Need some User Reviews!

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Peekloo
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:45 am

Need some User Reviews!

Post by Peekloo » Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:58 am

Hi There,

My name is Luke and I have been a happy CPAP user for about 5 months. I am just exploring this world and have been somewhat dismayed that there are not easily accessibly Amazon reviews for me to read on different products and accessories. I rely on community feedback pretty heavily for this type of thing. I just found this forum and have been reading through posts, but I had some questions. I would greatly appreciate some responses, even if you just link a useful thread, where I can read for myself. Here are my big needs:

1) Portable CPAP machine, without humidification. Ideally, there is a solar re-charge attachment and ideally it's fairly low profile and quiet. I go camping (well I used to) and I'd like to be able to sleep deeply through the night without getting incredibly drunk.

2) Pillow that is easy to sleep on. I am a side sleeper and I use a nasal mask. When I lie on my side, the pillow pushes the mask and thin jets of air hit my eyelids. I just ordered this after seeing some recommendations. Is this the right buy? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NER ... PEPYL3O576

3) Recommendations on a better nasal mask and head strap. I have the default stuff that Kaiser gave me and I'd like to see if there are any brands that people here are passionate about. My head strap feels stretched out after 5 months and the fit is not that great.

4) Recommendations on tubing. Is this really a big deal? Is all tubing pretty much created equal?

5) Recommendations for a small CPAP machine, without humidification. Mine works fine, but if there are some great machines out there that people love, I would love to read reviews!

Thanks for your feedback! Like I said, I am used to reading lots of product reviews before I buy something and I am struggling to find any.

Thanks!

Luke

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Sharrykb
Posts: 156
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2014 11:50 am
Location: Roseburg Oregon

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by Sharrykb » Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:07 am

2) YES!!! That is the BEST pillow ever!!! It may take you a few nights to adjust if you are used to a soft pillow but once you adjust to the firmness, it is a great pillow. No more pillow pushing mask out of place.

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Pugsy
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by Pugsy » Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:16 am

Peekloo wrote:2) Pillow that is easy to sleep on. I am a side sleeper and I use a nasal mask. When I lie on my side, the pillow pushes the mask and thin jets of air hit my eyelids. I just ordered this after seeing some recommendations. Is this the right buy? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NER ... PEPYL3O576
I use this pillow and love it. I actually have been using a buckwheat pillow for over 5 years. I originally got the pillow that was the forerunner to this pillow from Pur-Sleep and updated it to this current pillow earlier this year. I primarily sleep on my side or my stomach. Also it is great support for my old arthritic neck.
Peekloo wrote:3) Recommendations on a better nasal mask and head strap. I have the default stuff that Kaiser gave me and I'd like to see if there are any brands that people here are passionate about. My head strap feels stretched out after 5 months and the fit is not that great.

4) Recommendations on tubing. Is this really a big deal? Is all tubing pretty much created equal?
What mask are you using now? There are nasal cushion masks and there are nasal pillow masks. See the link in my profile for the nasal pillow mask I use. It's pretty much as near to wearing nothing as I have found and I have tried numerous nasal pillow masks.
If you like a nasal cushion mask...the ResMed Swift FX Nano is one that I had good success with and if I were to have to use a nasal cushion mask that would be my choice.

Mask preferences are highly individual though...one man's treasure is another man's trash and masks are simply something you are going to have to sort out yourself. What I love you might hate or what I might hate you might just love.

It would help if you would add your equipment to your profile like I have mine.

Tubing...no they are not all created equal and I don't know what you are using to be able to offer ideas.
There's the cheap generic gray standard hoses and there's lightweight more flexible performance hoses and there are heated hoses.

Can't help in regards to ideas for a lightweight portable machine that can be used without a humidifier because I simply can't go without the humidifier cranking out moisture. My nasal mucosa would give me serious problems if I did that.
When I go camping I have electricity available...but if I didn't I would use some sort of battery system that would allow me to use both the machine and the humidifier and likely a Respironics machine because it will run off 12 volt where the ResMed needs some sort of converter and some sort of batter set up.

