Posted by 2smiles on October 01, 2011 at 19:17:11:I have had a CPAP for quite some time. the first machine was one that had constant pressure. It was awful and I never really got use to it even with the ramp. I just suffered along. I didn't know at the time that there was any other option. About 5 years into it, I saw a new Sleep DR and he said I should have been switched to an Auto CPAP....which he did and it has been wonderful. Just recently, I again got a new Auto machine (old one finally pooped out). I now have an ICON by F&P. It's super quiet.
The issue is that, now my husband has been diagnosed with sleep apnea. At the end of the appointment to get set up with a prescription for equipment, I asked the doctor (in a very friendly voice) if my husband was getting an AUTO CPAP, since the constant flow machines are so difficult to exhale against. He turn to me with an "annoyed expression" and said flatly NO. I then asked why not? And his answser was "Everyone one is different"...he saw my husband for 10 minutes and he knows he can handle a constant flow machine???? I felt it was a very unsatisfactory answer, with no medical explanation. My husband was looking darts at me and I didn't want to cause problems, so dropped it. Outside, my husband side he would try it and if it didn't work out he would deal with it then, but he did think the doctor was a bit odd as well.
I am concerned that my husband isn't getting the best treatment. I wonder if this guy cares much for his patients. Perhaps I am just over anxious about it???? I don't see why sleep doctors prescribe constant pressure machine at all any more, so their patient won't have to struggle with the exhaling. Is there something I am missing or don't know? He also didn't check off a humidifier, which I also think should be a given. At the center where they did the study, they said their test machines always come with humidifiers and said paitents don't do well without them. They want as much positive complience during the study as possible.
The other thing that put up a red flag for me was his prescription sheet only had two Cpap companies listed. One of the brands had only ONE constant flow Cpap listed, the Remstar Pro "M" Series...I thought I saw in these forums some where that said the "M" series were "older" models. Also under that brand there was ONE Auto Cpap. Under the other brand there were two Bipaps listed. So only four machines to chose from on his list. My thoughts were: Is this guy not up on the latest machines or willing to give other options on machines? Is he trying to help the companies/suppliers get rid of their old machines...if the "M" series is in fact an old model....?
You knowlegde and comments are appreciated!
Best to you all.
- Re: Constant pressure vs Auto Cpap D.H. 10:22 10/15/11 (0)
- Re: Constant pressure vs Auto Cpap BC 08:18 10/04/11 (0)