Thanks for watching!! Anyone else frustrated with the way insurance companies seem to dictate how your doctor provides care? Interested in a screaming deal on the Hurricane Dryer at CPAPSupplies.com? bit.ly/38yPlXk As an Amazon Associate, I earn on Qualified Purchases: amzn.to/3drPax1 Sub to my other channel a REAL cat channel!!! 😂th-cam.com/channels/Yt5FWoUiVluAaAY76qZsGw.html
What if you have trouble with what seems like unnatural breathing on exhale or to much pressure on inhale. I tried one 2 years ago after sleep study with machine set by prescription. I think auto 4-15. I felt like I was on a ventilator and had to take it back?
I was diagnosed in 2020 so because of Covid I had a home sleep study, was handed the equipment needed through my car window. Was informed of my results by phone. Returned to clinic parking lot and was given my cpap machine with a page of instructions. I was clueless and the nasal mask didn’t cut it because I’m a mouth breather. That’s when Lanky lefty became my sleep apnea guru. I binge watched his videos and all is well. Well at least I think lol. Sleep Doctor was worthless . Thanks Lanky Lefty!!
My experience was similar in 2024 except for everything being in the parking lot. I was diagnosed with a home study, which is fine. The CPAP was mailed to me and I figured out how to set it up by myself. Then they say to call this number with any problems. The only reason I’m succeeding with CPAP is TH-cam, particularly LankyLefty and Uncle Nick.
I have been on cpap since 2017 probably had sleep apnea over a decade before that. Sometimes I just watch lankylefty videos when I am having anxiety or insomnia they are fun and comforting.
I used to manage a diabetes treatment center and patient education has always been a struggle but it’s worse now. The for-profit health insurance market is broken.
You’re certainly correct about followup. Because of moving with the government I’ve had three different sleep docs. All said they would monitor my progress and give me a call, none have. I’ve learned more from you than any sleep doc
Hey Lefty, really enjoyed that thought provoking vid! You're so wise. You're like a minature buddah covered in hair. What do you think about this idea mate, upon production the manufacturers make all modes available as a 30 day trial on the device and after that trial period, if you want to unlock that therapy mode you just pay for key to decrypt the lock on it etc. It would certainly save on the supply chain stuff and because you're only paying for the firmware upgrade which is low cost for the manufacturer the cost to unlock should be relatively low cost compared to the price of a whole new machine etc. The manufacturers might find they actually make more money because some people who might have spent a small amount on a CPAP, end up spending more to unlock the other modes in the future. Anyway, just a thought. Hope all is well over on the other side of the planet. Cheers mate
After recording myself for a few nights, and have been told of my snoring pattern, I came on You Tube to some videos of people in sleep studies and listened to their breathing, I knew it was me and found it to be very scary stopping breathing in the middle of the night. I found your videos, with recommendations on what would be the best...nasal vs full face mask, and due to my sleep pattern, went with the nasal pillow mask. Went on to Amazon, found an APEX Apap/Cpap machine which arrived in a couple days. Hooked it up, first night had the best sleep in a long time!. Based on your other recommendation, switched to CPAP and found less sinus issues and slept even better. I never got a sleep study or a prescription and paid just under $500. This fall will be my 5th year, and have never considered my insurance. When I've been asked about history and tell them I'm on CPAP at night, "did you have a a sleep study, because we don't see it in your records?" Ummmm...nope, self diagnosis and less aggravation.
Who set your machine if you didn’t have a sleep study? Do you have any trouble with what seems like unnatural breathing on exhale or to much pressure on inhale. I tried one 2 years ago after sleep study with machine set by prescription. I think auto 4-15. I felt like I was on a ventilator and had to take it back?
@@LastTrump7 I set it myself. Originally on Auto CPAP which is set by the machine based on your breathing, always ended up between 6-8 mm (whatever the unit of measurement is). Set to to 7-8 manually, have been sleeping like a baby since.
@tooz404 This gives me hope. I'm about to do the exact same. Got hooked up with a machine (refurbed with the non-toxic foam, dreamstation go) and some masks. Did a home sleep study and they prescribed a range of 5-15 cm. I'm gonna just set this on auto and find out what happens basically.
Great video🎉 would love to hear more about this positional central sleep apnoea you speak of 😊 As someone who literally has clusters of centrals out of thin air this would be very interesting 🤔
Dude, I can’t thank you enough I just had my sleep study everything’s getting sorted and I’m about to purchase through this website instead of all the bullshit they were trying to sell me. 🙌🏼
When I first tried CPAP in 2015, a resp therapist came to the house and coached me for an hour. Nonetheless I failed CPAP and ended up on a MAD until I tried and successfully restarted CPAP in Feb 2020. Probably one of the worst times ever to deal with pulmonary docs. Thank goodness for online resources - is what kept me going.
@@deniser8416 The initial sleep test showed normal AHI with it, but several years later looking at the report after starting CPAP I noticed it did not improve oxygen levels. CPAP is the only treatment that can improve sleep apnea by over 95%. None of the other methods come close.
I am watching all the videos I can right now in preparation for my first follow-up visit with my pulmonologist after she prescribed CPAP this past January. But for your videos and others, I would have been absolutely clueless on (1) how to use the machine and (2) how to frame my future questions to her, based on this experience. Thanks so much for all you do, Jason.
Without your help and the support of others online I would have given up on PAP therapy. I had THREE sleep studies and with ASV pressure at 16, my nightly AHi remained at 30-35. I was sleeping 100% supine. No one ever suggested that sleeping on my side could possibly help. By making that simple change, I was able to reduce my AHI to less than 1 nightly and lower my pressure to 5. I spent a lot of time and money with the doctor, a respiratory therapist, and DME for no one to pick up on that simple solution. I have been very disappointed by the lack of instruction that I received. Medicare restraints on the medical community are destroying the care we receive! Your videos have encouraged me more than I can say. Thank you for all the support you provide.
My sleep doctor wouldn't see me if I didn't purchase my cpap through their durable medical supplier partner. It was going to cost me $3000 because I have an HSA Insurance plan with a 3K deductible. I purchased my new device online and the same one I was going to get from the doctor only cost me around $500. I haven't been back to my sleep doctor in 7 years because of their policy. Such crap. Now I have to use Oscar reports to show my CDL physical doctor that I am compliant so I can maintain my CDL driver's license. They said that next time I have to see a real sleep doctor and get the report through them. I can't find a doctor locally that will work with me if I don't go through their suppliers. So frustrating
There is quite the racket with CDL physicals. If you report Sleep apnea you get put on a 1 year medical card (normally it's 2 years) and I have heard of folks being required to get a sleep study every year...which their health insurance won't pay for because it isn't medically necessary to do one that often. I had a sleep study 8-9 years ago and never heard from the sleep center again. Lincare lost interest once the insurance company bought the machine out after a year. Since then I've been managing it as best as possible on my own. Bad thing is my S9 autoset has 26000 hours so I'm probably going to have to spring for another machine in the not too distant future which will mean getting another prescription. There are services some of the self pay sleep apnea suppliers have where you can do a home test and and have a doctor write a scrip from that for not insane money (
My sleep doc told me to rent a CPAP for $250 for 3 weeks, than they will sell me one for 1600 plus 250 for the mask, I said stuff that, I went online found the cheapest resmed autoset for $1449 aud Including the mask, so I went directly to my local resmed store and they matched the price..
I literally just found your channel moments ago and I've got to say that you had me at "Sleep Medicine sucks because there's no follow up or education for the patient". I found out I suffered from Central and Obstructive apnea in February of '21 when I had my first sleep study and that my event count is 91/hr. Yes, 91. On March 3, 2018 I was in a car accident and fractured my left arm in several places and my c-6 vertebrae. After an anterior corpectomy c-5 to c-7 that failed I had a posterior laminectomy c-2 to t-1. When my nervous system rewired itself it did a poor job of it leaving me with this and Cervical Dystonia. I have been left to fend for myself as my Sleep Doc is AWOL resulting in many struggles that have adversely affected my heart and my brain as a result of several years of oxygen deprivation. Or as it was labeled in the ER diagnosis "Chronic intermittent hypoxia brought on by central and obstructive apnea". I'm really hoping your channel will assist me in filling in the gaps of knowledge left vacant by a virtually non-existent Sleep Doctor. I'd like to see my next birthday!
Thank you, this is the first video I have found that even starts to explain ASV. I’ve asked my sleep therapist and he couldn’t explain the difference from bipap or why my pressure kept changing. I would love to see a video explaining ASV in more detail.
I have had hardly any help from my sleep center over the last 10 years. I was never given any information at all about pressure and very little about masks. I have learned almost everything I know from TH-cam videos. About 2 and a half years ago I was issued a Airsense 10 cpap only “Brick” so I’ve been flying blind and never really knew exactly how I was doing. I finally got access to Oscar this week when I found a Phillips Respironics A-Flex system one at a Goodwill (I removed the foam). Now at least I have some real data and can fine tune my settings using this old machine and apply that to my Airsense 10 and in a couple of years when I can get a new machine I’ll know what I’m doing. I’m just now feeling that I have a good understanding of my needs.
My CPAP journey has been absolutely nightmarish. First, insurance would only cover at home test. Took 8 weeks to get results, after I called and asked for them. Insurance would only cover auto CPAP. The DME store at my health system scheduled a mask fitting that lasted all of 20 minutes and sent me on my way. Mask did NOT work at all. Took it back and the just gave me a larger size of the same mask. Still doesn’t work well. It’s so bad I take the mask off in the middle of the night and don’t even know it. Now insurance is denying coverage because I don’t wear it long enough to be considered ‘regular’ use. So my data is going to my insurance 🤔and instead of anyone asking if I need help I just get told bring it back or pay full price! Before I saw you video today I called the DME store and have an appointment in a few days. When I described all my issues the gal’s solution was to remotely adjust humidity and hose temp. Like - I haven’t already tried every conceivable combination. Yes, I’m frustrated, I am not absolutely dense about the machine. I was never told how often to replace mask, headgear or hose. NOTHING. I’ve learned a 1,000 times more from you. They get one last chance and if that appointment goes south I’ll tell them I’d rather pay out of pocket for a good experience.
I also take my mask off in the middle of the night w/o realizing it. it's so frustrating to wake up with your mask in your hand and think, Dammit! Not again!😐
Thank you so much for the honest advice on machines. I was recently diagnosed with mild apnea. Even though my oxygen is at a safe level, it is absolutely ruining my sleep. I spend hours trying to fall asleep, because the obstruction wakes me eveytime I hear the air catch in my nose. Then I wake up with migraine and am fatigued all day. I have been completely in the dark and what to do. I really can't wait to check out your services and onvest in the machine I actually need.
