Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by RL on February 27, 2010 at 11:10am

That would be great, but I haven't heard of this type of help, unless, perhaps one is entirely dependent on government support already, as in full disability-SSI with no other means of support. From what I have heard, it is a long slow, painful path to get to that support level, and many do not survive the obstacle course involved.

99 said:

here in britain

those on oxygen concentrators have a discount with the electric used

you can make enquireies do they do a discount on your electric bill as it is a medical nessesity

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sheila Knowles on July 12, 2010 at 5:08pm

I have looked ALL over the internet trying to find a place to discuss anything or pose my question.

I have sleep apnea and sleep every night with my full face mask intact..( I have a humidifier but keep it OFF as I like the air to be cool I am breathing all night)..AND I have oxygen at 2.0 feed line with the CPAP hose. My question IS..could i stop the oxygen at night? I actually left it off the past 5 days or so...and I felt like I could actually breath better starting the first day w/out it.

I have always felt like there is this time frame where my lungs have to do some kind of readjustment to breathing on their own after coming off the CPAP w/ oxygen. When I left my oxygen off..I woke feeling like I could just get up and breath like normal for some reason. My CPAP pressure is set at " 6". I dont like it to ramp.. I am comfortable with this pressure and don't want to lay awake for 45 minutes waiting for it to build up to where I like the air to be.

I have had the oxygen now for around 4 yrs and I am concerned that I may be doing something harmful by depriving my body of it all of a sudden. Are there any side effects regarding anything like this? I don't have ANY constant monitoring or MD care of followup with my sleep apnea. A Dr in the clinic sent me to a sleep clinic..it was all history from there. This was not my family doctor..(tho' my family doctor is aware I have sleep apnea and sleep with my CPAP)..and only the company who provided the CPAP machine and oxygen ( large electric beast) come to my house and check the machines out for functionality.

Today I woke up feeling like someone had hit me over the head.. I feel fatigued..fighting headaches..and am hoping this is not because I have dropped off the oxygen feed at night.

I love my CPAP.. would NOT ever dream of even falling asleep for a 10 minute nap w/out it during the day. If I lost electric power in my house at night.. I would just put on the coffee and stay up.. It has been my lifesaver. ( I lost my first born son at age 22 from sleep apnea..back then no one was really addressing it,, didn't know how to diagnose it..and hospital ER 's that I would send him to only gasped at how bad his apnea was...by the time a DR saw his condition as serious as it WAS.. he was simply scheduled to see a couple of DR.s and he died before the appts. ).

I would LOVE to abandon the oxygen..but I don't want to do anything dangerous to myself either. I feel like most everyone's oxygen levels drop somewhat while they are sleeping and i am already sleeping religiously with my CPAP mask. The company who provides all my supplies are very questionable in their prices and ethics...and I own my CPAP machine outright now.. I want to get rid of the $175 they charge for the oxygen use.

Should I just " get over it" and stay on the oxygen?....or Can I " break free"...and still be ok?

thank you for listening to my unprofessional descriptions and my rambling...but my question is sincere.
sheila
*******

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Judy on July 12, 2010 at 5:50pm

Ask your family doctor to script an overnight oximetry on CPAP w/o 02. Ask that you be given a copy of the printout as well. That should answer your question for you to your satisfaction.

Or spend about $120-$150 for a ConTec CMS-50D Plus recording oximeter and software and do you own overnight oximetries whenever you want.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by RL on July 12, 2010 at 11:23pm

Hi Sheila,
Judy's advise is good. I will add my perspective too. Your questions and concerns are good ones!

Per your profile, I have the same CPAP type as you, and my pressure is similar. My diagnosis per two PSGs was complex sleep apnea which is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apneas. You did not specify what your diagnosis is so if you are not sure, I would start there. If you have a Central Apnea component, you need to understand this and be aware of how this affects you. If you have other health conditions that create a need for the additional oxygen, then that would need to be considered as well. My Rx was for the CPAP with the O2 feed into my CPAP hose and I used this for several months. My understanding is that oxygen can be drying to the sinuses so I would suggest you experiment with your humidifier to see if it helps at all, at least when using the oxygen. The humidified air does not feel warm to me, only neutral, but not cool either. I do live in a somewhat dry climate. Also, the Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex PAP with "System One Humidifier" automatically adjusts the humidity level to only what is needed per my level selection and the amount of humidity in the room air.

