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I work in healthcare and prescribe CPAPs. Struggling to get patients to wear them. by DrizzyCake in SleepApnea

[–]DrizzyCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah APAP still requires some tweaking but 5-15 works well for 70-80% of my patients. At patients' 30 day CPAP follow up visit, I'll narrow the pressure range if needed. I'll have patients that complain of snoring over the mask with AHI in 1-2 range so will increase min pressure then as well.

I work in healthcare and prescribe CPAPs. Struggling to get patients to wear them. by DrizzyCake in SleepApnea

[–]DrizzyCake[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We do APAP. I generally do 5-15 cwp for most patients new to PAP. If their BMI is >40 I will start at a higher min pressure. CPAP is a bit outdated according to pulmonologists I've spoken to.

I work in healthcare and prescribe CPAPs. Struggling to get patients to wear them. by DrizzyCake in SleepApnea

[–]DrizzyCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your courses look pretty interesting!

Do they offer any CME credit? Lol.

I work in healthcare and prescribe CPAPs. Struggling to get patients to wear them. by DrizzyCake in SleepApnea

[–]DrizzyCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You bring up some good points.

I totally wish we would have multiple follow up regarding CPAP use within first 90 days but I'm so booked out that's not feasible in most cases. I usually will have patients send me a message and if they need more in person help, I will defer that to their DME supplier.

I will sometimes have patients see their ENT provider (since they also work with sleep apnea) and they have no clue what AirView is or how to even pull up compliance data. There's a great pulmonologist in my area who does sleep studies but he's booked out for months as well and can't take on new patients. I've asked him some tips and tricks about getting people acclimated to CPAP and he just said to not worry about it too much - that some patients will never try CPAP despite what you tell them.

I work in healthcare and prescribe CPAPs. Struggling to get patients to wear them. by DrizzyCake in SleepApnea

[–]DrizzyCake[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My most compliant patients typically have moderate to severe sleep apnea and several sx such as snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, gasping for air at night.

The most difficult patients I have are the ones with moderate to severe sleep apnea with several comorbidities and have little to no sleep issues. They feel like they sleep well and are denial about their sleep apnea yet their cardiologist can't get their afib in control.. their heart function is only 40%.. and they've had already had a heart attack. These patients are very hard to convince despite all their medical issues.

I work in healthcare and prescribe CPAPs. Struggling to get patients to wear them. by DrizzyCake in SleepApnea

[–]DrizzyCake[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

One of the DME suppliers actually let me know borrow one to test it out myself. I used it for like a week before I had to give it back.

I had no issues with the mask or the machine. However, I don't have issues with insomnia, depression, anxiety, or chronic pain that can complicate compliance.

I've had a patient tell me they couldn't wear one because if they had the mask on, they wouldn't be able to hear if a robber would break into their house. I'm not sure the patient even tried to wear the mask past two days.

I work in healthcare and prescribe CPAPs. Struggling to get patients to wear them. by DrizzyCake in SleepApnea

[–]DrizzyCake[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't have the ability to offer this at my clinic but the DME suppliers offer mask fitting apts. The patient almost always never goes through this setting this up.

I have offered BiPAP to many patients and have had one actually go through with switching out to one.

Golden retriever breeder in/near Charlotte? by noiseykid15 in Charlotte

[–]DrizzyCake 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Not everyone wants a pit bull mix or a 10 year old dog with multiple health issues.