10 years...upgrade time?

New member, I have been using my remstar plus "c-flex" cpap with mirage quattro FFM for 10 yrs now but I think it's time to get serious and start working on the best sleep possible. For the past year or so my sleep has been more restless and I have found myself napping on the couch every night. So I think it's time for some asjustments. Without having any data to go on I think a new machine is in order and/or perhaps a new mask. My current setting is 10 but I think it should probably be more. I know it's a lot of things to change at once and since I'll be paying out of pocket I would like to avoid unnecessary purchases. I know I tried a couple different masks when I first received the device but I don't recall my exact reasons for selecting a ffm other than it seemed more secure and was "recommended".

I have a few questions:

1. New machine or new mask or both? (basically is the data more important than the equipment as I sort this out?)
2. is it worth trying to go nasal mask or cushion since I currently have a FFM to go back to or should I try another FFM like the simplus? (currently debating simplus vs amara view vs dreamwear)
3. Do many people find they are still taping their mouth closed and/or wearing a mouth guard with FFM or is that usually strictly required for nasal masks? (I'm sort of trying to solve for problems I'm not sure I have but want to be prepared)
4. I stopped using the humidifier many years ago because it was just too much hassle. I never get dried out unless I sleep with my mouth open but does this provide other features I am not aware of specific to sleep? I dont live in a dry climate, and I have only used it 2 or 3 times in the past 8 years when I had a cold. My tubing, masks, cushions seem to last a hell of a lot longer since I stopped using the humidifier but as stated I am ready to do what needs done, including going to a nasal mask, taping my mouth or wearing a mouth guard.

5. while we are at it, based on my current settings and equipment are there any safe or general recommendations for machine and for mask? I have a narrow face and a big nose so I have wrestled with this mask quite a bit. The biggest complaint I have about the quattro is after a while the cushion gets soft and I battle leaks around the sides of my mouth, I have heard the microfiber covers can help with this seal. I am a side sleeper by choice but usually wake up on my back. however, I feel I am ahead of the curve as the habit has been formed and I actually need this thing to go to sleep, I wake up if it comes off (ripped off or otherwise). Thank you in advance for any advice you can give

Regarding the Quattro...I have been using it for almost 8 years. I don't wash the cushion...I wipe it down with a baby wipe every night to remove skin oils. About every 3 months, I boil the cushion for a couple minutes....It comes out like new. (Distilled water with a tsp of baking soda). My cushions last a long time. If you are a mouth breather, I would stick to a FF mask to avoid taping or chinstraps.

If you opt for a new machine, I would go for an autoset model so you can easily determine what your correct pressure should be. Slightly used models are available at secondwindcpap.com. If you are looking for a new machine, our host cpap.com is very competatively priced.

I started w/FFM but after searching and reading this forum I was able to teach myself to breath thru my nose and use nasal pillows.

fat1 wrote: I have a narrow face and a big nose so I have wrestled with this mask quite a bit.

If you can keep your mouth closed and breath thru your nose for a solid minute or two while awake and do so without difficulty then you should be able to teach yourself to breath thru your nose and use pillows or a nasal mask.

Keep in mind you have to be conscious and aware of this during the day while breathing. You can't expect to breath thru your nose while sleeping if you don't or can't do so during the day while awake and aware.

For equipment, if you don't have a cpap that shows your data you are cheating yourself. Have you driven a car w/o a speedometer? A fuel guage?

Using a cpap without any data feedback is like walking in the dark. You know how long you are using it but not if it is effective at all or even if your leak rate is too high.

I made sure my 2nd and 3rd cpaps used the supplies (filters, etc) that I already had in stock.

I'm not necessarily a mouth breather but all bets are off once the sandman gets here. I think if I were to opt for a more affordable machine like a System One series 60 rather than the AirSense 10 I could handle acquiring a few different masks to try out. I haven't done much research on nasal masks outside of the dreamwear. Thank you both for the advice, I will work with the quattro as suggested (good tip on boiling the cushion) and maybe try a nasal mask and a simplus

I would say stick with the mask that you have for now. Get a new Respironics or Resmed Auto unit. If you need help Picking a unit tell us what you have in mind and we will let you know if it is a good full data machine. If you look at the machines on this link it will say yes or no to data capable. https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd
Good sites to find a machine are CPAP.com (our forum hosts), Secondwindcpap.com (they have gently used and open box specials), and grayghost4 is a trusted forum member that sometimes has new machines (you can PM him).
Get Sleepyhead and evaluate your leaks and therapy. When you get your machine ask and we can direct you on how to get the free computer software.