I asked my doctor about stopping the oxygen. I did an at home oxymetry test as directed by my doctor which showed my oxygen level remained at around 91% for most of that one night without the oxygen, only the CPAP. Several people I have asked have expressed confidence in the one night evaluation of the oxygen level. I have ceased using the oxygen since then. I am not sure if this has had a positive or negative effect on my overall health, but I believe that if my oxygen level remains at the 91% or better, I will be o.k. I plan to get my own oxymeter with software to read it when I can afford it, as I don't totally trust just the one night test. After much review of this and related topics, I feel it is wise to keep in mind that things change over time and even if certain things worked well for a while, you may need to make adjustments over time. If it has been four years since you were evaluated it may be a good opportunity to ask your doctor for a reevaluation, perhaps at a sleep lab, and at least for the at home oxymetry test. The oxygen may or may not be the cause of your headaches, but don't wait too long to check with an experienced sleep professional to make sure your therapy is working well for you or to have it adjusted as needed.

If you have reviewed many other threads on SG, you will no doubt have come across strong recommendations for people to have CPAPs with data cards that give "efficacy" date, not just "compliance" data. If you have not been accessing this data from your CPAP, I would recommend you look into it. I believe your CPAP has this capability. You can check with your DME about this and they may be able to provide you with the reports if you ask. You may need a sleep doc to help you evaluate the data, but you can also learn about this on you own. Many SG members have experience with this also.

If you determine that you do need the oxygen long term, I would suggest you look into purchasing your own oxygen concentrator or check if your insurance will cover the purchase for you. This should save you and your insurance some money over time.

I am very sorry to hear about your son's story. If you would be comfortable, it would be worth starting a new thread to tell your son's story. It may help someone else to realize the seriousness of their own situation.


Sheila Knowles said:

I have looked ALL over the internet trying to find a place to discuss anything or pose my question.

I have sleep apnea and sleep every night with my full face mask intact..( I have a humidifier but keep it OFF as I like the air to be cool I am breathing all night)..AND I have oxygen at 2.0 feed line with the CPAP hose. My question IS..could i stop the oxygen at night? I actually left it off the past 5 days or so...and I felt like I could actually breath better starting the first day w/out it.

I have always felt like there is this time frame where my lungs have to do some kind of readjustment to breathing on their own after coming off the CPAP w/ oxygen. When I left my oxygen off..I woke feeling like I could just get up and breath like normal for some reason. My CPAP pressure is set at " 6". I dont like it to ramp.. I am comfortable with this pressure and don't want to lay awake for 45 minutes waiting for it to build up to where I like the air to be.

I have had the oxygen now for around 4 yrs and I am concerned that I may be doing something harmful by depriving my body of it all of a sudden. Are there any side effects regarding anything like this? I don't have ANY constant monitoring or MD care of followup with my sleep apnea. A Dr in the clinic sent me to a sleep clinic..it was all history from there. This was not my family doctor..(tho' my family doctor is aware I have sleep apnea and sleep with my CPAP)..and only the company who provided the CPAP machine and oxygen ( large electric beast) come to my house and check the machines out for functionality.

Today I woke up feeling like someone had hit me over the head.. I feel fatigued..fighting headaches..and am hoping this is not because I have dropped off the oxygen feed at night.

I love my CPAP.. would NOT ever dream of even falling asleep for a 10 minute nap w/out it during the day. If I lost electric power in my house at night.. I would just put on the coffee and stay up.. It has been my lifesaver. ( I lost my first born son at age 22 from sleep apnea..back then no one was really addressing it,, didn't know how to diagnose it..and hospital ER 's that I would send him to only gasped at how bad his apnea was...by the time a DR saw his condition as serious as it WAS.. he was simply scheduled to see a couple of DR.s and he died before the appts. ).

