"It sounds like you're getting rainout issues (condensation) so here's an article to help with this.
www.hope2sleep.co.uk/water-in-the-mask-hose-known-as-rainout"
Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient
APAP versus CPAP
Hi
I have just switched from a Respironics CPAP machine to a DeVilbiss APAP machine. What a difference!
I have had a lactose intolerance for longer than I have been on CPAP therapy. The intolerance has lead to stomach cramps and bloating, no matter how careful I am to avoid dairy products. For the last six months, the symptoms have been getting worse, and have really been interfering with life, and with a good night's sleep. I wondered if it was the CPAP causing me to swallow lots of air, but as the symptoms lasted all day, I assumed not.
At my last sleep apnoea checkup, back in July, I asked my consultant whether I'd be better off on APAP. She politely told me that APAP was popular with "geeks" [that's me :-)] who like analysing data but that medically there was no difference in the outcome of CPAP and APAP treatment.
I have to say, she was wrong. I've had the machine for just over a week, and the bloating is gone. The old machine was set to 10cm H2O. The new machine runs at an average of 6.2 and for much of the night it runs at the base level of 4, though it has maxed at 12.9 H2O.
The machine reports:
Average AHI: 4.5 Per hour
Average AI: 0.1 Per hour
Average HI: 4.4 Per hour
Average NRI: 0.8 Per hour
Average EPI: 0.9 Per hour
I don't know how this compares with the previous machine (it was too dumb to tell me), but I know when I was diagnosed (using oximetry) I was at 86 de-sats/hour.
Happy new year!!
Jonathan.
Views: 214
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on
-
Happy New Year to you as well Jonathan, and great to hear you got a better machine for you. APAP's are not just for 'geeks' as you have proved and for some people can make all the difference - again like you've proved. I'm sure you'll be telling the consultant this
However, it can also work the other way around - some people are better off on straight CPAP than APAP. Just like the masks, it's a case of individual needs.You can type in the smartcode on this link + you'll be able to see what pressures were used, and seeing as you're a 'geek' you'll love this
https://www.intellipap.com/ (I don't think you need to type in your address either).
-
Permalink Reply by Jonathan on
-
Hi Kath,
I actually splashed out on the additional $US50 upgrade for the DeVilbiss SmartLink module, software, data card and card reader, so I can luxuriate in the charts and statistics it produces :)
Not sure I will be telling the consultant anything, as when I mentioned my "last" appointment with the consultant, it was pretty much that. She said I was managing my condition, and therefore discharged me. Whilst I retain an NHS CPAP machine, it will get an annual check, which takes 5 minutes. It's a Respironics machine which only stores compliance data, so in effect I am on my own. That said, I'm not backward in coming forward if I need to see someone!
Jonathan.
Kath Hope said:Happy New Year to you as well Jonathan, and great to hear you got a better machine for you. APAP's are not just for 'geeks' as you have proved and for some people can make all the difference - again like you've proved. I'm sure you'll be telling the consultant this
However, it can also work the other way around - some people are better off on straight CPAP than APAP. Just like the masks, it's a case of individual needs.You can type in the smartcode on this link + you'll be able to see what pressures were used, and seeing as you're a 'geek' you'll love this
https://www.intellipap.com/ (I don't think you need to type in your address either).
-
-
I've got the SmartLink module too, but was disappointed to find there wasn't much more info to see than you can get online, unless that's changed? I've had mine about 4 years.
Bearing in mind some clinics seem to discharge people these days it would make more sense to let their patients have a data-compliant machine, then they could spot any problems themselves!
-
-
do not say anything about the smart link, they like to be in charge let them think that
only complain when some thing is not right and you can be vague about how you know and just say it is a feeling i have
About
Sleep Apnoea Forum
New to the Sleep Apnoea Forum?
1. Stop by our Sleep Apnoea Welcome Center to introduce yourself to the SleepGuide community.
2. Start a New Topic of Conversation.
3. Post your photos - of yourself, your old CPAP machine, your new CPAP machine, your pet, something about you!
Interested in advertising, have a problem or need to contact us? Click the Report an Issue page.
Latest Activity
noisy humidifier normal?
Hello,I have an air sense 10 auto.When I have the humidifier and the heated tube plugged in it makes a sort of drumming noise. Like that at the gallows in films.Is this normal? It wakes me up and I have to give up and switch off for the night.See More
Dentists in Hull that know about Mewing ?
I was wondering if there are any dentists in Hull who know about John & Mike Mew, and changing jaw shape over time?I could add that I saw an ENT consultant recently and she said jaw shape, malocclusion, is genetic, which has become a debatable…See More
"I did replace the tank in my SleepCube, and had to regularly take the silicone sealing gasket out and give it a goof clean, but not infrequently found it standing in a pool of water in the morning. The machine sat on a tray because of…"
Nasal valve collapse
Does anyone have any experience of nasal valve collapse?Wondering if I have this but I don't know what the norm is.Been trying widgets that hold the nose open and it's like night and day.See More
"Wow it's the other way round for me.I found with the Sleepcube I'd often have a good bit of water still there in the morning. Today I woke up with a dry tank on the Resmed again and it's not on full heat or flow. I got it on 6…"
F20 AirFit small marking bridge of nose
Please help or give advice all wise people on here.I have had the Resmed F20 AirFit small mask for over a month. Seals yet…See More
"A very helpful reply Jonathan. I found the pressure setting for the full face mask to be too high when I changed to a nasal mask, but perhaps I should have persisted?
I'll try again and I'll also discuss with the clinic whether an APAP…"
"Ramble alert! My history is that I spent part of each week at a different location, so bought a second machine identical to my fixed pressure NHS machine and set it up to match using the clinician menu. This was a very long time…"
"Thanks Jonathan - I had seen the YouTube video. My question is really about the experience of people who have control of their pressure settings, for example those people who have bought their machines directly and not obtained them through an NHS…"
"This is NOT a recommendation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNUWhd2UgQM"
Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings
I have been successfully using my air sense 10 since OSA diagnosis, and my AHI is now under 2. I had an appointment with my clinic this week and have been told there is no need for further appointments and just to contact them if I need supplies or…See More
"If you have a helpful GP, I would ask them to re-refer you to the sleep clinic."
A few questions..
A quick bit of backgroundDiagnosed with OSA about 7/8 years ago by my local sleep clinic and given a F &P Icon CPAP. After a couple of follow-up appts to sort out any issues, I was sent on my merry way. I have had no further face to face…See More
"I previously had a DeVilbiss Sleepcube and the dehumidifier did sometimes run dry. On the other hand I now have an AirSense 10 and it never runs dry, and I've had the humidity turned up high."
Airsense 10 -humidifier runs dry
Hi. I'm finding the Airsense 10 the hospital gave me, the humidifier chamber runs dry. It's not even on max settings, which I'm guessing would empty it a lot quicker. Seems like a big design oversight to me. Does anyone else have this trouble? The…See More
Decline in hearing
HiI have regular, well yearly check ups at work. One being a hearing test. Since having my cpap machine my hearing has declined rapidly in 1 ear.....could this be as a result of pressure? I believe I'm on 15cm p max h2o. I just use a nasal…See More
© 2024 Created by The SleepGuide Crew.
Powered by
