Biguglygremlin

One last dubious observation. I get the impression that a sleep study is just a jumble of numbers and the 'results' are an analysis of a chosen section of those numbers.

In other words the results of that first study are subject to interpretation.

If that is the case you may be able to request a copy of that data if you don't already have one and get a second opinion without even having to do another sleep study.

Sorry I didn't read your post properly and missed the license connection. Do they really threaten your license at 5.5? :O

Yes in your position I would request a re-run through a different location/clinic and make sure you get a copy of the results. I would also take antihistamines and dose myself with nasal sprays before I went in.

Figures can be fudged both ways. :)

Hi timetoplay,

I'm not sure about a second opinion regarding the numbers because they are so low and I wonder about the relevance or need but that is a discussion others will take up happily.

I am chained to a CPAP machine that causes endless concern and anger and I would STRONGLY advise anybody who can to avoid them and if they have issues that are serious enough to cause long term consequences pursue every other option available before considering a machine.

There have been a number of references in this forum to questionable practices within the CPAP industry I think this is a fairly clear example of that.

Hi JaCraig,

I don't really know what I am talking about when it comes to CPAP details but 18 seems like a very high number.

When you say that dropping the pressure renders the treatment ineffective what do you mean?

I presume that at that pressure you are using a full face mask. If so have you tried using nasal pillows? In my experience they might enable you to drop the pressure and still get the desired results.

Anyways, I knows nothin" :)

Brilliantly written Sierra and I love the disclaimer. :)

I suspect that the underlying concept reflects on the nature of man nearly as much as it does on the potential of technology.

I can only vaguely comprehend all the options and details but it seems to me that the principal applies to almost everything that we have and use. Even your argument for the most advanced fully optioned machine because it provides better feedback is true of just about anything that is available on the market. Cars, washing machines, fridges, toasters ........... the list is endless.

They all have multiple options and menus and feedback loops that are essentially redundant to their real function. Once we get them home and finish playing with them we usually revert to the basic, simplest application and all those extra options are largely ignored. Yes it's fun to know they are there but there is also appeal in simplicity.

I think the choice will be fairly obvious once you have handled and used both machines.

No advice. Just feedback. I use the Phillips Nuance which seems quiet when it is seated properly which is not hard to achieve.

Of course i am getting old and hard of hearing so everything is relative. :)

Hi Emath,

My numbers were similar and although i desperately wish it were otherwise it would have been very difficult to get back to a safe place regarding fatigue and long term health risks without a CPAP machine.

What you are proposing is not as radical as it might seem.

My numbers were a lot lower than yours (50+) but I did not follow through with most of the 'normal' processes.

The sleep specialist authorised a CPAP machine (which normally comes with fitting and training and followup adjustments etc) He had given me instructions for the sleep clinic to start at 12 but I asked them to show me how to access the settings then I simply picked up the machine and went interstate. Only returning some weeks later to finalise the paperwork which was effectively a lease of the machine from the public hospital for a nominal fee.

During those weeks I started at pressure of 11 and tried a few different masks till I found one that worked, then I increased the pressure night by night till the osa numbers dropped and I kept increasing it till the csa began to rise then I dropped the pressure back down till it was comfortable but safe.

I am not recommending this approach, but for me it was necessary at the time and it was effective.

Hi mrhasan,

This is the kind of query that this forum is really good at assisting with, but not me. There are far more qualified folk about who can provide detailed info especially once you have a machine and some feedback data.

I would encourage you to check back when there are more qualified responses.