I've noticed that several enterprising individuals have taken it upon themselves to sell the Provider Manauls that come with CPAP and Bipap machines. This is different from the User Manuals that ARE given to the patient. The Provider Manuals give information about how to access the Clinical Menu and change pressure settings and other parameters.

These manufacturer states that the Provider's Manual is NOT to be given to patients. This is because some people may attempt to change their settings away from the setting that was determined at a titration study at a sleep lab. The reasons are varied. Perhaps some people want to lower the pressure to make it more comfortable, others may want to raise it. I think that it is fair to inform people that lowering or raising the pressure on your own can have detrimental effects to your health. If you lower it too much, you're not providing enough pressure to fix apneic episodes. If you raise it too high, you run a risk of having pressure-induced central apneas PLUS having an adverse effect on intrathoracic pressure and venous blood return. It's not that the information is a secret protected by an esoteric society, it's that willfully providing this info can easily be made a legal issue as far as liability of the DME for example.

I feel that people have the free will to do whatever they please, but I feel an obligation to educate so that their choices can be informed decisions and what risks CAN be associated. I am a Respiratory Therapist who specializes in Sleep Medicine and PAP applications so hopefully you can feel confident about what I'm saying.

However, the main things that really aggravate me about the Provider Manual sellers is that they play off of peoples' fear and ignorance. They try to convince you that you can save $$$ by making changes yourself with the help of their manual. Let me state once and for all that, DMEs DO NOT CHARGE FOR THIS SERVICE. Changing settings on a CPAP or BIPAP machine is part of being the customer of their machine. Service like this is included. There isn't even a billable code to submit to insurance for this service!?! IF your DME tries to charge you for this service, simply inform them that they are being unethical, immoral, and that if they don't follow the order and adjust the setting, then you will promptly inform your Doctor about their non-compliance. The simple fear of losing a referral source should change their mind quickly.

If you are looking for an answer to your CPAP woes, please let me say that adjusting your pressure setting probably isn't the best way to start about it. I will be soon completing an ebook which I feel will be of tremendous value to CPAP users and people with other forms of sleep apnea. Written from my perspective as an RT, I hope to clear up several myths (like the one above) and point out other little ways that people like to prey on the uniformed.

I hope you have found something of value in my guide. If you have, please vote!

Thank you!