There's a recent thread about one of those "travel/lightweight" machines.
viewtopic/t102676/HDM-announces-new-Z1-machine.html

Finally if you want reviews...go to cpap.com and check the various product pages as they all have user reviews available.
cpap.com are the sponsors of this forum.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

Sleeprider
Posts: 1562
Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 5:57 pm
Location: Murrysville, PA

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by Sleeprider » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:04 pm

Hey Luke! Amazon is not going to be much help to you with regard to CPAP equipment or reviews. Most online sellers of the equipment do have extensive reviews, and I have to conclude you're looking in the wrong place. There is a wealth of information on this forum, and on the equipment sales site, CPAP.com.

I think when selecting equipment, it's good to have prioritized the features you want. So far, it sounds like you want a basic CPAP machine without humidifier, the smaller or lighter the better, and battery powered is a big plus. I think someone looking for such a machine would actually be better off with a more full-featured home machine, and a travel/camping machine, but I guess you can cross that bridge if you come to it.

Take a look at this and see if it meets your needs: Transcend II Travel CPAP https://www.cp ... etics.html It has a number of positive reviews, and a solar charger for the available battery packs. I will say, there is a widely advertized Z1 CPAP, but I have anecdotally heard a lot of complaints about that one.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead software. Just changed from PRS1 BiPAP Auto DS760TS

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Krelvin
Posts: 1977
Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:23 pm
Location: Metro Phx Area - Dry Heat!

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by Krelvin » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:06 pm

Use the same pillow with great success.

As mentioned above, you can get good reviews if you look at cpap.com for the various products they offer. Obviously you can then purchase where ever you want for the same thing.

Masks are somewhat of a personal thing... just because someone likes it doesn't mean you will. A lot depends on the shape of your face, how you sleep, pressures etc..
Current Settings PS 4.0 over 10.6-18.0 (cmH2O) - Resmed S9 VPAP Auto w/h5i Humidifier - Quattro Air FFM
TNET Sleep Resource Pages - CPAP Machine Database
Put your equip in your Signature - SleepyHead v1.0.0-beta-1
Kevin... alias Krelvin

Cokomo
Posts: 104
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:39 pm
Location: MA
Contact:

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by Cokomo » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:58 pm

Last edited by Cokomo on Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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TangledHose
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Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 11:13 am
Location: Centennial, CO

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by TangledHose » Wed Dec 17, 2014 1:41 pm

Luke,

If you are seriously considering a small travel cpap for your camping I am going to recommend that you stay away from the Z1 machine and consider the Transcend machine instead. I go on extended motorcycle tours and actually own both machines. The Transcend is a little odd in shape (like a little armadillo) but it is a much better breathing experience and still very, very small and light. Transcend has several models available including an Auto Pap machine, they work very well and are only marginally louder than a full sized machine. These really small machine's fans or impellers have to spin at a higher rate to produce adequate pressure and this will cause some air turbulence in the hose that will translate into higher perceived noise at the mask, the Transcend's noise is not bad, but the Z1 is absolutely terrible! The Z1 uses an adjustable exhalation relief system (three modes available) that is not conducive to relaxed breathing, it's almost like the response is delayed and the user can't get the machine to catch up, resulting in a very poor breathing experience. The Transcend does not suffer from this problem.

I'd say the only draw back to the Transcend is that you have to connect it to a computer to configure you pressure settings, ramp time, ect..........I wish it had buttons to adjust settings on the machine, but once you get it configured to you liking you're all set to go camping. Of course you'll have to get a battery set up which they have available........you can check out both these machines at cpap.com..........use some discretion when reading user reviews, some of the reviews seem like they are written before the responders ever really use the machines so they aren't all that knowledgable on the product they are reviewing.......go figure

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Simplus Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Also own F&P Icon Auto for backup and travel; and a Transcend when packing space is limited
Link to Sleepyhead:
http://sleepfiles.com/SH2/

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TangledHose
Posts: 862
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 11:13 am
Location: Centennial, CO

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by TangledHose » Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:11 pm

Luke,


Having said all that in my previous post, should you get anamoured with the little Z1 but the price puts you off, I'd be more than happy to sell you my Z1 unit, I already have the battery and power shell so it's all ready to go camping with and it only has about 3 or 4 hours of use on it so it's basically bran new!

