Newbie needs advice on equipment choices

Hi I am new here and very new to Sleep Apnea. I was just diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and my doctor has me meeting with a CPAP provider (DME) this week. The recommendation in the report is "initiating auto CPAP at 12/4 in conjunction with a mask of the patients choice". Not sure what it really means except that I would have to chose a mask type. I tried looking at them online and now I feel even more confused. I know there are many different masks and machine types out there and was wondering if anyone had any advice on them. I sleep on my side, stomach and back and toss and turn all night. Would that have an impact on the mask I chose? I live in Hawaii which is very humid, would that have an impact on my choices? What information did you wish you had, before you met with your CPAP provider the first time? I have pretty good insurance so what should I expect? How often are you eligible for a mask replacements etc.? I read something about someone needing a full face mask when they got sick because they could not breath out of their nose. Is it normal to have more than one mask? Any help and information you have to share would be appreciated. I am grateful for the help. Thanks!!!

https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what- ... me-part-i/

the insurance questions will have to be answered by your insurance company, since they're all different.

it can be handy having multiple masks, though I've used the same one (nasal pillows) when sick, though some prefer to have a full face option. it's good to have a spare mask, even if it's the same type, in case of accident.

Thank you so much Palerider. I just finished reading it. I think I will call my insurance and ask them the questions in the blog before I meet with the DME. Thanks!!!

Get a machine that is data capable. The equipment place (DME) may try to give you a substandard machine. A Resmed Airsense 10 is a good machine that will provide you data. A pillow-type mask is less intrusive, but you need to keep your mouth closed all night to get proper therapy. A good pillow mask is the Resmed P10. A full face mask is more intrusive, but it allows mouth breathing without affecting therapy. A good full face mask is the Resmed F10. These are only mask suggestions and a starting place for you ( I don't work for Resmed). There are multitudes of masks on the market. The mask search is a journey. What I like may be different for you and vise versa. I tried about 6 masks before I found what I like. A mask should be comfortable and doesn't leak. Most veterans have at least a couple favorite masks. I uses a Resmed F10, but use a Respironics Fitlife Total face mask when I have nose issues. My true love is the Total mask, but it is a little more noisier and it leaves marks on my cheeks. Good luck and be sure to work all your issues here.

Sheriff

Thank you for the information Sheriff. I spoke with my insurance company and they too said I should get a machine that is data capable and they let me know that it is covered. I made note of your recommendations and will have the DME show me those items first!! I think I might be a mouth breather so it might be a full face mask for me. Thank you again for your help!!

Sheriff Buford wrote:My true love is the Total mask, but it is a little more noisier and it leaves marks on my cheeks.

Sheriff

Thank you Sheriff for your comments here and on other posts about the FitLife mask, I've found them to be very helpful. Can you elaborate about the marks on your cheeks? Do you mean simply marks that fade as the day goes on? Or do you mean sore spots?

I used nasal pillows to start a few years ago but find they feel like it is difficult to breathe (particularly with the deviated septum) and they collapse when I exhale. Have been trying the small nasal masks (Wisp & AirFit N10) but have very sensitive skin and difficulty getting the strap adjustments right so I get irritation and pressure sores. I have an appt. tomorrow at a CPAP clinic hosted by my sleep center for mask fitting and intend to try out the FitLife as I think it may be best for me. Any additional information or advice about what to consider would be much appreciated.

This is only my second post and although I did check off to let others see my equipment, I don't know why it didn't show up on my first post or if it will on this one. I have the System One RemStar 60 series Auto CPAP with Heated Tube Humidifier and Heated Tube. My pressure is very low, only 4-8.

Note to the OP, I hope I didn't hijack your thread but if I did I sincerely apologize.

curems wrote: I did check off to let others see my equipment, I don't know why it didn't show up on my first post or if it will on this one.

It's still not showing yet and those are active links...did you click on the "submit" button after making your choices?

I did click submit Pugsy, and I've actually tried to do it a couple of times to be sure. I even switched between text and image and submitted each time.

curems wrote:I did click submit Pugsy, and I've actually tried to do it a couple of times to be sure. I even switched between text and image and submitted each time.

Then I don't know what the problem is.
Sometimes people choose discontinued items and those links are broken but what you mention are active links.
Anyone else have any ideas? I am going to go change my machine briefly (none showing because the one I am really using isn't an option) to the PR S1 60 series Auto CPAP just to see if it shows up.

Pugsy wrote: I am going to go change my machine briefly (none showing because the one I am really using isn't an option) to the PR S1 60 series Auto CPAP just to see if it shows up.

The humidifier shows up but the machine doesn't...so I suspect the problem is withing the forum software.
This happens from time to time.
What you might do is simply add your equipment manually in text in the comments section.
Keep it brief...like PR S1 60 series Auto CPAP and PR S1 60 Series humidifier

Pugsy wrote:The humidifier shows up but the machine doesn't...so I suspect the problem is withing the forum software.
This happens from time to time.
What you might do is simply add your equipment manually in text in the comments section.
Keep it brief...like PR S1 60 series Auto CPAP and PR S1 60 Series humidifier

Thanks Pugsy. I'm glad to hear it does happen sometimes and it's not just me missing something. I tried that so I'll see how it shows up now.

Edit: I tried but it still isn't showing.

curems wrote:Edit: I tried but it still isn't showing.

Well crap...the comments aren't showing up either.
All I know to try is maybe clear the board cookies (down at the bottom of the page) and log off and back in again and try again...
or maybe add your equipment in your signature line if the profile section doesn't want to work.
I am out of ideas...funny though other people's machines are showing...scratching my head here.

Pugsy wrote:
Well crap...the comments aren't showing up either.
All I know to try is maybe clear the board cookies (down at the bottom of the page) and log off and back in again and try again...
or maybe add your equipment in your signature line if the profile section doesn't want to work.
I am out of ideas...funny though other people's machines are showing...scratching my head here.

Okay, tried your suggestions. Let's see what happens!

Edit: Okay, still didn't work. Later on I'll try closing out of the browser and even rebooting and see what happens. Thanks for your help!

Tried again to have my equipment show up after clearing cookies, rebooting and checking to be sure my info is still there but it still isn't showing up.

curems wrote:Tried again to have my equipment show up after clearing cookies, rebooting and checking to be sure my info is still there but it still isn't showing up.

what things are you selecting? copy and paste them in a reply.