Joining the OSA/CPAP Family

Hello All,

I don't have many details yet. I do know I stopped breathing 202 times and my 02 dropped below 80 the first night of testing. Sleep tech I was successful on the CPAP after titration. I've been in touch with the DME and I'm going in on Monday to meet with them.

She told me they typically sell the System One device but whatever machine I want they'll sell it to me. She did say the device they sell will have a wireless modem to report compliance to them and in-turn to my insurance co. I didn't get the exact model of system one they are offering yet. She mentioned something that there's a new model that's available called a DreamStation. But I cannot find anything called that.

Thank you all for all the info on this site. The whole experience is a bit overwhelming. But I'm slowly learning and parsing through everything.

Thanks!

If you can, get a DATA CAPABLE machine. I haven't been on the market for a machine for a while, so I don't know the exact model names that are data capable, but others on here can inform you or you could do some research on CPAP.com, which is a great company with an exhaustive inventory and also happens to host this forum. CPAP.com is my go-to for make/model research for machines and masks. They have a cool tool which allows you to compare machines side by side.

Now I'll throw in my unsolicited advice for those new to the CPAP world... You have to be comfortable to sleep. Your comfort is a top priority. Don't let anyone off the hook when you are trying to get mask/machine/hose as comfortable as possible. It is the job of the DME (durable medical equipment provider) to fit you for a mask and that includes fitting for comfort. Like a lot of people out there, I was hesitant to speak up about being comfortable because it seemed wimpy or frivolous or pushy or whatever. But comfort is tantamount.

I wish you good luck in all your CPAP endeavors! Don't hesitate to come back here for support and help.

If you can, get a DATA CAPABLE machine.

No "if you can" to it.

Do get a data-capable machine!

Please read my blog below, especially "What you need to know BEFORE your meet your DME.

With an AHI of 202 (you win--highest I've ever heard of!!!) You should settle for nothing less than the latest fully EFFICACY data capable APAP. Someone (hopefully) will come along to tell you what the model number is. I think it's 560, but not positive.

Find out what the model number is an INSIST on checking for the model number on the unit. Don't waste your breath asking for "data capable" for a few reasons:
1. DME's claim ALL machines are "data capable" and they are right, but for some, the only data the machines are capable of reporting is compliance. You MUST have efficacy data to make sure your serious and severe apnea is being adequately treated.
2. DME's think WE don't need access to our own data, so they don't think that we need EFFICACY data. They are wrong. Even if we choose not to access our own data, we hope our doctors will look at it to determine the efficacy of our treatment and help us optimize it.
3. DME's make more money on lesser capable machines, so they have a built in conflict of interest with us from the start.

I never heard of a Dream Station and I would be wary of it. My guess is it's yet another device they can charge for--another way to charge you for sending your own data to the DME and then to the insurance company. But I could be wrong.

Welcome to forum... You found a good place. Work all your therapy issues out here. Lots of knowledge here.

Take 15 minutes and review this youtube video it will help you understand what is going on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gie2dhqP2c

This video put the whole thing in perspective for me.

It should be required viewing for any one who is new.


I wish you well...

Thank you for all the kind words and the advice.
Bill>> that was a great video. I've actually already sent it to my wife and a co-worker whom I travel with often.

Figured they are both going to bust my balls, but they do understand the gravity of the situation.. And this just hits it home.

Thanks!

I could not find the Dream Station either--ANYWHERE. I would avoid an unknown machine.
You need, I repeat NEED, full data, --especially LEAK data. I would avoid an unknown, especially this oddball machine,
which could be made in China for all I know, and made of melamine and lead. Yep.

I'm going today to meet with the DME. I know they primarily sell the PR System One. Based on what I've read on here. If I'm getting a System One CPAP device and obviously one that has full data, I should make sure I should end up with the REMStar 60 Series Pro right?

Get at least a 460 Pro model which is a straight CPAP. It can give you the data you need.
But I would try for the 560 APAP which can be set for Straight CPAP pressures or auto pressures.
Generally you will have this machine for 5 years before insurance will allow replacement and the APAP would allow more flexibility with your settings.

