Hello all,

I had my third and hopefully final sleep study last night.  I've been diagnosed with severe complex sleep apnea.  My initial test yielded AHI=112 (primarily obstructive), and my follow-up with CPAP was still AHI=50 with the events being central, not obstructive.

I understand the current treatment of choice for complex/central apnea is adaptive servo ventilation (ASV) which was used on me last night for the study.  I also understand there are only two such machines on the market, one from ResMed and one from Respironics.  I'd enjoy hearing any feedback from fellow complex/central apnea sufferers and their impressions of these two devices.  I do not yet know which one my sleep doc will recommend, but I believe my sleep center prefers the Respironcis model.  I would like to start gathering others' opinions on these machines (and masks as well) and their outcomes.


Many thanks,
Michael



Last edited by mhb619 on Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:56 pm; edited 1 time in total

I have the same condition as you.  I was given the ResMed VPAP Adapt SV.  It's considered to be the top of that line of machines.  I have been doing well with mine since April of this year.  I sleep soundly and wake up feeling pretty good.  I believe they now have the enhanced version of this so I would ask for that.  The enhanced version gives you a read on AHIs and all.  The original one, like the one I have, does not do that.  I think you would find that a perk.

Good luck in choosing your equipment.


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Forneyfrau
From Forney, TX
Respironics BiPap Auto SV with Comfort Gel Mask
AHI 93
Primary Central Apnea
Diagnosed 4/8/2008

Michael Most DME's will usually try to push the Respironics, they are cheaper and the DME makes more profit selling them.  However I personally like the ResMed machine, I have the enhanced ASV, it is great! You can check the screen every morning and find out your over all Leak Rate, AHI, AI, Average Pressure, VT, Respiration Rate, MV, and Usage. for your nights sleep. If you get the ResLink and card reader you can get the even more detailed information, which can show you literally the minute by minute details of your sleep. I can't tell you much about the Respironics machine. I will tell you the ResMed ASV has been a Godsend for me! I am finally sleeping thru the night! I asked my sleep doctor to write the script for this specific machine, with the heated humidifier. I told him why I wanted it, I wanted to get involved with my treatment and wanted to monitor it. My Doctor thought that was Great! and wrote the script as I requested it. I use the ResMed Liberty mask, with my set up. Anyway I hope this helps, any questions PM me. Good Luck to You


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

Many thanks to the responses so far!  It's so encouraging to hear success stories.  I'm wondering as well if this modality has helped to alleviate any insomnia, if experienced?  I endure insomnia regularly, which I understand isn't rare among central apnea sufferers.

Again, all thanks for the info!  I'm quite anxious to give this a try.


M.

I too have the ResMed enhanced ASV. I stated using it in May after 2 months on the original ResMed ASV.  All my apneas are central and the machine has helped.  I do still have problems sleeping but I had been on a CPAP and APAP that did nothing.  

Best of luck to you


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Started 22 Nov 07
AHI 129, O2 level 70%, 2 obstructive SA, 9 mixed apnea, 14 hypopneas, 607 central apnea
Currently using a ResMed VPAP Adapt SV, set at 10EEP and PS of 5 to PS of 10