Re: Education and insurance.... amen. Because of your channel, i challenged my once a year follow up doctor. I would say you wouldn't believe the crap he said... but then again i am sure you heard it all. How in the hell can you do an annual assessment looking only at the night before data. one night!!!! I started asking informed questions and he had to go... 5 minute annual follow up is all they are allowed for time. I am going to be raising this in my country as these doctors work over the phone and making 100's of thousands for NOTHING
It’d be awesome if you’d do a video to expand on what you mentioned about us people who fought to get are machine but still feel tired from arousals. Need some information to help get a BIPAP to try out.
You are absolutely correct. The follow up is abysmal. Trying to get ASV. Part time sleep specialist. Had to sign paper that I'd pay if Medicare rejected claim which then caused Medicare rejected me because I signed paper and they did not think I qualified for ASV.
I wish I would have found your channel 3 years ago when I realized I had sleep apnea and waited for actual months while I felt like I was actively dying for two separate sleep studies only for the doctor to tell me I just need anxiety medication bc I don’t have sleep apnea, till I finally gods got diagnosed with mild to moderate apnea via watchpat and STILL no one talked to me about my inflated RDI (22!!!) and the fact that the real issue is UARS!
Another great video. Could we get some videos on these other machines and the things they treat? I think I need more ammo to take to my provider. I think I need some form of bi-level.
My insurance charged $150 copay for a new mask. I found them online for $129. --I am on my 3rd machine, aircurve ASV. For my latest machine I paid $500 each for 2 sleep studies. Then about $1800 copay on the machine, $2800 total. They gave me NO information. I've been on cpap for 20 years and I didn't know what ASV was. Watching these videos I am starting to understand what's happening. --I would love to see a tutorial on how how do my own adjustments. For the last year I have averaged 8.2 hours sleep and 0 AHI. But lately I"ve not been doing as good.---All 5 of my sleep studies showed an AHI of 68. My machine is working, but I would like to know more and have more control.
I'm a newbie & using insurance & medicare. So I don't want to risk my insurance coverage or tick off my doc by changing the clinical controls on my AS11. I've gotten WAY more help with CPAP problems and answers to questions from your channel and others than from the so-called "pros" I call for help.[no wonder ppl quit!] I was very reluctant to do CPAP, feeling it's a big $$ racket, esp. if the docs just do the bare minimum and don't look past the AHI when evaluating. That said, it IS helping me. But I see a whole lot more hypopneas and likely CA's than what's counted in my AHI - and I even get them when awake, but very tired. I'm hoping my sleep NP will really listen to my concerns, but I have doubts. THANKS JASON!
So our machines here at work obviously are able to change between CPAP, Bilevel, autoset, autoset for her, Vauto, ASV, ASVauto, and iVAPS. Can someone not buy one of these machines personally?
Agree with lack of support and education here in France. My partner does not speak French so I translate for him, already difficult. The nurse technician that came to our home was aggressive when she found he had hardly used the CPAP machine. And she shouted at me for going into the settings just to prove to my partner that 4cm was the lowest pressure setting. Now she is on holiday for the whole of August, no training. I am learning from your videos to help him, and so glad I found all this help in English. Big Thanks!❤ another threat as she left, if partner does not make progress by the time she is back from holiday, she will take the machine away! WTH? Forgot to say his Apnea level is high, one a minute, panicking now in case they take the machine away suddenly. I’m calling the doctor on Monday.
I'd been suffering on APAP with an EPR of 2, wondering why after month of use I was starting to feeling worse and worse each day. Then I found this channel and switched to CPAP. I played with the pressure, going up from 7 each day and stopped using EPR - and now I've found a sweet-spot at 8.4 (I let my body get used to a consistent pressure and no EPR which was hard at first). I bought an O2 ring as well to verify that I was getting enough oxygen at night. It's changed my CPAP experience completely so, thanks a bunch.
@@micolo123 when i turn down the Epr of my father from 3 to 2 ....he start getting Ahi down to 1...but yesterday last night when i turn lower the Epr from 2 to 1 my father get starts chock so much and mask is leaking pressure he is so confirtable and I check his Ahi increase in 1 hour ( 3.7 events in 1 hour and 20 minutes) I scared and immidiately i turn increase the Epr from 1 to 2 again and then he sleep well and in morning i check the Ahi that is (2.2 ) I wondered why he is suffering so much when I turn down the Epr from 2 to 1.
I've been a pap person just about a month now. Slowly but surely I have had the crystal clear realization that this process is difficult and there is very little help to be had. And those that could provide the help that could create a a success in my care are serving the insurance company and not me. No doubt about that.
Hey Jason. Thank you for all your videos. I am about to get my first machine tomorrow, the Airsense 10 Card to Cloud. I was diagnosed with severe OSA and the doctor has me on 6-18 auto. I know how much you believe the auto algorithms suck and I want to discuss finding a continuous pressure with my Doctor once we have some data. I'm assuming it depends on the doctor, but should I expect some resistance to trying to play an active part in my therapy in that way? Also, at what point could change the settings without doctors approval, if I have to, and not be flagged for non compliance by the insurance company? I am really only concerned with them covering whatever they will pay toward the machine. I'll pay for it myself if I have to though.
In my own Experience, insurance is only looking for compliance that you're using it for minimum of four hours a night for many nights a week over and over again. Playing an active part in your medical care is upto you. If you by chance have an egotistical physician, then your struggles will be worse. If you find a physician that is helpful and positive in Interacting with you to trying to find the best method, then your travels will be good. You are your own best advocate. If you're not Knowledgeable, then include somebody in your life to come with you to the physician's office to have a second third opinion. I changed my settings all the time while researching. (Sleep doctors connected with me months later. ... far after the fact that i was failing cpap. This is a common follow up interval. But, I couldn't breathe at first use. I HAD to find my own path.)😮
The pulmo wanted me to have a bipap, medicare said my lung function numbers didn't support a bipap, so have a cpap. Thanks for the info on the education cuts, I was wondering why things seem so out of whack.
I went through my last sleep study, and I didn't meet the AHI threshold so they never even let me put a mask on to do a titration. The doctor had also ordered a co2 retention test, and that was the only real data we ended up with, I retain an excessive amount of co2. I'm still pissed about it, I don't use my CPAP anymore, and never had any success after nasal surgery as there wasn't any support and my Doctor had prescribed that my machine should be set from 5-15 cm H2O. From one end to the other, CPAP has stopped being about patient outcomes.
What does that mean a co2 retention test? Is this outside of a household co2 detector, it seems an unusual thing to test for a sleep patient, or am I wrong?
@@screamtoasigh9984 I’m not a doctor, I don’t have COPD, and I’ll do my best to explain. The condition is called Hypercapnia, elevated CO2 in the blood stream resulting from the inability to process and discharge CO2 through the lungs. This results in frequent morning migraines but rarely results in any measurable AHI events. My best guess is this is a result of shallow breathing, but who knows as it’s outside the realm of what a sleep tech does, and in my case they wouldn’t even put a mask on me. I’d love to get it addressed, but I have zero confidence in sleep doctors addressing things other than the standard fare of sleep disorders. As a side note, I also have a condition called bradycardia, a low heart rate that for me can fall to the low 40s or high 30s. I’ve been seen by a cardiologist, my heart is in excellent condition, and the bradycardia is just a result of 30 years of competitive basketball.
@@johnpopp2146 also, did you get a copy of your sleep test results so you can look for yourself? After my first sleep test they told me it was borderline 5.9) (I wear a dental appliance, and did wear it during the test. That was5 years ago and my dentist told me recently (because I kept on cracking the appliance) that it wasn't enough and i should go back to a sleep dr... (my sleep ENT that initially recommended the dental appliance left the hospital/office I saw him at, and now makes TH-cam videos and $$$ video consultations for sleep coaching w/o insurance (he's good but it's not useful for me in his new role - its dr steven park on TH-cam) so that wasn't going to work... so I requested my old sleep study done by a pulmonologist and my new ent had me do a new one and he compared them, both had low ahi/sleep apnea and low Spo2. No one ever said anything before. No one noticed the spo2. Since last week 10 days on apap, .6 to .0 ahi and still low sp02.🤔 still feel crummy. They thought I had migraines as well (you wouldn't believe how many tests, scans, drs... Neurologists and even an inner ear dr =otologist... ) . FOUR drs told my I had migraines. But it never fit for me. And it turned out to be GRINDING (bruxism from low spo2 /sleep apnea) and a vision issue called binocular insufficiency. All the drs told me it was migraines but if I didn't sleep and stopped reading online it went away🤦🏼. So I saw a neuro opthamologist see what was going on. (He was like dr 10 in the past 6 months) if you don't sleep do you still get migraines? Is hypercapnia treatable? Do they have you on oxygen?
Once the cpap company made the machine sale they were done with me and cared very little about helping me even from the start.....I taught the therapist things from the net she should have taught me.
My patient information comes from you and Nicko from Australia. I was diagnosed in 2010. I was thrilled to find you two in 2020 or around that time🎉. I could have suffered in 1993 when I was driving 40 miles one way to classes for college, at age 41. Single parent, would wake up coughing my head off. I fought not falling asleep, cold air, loud music, it was so scary, but I knew nothing of sleep apnea. I was a Buffalo snorer in my 20’s. Skinny as a pole, 5’6”. Again nobody talked about sleep apnea. I really annoyed my roommates. My current doc never discusses other machines other than CPAP in CA or CO. I have a ResMed 11, $900 out of pocket, after the Phillips debacle. Thank you for your channel. I bought the attachment, with the holes, with your code, thank you. I have better sleep. I used to wake up for no reason. When I got my Phillips dream station in 2016, I slept 10 restful hours that changed with the added filter for protection and never got better with the ResMed 11. Now that small attachment with holes does something magical🎉
And . . . on the topic of insurance . . . How is it possible or a prescription to cost over $500 at one pharmacy, around $220 at another pharmacy, and using Good Rx cost only $26 . . . I gladly paid the $26 but I would like someone to explain to me how that is possible. Thanks again . . . now my rant is over 😀
In Australia insurance doesn't pay ANYTHING! I have personal, privately funded hospital insurance, which is really hard to manage given that I am on a disability pension, and I get SQUAT towards my sleep issues. Sleep study... out of pocket. CPAP trial.... out of pocket. CPAP equipment purchase.... out of pocket. Totally sucks.