I would LOVE to abandon the oxygen..but I don't want to do anything dangerous to myself either. I feel like most everyone's oxygen levels drop somewhat while they are sleeping and i am already sleeping religiously with my CPAP mask. The company who provides all my supplies are very questionable in their prices and ethics...and I own my CPAP machine outright now.. I want to get rid of the $175 they charge for the oxygen use.

Should I just " get over it" and stay on the oxygen?....or Can I " break free"...and still be ok?

thank you for listening to my unprofessional descriptions and my rambling...but my question is sincere.
sheila
*******

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sheila Knowles on July 13, 2010 at 8:55am

I just finished reading a WHOLE page set up by you, ( Judy) I am guessing, on the troubles and frustrations of the CMS-50..guess it took a LOT of adjusting..will everyone expect to run into the same difficulties? I tried asking my family
dr to set up another test to run the oxygen level test and the company that supplies all my CPAP and oxygen supplies said I could not have that test done again..I would have to undergo another complete sleep study..which I cannot afford.
this company has very questionable ethics which they claim they are doing according to fed gov't which they say dictates everything they do..charge..and even the appearance of billing invoices...which NEVER show any payment i have made and a balance that just continues to rise. Every single item on the invoice has its own individual invoice number. The mask is broken down into like 3 or 4 different parts for billing. each one w/ its own invoice number. They even say my insurance company is the one who dictates WHAT they charge me for all my supplies. I am lost at this CPAP thing. I simply have a ResMed full face mask..w/ a humifier..no software..no ramp..just air flow set at 6. I slept w/ the oxygen ON last night hoping to help me to feel better today. I read all these blogs on people w/ all these different type of masks..software.. doctors following up everything they do..and this is NOT the way my life with CPAP works. I am just on my own with it...in an economy that may cause me to lose insurance and everything else..including the oxygen. I just thought maybe someone knew if losing the oxygen at night was a possibility..and surviving w/ the CPAP alone to treat the SA would be okay.

Judy said:

Ask your family doctor to script an overnight oximetry on CPAP w/o 02. Ask that you be given a copy of the printout as well. That should answer your question for you to your satisfaction.
Or spend about $120-$150 for a ConTec CMS-50D Plus recording oximeter and software and do you own overnight oximetries whenever you want.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Banyon on July 13, 2010 at 9:20am

Sheila Knowles said, "this company has very questionable ethics "

Is there a good reason that you don't switch to another company?

Sheila Knowles said, "and this is NOT the way my life with CPAP works. I am just on my own with it "

That is the way many, if not most, of us started out with CPAP. Then we figured out it is a do-it-yourself project and took control of our therapy and health.

The medical professionals and equipment suppliers do not have the time to spend with each patient. It may be out of your comfort zone, but you have to become assertive and take care of yourself.

You have taken the first step by joining the forum and posting. Keep working at it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Judy on July 13, 2010 at 10:01am

Just quickly, Sheila: I now can tell you how to EASILY install and set up and use the ConTec CMS-50D+ recording oximeter. All it took was someone who was able to translate the translated manual for me. *red-face" and "weak smile". No time to do so in this post as I have an appointment this morning and will be gone most of the day. Nice thing about the ConTec software - the files are saved as a pdf file. The SPO 7500 files are saved in csv files which is unfortunate - unless the 7500 now comes w/newer software than mine.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sheila Knowles on July 13, 2010 at 10:56am

I live in a small town and it is the only supplier for many counties around..I AM going to look into it though. AND that is why I am asking about the oxygen..It is really ALL I need them for. Over the past 5 yrs I have paid for my CPAP.

Banyon said:

Sheila Knowles said, "this company has very questionable ethics "

Is there a good reason that you don't switch to another company?

Sheila Knowles said, "and this is NOT the way my life with CPAP works. I am just on my own with it "

That is the way many, if not most, of us started out with CPAP. Then we figured out it is a do-it-yourself project and took control of our therapy and health.

