HELP REQUIRED FOR CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA (CSA)

Hi,

I have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). i have consulted with a number od sleep specialists and their recommendation was a fixed pressure CPAP machine. On these recommendations, I bought a Resmed S10 CPAP Elite. Based on a sleep test I recently did, my AHI with no treatment was 77. After using the CPAP for a month, the average AHI is around 50, which is still extremely high. I all honesty, I don't feel any better using the CPAP machine compared to not using anything at all. I still feel extremely tired during the day and often fall sleep. On the last visit to the sleep specialist, he suggested that perhaps I should be using a VPAP machine instead of the CPAP. At this stage I feel like I have lost confidence in the suggestions and recommendations, that those supposedly in the know are guessing without really knowing the answers. I'm loathe to buy a VPAP machine only to find that the benefit that may be derived from it's use will be minimal in relation to the cost.

Has anyone got or come across a similar situation? Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Phil in Australia

Hi Phil, do you have (or can you get) a copy of the sleep study and post results/graphs here (use something like Photobucket and post the link in this thread) so we can get an idea what's what? What kind of mask are you using? What is your pressure set at?

It's too bad you bought the machine you did (straight Cpap) because an auto machine will allow you to also use Cpap, but plain Cpap won't have the advantages of an autopap.

Are you anywhere near Monash in Melbourne - they have terrific specialists there and if you could get in to see them you might be better off than with whomever you see now.

Hi Julie,

I'm using a Resmed P10 mask and the pressure was originally set at 8. On the last visit the doctor suggested increasing the pressure to 10. I've done that and used it like that since Friday with no noticeable difference. I will post the sleep study results on here once I have scanned them in the morning (Australian time).

The sleep study was done at the Monash Hospital in Clayton and the report was compiled by the doctor associated with the Epworth.

If you would like to recommend anyone in particular, perhaps you wouldn't mind sending me a private message.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. It is greatly appreciated.

Phil

Sending you a PM in a minute...

Thank you very much

diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

How many centrals did you have during the first sleep study?
What is the AHI breakdown now of your AHI of 50?
How much of it is
Central index
Obstructive apnea index
and Hyponea index