I got my CPAP almost a year ago. I'm a fan of auto CPAP but I've dialed in my pressure range from 10 to 13. The doctor started me at 5 to 15 and that was horrible. I slowly kept increasing my starting pressure as I've gotten used to CPAP.
Yeah my Dr is also frustrated with the situation and the big A company is terrible at working with doctors and always claims they have no record of your sleep study when you need a new machine so you have to start all over and it takes forever to get new equipment.
Insurance companies (like everyone) respond to the incentives that exist. The much larger problem with medicine generally is that the market as been so horribly distorted by government over so many many decades that creating value for the consumer is not core as it generally is in a freer market. Most products in relatively free markets improve in value to consumer (higher quality and lower prices) over time. The fact that the more heavily regulated things are the more they run against the market norm is not merely a coincidence but a logical result.
I talked to my doctor about the sympoms I was having with cpap and she suggested a BIPAP but to get one I have to a sleep study that's 2 months away so it can be charged to insurance.I love this country!!!🙃
It was suggested by my primary med privider, that I fit Some of the criteria even to qualify for a sleep test. It is actually a struggle to get tested for a CPAP. I STILL wonder why it is prescription required. (There may be some solid medical health concern in why it needs a prescription, but I don't see it.)
There is nobody on earth that is going to choose a cpap machine just for fun, because they want to OD on oxygen. And if they do, what is the harm? They ought to be handing these things out to anyone who can benefit from them. The prescriptions and all that is just to keep the supply limited and the pricing very high. It makes zero sense to destroy the earth to mine rare metals to create electronics to be thrown in the landfill, when there are folks whose lives could be VASTLY improved by this technology, and who could get a machine off Ebay, watch these videos and stop suffering so damn much. For the cost of a single trip to the grocery store. But how would the insurance company executives make obscene amounts of money if people could take control of their own bodies and health care? End stage capitalism needs to die FASTER. And thank you to this content creator (Jason?) for helping with that.
It's ridiculous that you need a prescription to buy a machine. I have my AHI consistently below ~.5 (Oscar) with an Air sense 10 - that I bought outright years ago. *If it stopped working tonight I should be able to just buy another*. Instead I'd have to do another study (30-x days wait), x number of days to have it ready and then a script, and in the end I'd have to spend as much or more. I bought a used machine because with "insurance" it would have cost the same - except I would have to wait to get it, AND have them looking at my sleep AND with the wrong pressure set in. I've got an old S8 as a backup (calibrated by literally sticking the hose in a container of water) but what if I'm out of town and the A10 stops? It would suck, but I'd like the option to be able to go buy a machine local to where I'm at. But I can't do that. Now that I've jinxed my first vacation in 4 years, I'm wondering if I can buy a chassis, motherboard and pump separately without a script and build a backup? I'd still have to take it with me, but .... frakking frak.
My prescription is for lifetime. Ask the doctor that previously wrote the prescription to change it to be for lifetime for any type of machine. Mine did.
Whats wrong with APAP..? I dont need high preassures until deep sleep 4 to 7 am and dreaming. Then I hold my breath in with lungs full... Im not sure a regular pressure would help in early morning...🤷♂️
Agreed wrt your sleep medicine problem listings. Does the reduced exhale pressure feature of the RESMED 10 partially emulate what a bipap machine does (I've seen it does little to help with Cheyne Stokes).
insurance is horrible, and I got zero education except when I first got the unit and they showed me how to fit the mask and turn it on. Zero follow-up even though they said they would and in fact would charge me if I didn't use the unit at least 3 days a week for 4 hrs each session. Now I know I could have gotten the unit cheaper myself leaving insurance out of it. Downside is I'm on APAP. Insurance would not cover an in-clinic sleep study so I don't have much choice. I also found out they really didn't cover the in-home study I could have gotten on my own and would have been better. I use the machine 100% of the time because I do feel better, but I'm sure it's not perfect. I'm going to have to do a session with you Jason so you can look at my oscar.
I am someone who also jailbroke my airsense 10 about a year ago and has a higher RDI lower AHI; could not get rid of my airway narrowing no matter how high my CPAP pressure. CPAP was so high it caused aerophagia (swallowing air into stomach). My Dr did not ever want to look at my OSCAR data even when I pushed him, he only looked at device data uploaded via Resmed cloud / cellular service. so I decided I’m done, I need to just go for it because I’m so tired. Jailbreaking was a challenge, there were extra steps that I had to furiously search and stumble upon. Steps provided are like 70% of what I needed. I was not able to get all the features and settings to show (ex: change the rise time) but ASV mode mostly works by default. I have found ASV has worked best for me, because BiPAP mode is uncomfortable (jailbreak limitation: rise time is instant by default so it feels like my mask is getting pushed and pulled from my face, and I can’t change it). Doctor wouldn’t even write me a prescription for ASV (even to bypass insurance) because he felt it was overkill. I disagree. I decided I’m done with my doctor. I’ve learned so much from this channel to make my sleep much better. thank you Jason and your AXG service was terrific!
The Diabetes medical industry is the same way. Tons of money flowing into it, but very little education outside of standard 'talking points'. Thankfully my dear mother is a retired nurse and impressed on me long ago the need to educate myself and not to just settle for basic info. Recently diagnosed OSA and I have been gorging on any piece of information I can find to learn more about the nuances of treatment.
When I got my 2nd machine (15 years ago) they wouldn't tell me how to adjust it for when I traveled to high altitude. They told me I needed to make an appointment (always several weeks out) and bring the machine back to them, and then do that again when I got back home. TOTALLY RIDICULOUS! Any questions required the same procedure. I got up to leave and said I wouldn't take their machine unless they told me how to adjust it. THEN they told me how.
Thank goodness our National Health service pays for machines in UK. I was given a Prisma Smart Max and Fisher and Paykel Simplus full face mask. It was set to APAP with min and max of 4 to 20 cmH2O. I found it impossible to get the mask to seal at the top end but found my way into the clinical menu and wound the top end down to 12. I getting highly variable results of apneas and deep sleep. I found a mobile app to see what was going on but that told me very little. Then I discovered the clinical PC app and can now see everything that is happening, i can see the upper pressure is limiting as the demand is for greater than 12 but how can that be achieved without getting eyes full of air from leaks and mask farts from my cheeks?
I have sleep apenia now since 2015 I got the resmed10 back in 2015 but havent ended up using it cause i cant sleeo with it on, things have been really bad lately so i got it out again i changed some setting and I got 6 hrs last night with it, but my sleep wasnt very good, could i send the file to you of the night to see what you think and what pressure I should use?
The goal of every patient should be to determine what is causing the apneas and hypopneas. Is it the weight that is limiting air way? Tongue falling back? A tumor of some kind? Your Uvula? Is it a structural maxilofacial problem? Do a 3D CT scan supine to find out and eliminate the restriction or obstruction and no more sleep apnea.
I’m frustrated by the insurance requirements that I retake a sleep apnea test every few years. I’ve been through 3 over 12 years (with my last one being over 10 years ago. ) I’m looking to replace my aging machine without a new test, any ideas? I believe the tests are a complete waste of my time & money. Along with the trips back & forth to the doctor. I’ve been using cpap since 1999, currently 16mm pressure (I adjust my pressure as I loose or gain weight) and I have been very happy with the results!
I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. 33 events and oxygen dropped to 40% it took 5 weeks after the sleep study before I got my equipment.I was overwhelmed and never thought to ask what happens with the cpap and oxygen concentrator during a power failure? I am 71 and don't have battery back up
With that severe apnea please consider getting the largest solar battery backup set up you can afford, any way you can Mary. [even if you have to put it on your Christmas/birthday want [need] list for family.] For folks like you, it's not an option IMO and this is something insurance should cover.
I have been on CPAP therapy for a month and I am almost ready to give it up. I have not slept well since starting. So far the cure is worse than the disease. I have no one to talk to about my issues other than TH-cam channels like this. It's discouraging.
OSCAR doesn’t work with Ibreeze yet. I found some of Nicks vids about adjusting air pressure. I’m still in the trial stages of that process but I think you’re right and it will be key to my therapy. Thank you.
Unlocked machines for all therapies would be ideal! I still often wake in the morning feeling like garbage even tho my AHI is consistently under 1 - wtheck?! we need the flexibility to properly treat patients - life doesn’t stay static, neither will a patients need!
I think this condition is over diagnosed. I no longer trust the growth industry that is modern medicine. How many people take a sleep study and don't end up diagnoses with SA? I'd like to one that.
And . . . regarding you question about insurance. . . YES, INSURANCE SUCKS! They need to educate BOTH the patient and the patient's partner. I could have helped my husband so much more with his sleep apnea if I had know then what I know now. Just some basic information like why it is important to regularly replace your supplies, why using oxygen in place of CPAP is harmful, how mouth leaks means your therapy isn't working even if your "numbers" look ok. He had heart issues for 30 years and passed away at age 69.
7:54 They're using patched firmware. The patching script is unfinished and the result is garbage IMHO. If you're reflashing with stock firmware (guess who does that), the result is perfect, as if you bought the Bilevel model off the shelf.
I use the Airtouch F20 here in Canada and one cushion is 80 dollars .. I can and do order from Australia and with shipping and duties it works out at 26 Canadian apiece how the hell does that work
This comes down to manufacturers charging way too much for certain models of their CPAP machines. I agree all machines should have all modes available already in the unit. I don't blame insurance for this. Insurance varies by country, some countries don't have medical insurance at all and machines are provided by the health system. I blame manufacturers for making CPAP therapy hopelessly complex and they do it on purpose to be sure to sell more machines. I have no problem if some modes are locked down to selection only by your doctor. For instance, ASV is not advisable with people with ejection fractions lower than 45%, so that option should only be available if your doc activates it, providing medical oversight for people with heart issues. Even if switching modes required a physician to prescribe the mode change is OK with me, but having to change machine and go through hoops with insurance or require patients to shell out yet more money is wrong. We know the machine is physically capable of the different modes. Just make them available.