The medical professionals and equipment suppliers do not have the time to spend with each patient. It may be out of your comfort zone, but you have to become assertive and take care of yourself.

You have taken the first step by joining the forum and posting. Keep working at it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sheila Knowles on July 19, 2010 at 11:23am

My CPAP machine just appears to be a simple machine.. w/ filter on the back, water container for the humidifier and a little door that can open where they set up the pressure settings. I am unaware of any kind of data than can come from or go to anywhere at all on this machine. I have never been told it has this capability.. Are there simply CPAPs that are
just that.. set them up ..run..turn them off and on.. the more I read .. the more I feel totally ignorant of ALL the CPAP discussions. I don't understand what a central apnea is.. vs..just sleep apnea. I spent the night in a sleep lab.. the next day they gave me a printout of how many times I had stopped breathing during the night. I have never dug it back out to see if any other info is included on this report. My CPAP is a Respironics RemStar M series. Will a sleep study do a test where you wear your own CPAP w/ settings as you have been using them to see if anything is different or if there are further problems? Thanks for reading and / or responding to my questions. Even though I have had sleep apnea AND my machine for over 4 yrs now...I just sleep with it at night..and hope that it is protecting me.

RL said:

Hi Sheila,
Judy's advise is good. I will add my perspective too. Your questions and concerns are good ones!

Per your profile, I have the same CPAP type as you, and my pressure is similar. My diagnosis per two PSGs was complex sleep apnea which is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apneas. You did not specify what your diagnosis is so if you are not sure, I would start there. If you have a Central Apnea component, you need to understand this and be aware of how this affects you. If you have other health conditions that create a need for the additional oxygen, then that would need to be considered as well. My Rx was for the CPAP with the O2 feed into my CPAP hose and I used this for several months. My understanding is that oxygen can be drying to the sinuses so I would suggest you experiment with your humidifier to see if it helps at all, at least when using the oxygen. The humidified air does not feel warm to me, only neutral, but not cool either. I do live in a somewhat dry climate. Also, the Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex PAP with "System One Humidifier" automatically adjusts the humidity level to only what is needed per my level selection and the amount of humidity in the room air.

I asked my doctor about stopping the oxygen. I did an at home oxymetry test as directed by my doctor which showed my oxygen level remained at around 91% for most of that one night without the oxygen, only the CPAP. Several people I have asked have expressed confidence in the one night evaluation of the oxygen level. I have ceased using the oxygen since then. I am not sure if this has had a positive or negative effect on my overall health, but I believe that if my oxygen level remains at the 91% or better, I will be o.k. I plan to get my own oxymeter with software to read it when I can afford it, as I don't totally trust just the one night test. After much review of this and related topics, I feel it is wise to keep in mind that things change over time and even if certain things worked well for a while, you may need to make adjustments over time. If it has been four years since you were evaluated it may be a good opportunity to ask your doctor for a reevaluation, perhaps at a sleep lab, and at least for the at home oxymetry test. The oxygen may or may not be the cause of your headaches, but don't wait too long to check with an experienced sleep professional to make sure your therapy is working well for you or to have it adjusted as needed.

If you have reviewed many other threads on SG, you will no doubt have come across strong recommendations for people to have CPAPs with data cards that give "efficacy" date, not just "compliance" data. If you have not been accessing this data from your CPAP, I would recommend you look into it. I believe your CPAP has this capability. You can check with your DME about this and they may be able to provide you with the reports if you ask. You may need a sleep doc to help you evaluate the data, but you can also learn about this on you own. Many SG members have experience with this also.

If you determine that you do need the oxygen long term, I would suggest you look into purchasing your own oxygen concentrator or check if your insurance will cover the purchase for you. This should save you and your insurance some money over time.

I am very sorry to hear about your son's story. If you would be comfortable, it would be worth starting a new thread to tell your son's story. It may help someone else to realize the seriousness of their own situation.


