but from what I have heard there are two major benefits, first, the comfort factor of not having the high pressure all night and second, it adjusts to what you require, so if you use sleepyhead software, you can really tell how your therapy is going. You can see whether you are hitting the maximum pressure setting and if you want you can adjust your pressures accordingly. I am on another website and most recommend the auto machines either a Resmed Autoset which is what I use or one in the Phillips Flex range. They recommend that for anyone starting out, that can afford one to go with an auto machine. Hope that helps. 

He's still going, a bit of a pain sometimes but that's life, thanks for asking.

I forgot in my previous post I would have paid anything to get the best therapy, this is our life we are talking about :)

Hi Zollistar, I much prefer using an Apap to a straight Cpap. I changed over a few years ago and found straight away that I had much less of a problem with leaks. Another thing that I have noticed is I used to have ongoing problems with my nose being either bunged up or having mucus running down the back of my throat constantly, since changing to Apap all that has settled down and the only time I have a recurrence is if I have a really bad cold. I haven't tried an ASV machine so cannot comment on them, but I suspect I would find an ASV even more comfortable to use. 

Thanks for this information Lisa.  It really helps.

Anyone else?

Lisa said:

Hi Zollistar, I much prefer using an Apap to a straight Cpap. I changed over a few years ago and found straight away that I had much less of a problem with leaks. Another thing that I have noticed is I used to have ongoing problems with my nose being either bunged up or having mucus running down the back of my throat constantly, since changing to Apap all that has settled down and the only time I have a recurrence is if I have a really bad cold. I haven't tried an ASV machine so cannot comment on them, but I suspect I would find an ASV even more comfortable to use. 

You will most likely not be able to get insurance approval for an ASV without a Dx of CSA. I think that saying that an ASV breathes with you is false. ASV does however provide a better breath support and algorithm for auto use. The newer ASV units are basically smarter Bipap machines.

May I ask two dumb-dumb questions?  What do "Dx" and "CSA" mean?

And here is a not-so-dumb-dumb question (I hope!): From your experience, do people sleep better using an ASV machine? 

I look forward to your answer.

RockRpsgt said:

You will most likely not be able to get insurance approval for an ASV without a Dx of CSA. I think that saying that an ASV breathes with you is false. ASV does however provide a better breath support and algorithm for auto use. The newer ASV units are basically smarter Bipap machines.

Zollistar, I think  the ASV is hands down the best machine.  It took me four years to get hooked up.  Because of lingering depression and continued day time sleepiness with a high AHI my doctor suggested a night in the lab with an ASV.  It worked in the lab and I began to feel real benefits before the six month mark.  Sixteen months later my depression has resolved and I am no longer sleepy during the day.  If you cannot get one through your physician, perhaps after a trial in the lab, second wind has used ASV machines for a good price.  My machine is $3700 on cpap.com.  Knowing what I do now I would have asked for the trial long before I did. I had failed all the other modes of therapy- I've posted at length of my time on ASV.  I never even feel the pressure changes and have to put my hand over the mask exhaust to see if the machine is on. I think because of the complex algorithm the machine responds more quickly and naturally.  If your present mode of therapy isn't working you need to call for an appointment with your sleep doctor.  It seems doctors are more readily prescribing ASV.  Dr. Krakow has some videos about ASV on YouTube (I think you pointed me there). Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks for this, Mary.

Worse comes to worse, I'll buy a used machine from Second Wind. First I'm going to see if I can get my doctor to prescribe one.

Maybe this is the final answer. Meanwhile, I'm surely happy to have discovered...my animal sleep YouTube videos!  They do help -- and always delight.  (http://www.sleepguide.com/forum/topics/beating-sleep-maintenance-in...)

Mary Z said:

Zollistar, I think  the ASV is hands down the best machine.  It took me four years to get hooked up.  Because of lingering depression and continued day time sleepiness with a high AHI my doctor suggested a night in the lab with an ASV.  It worked in the lab and I began to feel real benefits before the six month mark.  Sixteen months later my depression has resolved and I am no longer sleepy during the day.  If you cannot get one through your physician, perhaps after a trial in the lab, second wind has used ASV machines for a good price.  My machine is $3700 on cpap.com.  Knowing what I do now I would have asked for the trial long before I did. I had failed all the other modes of therapy- I've posted at length of my time on ASV.  I never even feel the pressure changes and have to put my hand over the mask exhaust to see if the machine is on. I think because of the complex algorithm the machine responds more quickly and naturally.  If your present mode of therapy isn't working you need to call for an appointment with your sleep doctor.  It seems doctors are more readily prescribing ASV.  Dr. Krakow has some videos about ASV on YouTube (I think you pointed me there). Good luck and keep us posted.

Dx is diagnosis and CSA is central apnea.

As to whether people sleep better with an ASV, well if you slept well before  ASV I'd imagine you would continue to sleep well.  I slept well on all modes, but found none that worked for me even though I was sleeping   just fine.  Dr Krakow's videos on ASV may mention this.  I don't think an ASV will improve your sleep maintenance because I believe good sleep  and apnea are different problems.  Any mode of treatment may interrupt, or disrupt your sleep much like apneas.   This is conjecture only, I don't speak with authority.  Not everyone needs an ASV, but I believe everyone would benefit from one.  Remember when everyone was clamoring for an AUTO, well I believe ASV is going to be the new AUTO. Perhaps with your doctor's ok you could rent an ASV for a couple of months and see if your sleep improves.  I'm off to look at DR. Krakow's videos on YouTube again.

Zollistar, if you haven't seem this video by Dr. Krakow take a look.  It's about ASV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fMki3KFRgg

Dear Mary,

Thanks for the clarification that good sleep and apnea are probably two different things. I'm still grateful to Terry Vella for pointing out that sleep apnea is a breathing disorder, not a sleep disorder. That opened my eyes and now you bring in a related but different point that brings light to all of this.

I'm don't fit the ASV criteria (I watched Dr. Krakow's video: thanks for pointing it out) so maybe I just saved myself a lot of money! Of course, this is not to say that ASV wouldn't be a better machine for me. I do think I'll take your suggestion to ask my doctor about renting an ASV for a few months. If it makes a difference, I'll have to spring for one.

I'm also checking out Craig's List for an AUTO. Comments on other sites suggest that sometimes machines are like masks: what works well for one person doesn't work well for another and what doesn't work well for someone is great, absolutely great, for a different person.

Again, thank you for your suggestions. Very useful!



Mary Z said:

Dx is diagnosis and CSA is central apnea.

As to whether people sleep better with an ASV, well if you slept well before  ASV I'd imagine you would continue to sleep well.  I slept well on all modes, but found none that worked for me even though I was sleeping   just fine.  Dr Krakow's videos on ASV may mention this.  I don't think an ASV will improve your sleep maintenance because I believe good sleep  and apnea are different problems.  Any mode of treatment may interrupt, or disrupt your sleep much like apneas.   This is conjecture only, I don't speak with authority.  Not everyone needs an ASV, but I believe everyone would benefit from one.  Remember when everyone was clamoring for an AUTO, well I believe ASV is going to be the new AUTO. Perhaps with your doctor's ok you could rent an ASV for a couple of months and see if your sleep improves.  I'm off to look at DR. Krakow's videos on YouTube again.

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