I have went from CPAP to BiPAP to BiPAP with O2,I am currently using the Respironics BiPAP Auto M set at 18/14 with 2l O2, anyway last Tues night I had a VPAP titration study, my GP called me up Friday saying she got a copy of my sleep study and said they want me on VPAP, The Sleep Apnea Specialist in Pulmonary is suppose to call me Monday or Tues,  about the type machine I want scripted for. I have been looking at the ResMed VPAP AdaptSV, and the Respironics BiPAP autoSV, I want to get more involved in my treatment and hopefully get a handle on my Sleep Apnea. I have had 6 sleep studies in the past 17 months including the one last week. I have just about had enough! So any advice from anybody familiar with VPAP and Central and Complex Apneas and as to what machine would supply me the most useable data, and be the best I would welcome their comments and input Thanks White Beard

I just recently (25 March) got the new Resmed VPAP Auto and love it. BUT its NOT an SV. I take it since you have a high number of Centrals and Complex apneas that you do need that SV.

Look those two you are considering up on various websites and READ about their capabilities. Heck, call a couple of the online DME suppliers and TALK to them about the data capabilities of each, that's the best way to KNOW what data each can provide. Or for that matter, call the manufacturers' toll free numbers and ask THEM about the amount and type of data they can provide. Given the cost of the SVs you're gonna wanna be confident of what data they can provide before you opt for one or the other.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Thanks CrohnieToo you have made some  good suggestions, I never thought  about calling other DME's or the manufacturers, I will do that, I have had a major problem with my CA's and they keep increasing, in the past they kept increasing the pressure and the CA's kept going up. So my new Doctor says VPAP is the way to go, hope he is right! I should have been more into monitoring my own treatment in the past, but better late than never I guess. Anyway thanks for the info, every little bit helps!

Increased pressure can "cause" central apneas. That's not to say that you don't have "natural" CAs, but we read about too high a pressure being a cause of CAs too. I think I would want a copy of the dictated results AND the full scored data summary report of both my sleep evaluation and my titration studies. Are the xPAPs you've been using fully data capable? Have you seen any printouts from them? I think I would want to see them too. Just to ease my mind that we are going in the right direction.

I'm not a sleep doctor, just a patient, but it makes ME uneasy when you say they keep increasing the pressure and the number of your CAs keep going up. I might be seeking a second opinion in your situation and provide all the data from your previous studies and any data printouts from the xPAPs you've used to this point. Just for peace of mind if nothing else.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

CrohnieToo, That has always been one of the problems even on my first sleep study 11 Jan 07 I had a few CA's  4, and 104 OA's Total Apneas 108, Hyp 3 and RERA 1 Total Events 112 Sleep Efficiency 70.1% Minimum O2 while asleep 70.0 18.4% in stage 1 sleep,71.5 % in stage 2, 8.1 in SWS (stage 3 and 4) 4.1 in REM
         They then told me at my first CPAP titration study the 22 Jan 07, that my first initial study was not read right and that I actually had many more CA's than actually reported anyway on that  titration study I was titrated up to 15 cm and had 30 CA's  18 OA's  Total 48 Apneas, 4 HYP, 2 REFA, 64 Total Events, Min O2 while asleep 88% Anyway I have all the reports of all my sleep studies except my last one the VPAP titration study done on the 6th. I go and pick that one up tomorrow from the sleep center. I will post my stats from that tomorrow.
        Even on this study done on the 22 of Jan 07 it said the  sleep study was suboptomal and should be repeated  in 2-3 months because complex sleep apnea occurring mostly in REM it also says under reccommendations the Doctor may consider BiPAP or VPAP wel I was put on BiPAP, and then I had an Pulse Oximetry done over night at home, and was put on O2 at 2l. Anyway after each of my studies the percentage of CA's kept increasing, and the sleep center kept recommending VPAP, but my then  sleep Apnea doc an neurologist, just kept increasing the pressure,  the first BiPAP machine I had was a BiPAP pro 2 , I kept having trouble with it my DME finally replaced it with the BiPAP Auto M, I honestly didn't know much about this sleep apnea thing other than it was a pain and the most dificult  and unrewarding thing I have ever had to try to adjust too! And just took the word of my doctors, and didn't even think about collecting data on my own! Shame on me! I should have known better I know, after I retired from the Air Force  22 1/2 years retired in 1991 then I went back to school and became an RN, but  I have been on disability for quite a few years now since 97 due to my back and other medical problems.
      Anyway after reading alot of the post I have decided it was time to take charge of my treatment,  and by luck I have a new sleep doctor  pulmonary who is a board certified  Sleep Apnea specialist, he is the one who sent me for the VPAP study and putting me on VPAP. And that is why I want to be able to get the right machine  so I can get involved in my treatment, and keep track of what is going on! You might be just a patient  like the rest of us CrohnieToo but but your advice seems sound and I appreciate it as I do all the inputs from members of this Forum. Thanks and keep posting I think you have  helped out alot of people in this forum!

Just as a follow-up note My last VPAP titration study MA 14, ( what are MA's?) CA's 4, OA's 10 Total Apneas 28, HYP 54, RERA 12 Total Events 94 Sleep Efficiency 93.5% Min O2 while asleep 76% , sleep staging, stageN1 8.7%, N2 55.2%, N3 18.3% Stage R 17.7% REM AHI 9.0 RDI 9.0, NREM AHI 15.7 RDI 18.3, TST AHI 14.4 RDI 16.7.  The script is for a VPAP Adapt SV, settings.... EPAP 9,MiniPAP12, IPAP 20 , Heated Humidity and add 3 lpm O2. I seen my DME today and they are ordering the machine, but the newest one with the higher pressure and AHI tracking.

MA = mixed apneas, central becoming obstructive

Good luck, happy and restful sleeping to you w/your new sleeping partner! I hope it arrives soon! Wow! 3L of 02 supplementation as well?? You've had a SERIOUS problem w/your sleep!


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Thanks CrohnieToo I thought I looked all over trying to find out what the Acronym MA was, I even printed out the Acronym listing in the Multimedia Center of this Forum and couldn't find it there either!
  I E-mailed ResMed about Software, for my machine thats coming, from there reply looks like I have to get script from my Doctor  to get it, I don't think that will be a problem, as I want the Reslink an Oxtimitry too. My DME has been really helpful too so hopefully things will be getting better soon!

ResLink isn't too bad. About $200 - but the oximetry ..... you're looking at an additional $1000, give or take.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.