So I ended up with the 560 Pro. Last night was mostly successful. I didn't have any panic attacks or anything... so that's a bonus. Woke up a couple times and had to scratch my nose, and also a couple times I had to adjust the mask on my face since my pillow was pushing on the mask causing it to leak. The F10 mask seems to fit ok. I have another one my DME gave me that has the forehead support. I may try that tonight to see if it works any differently

PR SleepMapper software says I had a mask fit of 93%. So clearly I had some leaking, but that doesn't seem too bad, right? AHI says 1.0. Much better then 25 during my initial sleep study.

oceanthrsty wrote:So I ended up with the 560 Pro. Last night was mostly successful. I didn't have any panic attacks or anything... so that's a bonus. Woke up a couple times and had to scratch my nose, and also a couple times I had to adjust the mask on my face since my pillow was pushing on the mask causing it to leak. The F10 mask seems to fit ok. I have another one my DME gave me that has the forehead support. I may try that tonight to see if it works any differently

PR SleepMapper software says I had a mask fit of 93%. So clearly I had some leaking, but that doesn't seem too bad, right? AHI says 1.0. Much better then 25 during my initial sleep study.

On the machines the 460 is the PRO and the 560 is the APAP so did you end up with the 560?
Glad you had a good beginning.
When you get a chance download Sleepyhead. It will be much easier to track when, where and how much your leaks are.
This is a good site to help with Sleepyhead. https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead

oceanthrsty wrote:PR SleepMapper software says I had a mask fit of 93%. So clearly I had some leaking, but that doesn't seem too bad, right? AHI says 1.0. Much better then 25 during my initial sleep study.

Not a horrible leak especially for a newbie using full face mask.
Respironics machines actually have a fairly generous excess leak allowance before they flag a large leak and while 7% of the time being in large leak isn't horribly horrible...it also means that there was probably a considerable part of the night where the leak was almost in large leak territory and almost could also possible impact sleep quality.

When you get a chance get SleepyHead software so you can see for sure what the leaks are doing. It's a whole lot more comprehensive than SleepMapper. There's big leaks and then there are REALLY big leaks which could impact the machine's ability to do it's job. With SleepMapper we don't know if that 7% was just big leak or REALLY big leak.

But all in all ....not a bad report at all and a lot better than what I had when I first started my cpap therapy on my M series Respironics machine. It takes a while to sort out all this mask stuff and for the brain to be okay with having the alien stuck to the face. It took me months for my brain to be okay with my mask even though I was okay with it to start with. My brain kept waking me up saying "hey dude, did you know you have an alien stuck to your nose?"

oceanthrsty wrote:So I ended up with the 560 Pro

Did you mean 460 Pro? There is no 560 Pro. If the machine says "Pro" somewhere on the top of it then it is the 460 (model number is also on a sticker on the bottom of the blower).

Sorry about that. Yes it's the 560 APAP.

I tried my other mask on the 2nd night, it felt more stable and comfortable on. It's also a FF mask with a piece that touches the forehead. But... Epic fail. Not sure how long I had it on, but I fell asleep, woke up around 3am and it was next to me on the bed. I swapped masks and started up again.

3rd night.. I finally shaved my face. Well despite what I would think.. shaving made it worse. I had a 73% leak rate last night. I woke up around 6am and fought with it for another 20min with small leaks, until I just took it off.

Not giving up yet. I feel like I slept ok even with having the mask on and the leaks, so that's a bonus. the AHI is like .9 So clearly something is working.

Thanks for the tips and I will look into the Sleepyhead software.

Keep going. You are doing great. You are going thru the same issues that the most successful members here have gone thru when they started out.

Sheriff

Thanks Sheriff!

So I finally got SleepyHead up and running. I finally remembered the name of the mask that fell off on my 2nd night. It's a F&P Simplus. I tried it again last night mainly because I do feel it's more secure and doesn't move around my face as much. I spent a few min adjusting it before I got in bed and it actually stayed on over night. I did have one large leak, so clearly some more adjustment is necessary. But I think I'll get it dialed in.