I’ve been using a cpap machine for about 8 years. Changed insurance companies and they wanted a new sleep study.
My pressure level has been 8 but I’ve gained weight and wondered if maybe my setting would change. But my machine has not noted AHI’s higher than 1.8 and occasionally it will go up to 2.1 so my machine seems to think all has been well at level 8.
My sleep study interpretation says my level should now be 14! And on the first night I used this level, I woke up about 5 times with my mouth open and really dry. I’ve never been a mouth-breather before this.
When I look at the sleep study, it shows that my AHIs went down when my pressure was 10 but back up at 12 and again at 14. So I don’t understand how they decided I should be at 14.
I tried 10 last night and slept better than I have in a long time. And no open mouth.
It’s a long story but I’m getting a new machine next week from my new insurance company. I think they will want reports showing compliance for the next year. And I don’t want to be compliant at 14. I will use it faithfully but I think the setting is wrong. And what if my insurance company wants to force me to use it at 14?
My issue is that when I first got my machine 8 years ago, the sleep center was where I got supplies. I could ask them anything and they knew the answer and were in charge of the prescription.
Now, the prescription comes from my primary doctor who knows nothing about cpaps but based the prescription on the sleep study (that I think is flawed). The prescription goes to the DME company who isn’t authorized to change the prescription.
I feel trapped and totally disempowered to take care of my own health.
I will talk to the DME guy next week. He seems nice. But I worry that he can’t help me.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance.
Leigh
