Which machines do you recommend?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
powernose
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:37 pm

Which machines do you recommend?

Post by powernose » Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:39 pm

I have my first appointment next week.

What should I look for?

Thank you.

User avatar
Gasper62
Posts: 982
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:22 pm
Location: Central Maryland

Re: Which machines do you recommend?

Post by Gasper62 » Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:59 pm

I chose a ResMed S9 Autoset for my replacement machine back in April, I've been very happy with it so far.

User avatar
Wulfman...
Posts: 6688
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
Location: Nearest fishing spot

Re: Which machines do you recommend?

Post by Wulfman... » Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:07 pm

powernose wrote:I have my first appointment next week.

What should I look for?

Thank you.
Depends on what they found in your sleep study.
Wouldn't be logical to direct you towards specific CPAPs/APAPs if you need Bi-level therapy or ASV technology.
You definitely want data-capability.
Start doing your homework and forum searches (Search line above).


Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

Hose_Head
Posts: 804
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:43 pm
Location: Ontario Canada

Re: Which machines do you recommend?

Post by Hose_Head » Tue Nov 24, 2015 11:12 am

Wulfman... wrote:
powernose wrote:I have my first appointment next week.

What should I look for?

Thank you.
Depends on what they found in your sleep study.
Wouldn't be logical to direct you towards specific CPAPs/APAPs if you need Bi-level therapy or ASV technology.
You definitely want data-capability.
Start doing your homework and forum searches (Search line above).


Den

.
Hi Powernose:

Den's advice is absolutely correct. But a clarification is in order to keep you on the right track.
When Den writes "data-capability", it's essential to note that this does NOT mean only "compliance data" (i.e. hours-of-use-data only). DMEs (the people who sell the equipment) will try to tell you that a compliance-data-only machine is fully data capable. Around these parts, people refer to compliance-data-only machines as "bricks".

Here, "data capability" refers to full treatment efficacy data (in addition to the compliance data). This means that you get data such as your AHI, leak rate, and minimum, maxium and average pressures during use. Some of this data may be displayed on the machine's lcd panel and for many machines you can download the data into free "Sleepyhead" software for additional analysis.

Full data capability is essential if you plan to monitor your therapy to ensure that you are getting the most out of it. It will help you to trouble shoot any problems that you have with the therapy too. With a brick machine, the only way to do any of this is to go back to the lab for another full sleep study, something many sleep labs and sleep doctors are all too happy to require because they make money off it.

DMEs also resist selling you anything more than a brick because insurance pays them the same amount, no matter what machine you get. Too many won't act in YOUR best interest because their highest profits are made by selling you a brick.

Probably the first minefield for newbies to cross is the selection of a proper, fully data capable machine as opposed to a brick. This is followed by what is probably the second minefield which in my mind is the selection of a properly fitting mask, and a third minefield which is the use of and adjustment to the therapy. Once across all three, things are much easier.

You've asked an excellent question which when combined with some research on your part and insistence on getting the equipment you need (as opposed to what the DME might want to sell you) is a huge help to get you started on your therapy. Too many fail with the therapy for little reason other than the fact that they failed to ask the right questions (in the right forum) and appropriately act on the advice given.

Good luck!
I'm workin' on it.

User avatar
poppi2
Posts: 590
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 2:54 pm
Location: Houston, near JSC

Re: Which machines do you recommend?

Post by poppi2 » Tue Nov 24, 2015 8:50 pm

Hose_Head wrote:...
+1 Great advice!

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PAPCap, 3M Microfoam Surgical Tape, PoliGrip Strip, APAP 12.0 - 14.0 cm

yaconsult
Posts: 1099
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 10:43 pm
Location: "Silicon Valley", CA

Re: Which machines do you recommend?

Post by yaconsult » Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:02 pm

Required reading BEFORE getting a machine: https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what- ... me-part-i/

Check with us when you find out which machine they want to give you but before you pick it up. It would be a shame if you got stuck with a low end machine when the insurance pays the same amount no matter which one you get.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: January 2015 Sleep Study Results: Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI): 80.2, Sleepyhead