My sleep doc pretended to have never heard of OSCAR. When I brought in data to ask questions about specific breathing patterns he didn't want to see it, only looks at his sleep clinic data (wonder if he even looks at that or just reads the sleep tech report). I guess it is too threatening to him when we want to understand our condition better. They want to be the great gatekeepers and false wizards behind the curtain selfishly lording over their fiefdom. I point out reasons why I would like to go to BPAP - and, basically I get, "you haven't yet died on APAP, so, NO". The whole sleep doc / insurance world is BS. I know how to read OSCAR, I also load in pulse/ox data, I also follow my sleep stages and I understand my APAP machine and settings, and how to change them. I know more about my sleep than my sleep doc ever will or cares to. Sad. Conversely, I have learned a ton from you, and have used your AXG Sleep Diagnostics consultation - well worth it, thank you. BTW, what do you think Nick is doing with all that SleepHQ data? Other than being in the "Cloud", (not necessarily a positive) is there any advantage to it over OSCAR at this latest point in its development? Is SleepHQ just a slick, hijacked OSCAR? I realize you utilize both now at AXG. It would be great if you could do an updated video comparing the two as they stand today.
You are your own best advocate. You are invested in this, and it is quality time for you. Physicians and Medical professionals are held to a different standard and they are required to fulfill their employer obligations. They cannot spend hours researching and reading up on each individual person that comes into their office. That is your job to do as you see fit to help yourself, and then find a medical professional that suits your needs.
Hi Jason! Could you maybe do a video showing the OSCAR data of someone with Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome and how Bi-level helps with that? I'm curious, since I was diagnosed with a low AHI (5), but currently on a fixed pressure of 15. Looking at my OSCAR data, a pressure of 15 is still not enough at times, but going any higher makes it very hard to breathe out against the incoming pressure. Keep up the good work!
@@sadraon8157 It is usually lower than 1, but as Jason has mentioned, this doesn't say everything. I am still seeing a lot of RERA's in OSCAR that the machine isn't counting
Anyone who thinks insurance isn't a scam is either lying or deluding themselves. It's the biggest crock of BS, and I'd say "change my mind" but that's impossible. :P
I have only mild sleep apnea with an average 6AHI (obstructive) but it is 56 during REM. I am a tall, thin post menopausal woman. Which honestly, I think is important to know, as our muscles weaken in the neck post menopause, obstructive apneas can occur… Originally I went to my doctor complaining about being overly tired. Because of insurance I had to do at home study first then I got to do an inpatient study after that. They just gave me the CPAP with very little instruction at all besides a person that came to my house to fit me…and just gave me a full face mask and a machine. I gobbled air the first few days not knowing that I needed a chinstrap and my numbers were at 14 AHI average… No one checked in on me, nor did I know that I should reach out because my numbers were high. I felt like I was left on my own and set up to FAIL. The Cpap originally made me feel rested even with the big numbers. But when they did my recheck a year later they decided to do another inpatient study and realized I needed a BIPAP with a chinstrap. My numbers went down drastically since the CPAP was actually causing central apneas…which of course I didn’t even know what they were…. Everything you said is true! All of it! I found your videos about different masks etc and they definitely helped! Plus they made me chuckle occasionally, which is always good for the soul! I’m sitting here right now talking out loud saying how right you are! Thank you so much! And I like all the ideas you mentioned…it is about the money, but it would be so much cheaper if they did things as you are saying. I smell corruption somewhere. I don’t get it!
Hi I was just wondering if my sleep Doctor (therapist) is allowed to refuse to give you your cpap prescription because I wanted to buy mine outright from an online seller and my doctor (therapist) refused to give me mine saying it wasn't legal and that online sellers don't set them up right so the setting that they select probably will not be right for you. Is this correct or can I do something about this I don't want to cause trouble I just want to get the prescription so I can upload it and buy mine outright.
Insurance companies own politicians who pass laws that favor the insurance company to the detriment of patience. This gives insurance companies the power over life and death of a patient. We need medicare. for all.
I couldn't even get any local clinic to do a sleep test for me at home or in the lab. I ended up going with a company called circle med and they ordered an at home sleep test from a doctor that was 5 states away and they sent me a night owl device and I did a 2 night sleep test. A couple days after the test was done, circle med contacts me and tells me I have severe sleep apnea and has sent a prescription for the machine and supplies to Nationwide Medical. Nationwide Medical claims they have sleep coaches to help you through the set up process. I was sent a machine with a dreamwear full face mask and then there was nothing more. Suddenly, Nationwide was not interested in telling me how to use the machine. I ended up on youtube and found Lanky and an Austrlian guy from cpap reviews that I was able to get it going. Still don't feel any good results from this. Contacted circle med and complained and they ordered a sleep test be done with the cpap machine and I finished that last night.
I am very new to CPAP. Only had it 2 weeks. I have resmed A10. It started out okay but it's gotten worse. I use the least invasive mask, just fits under my nostrils, even though I am a mouth breather. I'm really trying to concentrate on my breathing through nose & keeping mouth closed. I went to hospital ER yesterday because stomach was upset. I have diabetes & they attributed my stomach problem to high blood sugar. But it could be from CPAP (too much air in stomach). They gave me zofran in hospital & gave me prescription to use @ home. Won't even go near full face mask! Felt like I was standing in front of high powered fan all night blowing air on my face! & I was claustrophobic! Can't put myself through that kind of psychological trauma! I have enough psychological trauma w/o adding to it! Anyone have any suggestions to make this easier? Thanks!
You need to try mouth taping. Just one small piece to keep my lips together while I sleep solved my issue. Lefty recommends a certain brand in his video.
Hey Jason, couldn’t agree more. Follow up is bullshit and absolutely sucks. This is why I wanna hire you for a consultation. I sent you an email. I’m sure you’ll get back to me when you can. Obviously a subscriber, and I love your contact.
I appreciate what you're doing here. The thing is, 'why'? Why TF is sleep apnea a thing at all? I mean, wtf? Breathing is kinda a thing, how in the hell has it come about that I cannot freaking go to sleep without trying to die? This wasn't a thing in my grandparents generation and earlier so what the hell is happening to our species? Men look like women now and even try to pretend they're women, sperm counts are way down, junk size is way down. And, if you look at skulls back in time, jaws were bigger... big enough that there was room for teeth to grow including wisdom teeth. Today? Crooked, cramped teeth everywhere and I got to wonder if the smaller jaw size, so small that our teeth don't fit any more, maybe the rest of our bits don't fit, either... sleep apnea. I freaking hate the goddamned cpap. It is almost that I would rather die than use the gawdamned thing and the hatred goes down into subconscious because I rip the damned thing off and toss it across the room IN MY SLEEP!
I'm confused - what exactly is Auto CPAP? I've used CPAP for 10+ years. I have a CPAPA ResMed AirSense 11 with a minimum pressure of 7 and a max pressure of 11. Does that mean I'm using Auto CPAP? My sleep study in 2012 showed I needed a constant pressure of 12. Over the years I seemed to "get better" and pressures were changed to be a range. For a while that seemed good but for the past several years my sleep has been an issue even though I faithfully use my CPAP. OSCAR shows I am bumping up against 11 the majority of the night. So today I bumped the max pressure up to 12 and will start using my chin strap again as I have a lot of mouth leaking and I'm allergic to the mouth tape. Does all this mean I should be using a constant pressure instead of a range? It seems like a long time ago - several/many years ago - I thought I saw one of your videos that promoted using a range instead of one constant pressure. Thank you for all the information you share with all of us. You are a treasure!
I agree, even in Canada our insurance provider (OHIP) pidgeon holes all sleep apnea sufferers to have the same treatment. Sleep clinicians get so used to only prescribing the most basic treatment they do not prescribe anything other than CPAP here. I talked to my sleep doctor about wanting a BIPAP, she refused. I talked to my sleep doc about my epiglottis collapse, she didn't believe me, she didn't check me, she didn't refer me to an ENT who could actually look into my throat. "I think you have anxiety." she told me. This is a nightmare. She didn't know about OSCAR. She didn't know about bleeps. She even hit me with the "you know this much about sleep medicine 🤏" And the sad part is it is not her fault. The whole system is set up to disincentivize sleep clinicians from staying up to date with the latest stuff if they have to jump through hoops to get their patients adequate treatment. I've come to realize I am at the mercy of my insurance provider.
I’m just got of the phone with my sleep Dr and am so frustrated with how hard I had to work to get information out of him. Finally he told me that solution other than a Cpap or Inspire is all that my medical system would pay for so He didn’t tell about other options for solutions. I want diagnosis first them treatment. I’m very sensitive to things on my face or devices in my mouth. Yes I tried the dental device for $3,000 out of my pocket. I’m pissed! I’m so tired and can barely function and I feel like Dr don’t give a shit.
Thanks for watching!! Anyone else frustrated with the way insurance companies seem to dictate how your doctor provides care?
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What if you have trouble with what seems like unnatural breathing on exhale or to much pressure on inhale. I tried one 2 years ago after sleep study with machine set by prescription. I think auto 4-15. I felt like I was on a ventilator and had to take it back?
I was diagnosed in 2020 so because of Covid I had a home sleep study, was handed the equipment needed through my car window. Was informed of my results by phone. Returned to clinic parking lot and was given my cpap machine with a page of instructions. I was clueless and the nasal mask didn’t cut it because I’m a mouth breather. That’s when Lanky lefty became my sleep apnea guru. I binge watched his videos and all is well. Well at least I think lol. Sleep Doctor was worthless . Thanks Lanky Lefty!!
Your welcome
Dude this was me in 2022. It’s not COVID, it’s the normal system:(
Agree completely! My CPAP doctor was worthless. Recently had a sinus plasty and what a difference. Last guy didn’t even address my nasal passages.
My experience was similar in 2024 except for everything being in the parking lot. I was diagnosed with a home study, which is fine. The CPAP was mailed to me and I figured out how to set it up by myself. Then they say to call this number with any problems. The only reason I’m succeeding with CPAP is TH-cam, particularly LankyLefty and Uncle Nick.
I have been on cpap since 2017 probably had sleep apnea over a decade before that. Sometimes I just watch lankylefty videos when I am having anxiety or insomnia they are fun and comforting.
I used to manage a diabetes treatment center and patient education has always been a struggle but it’s worse now. The for-profit health insurance market is broken.
You can say that again, sister.
