Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone has had their doctor change their CPAP pressure and if so did the doctor make them have another sleep study first?

My doctor thinks my pressure might be too high but suggested that I get another sleep study to determine this. The problem is I can't wear my mask now because it makes me feel worse (this went on for 6 weeks) and I'd have to wait about 3 months to get a sleep study. I just cannot wait that long. I'm at the end of my rope with this fatigue.

Does anyone know what I can do? Has anyone else had their pressure changed without having another sleep study first? I don't even know who would adjust the pressure.

ds

The only way to determine what pressure you need is to be retitrated for it.  I would ask the DR if he can request a loaner APAP from the DME to do an inhome check for now and adjust your pressure accordingly...then go for your retitration study to confirm the pressure is ultimate for you.

My doc told me yesterday to 'go ahead and bump it up a notch' (from 13cm to 14cm) since my AHI was still averaging 13.  I guess he feels I must know at least as much as he does about it ...  and then keep track of the numbers to see if the AHI comes down any...

Your doctor would have to make the decision to change your pressure and somebody in his office might do it or he may write a new prescription and your DME would change it.

Do you mean that you feel like your apnea is worse while using CPAP, or are you having difficulties wearing a mask?

Your doctor could do an at-home titration with an autoPAP; he would prescribe one for short term use and you would rent it from your DME, probably for a month.  It is also possible that your doctor or your DME could loan you an autoPAP for a short time to do a titration.

What is a DME? Sorry....I'm very new to all of this.

ds

The DME is who you got your CPAP from

Durable Medical Equipment.   The vendor that supplied you with the xPAP and mask.

I called my doctor and told her about what was happening and asked if she could adjust the pressure until the sleep study. She said no....that without a sleep study she would simply be guessing.

I am just so tired of being tired. I'm at the end of my rope with this.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

Actually, I am very glad that to hear that he sees it that way.   That said, it would be a Good Thing if he would prescribe an autoPAP to get at least a temporary titration.

ds wrote:

I called my doctor and told her about what was happening and asked if she could adjust the pressure until the sleep study. She said no....that without a sleep study she would simply be guessing.

Well, she is right.  Without a data capable CPAP machine it would just be shooting in the dark.

I', surprised no one in this forum has told you that you don't have to be re-tested to know how you are sleeping!  Not any more!   They have the technology now to monitor your sleeping at home with your CPAP machine.  They make them now with computers inside that constantly monitor and record your breathing.  It is all saved on a little plastic card that slips in and out of the back of the machine.  Someone else in this forum can probably tell you the name of it.  

I'm sorry to read that you feel worse now than before you started the CPAP therapy.  I know how you feel because the first week I was on the machine I felt terrible.  I woke up feeling like a truck had run over me.  After 3 weeks I feel slightly better when I wake up but I'm still as exhausted as I was before I started sleeping with CPAP.  I don't know where you live but honestly, maybe you need to see a different doctor.  Here in New York, NY, I got tested at the Clinic Lab run by Columbia Medical School.  One of their conditions for doing the testing is that you have an appointment with one of their Clinic Lab dotors who is a sleep apnea specialist  after three weeks on the machine.  When you go to the appointment you take your Reflex CPAP machine with you and they read the card in your machine which has been collecting data on your breathing while you sleep.  Then they reset the machine as needed.  This is their standard procedure.  It makes perfect sense because its obvious you won't sleep the same way at home as you did in the test lab.  

I hope you can get the machine you need and the medical care (doctor) who knows about the new technology.  Even if you have to travel a small distance to get the treatment you should be getting, its worth it.  Afterall, sleep apnea effects your whole life!  Boy, do I know.  Best of luck.

waiting for a new life wrote:

I', surprised no one in this forum has told you that you don't have to be re-tested to know how you are sleeping!  Not any more!   They have the technology now to monitor your sleeping at home with your CPAP machine.  They make them now with computers inside that constantly monitor and record your breathing.  It is all saved on a little plastic card that slips in and out of the back of the machine.  Someone else in this forum can probably tell you the name of it.

BarryKaraoke wrote:

Without a data capable CPAP machine it would just be shooting in the dark.

Unfortunately due to insurance I can only get the CPAP machine they give me. It's just a basic one....I highly doubt they'd give me something better like what you guys are describing.

I could be wrong....but sometimes I feel like they don't take this seriously enough with me because I'm relatively young and in good health otherwise. I get very frustrated at times.

Thanks again for all the support and info. You guys are the only ones who understand what it's like to have sleep apnea. So many of my friends tell me such ridiculous things like....well maybe you just need to push yourself more, or maybe you need to get out with other people more....they seem to forget I used to be like that but because of the SA I'm no longer the same person. I've tried to explain what it is to them but it goes in one ear and out the other.

Sorry for all the whining but this is a really bad day today.  

waiting for a new life wrote:

I', surprised no one in this forum has told you that you don't have to be re-tested to know how you are sleeping! ... Someone else in this forum can probably tell you the name of it.

Bearded One wrote:

Your doctor could do an at-home titration with an autoPAP;

and

Quote:

it would be a Good Thing if he would prescribe an autoPAP to get at least a temporary titration.

Ditto BeardedOne

FYI waiting for a new life

Quote:

Mrs Rip Van Winkle
  
The only way to determine what pressure you need is to be retitrated for it. I would ask the DR if he can request a loaner APAP from the DME to do an inhome check for now and adjust your pressure accordingly