Well I have been on the hose for 6 years and went for a sleep study on a dare from my girlfriend who had completed the study previously. She had a follow up meeting with her doctor and mentioned that she thought I was an extreme candidate and should complete a study. I agreed knowing I had a problem and after the first hour of my sleep study I woke to a crash cart entering my room and was placed on oxygen. I had Apnea events 34 times in the first hour and my oxygen level had fallen to 25% and was considered a critical case. After I was placed on oxygen and a cpap, I can say I never slept so well in many years. I woke the following day with the clearest mind I can remember and did not realize it was due to the oxygen from the sleep study. I was so disappointed when I started using the machine expecting the same effects thinking it was the CPAP that gave me the clear mind. Because of my results in the study, I was supplied with a CPAP the following day. My machine was a Respironics REMstarPro "M" series set on a level of "10" and can honestly say I have never had such deep sleep in my life. I was able to actually dream again which I was not able to do waking every few minutes for a breath of air before starting use of the CPAP. My machine also ran on 12 volts and could easily be used on my boat and on car trips which made it very handy since im the adventurous type. Unfortunately, My original machine wore out and was stopping in the middle of the night. I told my GP doctor and he told me I could not get a new machine without a new sleep study. I had my old prescription but it was old and my insurance wanted a new study. I went 6 weeks for my appointment still using my faulty machine. After my study, It was found I had 31 events of Apnea on average per hour and my study was completed in 1 night. (The studies now are usually 2 nights) I expected a new machine to be ordered but was told I had to wait 6 weeks before the study would be approved. After 2 weeks of phone calls, I finally explained the legal situation they were in because my current machine was creating a life threatening condition. The following day I was supplied with a new CPAP and I can say after 2 months, I HATE IT! First of all it is not a constant pressure as I have been use to as a "10" level and instead fluctuates between 8 and 14??? very annoying and here I sit at 4am sleepless. I asked if it can be adjusted to a constant pressure and was told it was not possible. I also found the new machine is 24 volt so I have to use an inverter when not at home to use the machine traveling. Another wonderful feature is the WIFI that is built in to give real time information to the doctor... geez. In closing I am living waterfront and thinking on seeing if this new CPAP floats. I think I am going to return it and go shopping for a machine like I had. One thing I found is after 6 yrs on a CPAP it is very difficult to be off of one and end up with a sore throat for days if I do. Im done whining now. Guess for now Im truly "Hosed"