You’re certainly correct about followup. Because of moving with the government I’ve had three different sleep docs. All said they would monitor my progress and give me a call, none have. I’ve learned more from you than any sleep doc
Hey Lefty, really enjoyed that thought provoking vid! You're so wise. You're like a minature buddah covered in hair. What do you think about this idea mate, upon production the manufacturers make all modes available as a 30 day trial on the device and after that trial period, if you want to unlock that therapy mode you just pay for key to decrypt the lock on it etc. It would certainly save on the supply chain stuff and because you're only paying for the firmware upgrade which is low cost for the manufacturer the cost to unlock should be relatively low cost compared to the price of a whole new machine etc. The manufacturers might find they actually make more money because some people who might have spent a small amount on a CPAP, end up spending more to unlock the other modes in the future. Anyway, just a thought. Hope all is well over on the other side of the planet. Cheers mate
That is a great idea.
I thought of this idea years ago. I wish someone would do it, but I won't hold me breath for it!
After recording myself for a few nights, and have been told of my snoring pattern, I came on You Tube to some videos of people in sleep studies and listened to their breathing, I knew it was me and found it to be very scary stopping breathing in the middle of the night. I found your videos, with recommendations on what would be the best...nasal vs full face mask, and due to my sleep pattern, went with the nasal pillow mask. Went on to Amazon, found an APEX Apap/Cpap machine which arrived in a couple days. Hooked it up, first night had the best sleep in a long time!. Based on your other recommendation, switched to CPAP and found less sinus issues and slept even better. I never got a sleep study or a prescription and paid just under $500. This fall will be my 5th year, and have never considered my insurance. When I've been asked about history and tell them I'm on CPAP at night, "did you have a a sleep study, because we don't see it in your records?" Ummmm...nope, self diagnosis and less aggravation.
I love your proactive approach to treat yourself!😂
That’s fantastic, and probably the direction I should travel.
Who set your machine if you didn’t have a sleep study? Do you have any trouble with what seems like unnatural breathing on exhale or to much pressure on inhale. I tried one 2 years ago after sleep study with machine set by prescription. I think auto 4-15. I felt like I was on a ventilator and had to take it back?
@@LastTrump7 I set it myself. Originally on Auto CPAP which is set by the machine based on your breathing, always ended up between 6-8 mm (whatever the unit of measurement is). Set to to 7-8 manually, have been sleeping like a baby since.
@tooz404 This gives me hope. I'm about to do the exact same. Got hooked up with a machine (refurbed with the non-toxic foam, dreamstation go) and some masks. Did a home sleep study and they prescribed a range of 5-15 cm. I'm gonna just set this on auto and find out what happens basically.
Great video🎉 would love to hear more about this positional central sleep apnoea you speak of 😊 As someone who literally has clusters of centrals out of thin air this would be very interesting 🤔
Dude, I can’t thank you enough I just had my sleep study everything’s getting sorted and I’m about to purchase through this website instead of all the bullshit they were trying to sell me. 🙌🏼
When I first tried CPAP in 2015, a resp therapist came to the house and coached me for an hour. Nonetheless I failed CPAP and ended up on a MAD until I tried and successfully restarted CPAP in Feb 2020. Probably one of the worst times ever to deal with pulmonary docs. Thank goodness for online resources - is what kept me going.
How did the MAD work for you when you were using it?
@@deniser8416 The initial sleep test showed normal AHI with it, but several years later looking at the report after starting CPAP I noticed it did not improve oxygen levels. CPAP is the only treatment that can improve sleep apnea by over 95%. None of the other methods come close.
Respiratory Therapist and Asthma Educator here who uses cpap! I adore you! 😊
I am watching all the videos I can right now in preparation for my first follow-up visit with my pulmonologist after she prescribed CPAP this past January. But for your videos and others, I would have been absolutely clueless on (1) how to use the machine and (2) how to frame my future questions to her, based on this experience. Thanks so much for all you do, Jason.
Without your help and the support of others online I would have given up on PAP therapy. I had THREE sleep studies and with ASV pressure at 16, my nightly AHi remained at 30-35. I was sleeping 100% supine. No one ever suggested that sleeping on my side could possibly help. By making that simple change, I was able to reduce my AHI to less than 1 nightly and lower my pressure to 5. I spent a lot of time and money with the doctor, a respiratory therapist, and DME for no one to pick up on that simple solution. I have been very disappointed by the lack of instruction that I received. Medicare restraints on the medical community are destroying the care we receive! Your videos have encouraged me more than I can say. Thank you for all the support you provide.
My sleep doctor wouldn't see me if I didn't purchase my cpap through their durable medical supplier partner. It was going to cost me $3000 because I have an HSA Insurance plan with a 3K deductible. I purchased my new device online and the same one I was going to get from the doctor only cost me around $500. I haven't been back to my sleep doctor in 7 years because of their policy. Such crap. Now I have to use Oscar reports to show my CDL physical doctor that I am compliant so I can maintain my CDL driver's license. They said that next time I have to see a real sleep doctor and get the report through them. I can't find a doctor locally that will work with me if I don't go through their suppliers. So frustrating
Contact your state medical board and report the physicians.
In the USA this illegal in most states.
There is quite the racket with CDL physicals. If you report Sleep apnea you get put on a 1 year medical card (normally it's 2 years) and I have heard of folks being required to get a sleep study every year...which their health insurance won't pay for because it isn't medically necessary to do one that often.
I had a sleep study 8-9 years ago and never heard from the sleep center again. Lincare lost interest once the insurance company bought the machine out after a year. Since then I've been managing it as best as possible on my own. Bad thing is my S9 autoset has 26000 hours so I'm probably going to have to spring for another machine in the not too distant future which will mean getting another prescription. There are services some of the self pay sleep apnea suppliers have where you can do a home test and and have a doctor write a scrip from that for not insane money (
My sleep doc told me to rent a CPAP for $250 for 3 weeks, than they will sell me one for 1600 plus 250 for the mask, I said stuff that, I went online found the cheapest resmed autoset for $1449 aud Including the mask, so I went directly to my local resmed store and they matched the price..
I literally just found your channel moments ago and I've got to say that you had me at "Sleep Medicine sucks because there's no follow up or education for the patient". I found out I suffered from Central and Obstructive apnea in February of '21 when I had my first sleep study and that my event count is 91/hr. Yes, 91. On March 3, 2018 I was in a car accident and fractured my left arm in several places and my c-6 vertebrae. After an anterior corpectomy c-5 to c-7 that failed I had a posterior laminectomy c-2 to t-1. When my nervous system rewired itself it did a poor job of it leaving me with this and Cervical Dystonia. I have been left to fend for myself as my Sleep Doc is AWOL resulting in many struggles that have adversely affected my heart and my brain as a result of several years of oxygen deprivation. Or as it was labeled in the ER diagnosis "Chronic intermittent hypoxia brought on by central and obstructive apnea". I'm really hoping your channel will assist me in filling in the gaps of knowledge left vacant by a virtually non-existent Sleep Doctor. I'd like to see my next birthday!
Thank you, this is the first video I have found that even starts to explain ASV. I’ve asked my sleep therapist and he couldn’t explain the difference from bipap or why my pressure kept changing. I would love to see a video explaining ASV in more detail.
I have had hardly any help from my sleep center over the last 10 years. I was never given any information at all about pressure and very little about masks. I have learned almost everything I know from TH-cam videos. About 2 and a half years ago I was issued a Airsense 10 cpap only “Brick” so I’ve been flying blind and never really knew exactly how I was doing. I finally got access to Oscar this week when I found a Phillips Respironics A-Flex system one at a Goodwill (I removed the foam). Now at least I have some real data and can fine tune my settings using this old machine and apply that to my Airsense 10 and in a couple of years when I can get a new machine I’ll know what I’m doing. I’m just now feeling that I have a good understanding of my needs.
I learned something today. Thanks for this info. I'll be sharing it.
My CPAP journey has been absolutely nightmarish. First, insurance would only cover at home test. Took 8 weeks to get results, after I called and asked for them. Insurance would only cover auto CPAP. The DME store at my health system scheduled a mask fitting that lasted all of 20 minutes and sent me on my way. Mask did NOT work at all. Took it back and the just gave me a larger size of the same mask. Still doesn’t work well. It’s so bad I take the mask off in the middle of the night and don’t even know it. Now insurance is denying coverage because I don’t wear it long enough to be considered ‘regular’ use. So my data is going to my insurance 🤔and instead of anyone asking if I need help I just get told bring it back or pay full price! Before I saw you video today I called the DME store and have an appointment in a few days. When I described all my issues the gal’s solution was to remotely adjust humidity and hose temp. Like - I haven’t already tried every conceivable combination. Yes, I’m frustrated, I am not absolutely dense about the machine. I was never told how often to replace mask, headgear or hose. NOTHING. I’ve learned a 1,000 times more from you. They get one last chance and if that appointment goes south I’ll tell them I’d rather pay out of pocket for a good experience.
I also take my mask off in the middle of the night w/o realizing it. it's so frustrating to wake up with your mask in your hand and think, Dammit! Not again!😐
Thank you so much for the honest advice on machines. I was recently diagnosed with mild apnea. Even though my oxygen is at a safe level, it is absolutely ruining my sleep. I spend hours trying to fall asleep, because the obstruction wakes me eveytime I hear the air catch in my nose. Then I wake up with migraine and am fatigued all day. I have been completely in the dark and what to do. I really can't wait to check out your services and onvest in the machine I actually need.
Re: Education and insurance.... amen. Because of your channel, i challenged my once a year follow up doctor. I would say you wouldn't believe the crap he said... but then again i am sure you heard it all. How in the hell can you do an annual assessment looking only at the night before data. one night!!!! I started asking informed questions and he had to go... 5 minute annual follow up is all they are allowed for time. I am going to be raising this in my country as these doctors work over the phone and making 100's of thousands for NOTHING
The aggravation of "BIG MED" and the god-complex docs who promote it! GRRRR!
It’d be awesome if you’d do a video to expand on what you mentioned about us people who fought to get are machine but still feel tired from arousals. Need some information to help get a BIPAP to try out.
You are absolutely correct. The follow up is abysmal. Trying to get ASV. Part time sleep specialist. Had to sign paper that I'd pay if Medicare rejected claim which then caused Medicare rejected me because I signed paper and they did not think I qualified for ASV.
I wish I would have found your channel 3 years ago when I realized I had sleep apnea and waited for actual months while I felt like I was actively dying for two separate sleep studies only for the doctor to tell me I just need anxiety medication bc I don’t have sleep apnea, till I finally gods got diagnosed with mild to moderate apnea via watchpat and STILL no one talked to me about my inflated RDI (22!!!) and the fact that the real issue is UARS!
Another great video. Could we get some videos on these other machines and the things they treat? I think I need more ammo to take to my provider. I think I need some form of bi-level.
