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CPAP and (poor) Compliance.
I have read some of the profiles here on the forum. A number of members have mentioned that they have Sleep Apnea, but are not in treatment.
Of course there can be a good reason for that, waiting for a titration study, waiting for equipment, not severe enough to qualify with your insurance or Health Care System, but it could also be because of poor compliance.
The major problem with compliance numbers is that there is absolutely no consensus about compliance. A lot of studies use different criteria for compliance, and I think this is the reason for the different numbers for compliance.
I think the most used criteria are 4 hours at night at least 5 days a week. I have seen that compliance who meets these criteria is about 60 – 70%
But I think that most of members here would agree with me, that good compliance is using the CPAP ALL the time you sleep, even when you take a nap.
So before we talk compliance, I think we have to define our own criteria for compliance.
The normal sleep is about 8 hours a night. We can call this “Full Compliance”.
If we recalculate the above used criteria to “Full compliance” then it gives a “Full Compliance” at around 25%.
So no doubt, the CPAP compliance over all is very poor.
It would be nice to hear the reason from some of you, who is not in treatment (and I’m sure that on this forum no one will blame you, unlike other forums).
Have you been in treatment, is it insurance problems, is it poor compliance or ???
IF it is poor compliance, I’m sure that a lot of members here is ready to give good advice to you. We are all here to help each other
There are also other treatment options than CPAP.
Henning
Of course there can be a good reason for that, waiting for a titration study, waiting for equipment, not severe enough to qualify with your insurance or Health Care System, but it could also be because of poor compliance.
The major problem with compliance numbers is that there is absolutely no consensus about compliance. A lot of studies use different criteria for compliance, and I think this is the reason for the different numbers for compliance.
I think the most used criteria are 4 hours at night at least 5 days a week. I have seen that compliance who meets these criteria is about 60 – 70%
But I think that most of members here would agree with me, that good compliance is using the CPAP ALL the time you sleep, even when you take a nap.
So before we talk compliance, I think we have to define our own criteria for compliance.
The normal sleep is about 8 hours a night. We can call this “Full Compliance”.
If we recalculate the above used criteria to “Full compliance” then it gives a “Full Compliance” at around 25%.
So no doubt, the CPAP compliance over all is very poor.
It would be nice to hear the reason from some of you, who is not in treatment (and I’m sure that on this forum no one will blame you, unlike other forums).
Have you been in treatment, is it insurance problems, is it poor compliance or ???
IF it is poor compliance, I’m sure that a lot of members here is ready to give good advice to you. We are all here to help each other
There are also other treatment options than CPAP.
Henning
Views: 280
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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To acclimate yourself to having a mask on your face and to air blowing try donning your mask during the day or in the early evening, turn your CPAP on to a comfortable pressure, and just sit and read a newspaper, magazine or book, work a crossword or jigsaw puzzle, watch TV, knit or crochet, whatever takes your mind off that mask and xPAP and that "I've gotta get to sleep" mindset.
Always wash your face just before going to bed and donning your mask to remove the oils that can help your mask slip during the night and to reduce the aging they can do to your mask cushion's life.
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Permalink Reply by Henning on
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This is a really good advice. I have used it myself. And it Works.
Henning
Judy said:To acclimate yourself to having a mask on your face and to air blowing try donning your mask during the day or in the early evening, turn your CPAP on to a comfortable pressure, and just sit and read a newspaper, magazine or book, work a crossword or jigsaw puzzle, watch TV, knit or crochet, whatever takes your mind off that mask and xPAP and that "I've gotta get to sleep" mindset.
Always wash your face just before going to bed and donning your mask to remove the oils that can help your mask slip during the night and to reduce the aging they can do to your mask cushion's life.
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I am not in compliance at all, and I am not currently seeking treatment. The reason for this is money---the root of all evil!!! I have other major medical problems that drain my bank account, even with medical insurance. Whenever you go to a doctor you have to pay for the co-pay on the office visit, the co-pay on the hospital testing that the doctor wants done, and then if your lucky you might still be able to pay for your medications and medical equipment. My income in No-Way can back all of this up.
jetspd
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I live in Metro Atlanta, and I have obstructive (tonsils) sleep apnea. I have United Health Care. If anyone knows of a good Dr. in the Atlanta are that does Coblation Tonsilectomy's, please let me know. Actually I can travel to whoever is the best in the country. Thanks...EL
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Permalink Reply by The SleepGuide Crew on
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you might send a message to Rock Connor, a Respiratory Therapist on the forum in the Atlanta area: http://www.sleepguide.com/profile/RockConnerRRT. he might have some good recommendations. also, out near me, in the S.F. Bay Area, I hear we have one of the finest Sleep Apnea surgeons in the world. His name is Kasey Li. I think he's affiliated with Stanford. If you get serious about seeing him, you might send a message to Dr. Park, another member of the forum: http://www.sleepguide.com/profile/StevenYparkMD. he knows Kasey Li, and is a Sleep Apnea surgeon himself.
Elgin Young said:I live in Metro Atlanta, and I have obstructive (tonsils) sleep apnea. I have United Health Care. If anyone knows of a good Dr. in the Atlanta are that does Coblation Tonsilectomy's, please let me know. Actually I can travel to whoever is the best in the country. Thanks...EL
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Hi Lori,
Look at this link:
www.awakeinamerica.org
Awake in America helps people with financial need. They also have a donation program with equipment.