Sheila Knowles said:

I have looked ALL over the internet trying to find a place to discuss anything or pose my question.

I have sleep apnea and sleep every night with my full face mask intact..( I have a humidifier but keep it OFF as I like the air to be cool I am breathing all night)..AND I have oxygen at 2.0 feed line with the CPAP hose. My question IS..could i stop the oxygen at night? I actually left it off the past 5 days or so...and I felt like I could actually breath better starting the first day w/out it.

I have always felt like there is this time frame where my lungs have to do some kind of readjustment to breathing on their own after coming off the CPAP w/ oxygen. When I left my oxygen off..I woke feeling like I could just get up and breath like normal for some reason. My CPAP pressure is set at " 6". I dont like it to ramp.. I am comfortable with this pressure and don't want to lay awake for 45 minutes waiting for it to build up to where I like the air to be.

I have had the oxygen now for around 4 yrs and I am concerned that I may be doing something harmful by depriving my body of it all of a sudden. Are there any side effects regarding anything like this? I don't have ANY constant monitoring or MD care of followup with my sleep apnea. A Dr in the clinic sent me to a sleep clinic..it was all history from there. This was not my family doctor..(tho' my family doctor is aware I have sleep apnea and sleep with my CPAP)..and only the company who provided the CPAP machine and oxygen ( large electric beast) come to my house and check the machines out for functionality.

Today I woke up feeling like someone had hit me over the head.. I feel fatigued..fighting headaches..and am hoping this is not because I have dropped off the oxygen feed at night.

I love my CPAP.. would NOT ever dream of even falling asleep for a 10 minute nap w/out it during the day. If I lost electric power in my house at night.. I would just put on the coffee and stay up.. It has been my lifesaver. ( I lost my first born son at age 22 from sleep apnea..back then no one was really addressing it,, didn't know how to diagnose it..and hospital ER 's that I would send him to only gasped at how bad his apnea was...by the time a DR saw his condition as serious as it WAS.. he was simply scheduled to see a couple of DR.s and he died before the appts. ).

I would LOVE to abandon the oxygen..but I don't want to do anything dangerous to myself either. I feel like most everyone's oxygen levels drop somewhat while they are sleeping and i am already sleeping religiously with my CPAP mask. The company who provides all my supplies are very questionable in their prices and ethics...and I own my CPAP machine outright now.. I want to get rid of the $175 they charge for the oxygen use.

Should I just " get over it" and stay on the oxygen?....or Can I " break free"...and still be ok?

thank you for listening to my unprofessional descriptions and my rambling...but my question is sincere.
sheila
*******

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Judy on July 19, 2010 at 5:05pm

Okay, the ConTec CMS 50DPlus software reporting use. Thanks to Snnaark at cpaptalk for translating the translated software manual:

1. With your finger in or out of the unit, long press to get to the menu.
2. The cursor should be on "Record off". Long press to change to "Record on"
3. Short press moves cursor to "exit". Long press to exit.

At this point the unit is recording. The flashing yellow dot is showing whether your finger is in or not. It will start gathering data when your finger is in the machine. If you take your finger out it will wait till you insert finger again.

Next morning...

4. To stop recording. Long press till menu appears.
5. Cursor should be on "Record on". Long press to change to "Record off".
6. Short press moves cursor to "exit". Long press to exit.

Ok now to download!

7. Start up the Green heart SPO2.
8. If not already connect the USB cable. (at this stage I'm assuming the unit is NOT connected to the cable)
9. Connect unit to cable. Do NOT turn on.
10. In program, click on the "new session" button. (magnifying glass).
11. Enter details, click OK
12. Program should say "Waiting for data".
13. Long press on unit till menu appears. At this point the program should say "receiving data".
14. Enjoy the data!

The data will stay on the unit till you "record on" again.

