Recently Diagnosed with OSA and have some questions

[Crashnburn]

I've had my ResMed 10, with a Nasal Pillow for about a month, and already I'm getting tired of feeling like an astronaut because I have a hose connected to the mask connector on the top of my head all night long.

From other posters, when I go for my 3rd class I'll need 1 year of data (I have an expired 3rd Class from 2007, so I should be able to get a BasicMed, instead. Either way, I'll need to get an SI to get a current medical.

My understanding is that 75% of potential sleep times must show >= 6 hours to qualify for an SI. I know the medical community only recommends 4 hours, but I think the FAA would like all of us pilots to get at least 6 hours, and the CPAP machines will make sure some of us do.

I usually get almost 6 hours, now. Last week, I only got 4, plus 2 non-CPAP hours, and man that made a huge negative difference in my day. Made a believer out of me.

My CPAP has the capability for an SD card. ResMed sells a 4 GB for $15. It's passed the medical devices tests. Considering the CPAP has a low voltage supply, the card plugs into the unit, and there's a hose between the mask and the unit, I don't see any issue of using a non ResMed supplied SD card. What do you think?

According to ResMed, a 1 GB SD card will hold a year of usage data, and 30 days of detailed usage. Extrapolating, a 4GB card should do 4 years usage, and 120 days detailed usage, and if it will work, a 16 GB card would hold more than a year of detailed usage. Has anyone tried a 16 GB card in a ResMed 10. I know they're cheap, and at worst, it will still give me 4 GB of storage. Has any one tried an 8 or 16 GB SD in their ResMed 10?

I tried a SoClean machine, but it died after about 2 weeks of use. I wasn't thrilled about residual ozone, anyway. Its going back for a refund, and I'll just do a weekly manual cleaning. I've seen some studies that say that there is no increased incidence of respiratory infection due to uncleaned CPCP machines. Does any one have any anecdotal stories to share?

Thanks

 

[AggieMike88]

A regular SD card should work.

If it doesn't support a full year of data, do what I do... first day of every quarter I make a sleepyhead report for the past time period and bring in 4 reports for the year.

My card will keep a year, but the method described above is a preventative measure in case the card goes tango uniform

 

[lbfjrmd]

As far as respiratory infections ... your impression is correct. Clean as per factory instructions.

 

[LoneAspen]

I have a ResMed S9 that I got back in 2014. It still has the official ResMed SD card in it, and as a previous poster suggested, I do periodic dumps of data to my laptop in case the SD card ever flakes out.

I've not had any problems with the card, but a few days ago the power went out, and the machine had a message on it, something about bad data detected and it wanted to overwrite the card. I took the card out and immediately copied all the files to my laptop, put the card back in and let it overwrite. It then proceeded to reformat the card, so it was a good thing I copied the files off first.

I don't see what difference the SD manufacturer could possibly make in these machines, but for $15, I'd probably still buy ResMed's "official" card just in case. It's a small price to pay considering I do rely on it to store data that's important for my medical process.

Regarding cleaning - I'm really bad about it. In fact, I don't think I've ever bothered to really clean mine. I just replace the consumables every month or so (sometimes longer if I get really lazy or forget). I've never had an issue with infections or anything like that. I even stopped buying distilled water for the humidifier and just use filtered water out of the fridge and it works just fine. The tank doesn't get crusty or anything.

Seeing how it's over four years old, however, I have thought about getting a new unit just in case it goes out. My OSA was severe enough when I was originally diagnosed (about 90 AHI) that I doubt I could fall asleep without it.

 

[sleepless_in_az]

I was diagnosed with OSA and started on a CPAP just over a year ago (S10 + nasal pillows, just like Crashnburn). I took me a while to get used to it, but for the past ~4 months I've advanced to having >75% of the nights with >6 hrs of usage.

I've recently been wondering about a point that Crashnburn also brought up: is the full year requirement absolute for someone that is getting established with a CPAP machine or could the FAA be convinced that the treatment requirements are satisfied if there has been a trend of increasing usage followed by several months of consistent usage? In my case, I'm at 87% of nights with >6 hrs for the past 3 months. For me this would also be my first medical. Could I be successful in applying for a medical now, or do I need to wait until I have a full year of 75% >6 hrs?

 

[Fearless Tower]

I was diagnosed with OSA and started on a CPAP just over a year ago (S10 + nasal pillows, just like Crashnburn). I took me a while to get used to it, but for the past ~4 months I've advanced to having >75% of the nights with >6 hrs of usage.

