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Well done you.
Exactly which mask do you have?
I would have thought that if your AHI was below 5 they would leave well enough alone. Perhaps you could ask your doctor to have the pressure put back down to where it was when it was working? To get the leak rate on an S9, you would need to get the machine downloaded, or use 3rd party software like Sleepyhead. It will give you a number in L/min which is an objective measure of how much your mask is leaking.
Any machine currently available can be used without a heated tube (as far as I am aware). Just because they sell them doesn't mean that you have to use one. If you are experiencing rain out then turn your humidifier down. There should be some level at which it will not rain out. Also, you should be able to turn your heated tube down as well. You may be able to find a setting which reduces dryness without the excessive heat. Otherwise sleep with a bottle next to your bed I suppose.
Even after all of that certification and whatnot, a string of qualifications does not necessarily a good doctor make. Best of luck to you.
CPAP and BiPAP are different devices for treating different problems. A BiPAP is not just a more comfortable or higher pressure form of CPAP, although they are sometimes used in this way. If your doctor wants to swap you from one to the other, make sure that they explain to you, in as much detail as you need, why they are doing so. It is their job to educate you about your medical situation and why they wish you to use particular treatments. Make them earn their money.
You need to find a good doctor who will listen to you.
What makes you say that your pressure should be 17 cmH2O if your AHI was less than 5 at 13 cmH2O? Perhaps you would be better suited to an intranasal mask if you get a sore on your nose. There could be a number of reasons that increase pressure leads to a higher AHI. What is your leak rate?
You should still be able to get a humidifier chamber for the S9 on eBay, or elsewhere online, which could save you a pile of money. I just had a look and there are a few places that sell them. Most CPAP machines are pretty reliable. I use Respironics, ResMed and Fisher & Paykel (the big 3 in CPAP) and they all have about the same life span of about 10 years give or take.
Nope. Never heard of it. That doesn't mean it's impossible though.
