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Permalink Reply by Richard on August 19, 2011 at 7:04pm

Yes, I should have said "my AHI as displayed on the ResMed has dropped to about 1" - now that the adjustments have been made. It was higher before turning off ESR and getting rid of the ramp. A possibility  (not confirmed in a sleep lab, but a conjecture of my specialist) is that I have some CSA, and the ResMed ESR was making it harder to correct. It could probably be proved in another sleep study, but just turning of ESR was easy enough to do, and does seem to have positive results.

 

"You'll have to pry this CPAP out of my cold, dead hands!" aptly describes how strongly and proprietary I feel about my machine, and what it's done for my life. I have friends who've been on-again, off-again with their CPAPs, and I see what happens when they aren't getting healthy sleep. I also suspect that my dad could have lived longer if OSA had been a recognised and treated issue back in the '70s and '80s, but that's always the way with progress in medicine, we can't make it retroactive.

 

I'm a CPAP proselytiser! May you live longer, and sleep better (if you have OSA to correct).

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Permalink Reply by Clare on September 6, 2011 at 7:41pm

Hi Danny:

How is your Bipap or Cpap working for you at this point in time?  I'm going to try to do more research on the "UARS". I have been an Respiratory Therapist for many years, never recall hearing that term.  I do not work in a sleep lab, I work for a DME, or the Company that provides the Cpap/ Bipap for the home setting. So I will eventually meet some one else that has the same issue.  There always seems to be more to learn in the sleep apnea arena.

I'm not sure where you are at with your therapy, but it does NOT  sound like the Bipap is set properly for your needs.

If you were a patient with my Company, I would suggest you speak with the prescribing physician to discuss all your options. If your physician is not a Dr Certified in Sleepy Therapy, perhaps you could discuss it with your Dr- the fact you are having such a challenge with it- would he see the benefit of your seeing a specialist. From what I have observed, when a patient is having a real stuggle adapting, then consulting with a ENT, whom is certified in Sleep is the best way to get the help you need.

Some pulmonologist are really great too, but since the 'ENT's' are more specific to the upper airway - where the problem occurs- they seem to excel over and above the others-generally speaking.

And if your friends or family can refer you a reputable ENT Sleep Certified- then that's a plus.

Hope that is helpful?  Interested to hear your outcomes if you have time to post?

Thanks,

Clare 

Danny Heller said:

Banyon, I was diagnosed with "mild" sleep apnea (but in no way is my misery level "mild"!) and UARS, which is the more significant fact here, because it is what causes the bulk of my arousals. I don't have access to the machine data, but I know my pressure settings are 9cm for inhalation and 5 cm for exhalation. I am using a nasal pillows mask (Swift FX, I believe). I couldn't stand a nasal mask - it chewed my face up and made it impossible to sleep on either side.

Mary, thanks for the tip. Glad to hear my problem is not unique.

Sheila, thanks for your info. Are you being helped by BiPAP?

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