manuel's sleep apnea profile
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Sleep Lab Study 11/21/06
CPAP Titration Study 1/11/07
CPAP Data Spreadsheet
CPAP Data AutoScan file
AutoScan Treatment Profile (Web view)
My Wife's Sleep Apnea

Diagnosis: Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (AHI 46.8)

CPAP Since 12/18/06

Settings: Auto, Max 13 cm H₂O, Min 8.8 cm H₂O

Height: 65 in
Weight: 188 lbs (Prior to Sleep Study)
Weight: 148 lbs (current)

Background

I came to my primary doctor 2 years ago with complaints of feeling unusually tired and lower extremity edema. He suspected everything EXCEPT sleep apnea and I went untreated. Years later, I referred myself to my ENT who ordered a sleep study. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and immediately received an auto-cpap (apap). I really didn’t notice any improvement until about 2 wks later. I felt great! No more napping around the clock, no more morning headaches, and no more daytime drowsiness. Also, my wife said I wasn’t as bitchy anymore. 

Everything went well until they replaced my apap with a plain cpap. However, the real problem was my ENT prescribed the wrong pressure (it was too low). All my symptoms returned again. I begged my DME and respiratory therapist to return the apap which I did so well on—no cooperation. I begged my ENT to put me back on the apap—no cooperation. Even though I had no support from any of my healthcare providers, I persisted and purchased my own apap. Just like before, I felt better after a couple weeks: My apap was treating me on higher pressures. I showed my ENT the pressures my apap was giving. He still wouldn’t agree to prescribe the apap but did change my prescription to the pressures my apap was providing. Do you know, I had to explain to my ENT how the apap worked? He had no idea. It’s sad when my apap proved to be my best clinician.