My insurance charged $150 copay for a new mask. I found them online for $129. --I am on my 3rd machine, aircurve ASV. For my latest machine I paid $500 each for 2 sleep studies. Then about $1800 copay on the machine, $2800 total. They gave me NO information. I've been on cpap for 20 years and I didn't know what ASV was. Watching these videos I am starting to understand what's happening. --I would love to see a tutorial on how how do my own adjustments. For the last year I have averaged 8.2 hours sleep and 0 AHI. But lately I"ve not been doing as good.---All 5 of my sleep studies showed an AHI of 68. My machine is working, but I would like to know more and have more control.
I'm a newbie & using insurance & medicare. So I don't want to risk my insurance coverage or tick off my doc by changing the clinical controls on my AS11. I've gotten WAY more help with CPAP problems and answers to questions from your channel and others than from the so-called "pros" I call for help.[no wonder ppl quit!] I was very reluctant to do CPAP, feeling it's a big $$ racket, esp. if the docs just do the bare minimum and don't look past the AHI when evaluating. That said, it IS helping me. But I see a whole lot more hypopneas and likely CA's than what's counted in my AHI - and I even get them when awake, but very tired. I'm hoping my sleep NP will really listen to my concerns, but I have doubts. THANKS JASON!
So our machines here at work obviously are able to change between CPAP, Bilevel, autoset, autoset for her, Vauto, ASV, ASVauto, and iVAPS. Can someone not buy one of these machines personally?
Agree with lack of support and education here in France. My partner does not speak French so I translate for him, already difficult. The nurse technician that came to our home was aggressive when she found he had hardly used the CPAP machine. And she shouted at me for going into the settings just to prove to my partner that 4cm was the lowest pressure setting. Now she is on holiday for the whole of August, no training. I am learning from your videos to help him, and so glad I found all this help in English. Big Thanks!❤ another threat as she left, if partner does not make progress by the time she is back from holiday, she will take the machine away! WTH? Forgot to say his Apnea level is high, one a minute, panicking now in case they take the machine away suddenly. I’m calling the doctor on Monday.
Thank you Lanky Lefty. I am going to take advantage of your services soon.
I'd been suffering on APAP with an EPR of 2, wondering why after month of use I was starting to feeling worse and worse each day. Then I found this channel and switched to CPAP. I played with the pressure, going up from 7 each day and stopped using EPR - and now I've found a sweet-spot at 8.4 (I let my body get used to a consistent pressure and no EPR which was hard at first). I bought an O2 ring as well to verify that I was getting enough oxygen at night. It's changed my CPAP experience completely so, thanks a bunch.
Epr off is the great choice for cpap users?
@@preetimittal2123 yes!
@@micolo123 when i turn down the Epr of my father from 3 to 2 ....he start getting Ahi down to 1...but yesterday last night when i turn lower the Epr from 2 to 1 my father get starts chock so much and mask is leaking pressure he is so confirtable and I check his Ahi increase in 1 hour ( 3.7 events in 1 hour and 20 minutes) I scared and immidiately i turn increase the Epr from 1 to 2 again and then he sleep well and in morning i check the Ahi that is (2.2 ) I wondered why he is suffering so much when I turn down the Epr from 2 to 1.
If he's okay with epr at 2, then keep it like that. Maybe he benefits from having a bit of Epr.
@@micolo123 i don't know what's an issue ...he is still bit sleepy when he lying on the bed immidietly he sleep
I've been a pap person just about a month now. Slowly but surely I have had the crystal clear realization that this process is difficult and there is very little help to be had. And those that could provide the help that could create a a success in my care are serving the insurance company and not me. No doubt about that.
Hey Jason. Thank you for all your videos. I am about to get my first machine tomorrow, the Airsense 10 Card to Cloud. I was diagnosed with severe OSA and the doctor has me on 6-18 auto. I know how much you believe the auto algorithms suck and I want to discuss finding a continuous pressure with my Doctor once we have some data. I'm assuming it depends on the doctor, but should I expect some resistance to trying to play an active part in my therapy in that way? Also, at what point could change the settings without doctors approval, if I have to, and not be flagged for non compliance by the insurance company? I am really only concerned with them covering whatever they will pay toward the machine. I'll pay for it myself if I have to though.
In my own Experience, insurance is only looking for compliance that you're using it for minimum of four hours a night for many nights a week over and over again.
Playing an active part in your medical care is upto you.
If you by chance have an egotistical physician, then your struggles will be worse. If you find a physician that is helpful and positive in Interacting with you to trying to find the best method, then your travels will be good.
You are your own best advocate. If you're not Knowledgeable, then include somebody in your life to come with you to the physician's office to have a second third opinion.
I changed my settings all the time while researching.
(Sleep doctors connected with me months later. ... far after the fact that i was failing cpap. This is a common follow up interval. But, I couldn't breathe at first use. I HAD to find my own path.)😮
That explains so much - like my entire experience since I went to my doctor about not sleeping well.
The pulmo wanted me to have a bipap, medicare said my lung function numbers didn't support a bipap, so have a cpap. Thanks for the info on the education cuts, I was wondering why things seem so out of whack.
Hey Jason, I didn't even notice an advertisement on today's video. Did I miss it because it was so well-integrated into the rest of the video?
I went through my last sleep study, and I didn't meet the AHI threshold so they never even let me put a mask on to do a titration. The doctor had also ordered a co2 retention test, and that was the only real data we ended up with, I retain an excessive amount of co2. I'm still pissed about it, I don't use my CPAP anymore, and never had any success after nasal surgery as there wasn't any support and my Doctor had prescribed that my machine should be set from 5-15 cm H2O. From one end to the other, CPAP has stopped being about patient outcomes.
What does that mean a co2 retention test? Is this outside of a household co2 detector, it seems an unusual thing to test for a sleep patient, or am I wrong?
Ok, I looked up, and is it for copd?
@@screamtoasigh9984 I’m not a doctor, I don’t have COPD, and I’ll do my best to explain. The condition is called Hypercapnia, elevated CO2 in the blood stream resulting from the inability to process and discharge CO2 through the lungs. This results in frequent morning migraines but rarely results in any measurable AHI events. My best guess is this is a result of shallow breathing, but who knows as it’s outside the realm of what a sleep tech does, and in my case they wouldn’t even put a mask on me. I’d love to get it addressed, but I have zero confidence in sleep doctors addressing things other than the standard fare of sleep disorders.
As a side note, I also have a condition called bradycardia, a low heart rate that for me can fall to the low 40s or high 30s. I’ve been seen by a cardiologist, my heart is in excellent condition, and the bradycardia is just a result of 30 years of competitive basketball.
@@johnpopp2146 thank you for explaining. what kind of sleep dr did you see? Do you have low spo2 as well?
@@johnpopp2146 also, did you get a copy of your sleep test results so you can look for yourself? After my first sleep test they told me it was borderline 5.9) (I wear a dental appliance, and did wear it during the test. That was5 years ago and my dentist told me recently (because I kept on cracking the appliance) that it wasn't enough and i should go back to a sleep dr... (my sleep ENT that initially recommended the dental appliance left the hospital/office I saw him at, and now makes TH-cam videos and $$$ video consultations for sleep coaching w/o insurance (he's good but it's not useful for me in his new role - its dr steven park on TH-cam) so that wasn't going to work... so I requested my old sleep study done by a pulmonologist and my new ent had me do a new one and he compared them, both had low ahi/sleep apnea and low Spo2. No one ever said anything before. No one noticed the spo2.
Since last week
10 days on apap, .6 to .0 ahi and still low sp02.🤔 still feel crummy.
They thought I had migraines as well (you wouldn't believe how many tests, scans, drs... Neurologists and even an inner ear dr =otologist... ) . FOUR drs told my I had migraines. But it never fit for me.
And it turned out to be GRINDING (bruxism from low spo2 /sleep apnea) and a vision issue called binocular insufficiency. All the drs told me it was migraines but if I didn't sleep and stopped reading online it went away🤦🏼. So I saw a neuro opthamologist see what was going on. (He was like dr 10 in the past 6 months) if you don't sleep do you still get migraines? Is hypercapnia treatable? Do they have you on oxygen?
Once the cpap company made the machine sale they were done with me and cared very little about helping me even from the start.....I taught the therapist things from the net she should have taught me.
My patient information comes from you and Nicko from Australia. I was diagnosed in 2010. I was thrilled to find you two in 2020 or around that time🎉. I could have suffered in 1993 when I was driving 40 miles one way to classes for college, at age 41. Single parent, would wake up coughing my head off. I fought not falling asleep, cold air, loud music, it was so scary, but I knew nothing of sleep apnea. I was a Buffalo snorer in my 20’s. Skinny as a pole, 5’6”. Again nobody talked about sleep apnea. I really annoyed my roommates. My current doc never discusses other machines other than CPAP in CA or CO. I have a ResMed 11, $900 out of pocket, after the Phillips debacle. Thank you for your channel. I bought the attachment, with the holes, with your code, thank you. I have better sleep. I used to wake up for no reason. When I got my Phillips dream station in 2016, I slept 10 restful hours that changed with the added filter for protection and never got better with the ResMed 11. Now that small attachment with holes does something magical🎉
And . . . on the topic of insurance . . . How is it possible or a prescription to cost over $500 at one pharmacy, around $220 at another pharmacy, and using Good Rx cost only $26 . . . I gladly paid the $26 but I would like someone to explain to me how that is possible.
Thanks again . . . now my rant is over 😀
In Australia insurance doesn't pay ANYTHING! I have personal, privately funded hospital insurance, which is really hard to manage given that I am on a disability pension, and I get SQUAT towards my sleep issues. Sleep study... out of pocket. CPAP trial.... out of pocket. CPAP equipment purchase.... out of pocket. Totally sucks.
I got my CPAP almost a year ago. I'm a fan of auto CPAP but I've dialed in my pressure range from 10 to 13. The doctor started me at 5 to 15 and that was horrible. I slowly kept increasing my starting pressure as I've gotten used to CPAP.
Yeah my Dr is also frustrated with the situation and the big A company is terrible at working with doctors and always claims they have no record of your sleep study when you need a new machine so you have to start all over and it takes forever to get new equipment.
Insurance companies (like everyone) respond to the incentives that exist. The much larger problem with medicine generally is that the market as been so horribly distorted by government over so many many decades that creating value for the consumer is not core as it generally is in a freer market. Most products in relatively free markets improve in value to consumer (higher quality and lower prices) over time. The fact that the more heavily regulated things are the more they run against the market norm is not merely a coincidence but a logical result.
