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Hi

Sorry this is long...

I have resmed escape CPAP, I was given this by the hospital 2 months ago.  Initially I had an autoset S9  for recording and after a few teething problems I was really getting the benefit of it averaging about 7 hours.  Since getting the escape CPAP I've had really bad pain under my right breast and round my back. This is also aching on and off all day. I'm gging to bed about 10.30 and waking up between 2 and 4 in the morning.  I have a pressure of 12 and when I called the hospital and informed the sleep tech of the problems, she asked me if I could not put up with it?  When I said no, she reluctantly advised me to put it down to 11, talked me through it and then hung up on me.  Since then I've still had the pain so I put it back up to 12.  The few times that I have called the hospital I've felt as i'm a nuisance,  

Has anyone experienced this? Should I call back and ask if they can give me an APAP machine? Will I need to buy my own APAP?  Its frustrating, because I felt so good on the APAP machine...

Thanks in advance for your advice 

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Sorry to hear of your struggles Helen which sounds like the APAP was certainly better for you than the CPAP.  Sadly, many hospitals are struggling with funding for being able to give out APAP.  There are lots of people who do better on APAP, but at the same time there are also people who get better therapy with CPAP.  It's a shame the only answer was to lower the pressure, as there's no guarantee the pressure of 11 would have treated you as good as the set pressure of 12, and of course with no data onboard the Resmed Escape you wouldn't have had evidence of this.  If this pain is constant then it's not fair for you to put up with this, and I would call the hospital and ask if you could be given APAP, as often the hospitals can give them out in certain cases.  Meanwhile, try raising the bed at the head end by 4-6 inches, as this can help with the pain, which sounds like aerophagia.  It can also happen if you're getting lots of mask leaks or if you're on a nasal mask and need a full face one.

I think it is well worth asking. I had a review this morning with my sleep clinic and when they said my S8 Escape would have to be replaced, because it was old and the model is not supported by my current health authority, I asked for an APAP because the one I was lent right at the start of my therapy over 18 years ago worked so much better both for me and my partner than the basic CPAPs (Sullivan Mk5, yes that long ago, Fisher & Paykel, then S8 Escape) I have been issued with ever since they readily agreed to get one for me.

I am actually very impressed with Worthing Hospital which although the sleep department is very small, has proved far more accommodating and helpful than the other, much more highly rated, clinics I have used in the past.

Thanks for your replies

Update - I was told to turn my machine down to 9 several weeks ago because of my difficulties, the hospital would rather I get the use of my machine for some hours.  The hospital have agreed I will get an APAP in July and last week they gave me an oximeter to use overnight and will get back to me with the results.  

Great to hear you're able to get APAP Helen soon

Update:

Well I've now had my APAP machine for 2 weeks and what a difference, I've virtually no pain and am getting between 7-8 hours straight, energy levels are starting to rise.  I've also lost 2.5 stone from April and my average pressure has went from 13.8 to 11.2.  Now all I have to do is sort the leaks 

That is really good to hear. Without doubt losing weight makes a difference, and the difference is probably as much or more to your general well-being as your sleep. Lower weight combined with better sleep definitely gives you more energy too. You have done really well to lose so much weight in that time. And it sounds as if the Autoset suits you so much better. I find with mine the pressure is around 6-8 most of the time and very occasionally goes up to almost 10 - maximum is set to 14. My Escape was on 10 or 12 all the time, so obviously more than I needed for 99% of my sleep.

I do hope you get a mask and/or liner that suits you and doesn't leak.

That's brilliant news Helen   The new Silent Night Mask Liners are proving brilliant for helping with leaks http://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/products/134 and also bear in mind that you may need a smaller mask now that you've lost 2.5 stone, which is also awesome news.  Onwards and upwards.........!

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