I was diagnosed with central sleep apnea last year and was given a CPAP machine but just could not tolerate it and it was just not working. I was told CSA can be trickier to treat due to the cause which is a brain to lung connectivity issue. Anyone else have CSA and has tried other things or have any advice on what I can try besides a CPAP? I have heard of ASV machines but have not gone down that route. Everything is so expensive. I am barely getting 3 hours of sleep every night, exhausted during the day. My wife says I hold my breath all night and it seems to be getting worse.
Hey Ryan, sorry to hear about your CSA troubles.
In some cases the CPAP can be adjusted specifically to help preople with CSA, have you checked in with your doctor sice starting CPAP? I would suggest you follow up with your doctor or a pulmonologist, they’ll probably give you a titration study to see if you have mixed or complex sleep apnea, and determine whether ASV is right for you.
Unfortunately you’re right, these things can get expensive. All I can say there is that if you’re getting only 3 hours a night, this is probably really affecting your health and well-being. Finding the right treatment is probably worth it.
Hoping to hear from others on this forum who have dealt with CSA as well.
Hi, thank you for your reply!
I was originally diagnosed with OSA and was given the oral device that I used for over 3 years and it turned out that I have CSA, not OSA, so I was being treated for the wrong type. I then had two sleep studies and it was determined I specifically have CSA. I was given the CPAP and I know I should have given it more time to get used to, but I just could not tolerate it. My wife has noticed that my breathing episodes have been getting worse where I am holding my breath more often and therefore getting less sleep than before… even just a few months ago. She is worried and so am I but just feel at a loss. I still have the CPAP but have not used it in over 2 months. I tried all kinds of things like wearing it during the day while watching TV, and trying to nap with it on also to get used to it. I always ended up taking it off after an hour or 2 because I could just not tolerate the equipment and the hose that would get caught on the night stand or bed, and the machine noise. My wife is curious about the INSPIRE or REMEDE but I think those are fairly new procedures for CSA?
Hey Ryan, makes sense. I still am hoping to hear from some more folks here who may have CPAP alternative experiences, But I think it would be a good idea to contact the provider who ordered the CPAP to discuss options. I know theres the ASV machine as Bilevel with a back up rate. These both feel quite different than a CPAP and some folks who get them tolerate them better due to being able to treat the Centrals much more effectively.
Yes I have heard and read that some feel ASV treats CSA better. I am not familiar with the Bilevel? My wife wants me to get a second opinion and see a neurologist who specializes in sleep apnea so I may go down that route also. I can let you know what the outcome is of that.
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