I talked to my doctor about the sympoms I was having with cpap and she suggested a BIPAP but to get one I have to a sleep study that's 2 months away so it can be charged to insurance.I love this country!!!🙃
It was suggested by my primary med privider,
that I fit Some of the criteria even to qualify for a sleep test. It is actually a struggle to get tested for a CPAP.
I STILL wonder why it is prescription required. (There may be some solid medical health concern in why it needs a prescription, but I don't see it.)
There is nobody on earth that is going to choose a cpap machine just for fun, because they want to OD on oxygen. And if they do, what is the harm? They ought to be handing these things out to anyone who can benefit from them. The prescriptions and all that is just to keep the supply limited and the pricing very high. It makes zero sense to destroy the earth to mine rare metals to create electronics to be thrown in the landfill, when there are folks whose lives could be VASTLY improved by this technology, and who could get a machine off Ebay, watch these videos and stop suffering so damn much. For the cost of a single trip to the grocery store. But how would the insurance company executives make obscene amounts of money if people could take control of their own bodies and health care? End stage capitalism needs to die FASTER. And thank you to this content creator (Jason?) for helping with that.
It's ridiculous that you need a prescription to buy a machine. I have my AHI consistently below ~.5 (Oscar) with an Air sense 10 - that I bought outright years ago. *If it stopped working tonight I should be able to just buy another*. Instead I'd have to do another study (30-x days wait), x number of days to have it ready and then a script, and in the end I'd have to spend as much or more.
I bought a used machine because with "insurance" it would have cost the same - except I would have to wait to get it, AND have them looking at my sleep AND with the wrong pressure set in.
I've got an old S8 as a backup (calibrated by literally sticking the hose in a container of water) but what if I'm out of town and the A10 stops? It would suck, but I'd like the option to be able to go buy a machine local to where I'm at.
But I can't do that.
Now that I've jinxed my first vacation in 4 years, I'm wondering if I can buy a chassis, motherboard and pump separately without a script and build a backup? I'd still have to take it with me, but .... frakking frak.
My prescription is for lifetime. Ask the doctor that previously wrote the prescription to change it to be for lifetime for any type of machine. Mine did.
Whats wrong with APAP..? I dont need high preassures until deep sleep 4 to 7 am and dreaming. Then I hold my breath in with lungs full... Im not sure a regular pressure would help in early morning...🤷♂️
Agreed wrt your sleep medicine problem listings. Does the reduced exhale pressure feature of the RESMED 10 partially emulate what a bipap machine does (I've seen it does little to help with Cheyne Stokes).
insurance is horrible, and I got zero education except when I first got the unit and they showed me how to fit the mask and turn it on. Zero follow-up even though they said they would and in fact would charge me if I didn't use the unit at least 3 days a week for 4 hrs each session. Now I know I could have gotten the unit cheaper myself leaving insurance out of it. Downside is I'm on APAP. Insurance would not cover an in-clinic sleep study so I don't have much choice. I also found out they really didn't cover the in-home study I could have gotten on my own and would have been better. I use the machine 100% of the time because I do feel better, but I'm sure it's not perfect. I'm going to have to do a session with you Jason so you can look at my oscar.
I am someone who also jailbroke my airsense 10 about a year ago and has a higher RDI lower AHI; could not get rid of my airway narrowing no matter how high my CPAP pressure. CPAP was so high it caused aerophagia (swallowing air into stomach). My Dr did not ever want to look at my OSCAR data even when I pushed him, he only looked at device data uploaded via Resmed cloud / cellular service. so I decided I’m done, I need to just go for it because I’m so tired. Jailbreaking was a challenge, there were extra steps that I had to furiously search and stumble upon. Steps provided are like 70% of what I needed.
I was not able to get all the features and settings to show (ex: change the rise time) but ASV mode mostly works by default. I have found ASV has worked best for me, because BiPAP mode is uncomfortable (jailbreak limitation: rise time is instant by default so it feels like my mask is getting pushed and pulled from my face, and I can’t change it).
Doctor wouldn’t even write me a prescription for ASV (even to bypass insurance) because he felt it was overkill. I disagree. I decided I’m done with my doctor.
I’ve learned so much from this channel to make my sleep much better. thank you Jason and your AXG service was terrific!
I understand getting a study but you shouldn’t need a prescription for a air blower
Exactly
The Diabetes medical industry is the same way. Tons of money flowing into it, but very little education outside of standard 'talking points'. Thankfully my dear mother is a retired nurse and impressed on me long ago the need to educate myself and not to just settle for basic info. Recently diagnosed OSA and I have been gorging on any piece of information I can find to learn more about the nuances of treatment.
When I got my 2nd machine (15 years ago) they wouldn't tell me how to adjust it for when I traveled to high altitude. They told me I needed to make an appointment (always several weeks out) and bring the machine back to them, and then do that again when I got back home. TOTALLY RIDICULOUS! Any questions required the same procedure. I got up to leave and said I wouldn't take their machine unless they told me how to adjust it. THEN they told me how.
Great video. Two thumbs up.
May I suggest? Make more "bad mood" videos! This could lead to an uber-profitable "Angry Lanky" spin-off channel.
Thank goodness our National Health service pays for machines in UK. I was given a Prisma Smart Max and Fisher and Paykel Simplus full face mask. It was set to APAP with min and max of 4 to 20 cmH2O. I found it impossible to get the mask to seal at the top end but found my way into the clinical menu and wound the top end down to 12. I getting highly variable results of apneas and deep sleep. I found a mobile app to see what was going on but that told me very little. Then I discovered the clinical PC app and can now see everything that is happening, i can see the upper pressure is limiting as the demand is for greater than 12 but how can that be achieved without getting eyes full of air from leaks and mask farts from my cheeks?
I have sleep apenia now since 2015 I got the resmed10 back in 2015 but havent ended up using it cause i cant sleeo with it on, things have been really bad lately so i got it out again i changed some setting and I got 6 hrs last night with it, but my sleep wasnt very good, could i send the file to you of the night to see what you think and what pressure I should use?
Sleep tech here.. I agree with you 💯
The goal of every patient should be to determine what is causing the apneas and hypopneas. Is it the weight that is limiting air way? Tongue falling back? A tumor of some kind? Your Uvula? Is it a structural maxilofacial problem? Do a 3D CT scan supine to find out and eliminate the restriction or obstruction and no more sleep apnea.
You hit the nail on the head with this one.
I’m frustrated by the insurance requirements that I retake a sleep apnea test every few years. I’ve been through 3 over 12 years (with my last one being over 10 years ago. ) I’m looking to replace my aging machine without a new test, any ideas? I believe the tests are a complete waste of my time & money. Along with the trips back & forth to the doctor. I’ve been using cpap since 1999, currently 16mm pressure (I adjust my pressure as I loose or gain weight) and I have been very happy with the results!
Haven't heard from my sleep doc in well over a year... They never tried following up with me.
What do you do for a person with severe apnea and has ptsd and cannot tolerate anything on their face?
Sedative drugs helped me adjust to the sensation of the mask on my face.
I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. 33 events and oxygen dropped to 40% it took 5 weeks after the sleep study before I got my equipment.I was overwhelmed and never thought to ask what happens with the cpap and oxygen concentrator during a power failure? I am 71 and don't have battery back up
With that severe apnea please consider getting the largest solar battery backup set up you can afford, any way you can Mary. [even if you have to put it on your Christmas/birthday want [need] list for family.] For folks like you, it's not an option IMO and this is something insurance should cover.
I have been on CPAP therapy for a month and I am almost ready to give it up. I have not slept well since starting. So far the cure is worse than the disease. I have no one to talk to about my issues other than TH-cam channels like this. It's discouraging.
Learn how to use Oscar and set your pressure. I would have quit otherwise as well, the doctors and DME aren't going to help.
OSCAR doesn’t work with Ibreeze yet. I found some of Nicks vids about adjusting air pressure. I’m still in the trial stages of that process but I think you’re right and it will be key to my therapy. Thank you.
Unlocked machines for all therapies would be ideal! I still often wake in the morning feeling like garbage even tho my AHI is consistently under 1 - wtheck?! we need the flexibility to properly treat patients - life doesn’t stay static, neither will a patients need!
I think this condition is over diagnosed. I no longer trust the growth industry that is modern medicine. How many people take a sleep study and don't end up diagnoses with SA? I'd like to one that.
My insurance has a high deductible and I have an HSA. I'll probably end up paying for whatever works regardless of what they do or don't approve.
Using OSCAR as a benchmark, what would be considered a high Respiratory Disturbance Index? Thanks.
And . . . regarding you question about insurance. . . YES, INSURANCE SUCKS! They need to educate BOTH the patient and the patient's partner. I could have helped my husband so much more with his sleep apnea if I had know then what I know now. Just some basic information like why it is important to regularly replace your supplies, why using oxygen in place of CPAP is harmful, how mouth leaks means your therapy isn't working even if your "numbers" look ok. He had heart issues for 30 years and passed away at age 69.
7:54 They're using patched firmware. The patching script is unfinished and the result is garbage IMHO. If you're reflashing with stock firmware (guess who does that), the result is perfect, as if you bought the Bilevel model off the shelf.
How does one do that? I’ve done a search. Can’t find anything.
@@MA-wn5ci It might be useful to leave a way to reach you, say a Reddit user name so if someone comes across this message they can help you.
Of course.
@@MA-wn5ci Contact Nick from "CPAP Reviews" and ask him for advice. He also did a video on that in the past.
@@af1966 *wink wink*
I use the Airtouch F20 here in Canada and one cushion is 80 dollars .. I can and do order from Australia and with shipping and duties it works out at 26 Canadian apiece how the hell does that work
That doesn't surprise me. What about ordering from sellers (websites) in the USA and aslo eBay and having the stuff shipped to you in Canada?
@@af1966 it's still cheaper to ship from Australia and that just blows my mind
@@BritinCanada wow, that is crazy
Please tell me the name of your cat channel. I know I've heard you talk about it, but can't seem to find it now.
This comes down to manufacturers charging way too much for certain models of their CPAP machines. I agree all machines should have all modes available already in the unit. I don't blame insurance for this. Insurance varies by country, some countries don't have medical insurance at all and machines are provided by the health system. I blame manufacturers for making CPAP therapy hopelessly complex and they do it on purpose to be sure to sell more machines.
