Turquoiseturtle

I felt like the sleep clinic was responsive and answered all my questions when I was first diagnosed. I had no choice of machine, but the Airsense 10 Auto seems to be highly recommended. I had many mask choices to try, and clinic staff took time to help me make a good choice. I took to therapy easily, and results were good. For over a year the AHI was around .5. Then I started to get some spikes; weeks where AHI was around 4-6. They did not want to talk to me because the average was still below 1. But I wanted to understand why I could have a week like that, 10x what was my normal. Now that I know more, I have new questions. Just because #s are good, I can not get an appointment/answers.

Working just from memory here, as I'm sitting by a warm fire and don't want to go check supply replacement policy. I know for sure the nasal pillow and filter allowance is once per month. I believe humidifiers were every 6 months, as is a regular hose. I think headgear is every 4 months. The pillows do seem to get wonky after about 5 weeks, but the other stuff, not so much. I replaced the humidifier, hose and headgear after 2 years, when AHI went up (from less than .5 to between 3 and 5). That did not solve the problem. Now back down to about 1. It does seem my coverage is far more generous than needed.

Yes, Nikki, all sorts of tests were run on my heart before a cardiologist suggested a sleep study. So the apnea was manifesting itself in heart PVCs, which have gone away with apnea treatment. Concentration to read also returned. But in the last few weeks, heart is acting up again, 2 echocardiograms last week showed a problem, so seeing cardiologist Monday. Good luck to you.

Greetings, First of all, relax. It was a shock when I was diagnosed (healthy, endurance cyclist, female) but my heart was acting up and my concentration was gone. I was happy to learn it was apnea and not a failing heart. And happy to find this forum where most are positive about their therapy. At that point, my only experience with CPAP was sharing a hotel room with a travel buddy 25 years ago. Was that machine ever annoying-so loud, wished I had ear plugs. A pleasant surprise that now the machines are so improved, and quiet. As for a mask, I was able to try on several at the sleep clinic, and chose a nasal pillow. I do flip side to side and have no problems with my set up. Hubby was very concerned about noise, but it is not a problem, even when spending a couple weeks in a VW Eurovan.

My PCP referred me to Kaiser's sleep clinic, after 6 months of trying to figure out why my heart was acting up. It was her cardiologist husband that suggested I be checked for SA, after all heart exams showed no reason for the near constant PVCs. She admits to being pretty clueless about sleep disorders, and was shocked at my diagnosis. So, yeah, she referred me along to the sleep clinic people, who determined a sleep study was in order.

While I am fortunate to have 100% coverage (Kaiser) I find the schedule for re-supply incredible. One nasal pillow per month-swift fx One headgear-swift fx One tubing per 6 months One humidifier per six months Two and a half years in, with every day use, I am on the original tubing, headgear and humidifier. I do find the nasal pillows need replacing about every 40-45 days. Selling this stuff is a money maker for someone. I did order on schedule one time, and will not reorder until these backups are put into use.

I would say a heated hose may not be necessary. I don't have one, and have only had condensation and a sprinkle hose is when I'm camping in very cold weather. That said, I do have a heated humidifier, and that may make a difference. I only had one problem with Apria. Knowing I would be on the road for a month, I ordered supplies in plenty of time, only to receive the wrong size. They said they would send it right out via Golden State OVERNIGHT. Turns out GSOvernight is only the name of the shipping company they use, and has nothing to do with getting your package overnight. Couple days to process order, couple days in transit. . . .trip was delayed. Wishing you and your little guy all the best.

I am also using the same system as you, cosmasad. If you look closely at the nasal pillow, be sure the central part of each pillow is poked out. I check each day when I wash it.

The best advice I got was to take the time to get the best mask system for my needs. Fortunately, my provider had a wide range of choices to try, and once I took one home, I still had 30 days to change. I am comfortable enough, most of the time, that I forget it is there. Good luck, and hope you can get it right sooner rather than later.

Like Sierra said, you are not a likely candidate for apnea, but neither was I. Diagnosis was a total surprise. My Dr. was trying to track down the cause of a heart problem when a cardiologist suggested a sleep study. My concentration is back to normal, my heart is no longer acting up and I generally feel better. Good luck to you.