"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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AutoPAP beginner question
Q: "Do you have any personal experience with AutoPap? Also, since the machine is self-titrating, does it have to be pre-set to a specific pressure, or can one just start using it and let the machine figure it out?"
Views: 45
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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I do in fact have personal experience with the AutoPAP -- it's the only way I personally was able to tolerate PAP therapy. I started off with a "dumb" non-data ready blower that my medical equipment provider drop shipped to me, couldn't use it, then threw it away. Months later, I found out about AutoPAPs, and got one. I was fully compliant in one night with it.
That said, yes, the AutoPAPs do have to be set not to a specific pressure, but between a range of pressures -- 2 to be exact -- the low pressure and the high pressure. The AutoPAP then moves between those 2 pressures based on your needs throughout the night.
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Permalink Reply by Danny Heller on
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Thanks for your reply. Sounds like your experience with CPAP was similar to mine. I wish I had known about AutoPAP sooner.
Also, when you say that AutoPAP has to be set to a range of pressure, is that something that I can do or does it have to be done by the provider?
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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It is something that you should talk to your doc about.
Danny Heller said:Thanks for your reply. Sounds like your experience with CPAP was similar to mine. I wish I had known about AutoPAP sooner.
Also, when you say that AutoPAP has to be set to a range of pressure, is that something that I can do or does it have to be done by the provider?
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the CPAP police will come and throw you in jail if you do it yourself. in all seriousness, though, there's a split of opinion on that question. the path of least resistance is to have a sleep doctor prescribe the settings you should have, then set them for you. some people do it on their own, but it's frowned upon by the medical community and some argue it's illegal.
Danny Heller said:Thanks for your reply. Sounds like your experience with CPAP was similar to mine. I wish I had known about AutoPAP sooner.
Also, when you say that AutoPAP has to be set to a range of pressure, is that something that I can do or does it have to be done by the provider?
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I do not frown upon it. I just think that you should let your doc know. It's the right thing to do. If your doc is against it ask him why. Start a conversation on it at the very least. Your interactions with your physician should be one of trust on both sides. You and your doc should have the same goals for effective therapy and good health. The legality issues are not for me to judge.
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I agree with Rock.
Rock Hinkle said:I do not frown upon it. I just think that you should let your doc know. It's the right thing to do. If your doc is against it ask him why. Start a conversation on it at the very least. Your interactions with your physician should be one of trust on both sides. You and your doc should have the same goals for effective therapy and good health. The legality issues are not for me to judge.
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I happen to disagree w/leaving the top pressure wide open. Just starting out w/PAP therapy there are usually mask problems and leak problems. Large leaks cause the APAPs to provide higher pressure to compensate for the leaks. Once mask fit is comfortable and relatively leak free and mouth leaks under control and consistently good THEN opening up the top pressure is fine. But until then .... uh, uh. I don't think it is a good idea at all.
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Leaving the pressure wide open is auto titrating. Not being able to tolorate a titration is the only reason that this should be done. With or without the help of a doc more often than not this will lead to noncompliance. I have to laugh at your wording jnk. "Simple obstructive sleep apnea" LMAO! There is no such thing. ;)
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I understand, jnk, and it is NOT OFTEN that I would disagree w/RG who is one savvy gal!!!. BUT - UNTIL one has mask and mouth leaks under control I will continue to disagree w/leaving the top pressure setting wide open.
What do I know? I'm only a patient.
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OSA is never uncomplicated. Once you add a persons worries and other stresses it becomes a personal enigma.
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I just really do believe that APAPs can chase the leaks and provide too much pressure - and just as important - much higher pressure data - than will/would be actually needed when those mask and mouth leaks are under control.
In fact, that is my biggest "problem" w/at-home APAP titration in place of in-lab PSG titration. I just don't think that "aha, you do have sleep apnea. Here's a mask and APAP. See you in a week, or two weeks and we'll get you set up w/a CPAP after we get the data from the APAP".
IF sufficient support is provided AND the "at-home APAP titration" takes place over a 3 month period, then maybe. As always it depends on the amount and quality of support provided during that period AND whether the patient has other sleep disorders in conjunction w/OSA..
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I agree Judy. Auto-PAPs chase everything. I understand that they are supposed to do a breath by breath analysis. They have to sense flow limitation before they can react to it. So they have to have flow limitation to work. Thus they will allow events and never get your AHI as low as it could be.
The key to continued therapy is to an immediate improvement in sleep quality. Auto-titrating with limited monitoring rarely does this.
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