seeking APAP equipment advice for self pay newbie

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
sillymom13
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Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:18 am
Location: Tampa Bay area Florida

seeking APAP equipment advice for self pay newbie

Post by sillymom13 » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:43 am

Hi I am a self-pay newbie. I'm not self pay by choice, I can't afford insurance. Anyway I am trying to creatively piece this all together without the help of insurance.

I used Blackstone to do a home study sleep test. I was worried that they might not capture it, but my test results showed severe sleep apnea. So now on to shopping out equipment. I need to find an APAP machine. The standard suggested is the Resmed S9 auto or Resprionics. It's fairly expensive, but more important to me is that I've read some people have not been happy with this unit. I am just beginning my research.

I see items like IntelliPAP AutoAdjust by DeVilbiss and ICON Auto CPAP by Fisher & Paykel that seem to include more and have a much lower price range (around $500). I'm also looking on Craigslist as an less expensive option. Do you have any other suggestion similar to help keep expenses low.

I understand that face mask is also very important to the success of treatment. As I've paid more attention to my sleep lately I realize that I am frequently breathing out of my mouth. I've been told this will likely mean that a full face mask or hybrid mask would be my best choice.

What advice can you offer a newbie who is trying to piece it all together?

I'm very excited an hopeful about feeling better soon. I see that some people have a very profound change while others are very subtle. I'm trig to keep my hopes within reason so that I don't feel disappointed if I don't feel a big change.

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gdgiles
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Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:18 am
Location: Columbus, GA
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Re: seeking APAP equipment advice for self pay newbie

Post by gdgiles » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:56 am

I was in the exact same condition. You can see in my equipment list I have the DeVibiss unit and a nose pillow. I was also a mouth breather but have managed to keep my mouth closed without a chin strap. My total bill was about $600 and I used PayPal's bill me later option which gives me payments of $100 a month for 6 months no interest. I did not purchase from the sponsor of this forum; I didn't find this forum until after I purchased.

_________________
Mask: Aloha Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: I don't have the travel model; my machine isn't on the list, but it's an IntelliPAP Auto/Adjust with SmartFlex
In a world full of locks, love is the key. God is love.

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Julie
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Re: seeking APAP equipment advice for self pay newbie

Post by Julie » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:58 am

Hi, will tell you about my stuff (see below in blue). Machine is a bit smaller and lighter than others (S9 Auto/PR S1) so marketed for 'travel', but I've used it 4 yrs every night and it's great. I didn't buy the module and software because my stats are so similar most of the time, so I just get the 'code' from the screen in the a.m, enter it on Cpap.com or DeVilbiss site (mask pg) and get what I need -

Last 90 Days Last 30 Days Last 7 Days Last Day
% Days at least 5 hours
Day Count
Days at least 5 hours
95th Percentile Pressure
90th Percentile Pressure
AHI
Pressure Plateau Time
Leak Time
NRI
EPI
SmartCode
While Breathing Hours Last Day

and have had no reason to look for more. The module would give me graphs etc., tho' may not have ALL the same info available that the other machines do, but if I wanted to titrate I'm sure I could (I do use it in auto) and it was so much cheaper than the others!

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LSAT
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Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: seeking APAP equipment advice for self pay newbie

Post by LSAT » Sat Sep 20, 2014 11:02 am

You could look at secondwind.com...they have slightly used and open box new machines that they sell with warranty. They are a very good vendor. Lots of people on this board have used them.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

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bwexler
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Location: San Marcos, Ca. USA

Re: seeking APAP equipment advice for self pay newbie

Post by bwexler » Sat Sep 20, 2014 11:25 am

First you definitely want to start out with an S9 Autoset or a PRS1 560 Auto. No machine will satisfy everyone. Some folks need more advanced/expensive BiLevel or ASV machines. Some folks never find a mask that works for them. My brother in law never took his first machine out of the trunk of his car, so it didn't work for him. Unless and until you try you can't succeed.
There are sources for slightly used equipment. You could try secondwind.
If you could find a used Resmed AirSense 10 for Her that would be ideal, but they have only been available for a month.

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Mask: SleepWeaver 3D Soft Cloth Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: AurCurve 10 ASV Also using Sleaplyhead 1.1, ResScan 6 and CMS50i

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gdgiles
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Re: seeking APAP equipment advice for self pay newbie

Post by gdgiles » Sat Sep 20, 2014 11:44 am

That's where I bought, 2nd wind, but mine was new.

_________________
Mask: Aloha Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: I don't have the travel model; my machine isn't on the list, but it's an IntelliPAP Auto/Adjust with SmartFlex
In a world full of locks, love is the key. God is love.

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Re: seeking APAP equipment advice for self pay newbie

Post by Guest » Sat Sep 20, 2014 12:21 pm

Many good deals can be found right on this forum. Learn what the make/model machines cost new but don't pay full price whether on Craigslist or on this forum. Buy a machine that will record data which will help you dial in your therapy. I would get a machine that works with Sleepyhead and has graphs that will also help dial in.