I'll make you a heck of a deal!

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Simplus Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Also own F&P Icon Auto for backup and travel; and a Transcend when packing space is limited
Link to Sleepyhead:
http://sleepfiles.com/SH2/

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archangle
Posts: 9294
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:55 am

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by archangle » Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:23 pm

Peekloo wrote:Hi There,

1) Portable CPAP machine, without humidification. Ideally, there is a solar re-charge attachment and ideally it's fairly low profile and quiet. I go camping (well I used to) and I'd like to be able to sleep deeply through the night without getting incredibly drunk.
To provide enough power to run your CPAP, you need fairly large solar panels and you need to set them up and leave them in a sunny spot for the whole day. Be careful about your calculations. Even in a good spot, you only get 4 or 5 equivalent hours of charge time, and that's in a spot with no trees blocking the sun, no clouds, set up at the correct angle pointed to the south, etc.

It also doesn't work if you are hiking from one spot to another during the day. This is not something where you put a little solar panel on your backpack and catch a little charge as you walk around through the woods.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus
Please enter your equipment in your profile so we can help you.
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CMM
Posts: 24
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 4:30 pm
Location: Chicago

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by CMM » Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:25 am

I have that pillow as well. I absolutely LOVE it. It made a big difference for me because my mask kept shifting around all night. CPAP.COM also carries this pillow.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pur-sl ... illow.html

Good luck.

_________________
Mask: Wisp Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear - Fit Pack
Additional Comments: masks: Simplus, Lady Zest-Q, Wisp, Airfit F10
Cathy

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49er
Posts: 5624
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:18 am

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by 49er » Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:38 am

Luke,

I really like the cloth nasal mask that is listed in my equipment profile. I always wonder if I had started off with this mask instead of going through months of what I refer to as full face mask hell, if I would have gotten off to a better start with pap therapy and not had the numerous difficulties I have had. Anyway, it is because of this mask, that I haven't yet quit pap therapy in spite of my many struggles.
Peekloo wrote:Hi There,

My name is Luke and I have been a happy CPAP user for about 5 months. I am just exploring this world and have been somewhat dismayed that there are not easily accessibly Amazon reviews for me to read on different products and accessories. I rely on community feedback pretty heavily for this type of thing. I just found this forum and have been reading through posts, but I had some questions. I would greatly appreciate some responses, even if you just link a useful thread, where I can read for myself. Here are my big needs:

1) Portable CPAP machine, without humidification. Ideally, there is a solar re-charge attachment and ideally it's fairly low profile and quiet. I go camping (well I used to) and I'd like to be able to sleep deeply through the night without getting incredibly drunk.

2) Pillow that is easy to sleep on. I am a side sleeper and I use a nasal mask. When I lie on my side, the pillow pushes the mask and thin jets of air hit my eyelids. I just ordered this after seeing some recommendations. Is this the right buy? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NER ... PEPYL3O576

3) Recommendations on a better nasal mask and head strap. I have the default stuff that Kaiser gave me and I'd like to see if there are any brands that people here are passionate about. My head strap feels stretched out after 5 months and the fit is not that great.

4) Recommendations on tubing. Is this really a big deal? Is all tubing pretty much created equal?

5) Recommendations for a small CPAP machine, without humidification. Mine works fine, but if there are some great machines out there that people love, I would love to read reviews!

Thanks for your feedback! Like I said, I am used to reading lots of product reviews before I buy something and I am struggling to find any.

Thanks!

Luke

rogerkoger1
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:27 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Need some User Reviews!

Post by rogerkoger1 » Sun Dec 21, 2014 5:09 pm

With regards to a mask selection...... I apparently have a difficult face to fit. I have tried full face, nasal masks and nasal pillows. Twelve different ones to be exact. The P10 is the only one that has provided me with continued success.

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