I've recently been wondering about a point that Crashnburn also brought up: is the full year requirement absolute for someone that is getting established with a CPAP machine or could the FAA be convinced that the treatment requirements are satisfied if there has been a trend of increasing usage followed by several months of consistent usage? In my case, I'm at 87% of nights with >6 hrs for the past 3 months. For me this would also be my first medical. Could I be successful in applying for a medical now, or do I need to wait until I have a full year of 75% >6 hrs?

Good question. Hopefully Doc Bruce or one of the other AME's can clarify.

I know that if you already HAVE a valid medical and get diagnosed with OSA, you do NOT need a full year for the 1st time special issuance. Once you have been on long enough to establish that the treatment is working, you can apply for the medical/SI. I think Doc Bruce said they recommend at least 90 days of compliance. I just renewed my 2nd class with a new OSA diagnosis and only had 6 months of treatment.

 

[lbfjrmd]

ask your AME to convey in deferred transmittal 'expedience required' for job, education etc... and go for it

 

[06Vanden Plas]

Interesting topic. I got my CPAP in 8/2013, but in February, when I decided to get back into flying after nearly 30 years, I found I had failed to reseat the data card after taking off the cell phone device that was sending data to the provider in 2013. I got guidance I needed a year, but was told maybe 6 months would do it. I just had 180 days of data downloaded and printed out at the office of one of my doctors. As a hedge, I took photos of all the usage data that display on the machine when you burrow down into its data functions. I’m presenting that along with letters saying I’m fit to fly from a host of doctors to an AME in about a month and keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[azure]

Interesting topic. I got my CPAP in 8/2013, but in February, when I decided to get back into flying after nearly 30 years, I found I had failed to reseat the data card after taking off the cell phone device that was sending data to the provider in 2013. I got guidance I needed a year, but was told maybe 6 months would do it. I just had 180 days of data downloaded and printed out at the office of one of my doctors. As a hedge, I took photos of all the usage data that display on the machine when you burrow down into its data functions. I’m presenting that along with letters saying I’m fit to fly from a host of doctors to an AME in about a month and keeping my fingers crossed.

Hopefully that AME appointment will be for a consult and not an actual flight physical! (That is, until the AME says all of your paperwork and data are satisfactory and he is able to issue you or is 100% certain you will be issued.)

 

[06Vanden Plas]

Hopefully that AME appointment will be for a consult and not an actual flight physical! (That is, until the AME says all of your paperwork and data are satisfactory and he is able to issue you or is 100% certain you will be issued.)

The CPAP is the least of my worries. I’m 11+ years sober (no DUIs or other things), had now-repaired atrial fibrillation, take allergy shots, and have been seeing a pulmonary guy for minor issues. I will have letters from three specialists and two other doctors saying I’m fit.

Yes, I believe I’ll just book a consult first to get the lay of the land.

(I hit reply to the note that arrived in my email. If this duplicates it, my apologies.)

 

[sleepless_in_az]

Fearless Tower, lbfjrmd, et al. - Thanks for the replies. I'm also scheduling a consultation first to get the AME's guidance on a slew of other potential issues. In my original post, I wanted to make sure it wasn't premature to do even that.

 

[AggieMike88]

For the two of you.... https://tinyurl.com/ame-consult

 

[bbchien]

For the two of you.... https://tinyurl.com/ame-consult

The AME can issue this, first time in the office. But I don't unless the airman has the "standard": 75% of nights showing >6 hours' use. FAA counts the bars and measures the height of the bars on the graph. "count 'me".

Also need "well treated letter" from the sleep doc- this requires that you see the doc - and the sleep affidavit ("that tracing is me!", sign here).

 

[sleepless_in_AZ]

The AME can issue this, first time in the office. But I don't unless the airman has the "standard": 75% of nights showing >6 hours' use. FAA counts the bars and measures the height of the bars on the graph. "count 'me".

Also need "well treated letter" from the sleep doc- this requires that you see the doc - and the sleep affidavit ("that tracing is me!", sign here).

Dr. Chien - In practice, is there a particular duration of time for which you need to see 75% of nights showing >6 hours' use for an airman that has recently begun CPAP therapy (and thus doesn't have a full year satisfying that standard yet)?

And thank you for your many replies on these topics -- they provide very helpful insight for a prospective applicant/forum lurker.