Best machine for CENTRAL apnea?

I think most DME's are stupid and trying to take advantage of the ones not yet in the know.. It is quite sad actually... When you speak up its funny how fast they switch up what was said on what is best for your treatment...

prodigyplace wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 23, 2018 11:38 am

My DME said insurance never covers heated hose and they refused to look at my copy of the preauthorization letter they got from insurance specifying the heated hose.

I rest my case...even Medicare will pay for a heated hose. 99.9% of the insurance plans out there adopt Medicare guidelines.
Exceptions mainly in state Medicaid coverage and sometimes those poor people get the royal shaft.
Maybe I should amend my "stupid or liar" thing to include "unwilling to learn or change".

Hi Fortay,
Your thread rightfully turned into a DME bash. But just to clarify your situation. A central apnea occurs when the brain doesn't trigger a breath. Obstructive is a triggered but blocked breath.

You need a machine that will automatically stimulate a breath with a small burst of air if no breath is detected after a preset period. I'm only familiar with Respironics and you need a machine with ST capability.

Most basic would be BiPap ST and the more complex AVAPS and ASV machines also have that capanility. Which machine is best depends on your medical diagnosis. So if you are healthy otherwise...a BiPap ST may do the job. The determination should be made by your Pulmonologist or sleep Doc.
Good luck,
CN

may be a bash dme thing...but, my experience has been one of mixups and mistakes.

and, the Dr messed up enough to make me angry.


once in a while messing up? yeah. it happens. but, it's a pattern. I have to take matters into my own hands now.

He didn't take my phone calls seriously for a WHOLE YEAR and my health suffered as a consequence.

I bet I'm not the only one.

CarpeNoctum wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 23, 2018 12:18 pm

Hi Fortay,
Your thread rightfully turned into a DME bash. But just to clarify your situation. A central apnea occurs when the brain doesn't trigger a breath. Obstructive is a triggered but blocked breath.

Blue ribbon for unnecessary explanation.

CarpeNoctum wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 23, 2018 12:18 pm

You need a machine that will automatically stimulate a breath with a small burst of air if no breath is detected after a preset period.

That's not how they work.

CarpeNoctum wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 23, 2018 12:18 pm

Most basic would be BiPap ST and the more complex AVAPS and ASV machines also have that capanility. Which machine is best depends on your medical diagnosis. So if you are healthy otherwise...a BiPap ST may do the job. The determination should be made by your Pulmonologist or sleep Doc.

And dubious "advice".

Barb (Seattle) wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 23, 2018 7:05 pm

may be a bash dme thing...but, my experience has been one of mixups and mistakes.

and, the Dr messed up enough to make me angry.


once in a while messing up? yeah. it happens. but, it's a pattern. I have to take matters into my own hands now.

He didn't take my phone calls seriously for a WHOLE YEAR and my health suffered as a consequence.

I bet I'm not the only one.

If the doctors and DMEs were all that many of them think they are (competent)... this forum wouldn't exist.

The people here are the ones that the medical system has failed.

I will try to obtain my sleep studies. I have had 2 of them.

The first study which was completed in a modern Sleep medicine lab here in Colorado. This study was completed without the use of a PAP machine. From memory, this study showed OSA, Central and possibly mixed? But 100% for sure OSA and central. It showed me at the 14 AHI area. Very nice facility.

The second sleep study was completed at an insurance directed lab, which reminded me of a very cheap, second-rate motel. Beds from the 70's, smelled of mothballs, 4-inch gaps under the room door, it was in an old, unkept office building. The technician was 20 years old. It felt dirty and ashamed that this is what my insurance was paying for. My life rested in the results of a lab of this quality. It blows my mind. (I believe there was a combination wood grain alarm clock phone in the room) ( As I think about it, I believe this was a titration study) The report wasn't nearly as comprehensive. This titration study showed that I required a pressure of 7. We tried the pressure of 7, it was terrible. So I went back to using 5-15 AUTO.

It's important to answer the question re how many (percentage) of the CA's were actually in bunches throughout the night vs a few-to-some just as you were falling asleep and/or wakening as it will determine if they're 'real' centrals or mostly sleep-wake junk.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 23, 2018 11:31 am

when anyone who has actually worked in the medical field will tell you the good ones will tell you when they don't know something or make a mistake.

+1
A good one takes the time to find the answer and appreciates correction (delivered in a nice way) when they miss the mark.

Julie wrote: ↑

Thu May 17, 2018 4:20 am

It's important to answer the question re how many (percentage) of the CA's were actually in bunches throughout the night vs a few-to-some just as you were falling asleep and/or wakening as it will determine if they're 'real' centrals or mostly sleep-wake junk.

Sleep Studies where your brain waves are monitored, throw out what we call sleep/wake junk.