Henning
Lori Homoky said:I am not in compliance at all, and I am not currently seeking treatment. The reason for this is money---the root of all evil!!! I have other major medical problems that drain my bank account, even with medical insurance. Whenever you go to a doctor you have to pay for the co-pay on the office visit, the co-pay on the hospital testing that the doctor wants done, and then if your lucky you might still be able to pay for your medications and medical equipment. My income in No-Way can back all of this up.
jetspd
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I've had a CPAP in my closet for about 7 years. I tried it several times but had pretty bad claustrophobia. I didn't mind the air pressure but couldn't tolerate the mask covering my face. I tried a gel mask that was slightly better but still intolerable. I paid $500 for a custom dental appliance that helps a little, but just barely.
I have a huge emotional objection to looking and feeling like a monster every night (w/CPAP), even though my husband is totally supportive and even put it on himself to try and make me feel better about it.
Nonetheless, I don't want to die because of this, and I don't want surgery. So I'm scheduling another at-home sleep study to re-diagnose my condition and get back on the road with hopefully better equipment than existed years ago. Thanks for asking.
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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So good to hear you're planning to get back in the game, so to speak. There have been some amazing developments in comfort/appearance of CPAP equipment over the past 7 years, which should ease the transition a great deal for you. Be sure to ask for a data-capable, auto-adjusting CPAP machine --- the Respironics M Series with A-Flex is a popular one, and the one I myself use. Also, you might try the ResMed Swift LT for Her Nasal Pillows, which should help with the claustrophobia because it doesn't cover anything --- just has some comfortable pillows that insert into the nostrils. Please keep us in the loop on how it goes...
Mike
Cindy said:I've had a CPAP in my closet for about 7 years. I tried it several times but had pretty bad claustrophobia. I didn't mind the air pressure but couldn't tolerate the mask covering my face. I tried a gel mask that was slightly better but still intolerable. I paid $500 for a custom dental appliance that helps a little, but just barely.
I have a huge emotional objection to looking and feeling like a monster every night (w/CPAP), even though my husband is totally supportive and even put it on himself to try and make me feel better about it.
Nonetheless, I don't want to die because of this, and I don't want surgery. So I'm scheduling another at-home sleep study to re-diagnose my condition and get back on the road with hopefully better equipment than existed years ago. Thanks for asking.
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Cindy, most insurances will pay for a new CPAP after 5 years. Since your CPAP is 7 years old but has been sitting in your closet most of those 7 years you might consider donating it to LoriHomoky who posted above about having been Dx'd w/OSA but is unable to afford a CPAP so is going w/o therapy when and if you get a new CPAP or an APAP.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Pegg on
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RichM said:Jason, I don't think you are poor compliance. The key is that you are using it every night and getting the most sleep as you can. The key is how are you feeling the next day when you wake up. I figure that you are doing a whole lot better then you did when you were not using your Cpap.
Jason Pegg said:What if one doesnt sleep 8 hours per night?I only sleep 5-6, but wear it EVERY DAY(night). Am I in Poor compliance?
I wake up feeling like a rockstar. I am energized, have no headache, and am rip roaring ready to go with the day. this was kind of odd to me at first, as I never was a morning person. However, not that I have gone through the titrations and now have my CPAP, my morning routine has completely reversed its self from what it was prior to using the machine.
Jason
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Thanks so much; I'll definitely ask for this type of mask.
Mike said:So good to hear you're planning to get back in the game, so to speak. There have been some amazing developments in comfort/appearance of CPAP equipment over the past 7 years, which should ease the transition a great deal for you. Be sure to ask for a data-capable, auto-adjusting CPAP machine --- the Respironics M Series with A-Flex is a popular one, and the one I myself use. Also, you might try the ResMed Swift LT for Her Nasal Pillows, which should help with the claustrophobia because it doesn't cover anything --- just has some comfortable pillows that insert into the nostrils. Please keep us in the loop on how it goes...
Mike
Cindy said:I've had a CPAP in my closet for about 7 years. I tried it several times but had pretty bad claustrophobia. I didn't mind the air pressure but couldn't tolerate the mask covering my face. I tried a gel mask that was slightly better but still intolerable. I paid $500 for a custom dental appliance that helps a little, but just barely.
I have a huge emotional objection to looking and feeling like a monster every night (w/CPAP), even though my husband is totally supportive and even put it on himself to try and make me feel better about it.
Nonetheless, I don't want to die because of this, and I don't want surgery. So I'm scheduling another at-home sleep study to re-diagnose my condition and get back on the road with hopefully better equipment than existed years ago. Thanks for asking.
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I'd be more than happy to donate my current machine. I called the company when I changed insurance to ask if they wanted it back, and they said I owned it, so I'm glad to put it to good use.
Judy said:Cindy, most insurances will pay for a new CPAP after 5 years. Since your CPAP is 7 years old but has been sitting in your closet most of those 7 years you might consider donating it to LoriHomoky who posted above about having been Dx'd w/OSA but is unable to afford a CPAP so is going w/o therapy when and if you get a new CPAP or an APAP.
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