Back Again after my Sleep Study
Well, I finally had my sleep study done last week. I have yet to speak with my sleep doctor to get the exact results of it, but he did prescribe me a BIPAP machine instead of the CPAP that I was having a horrible time with(see my earlier posts at http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=17267)  
I must say that I do like the Bipap MUCH better than the Cpap machine. I can breath (exhale) much better than before. I am now able to fall to sleep using it WITHOUT suffering a Panic attack !! What a Blessing in just getting over "that" hurdle.
I still am not able to sleep more than 2 hours without pulling the mask off though? Like clockwork, I just wake up with this feeling that I have stopped breathing (my breathing gets very shallow and I am telling myself to BREATH?) I've tried 3 different masks. 2 types of Nasal Pillows and a full face. With the nasal pillows, I can't move in bed without getting a leak. If I tighten the straps, then my Nose starts hurting so bad, theres no way I can sleep with it. With the full face mask, I wake up feeling like I'm breathing stale air? Seems no matter what I try, nothing works. People write that you eventually get used to it. Honest to God, I use the Machine every night and always end up waking up with it, (averaging only 2.5 hours of use during the last seven days) ( per the info on the Bipap's usage screen). Sadly, my wife is suffering from me trying to use it. She says all night long, I am trying to adjust it. I pull it off and she hears the sudden rush of the air from it. I roll around in the bed and get tangeled up in the tubing ( I even pulled the entire machine off the nightstand onto the floor the other night! Thankfully, it didn't break other than the water that came out of the humidifier). She is now exhaused simply because of me!
Is there hope? I go back to the sleep doctor in 2 weeks. Don't know if he can prescribe a sleep medicine that will keep me asleep or what he will say, but I hope he can help, I used Ambien previously with bad results!
I'll keep everyone informed on what the Doc says....ANY SUGGESTIONS ON ANYTHING I SHOULD ASK THE DOCTOR WHEN I GO BACK. I SEE SOME PEOPLE HAVE LISTED THEIR SLEEP STUDY RESULTS ON THEIR POSTS?
Take care
Mike O.
Indiana

I am on my 3rd different machine in 2 months.Latest technology ResMed Elite II with SmartCard.The onboard computer will capture all breathing episodes which can be downloaded to a simcard and uploaded to a chart profile for you.Hoping it helps with more accurate titrations=better compliance.
Initially,I was only able to get 3.6 hours compliance,now at 4.9 hours from the 2nd machine and looking to futher compliance once I get some data off this new machine...

Sounds like theres Hope, But I would have to wonder what my insurance company would say "IF" the doctor would want to try yet another type of machine?
I have CIGNA HMO INSURANCE and they already hit me with the "We will only pay for a new mask once every 6 months"
Thanks for the reply and congrats on being able to use your machine each night. My Bipap is a series M Respironics BipapPlus with Bi-Flex, but it doesn't have a SmartCard with it.
Thanks
MikeO

Medical and Insurance people thrive on hard data.Proving you need a different machine will require some numbers to back up the change.I have a heated humidifier and 6ft hose cover(ResMed-a 10 footer is available but I think 8ft would suffice)).Also I am using Rx Avamys nasal spray(corticosteroid) and off the shelf Naso-Gel(by Neilmed)
I will have some complete new figures by the end of this week.CPAP tech has more complete readings on his software than I can see via email .pdf.Here is the previous cpap machine data before I dumped it:




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