CPAP compliance
04-11-2019, 07:42 AM
#11
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,261
Originally Posted by Mikeyrb1
This whole OSA thing is truly a PITA.
06-28-2019, 06:47 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 125
Originally Posted by porkchopexpress
I plan on starting a 121 career later this year. I haven’t received an FAA medical for over 20 years (recently retired military), so I’ll be looking for an AME soon. I was diagnosed with severe OSA three years ago. I’ve been using a CPAP ever since, and it works like a charm. Otherwise, perfect health, not overweight, etc.
This first question is for an AME, once I find one, but I’ll throw it out here in case anyone was in a similar situation:
I stopped wearing my mask for several months last spring/summer due to bad seasonal allergies. Flying wasn’t on my radar so I didn’t think anything of it (I realize going forward I’ll have to address that with saline nasal spray or Flonase, etc). For compliance, my current 12-month report says 60%, but the last 6 months are almost 100%. Do I need to wait until I’m over 75% for 12 months to even attempt getting a medical, or can I use a 3-month or 6-month report to get the ball rolling?
Second question is equipment related. I have an AirSense 10, but would like to get something smaller once I start flying again. The AirMini was mentioned on this thread, so I checked out the website. In the FAQ under compliance reporting, it says to “contact your home medical equipment or healthcare provider to discuss options for compliance reporting”. The VA told me they’ll only support the AirSense 10. I don’t mind paying for the Mini if it works, but how do I get compliance reports out of it? Anyone use that model, or something similar that’s not too cumbersome for travel?
Thanks!
This first question is for an AME, once I find one, but I’ll throw it out here in case anyone was in a similar situation:
I stopped wearing my mask for several months last spring/summer due to bad seasonal allergies. Flying wasn’t on my radar so I didn’t think anything of it (I realize going forward I’ll have to address that with saline nasal spray or Flonase, etc). For compliance, my current 12-month report says 60%, but the last 6 months are almost 100%. Do I need to wait until I’m over 75% for 12 months to even attempt getting a medical, or can I use a 3-month or 6-month report to get the ball rolling?
Second question is equipment related. I have an AirSense 10, but would like to get something smaller once I start flying again. The AirMini was mentioned on this thread, so I checked out the website. In the FAQ under compliance reporting, it says to “contact your home medical equipment or healthcare provider to discuss options for compliance reporting”. The VA told me they’ll only support the AirSense 10. I don’t mind paying for the Mini if it works, but how do I get compliance reports out of it? Anyone use that model, or something similar that’s not too cumbersome for travel?
Thanks!
06-29-2019, 10:42 AM
#16
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 99
Originally Posted by KSUto64
Were you ever able to get a good answer to your question about usage?
06-14-2021, 07:08 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,594
You should know there was a massive CPAP recall just announced:
https://www.usa.philips.com/healthca...ons/src-update
https://www.usa.philips.com/healthca...ons/src-update
06-28-2021, 07:07 AM
#18
New Hire
Joined APC: Apr 2019
Position: Airbus FO
Posts: 9
Travelling with a CPAP
I just got diagnosed with mild sleep apnea and afib. I ordered the ResMed AirSense 10 CPAP, but I'm wondering if most people also have a mini cpap that they use to travel with or do people bring their main one with them on trips? Also, do you bring distilled water with you or use it without water?
06-28-2021, 10:05 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,594
Originally Posted by Aviator152
I just got diagnosed with mild sleep apnea and afib. I ordered the ResMed AirSense 10 CPAP, but I'm wondering if most people also have a mini cpap that they use to travel with or do people bring their main one with them on trips? Also, do you bring distilled water with you or use it without water?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2Px3Pi-OGo
But I purchased a Dreamstation Go mini, for like $800 out of pocket. Not only does have a smaller footprint than the base station, but it provides redundancy in case one or the other doesn't work.
You can also buy HMEs off Amazon which will remoisturize the air so that you don't have to use a water chamber and heater.
Again, that YouTube channel I posted above explains it all.
03-04-2022, 07:59 AM
#20
Banned
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 96
Originally Posted by rickair7777
So I hear. It's a real gravy train with the VA, but I wouldn't pursue that if you don't really need to... the airline train has more gravy than the VA.
Reviving this old threat because I would be interested to hear the groups predictions about how this plays out after the public comments period. This to me is a veiled budget cut. VA previously compensated because OSA can lead to real health problems if not treated, and, unfortunately, most successful treatment requires a CPAP.
https://www.legion.org/veteransbenef...her-conditions
“Some veterans suffering from sleep apnea would not receive any compensation under the proposed rules. If a veteran has sleep apnea but is fully treated by a CPAP machine, they would get a rating of 0%. CPAP machines are worn over the nose and mouth while sleeping and deliver a continuous stream of pressurized air.”
https://www.military.com/daily-news/...onditions.html
“As for sleep apnea, ratings will be assessed based on the effectiveness of treatment and the condition's impact on "earning impairment," according to the notice.”
https://www.stripes.com/veterans/202...h-5045624.html
“Veterans with other conditions would receive lower disability ratings under the proposal. Some veterans suffering from sleep apnea would not receive any compensation under the proposed rules. If a veteran has sleep apnea but is fully treated by a CPAP machine, they would get a rating of 0%. CPAP machines are worn over the nose and mouth while sleeping and deliver a continuous stream of pressurized air.”
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