Between steps 13 and 14. When at the Settings Menu with arrow pointing to Record off, make a short press to start "receiving data". Don't do a long press as this will stop recording and erase previous data.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by RL on July 20, 2010 at 2:52am

Hi Sheila,
You can find the data card on the back of the cpap near and above where the foam filter goes. There should be a small slot there for the data card (about 1/2" wide) to stick in. You may not have a card in there, but if you do, you have to press it in to release it by a spring mechanism. Your DME should be able to help you find this or you can contact Respironics for help. http://www.healthcare.philips.com/main/homehealth/sleep/mseries/def...

You might want to check out the Respironics web site for more specific info on the different types of machines they make. The data from the card can help you and your doctor determine if your current therapy is still working for you or if changes are needed. Remember to ask if your cpap records "efficacy" data or just "compliance" data. The efficacy data is what you need to evaluate the effectiveness of your therapy. If you or your DME can get data from this card for evaluation, you may be able to use that information to make adjustments to pressure with your doctor's help. You may need to talk to a doctor certified in sleep disorders for help with interpretation of the data if your doctor is not familiar with it. If that does not give enough info to solve your problems, then you might need a different type of cpap, or they may suggest another sleep study.

Sleep apnea is a general term, apnea meaning pauses in breathing, in this case, during sleep. OSA is Obstructive Sleep Apnea which is caused by a physical obstruction of the airway, usually caused by relaxation of tissues in the throat area when asleep. Central apnea is also a stop in breathing, but not due to an obstruction; rather a neurological condition in which the brain is not giving the proper signal to cause inhalation response. There can be different reasons for this condition. Some people, like me, have a combination of both OSA and CSA, sometimes called "complex sleep apnea". You can read much more about these conditions on Sleep Guide as well as other websites.

You should check with your doctor and/or DME as to what your actual diagnosis is. This will help you understand your options for therapy including whether or not you need to continue using oxygen to supplement your cpap, or if the oxygen is for some other condition you have in addition to the sleep apnea. You would need the oxymeter test which could be done at home, to give data to evaluate that part of your therapy.

Have you continued to have headaches or other syptoms? You might want to journal this info to share with your doctor, as this information can be as important as the "data" from machines in adjusting your therapy. There is a lot to learn, and it can help you manage your health better for the long term if you are willing to make the effort. Let us know if you have more questions, but try your DME, PCP and Respironics too. You may need a referral to a certified Sleep Doctor in your area. You can use www.sleepsearch.com to find a local sleep doc. This is linked from SleepGuide if you want to check it out.

Best Wishes - RL
Reply by Sheila Knowles 14 hours ago
My CPAP machine just appears to be a simple machine.. w/ filter on the back, water container for the humidifier and a little door that can open where they set up the pressure settings. I am unaware of any kind of data than can come from or go to anywhere at all on this machine. I have never been told it has this capability.. Are there simply CPAPs that are
just that.. set them up ..run..turn them off and on.. the more I read .. the more I feel totally ignorant of ALL the CPAP discussions. I don't understand what a central apnea is.. vs..just sleep apnea. I spent the night in a sleep lab.. the next day they gave me a printout of how many times I had stopped breathing during the night. I have never dug it back out to see if any other info is included on this report. My CPAP is a Respironics RemStar M series. Will a sleep study do a test where you wear your own CPAP w/ settings as you have been using them to see if anything is different or if there are further problems? Thanks for reading and / or responding to my questions. Even though I have had sleep apnea AND my machine for over 4 yrs now...I just sleep with it at night..and hope that it is protecting me.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sheila Knowles on July 20, 2010 at 2:47pm

