CPAP no RX

Hello all,

I need some help. I have apnea but won't be able to see a doctor. It is getting quite bad. I am almost afraid to fall asleep because my breathing is stopping at a terrible rate.

I want a CPAP but have no idea what to get. Based on my review of the forum I know I need an automatic one. I also see you can buy all you need from http://www.secondwindcpap.com/Used_CPAP.html without an RX. However, I just do not know what I should purchase.

Could somebody please "hold my hand" through this and post links of what I should buy. Even some sleeping positions while I wait for the machine would be appreciated. I have been sleeping sitting upright on the couch because it seems to help the most.

Thank you so much.

With out a sleep test it is difficult to suggest what you need.

I have several used machine auto's and bipap's
this is the newest resmed auto :

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5335914739.html

Paypal and will ship

Target these models.

In the Phillips Respironics model line....the PR System One Auto CPAP model #560.
In the ResMed model line....either the slightly older S9 AutoSet or the latest AirSense 10 AutoSet.
Get a humidifier too...heated hoses are optional but unless you live in a warm climate year round...get the heated hose to start with. It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

See if that helps you zero in on what to by.

Which one of the 2 brands? They are both very good but without knowing pressure needs and all that...I would suggest looking at the ResMed machines because I think that exhale relief at higher pressures is maybe just a little "better" with the ResMed machines.
If money is extremely tight though...the Respironics mode 560 is going to get the job done quite nicely and the exhale relief it offers is still pretty sweet.
Respironcs machines are a little less costly than ResMed but they are still quality machines.

You will need a mask.
Those are separate purchase and also require a RX but there are ways of getting around that little hurdle depending on what mask you want.

Before i got a sleep study, i was fairly confident i needed a cpap. Bought a used one, bought a new mask and figured ouot the pressure with some trial and error. ended up 1 psi off what the doc prescribed. So you can do it, just go slow

Voltair asked : What else do I need to get started.

just a mask and a gallon of distilled water.

and some advice on how to set the machine and what pressure to start with .. and there are many people here that can help you.

cant_sleep_in_nj wrote:figured ouot the pressure with some trial and error. ended up 1 psi off what the doc prescribed.

Whose titration pressure was better? Probably yours.

Note: It's cm H2O, not PSI.

voltaire325 wrote: Even some sleeping positions while I wait for the machine would be appreciated. I have been sleeping sitting upright on the couch because it seems to help the most.

If you can sit fairly straight up and sleep, that's probably the best.

In any case, don't sleep on your back - that's usually where obstructive apnea is worse due to gravity pulling your tongue and soft palate directly into the airway. Sleep on your sides or stomach.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

cant_sleep_in_nj wrote:figured ouot the pressure with some trial and error. ended up 1 psi off what the doc prescribed.

Whose titration pressure was better? Probably yours.

Note: It's cm H2O, not PSI.

actually, youre right, i ended up going to the pressure i figured out eventually.

1 PSI = 70.307 centimeters of water, just a little difference.