Not sure what to do next

Hey y’all, I’ve been lurking for a little while now... finally decided to ask for some advice.

I’m a 41 yr old male, 6’ 230lbs, with moderate obstructive sleep apnea. I’ve had 4 titration studies because I have so much trouble sleeping with the equipment. I slept for 30 minutes during my 1st study and two weeks later slept for almost two hours. This 1st Dr prescribed a CPAP and I bought a respironics remstar plus m series and tried 3 masks with it with not much luck. Due to my noncompliance and the Dr’s only interest in billing my insurance, I gave up about 4 months after starting. 2 years later I went to 2nd Dr and had nearly same experience except I had explained the previous studies and he prescribed a low dose of Ambien so the studies this time were more fruitful. Fast forward about 4 years and here I am not resting well at all and not even trying to use the CPAP.

I haven’t slept in the same bedroom as my wife in about a year except for a few nights here and there. I live in a relatively rural area with only the two Dr.’s I’ve already seen within reasonable driving distance. I’m to the point where purchasing a new setup, out of pocket, is something I am considering but I’m not sure where to begin. My last study had my machine set at 12.

Should I go through the whole study process again?

Sounds like a frustrating process for you, but I'm confused - if you're no longer even attempting to use your CPAP, what would be the point of a new sleep study?

If you truly want help here from forum members, we need a lot more detail about your attempts to use your CPAP, what things went wrong, why you gave up, and what you hope will be different with a new sleep study. We can't help unless you give us more explanation of the specific problems you've had.

Why did you give up on using your cpap machine?

Sheriff

I could never seem to sleep more than 45 min - hour or so. I would fall asleep about 30 minutes after laying down and wake up in this pattern, 30 awake, 45-60 mins asleep all night. This led to more fatigue than without the mask. Sometimes it would feel like I wasn't getting enough air, sometimes it would be the condensation in the masks dripping on me that would wake me.

It sounds like you're willing to give PAP therapy another shot now though. If your last machine was set as a straight CPAP, you may benefit from purchasing a full-data APAP and giving a go at self-titrating. That's something we can definitely help with, but we will need more information on what made the last go-round so difficult for you.
What sensation made it most difficult for you to sleep? Was the mask uncomfortable? Did you *feel* like you weren't getting enough air? Too *much* air?

Well... first of all I'd change the machine for one that gives proper data and has an SD card/slot for one that you can then use with (free) Sleepyhead software that we all use to see what the problems are and potentially make changes to e.g. pressure setting levels that may have been initially set up for inadequate therapy (happens all the time). The Plus model doesn't give data you can use and newer ones do. Once you have a better idea of what's what overnight (many parameters you're probably unaware of) then you can address some of the issues you've had. You also need to try on various masks (lying down) to find what really works for you and if you need e.g. a full face one vs nasal. We'd like to help, but with the equipment you have (and likely the equipment-ignorant MD) it's going to be difficult, but you really should get a handle on your OSA to improve (and lengthen) your life. You can get a home study set-up (most insce co's will allow but check iwth yours) if you're lab-test leery.

For the sake of your health, sanity, family, … you MUST treat your sleep apnea.
Options are PAP or Inspire.
If PAP, you must have a machine with full data capability. Auto is preferred and only a little more expensive. I bought a new auto a year ago for $450.
You will need to use sleepyhead to review/share/understand your data in order to be successful. It is not hard, but it takes perseverance.
You have had 4 titration studies yet you have not been successful with your treatment. It doesn't hurt to have a new study but it is unlikely to help.

If you can't make PAP work after an exhaustive effort, then I would try Inspire.

Buy this machine from this forum member and don't take too long to make up your mind because it won't last long.
viewtopic/t171589/Airsense-10-Autoset-F ... -Sale.html

It's a very fair price and a full data machine and you can use SleepyHead software and get all the data you need to manage your own therapy.

Spending money on another sleep study...let's not go there unless something shows up on the data from the machine that might be a problem.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Fri May 25, 2018 7:52 am

Buy this machine from this forum member and don't take too long to make up your mind because it won't last long.
viewtopic/t171589/Airsense-10-Autoset-F ... -Sale.html

It's a very fair price and a full data machine and you can use SleepyHead software and get all the data you need to manage your own therapy.

Spending money on another sleep study...let's not go there unless something shows up on the data from the machine that might be a problem.

Yes please do this .. Such a great deal and so worth it over spending the cash on another test ..

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Fri May 25, 2018 7:52 am

Buy this machine from this forum member and don't take too long to make up your mind because it won't last long.

So is a used machine safe? I don't know much about this stuff...

Money isn't the issue here, it's my lack of knowledge relating to this. I do want to try a different machine and new mask, but I don't know where to start.

A used machine isn't an issue at all to me. I have bought well over a dozen machines over the years and 90% of them have been used.
But if it bugs you too much get a brand new one.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Fri May 25, 2018 3:47 pm

A used machine isn't an issue at all to me. I have bought well over a dozen machines over the years and 90% of them have been used.
But if it bugs you too much get a brand new one.

And if going for new do NOT get a brick... Go for the AUTO... You should really get up on that deal here!

Missingstexas wrote: ↑

Fri May 25, 2018 3:43 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Fri May 25, 2018 7:52 am

Buy this machine from this forum member and don't take too long to make up your mind because it won't last long.

So is a used machine safe? I don't know much about this stuff...

Money isn't the issue here, it's my lack of knowledge relating to this. I do want to try a different machine and new mask, but I don't know where to start.

I mean no disrespect but you need a nudge.
Hasn't there been many posts helping you understand where to start? Do you have questions on the information that has been provided?
Work to increase your knowledge as it will help to decrease your anxiety.
Asking if a used machine is safe makes no sense. A machine with 8 months of usage is exactly like a new machine after it has been used for 8 months - safety has not changed.
A relevant question is whether it is a good value.

Thanks, the question was related to hygiene. How do I know how it was cared for? This seems logical, but I'm not a medical expert.

Relevance to my question doesn't involve value or price, I was clear about that.

Missingstexas wrote: ↑

Fri May 25, 2018 7:56 pm

Thanks, the question was related to hygiene. How do I know how it was cared for? This seems logical, but I'm not a medical expert.

Relevance to my question doesn't involve value or price, I was clear about that.

Clean equipment if you are concerned. Bleach is king - good enough to kill Ebola.
If money is no object, just buy new then you don't have to worry about value or hygiene.