I have no problem if some modes are locked down to selection only by your doctor. For instance, ASV is not advisable with people with ejection fractions lower than 45%, so that option should only be available if your doc activates it, providing medical oversight for people with heart issues.
Even if switching modes required a physician to prescribe the mode change is OK with me, but having to change machine and go through hoops with insurance or require patients to shell out yet more money is wrong. We know the machine is physically capable of the different modes. Just make them available.
My sleep doc pretended to have never heard of OSCAR. When I brought in data to ask questions about specific breathing patterns he didn't want to see it, only looks at his sleep clinic data (wonder if he even looks at that or just reads the sleep tech report). I guess it is too threatening to him when we want to understand our condition better. They want to be the great gatekeepers and false wizards behind the curtain selfishly lording over their fiefdom.
I point out reasons why I would like to go to BPAP - and, basically I get, "you haven't yet died on APAP, so, NO". The whole sleep doc / insurance world is BS.
I know how to read OSCAR, I also load in pulse/ox data, I also follow my sleep stages and I understand my APAP machine and settings, and how to change them. I know more about my sleep than my sleep doc ever will or cares to. Sad.
Conversely, I have learned a ton from you, and have used your AXG Sleep Diagnostics consultation - well worth it, thank you.
BTW, what do you think Nick is doing with all that SleepHQ data? Other than being in the "Cloud", (not necessarily a positive) is there any advantage to it over OSCAR at this latest point in its development? Is SleepHQ just a slick, hijacked OSCAR? I realize you utilize both now at AXG. It would be great if you could do an updated video comparing the two as they stand today.
You are your own best advocate. You are invested in this, and it is quality time for you.
Physicians and Medical professionals are held to a different standard and they are required to fulfill their employer obligations.
They cannot spend hours researching and reading up on each individual person that comes into their office.
That is your job to do as you see fit to help yourself, and then find a medical professional that suits your needs.
@@beseez exactly correct.
Hi Jason! Could you maybe do a video showing the OSCAR data of someone with Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome and how Bi-level helps with that? I'm curious, since I was diagnosed with a low AHI (5), but currently on a fixed pressure of 15. Looking at my OSCAR data, a pressure of 15 is still not enough at times, but going any higher makes it very hard to breathe out against the incoming pressure. Keep up the good work!
He has said in prior videos once you are at 15 pressure - it’s beneficial to either be on bipap or use epr.
What is you AHI on the machine at 15 fixed pressure? is it lower than the 5 you were diagnosed with?
@@eporeily232 That's right! I might try a higher pressure with EPR for a bit
@@sadraon8157 It is usually lower than 1, but as Jason has mentioned, this doesn't say everything. I am still seeing a lot of RERA's in OSCAR that the machine isn't counting
Anyone who thinks insurance isn't a scam is either lying or deluding themselves. It's the biggest crock of BS, and I'd say "change my mind" but that's impossible. :P
My doctor pulled out of the system entirely and you pay him $100 a month and get unlimited care.
My Bipap auto s curve is capable, is S and Bi Level the same?
I have only mild sleep apnea with an average 6AHI (obstructive) but it is 56 during REM. I am a tall, thin post menopausal woman. Which honestly, I think is important to know, as our muscles weaken in the neck post menopause, obstructive apneas can occur… Originally I went to my doctor complaining about being overly tired. Because of insurance I had to do at home study first then I got to do an inpatient study after that. They just gave me the CPAP with very little instruction at all besides a person that came to my house to fit me…and just gave me a full face mask and a machine. I gobbled air the first few days not knowing that I needed a chinstrap and my numbers were at 14 AHI average… No one checked in on me, nor did I know that I should reach out because my numbers were high. I felt like I was left on my own and set up to FAIL. The Cpap originally made me feel rested even with the big numbers. But when they did my recheck a year later they decided to do another inpatient study and realized I needed a BIPAP with a chinstrap. My numbers went down drastically since the CPAP was actually causing central apneas…which of course I didn’t even know what they were…. Everything you said is true! All of it! I found your videos about different masks etc and they definitely helped! Plus they made me chuckle occasionally, which is always good for the soul! I’m sitting here right now talking out loud saying how right you are! Thank you so much! And I like all the ideas you mentioned…it is about the money, but it would be so much cheaper if they did things as you are saying. I smell corruption somewhere. I don’t get it!
A BIG amen to all your thoughts Francine!
Hi I was just wondering if my sleep Doctor (therapist) is allowed to refuse to give you your cpap prescription because I wanted to buy mine outright from an online seller and my doctor (therapist) refused to give me mine saying it wasn't legal and that online sellers don't set them up right so the setting that they select probably will not be right for you. Is this correct or can I do something about this I don't want to cause trouble I just want to get the prescription so I can upload it and buy mine outright.
Your awesome, I'm gonna be more in touch! Twenty yrs going.
Why are these machines under prescription?
Serious question.
I have wondered that for a long time too and if you find out, please post.
Insurance companies own politicians who pass laws that favor the insurance company to the detriment of patience. This gives insurance companies the power over life and death of a patient. We need medicare. for all.
I couldn't even get any local clinic to do a sleep test for me at home or in the lab. I ended up going with a company called circle med and they ordered an at home sleep test from a doctor that was 5 states away and they sent me a night owl device and I did a 2 night sleep test. A couple days after the test was done, circle med contacts me and tells me I have severe sleep apnea and has sent a prescription for the machine and supplies to Nationwide Medical. Nationwide Medical claims they have sleep coaches to help you through the set up process. I was sent a machine with a dreamwear full face mask and then there was nothing more. Suddenly, Nationwide was not interested in telling me how to use the machine. I ended up on youtube and found Lanky and an Austrlian guy from cpap reviews that I was able to get it going. Still don't feel any good results from this. Contacted circle med and complained and they ordered a sleep test be done with the cpap machine and I finished that last night.
Great one, Jason.
AGREE 100 0/0, NO EDUCATION.U R VERY HELPFUL! THANK U VERY MUCH!!
The real uncomfortable truth is rampant overdiagnosis pathetic cpap sucess rate but the industry does not want that made public
I am very new to CPAP. Only had it 2 weeks. I have resmed A10. It started out okay but it's gotten worse. I use the least invasive mask, just fits under my nostrils, even though I am a mouth breather. I'm really trying to concentrate on my breathing through nose & keeping mouth closed. I went to hospital ER yesterday because stomach was upset. I have diabetes & they attributed my stomach problem to high blood sugar. But it could be from CPAP (too much air in stomach). They gave me zofran in hospital & gave me prescription to use @ home. Won't even go near full face mask! Felt like I was standing in front of high powered fan all night blowing air on my face! & I was claustrophobic! Can't put myself through that kind of psychological trauma! I have enough psychological trauma w/o adding to it! Anyone have any suggestions to make this easier? Thanks!
You need to try mouth taping. Just one small piece to keep my lips together while I sleep solved my issue.
Lefty recommends a certain brand in his video.
Hey Jason, couldn’t agree more. Follow up is bullshit and absolutely sucks. This is why I wanna hire you for a consultation. I sent you an email. I’m sure you’ll get back to me when you can. Obviously a subscriber, and I love your contact.
Insurance is the greatest barrier
Patient followup? What's that? Patient edugamion? Edyounagron? Never heard of that second thing.
I appreciate what you're doing here. The thing is, 'why'? Why TF is sleep apnea a thing at all? I mean, wtf? Breathing is kinda a thing, how in the hell has it come about that I cannot freaking go to sleep without trying to die?
This wasn't a thing in my grandparents generation and earlier so what the hell is happening to our species? Men look like women now and even try to pretend they're women, sperm counts are way down, junk size is way down. And, if you look at skulls back in time, jaws were bigger... big enough that there was room for teeth to grow including wisdom teeth. Today? Crooked, cramped teeth everywhere and I got to wonder if the smaller jaw size, so small that our teeth don't fit any more, maybe the rest of our bits don't fit, either... sleep apnea.
I freaking hate the goddamned cpap. It is almost that I would rather die than use the gawdamned thing and the hatred goes down into subconscious because I rip the damned thing off and toss it across the room IN MY SLEEP!
I'm confused - what exactly is Auto CPAP?
I've used CPAP for 10+ years. I have a CPAPA ResMed AirSense 11 with a minimum pressure of 7 and a max pressure of 11. Does that mean I'm using Auto CPAP?
My sleep study in 2012 showed I needed a constant pressure of 12. Over the years I seemed to "get better" and pressures were changed to be a range. For a while that seemed good but for the past several years my sleep has been an issue even though I faithfully use my CPAP.
OSCAR shows I am bumping up against 11 the majority of the night. So today I bumped the max pressure up to 12 and will start using my chin strap again as I have a lot of mouth leaking and I'm allergic to the mouth tape.
Does all this mean I should be using a constant pressure instead of a range? It seems like a long time ago - several/many years ago - I thought I saw one of your videos that promoted using a range instead of one constant pressure.
Thank you for all the information you share with all of us. You are a treasure!
Insurance
Dude say it louder for those in the rafters!!!
Sweet, jailbreak here I come.
These are issues for ALL of medicine.
Medicare should reimburse you for these videos
Robin, that's the most intelligent comment ever posted to TH-cam. 😄
I agree, even in Canada our insurance provider (OHIP) pidgeon holes all sleep apnea sufferers to have the same treatment. Sleep clinicians get so used to only prescribing the most basic treatment they do not prescribe anything other than CPAP here. I talked to my sleep doctor about wanting a BIPAP, she refused. I talked to my sleep doc about my epiglottis collapse, she didn't believe me, she didn't check me, she didn't refer me to an ENT who could actually look into my throat. "I think you have anxiety." she told me. This is a nightmare. She didn't know about OSCAR. She didn't know about bleeps. She even hit me with the "you know this much about sleep medicine 🤏" And the sad part is it is not her fault. The whole system is set up to disincentivize sleep clinicians from staying up to date with the latest stuff if they have to jump through hoops to get their patients adequate treatment. I've come to realize I am at the mercy of my insurance provider.
I’m just got of the phone with my sleep Dr and am so frustrated with how hard I had to work to get information out of him. Finally he told me that solution other than a Cpap or Inspire is all that my medical system would pay for so He didn’t tell about other options for solutions. I want diagnosis first them treatment. I’m very sensitive to things on my face or devices in my mouth. Yes I tried the dental device for $3,000 out of my pocket. I’m pissed! I’m so tired and can barely function and I feel like Dr don’t give a shit.