WELL... The girl from the company who supplies my oxygen and checks both my CPAP and oxygen machine just left.. she does NOT like to answer questions.. never smiled the whole time she was here..forgot to even mention that the bag left on my bed was my new supplies..( new mask, hose, filters, etc)..and when i asked her about whether my machine had a place in the back for a data card ... she said " No.. yours does not have one of those.." She said I had one of the older models..and the reason they went to the new ones w/ the data cards was because people were saying they were using their machines and were not..so only the girls coming in to check the machines periodically were allowed to read them.. If " I COULD" spit nails.. I would have a new kitchen floor right now.....(((sigh))))......also.. they ALWAYS put the thing on my finger to check my oxygen level when they are here checking my oxygen machine.. This time she did not.
I asked if she was going to do that this time...when she came BACK to check my CPAP today..she said .. NO..not this time. ( first time in over 4 yrs this has not been done).. I DID ask what was involved to try and update my machine since I have paid for mine free and clear now. She said she would have to check. My machine was changed YEARS ago NOT to ramp..as I laid awake waiting for it to come up..and she had it set to start out at 2 and ramp to 6 in 45 minutes. I guess she is going to check settings back at the office and let me know something.

Helpless is NOT a good feeling...

RL said:

Hi Sheila,
You can find the data card on the back of the cpap near and above where the foam filter goes. There should be a small slot there for the data card (about 1/2" wide) to stick in. You may not have a card in there, but if you do, you have to press it in to release it by a spring mechanism. Your DME should be able to help you find this or you can contact Respironics for help. http://www.healthcare.philips.com/main/homehealth/sleep/mseries/def...

You might want to check out the Respironics web site for more specific info on the different types of machines they make. The data from the card can help you and your doctor determine if your current therapy is still working for you or if changes are needed. Remember to ask if your cpap records "efficacy" data or just "compliance" data. The efficacy data is what you need to evaluate the effectiveness of your therapy. If you or your DME can get data from this card for evaluation, you may be able to use that information to make adjustments to pressure with your doctor's help. You may need to talk to a doctor certified in sleep disorders for help with interpretation of the data if your doctor is not familiar with it. If that does not give enough info to solve your problems, then you might need a different type of cpap, or they may suggest another sleep study.

Sleep apnea is a general term, apnea meaning pauses in breathing, in this case, during sleep. OSA is Obstructive Sleep Apnea which is caused by a physical obstruction of the airway, usually caused by relaxation of tissues in the throat area when asleep. Central apnea is also a stop in breathing, but not due to an obstruction; rather a neurological condition in which the brain is not giving the proper signal to cause inhalation response. There can be different reasons for this condition. Some people, like me, have a combination of both OSA and CSA, sometimes called "complex sleep apnea". You can read much more about these conditions on Sleep Guide as well as other websites.

You should check with your doctor and/or DME as to what your actual diagnosis is. This will help you understand your options for therapy including whether or not you need to continue using oxygen to supplement your cpap, or if the oxygen is for some other condition you have in addition to the sleep apnea. You would need the oxymeter test which could be done at home, to give data to evaluate that part of your therapy.

Have you continued to have headaches or other syptoms? You might want to journal this info to share with your doctor, as this information can be as important as the "data" from machines in adjusting your therapy. There is a lot to learn, and it can help you manage your health better for the long term if you are willing to make the effort. Let us know if you have more questions, but try your DME, PCP and Respironics too. You may need a referral to a certified Sleep Doctor in your area. You can use www.sleepsearch.com to find a local sleep doc. This is linked from SleepGuide if you want to check it out.

Best Wishes - RL
Reply by Sheila Knowles 14 hours ago
My CPAP machine just appears to be a simple machine.. w/ filter on the back, water container for the humidifier and a little door that can open where they set up the pressure settings. I am unaware of any kind of data than can come from or go to anywhere at all on this machine. I have never been told it has this capability.. Are there simply CPAPs that are
just that.. set them up ..run..turn them off and on.. the more I read .. the more I feel totally ignorant of ALL the CPAP discussions. I don't understand what a central apnea is.. vs..just sleep apnea. I spent the night in a sleep lab.. the next day they gave me a printout of how many times I had stopped breathing during the night. I have never dug it back out to see if any other info is included on this report. My CPAP is a Respironics RemStar M series. Will a sleep study do a test where you wear your own CPAP w/ settings as you have been using them to see if anything is different or if there are further problems? Thanks for reading and / or responding to my questions. Even though I have had sleep apnea AND my machine for over 4 yrs now...I just sleep with it at night..and hope that it is protecting me.

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