After you get your new machine, with data, then try new masks. CPAP.com has some with free return insurance.

I think Primarily System one Series 60 or Dreamstation, Airsense 10 auto or S9 auto. it seems all of those except the airsense 10 can be had for $500-$600 from various sources and I believe they are all fully data capable. I'm just not sure if the absolute latest model is necessary or adds any function at all, not concerned about form factor, color, aesthetics or portability, I'll tow a trailer if I need to when its time to travel but I don't really go anywhere. I'm assuming they all use standard tubing and such. I believe the System One will use the filters I currently have but the cost of those is nothing really so not a factor at all. I'm not overly concerned with cost but if a previous gen therapy system can do 100% of the same function for 75% of the cost I'll keep the extra money in my pocket. Does that make sense?

fat1 wrote:I'm not necessarily a mouth breather but all bets are off once the sandman gets here. I think if I were to opt for a more affordable machine like a System One series 60 rather than the AirSense 10 I could handle acquiring a few different masks to try out. I haven't done much research on nasal masks outside of the dreamwear. Thank you both for the advice, I will work with the quattro as suggested (good tip on boiling the cushion) and maybe try a nasal mask and a simplus

Note that our wonderful sponsor, cpap.com, offers some of the most popular masks with free return insurance, which makes it more practical to try different masks.

The most popular nasal pillow mask by far, both here and on cpap.com, is the AirFit P10. Many of us swear by it.

Some of us solve the mouth breathing issue with a simple strip of 3M Micropore paper tape across our lips.

I would personally try one thing at a time. I agree with others that you need to upgrade to a data capable machine. Make sure you check which models work with sleepyhead because if you tell the DME that you want a data capable machine, they will tell you all the machines are data capable because all they look for is compliance data.

Consider alternative masks only if your current one is uncomfortable, at least until you have some data.

fat1 wrote:I think Primarily System one Series 60 or Dreamstation, Airsense 10 auto or S9 auto. it seems all of those except the airsense 10 can be had for $500-$600 from various sources and I believe they are all fully data capable. I'm just not sure if the absolute latest model is necessary or adds any function at all, not concerned about form factor, color, aesthetics or portability, I'll tow a trailer if I need to when its time to travel but I don't really go anywhere. I'm assuming they all use standard tubing and such. I believe the System One will use the filters I currently have but the cost of those is nothing really so not a factor at all. I'm not overly concerned with cost but if a previous gen therapy system can do 100% of the same function for 75% of the cost I'll keep the extra money in my pocket. Does that make sense?

If you don't mind pink, this is a great deal from our host.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... ifier.html

I'm almost in the same boat, seven years and now looking for a replacement that will allow me to go camping, and also get the max amount of easily-accessible data (I like to be on top of my own diagnosis/data).

I haven't seen my doc in six years or so, but when I looked him up again, I just happened to see this article that interviewed him:
http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2015/07/c ... ony-brook/

The most interesting part of that was that depending on *why* you're using your CPAP, there might be reasons why you might want to stick with pillows instead of going full facemask. If you are using it not only to breathe properly when sleeping, but also to achieve benefits toward reducing anxiety and depression, the article might be worth a read. Keep in mind his thoughts there haven't been through a full study.

I'm a total mouth-breather myself, and I don't like the extra encumbrance of a chin strap, nor did I want to tape my mouth closed. What has worked for me for several years is something called the "Chin-Up Strips." I'm sure some on here are familiar with them. They work very well, although they can be a bit pricey. I buy in bulk directly from the company. Not affiliated in any way, it just solved the problem without sealing off my mouth completely (which kind of terrified me).

I have an appointment with my doc at the end of the month, and I'm going to see if he can write me a "letter of medical necessity" for my chin-up strips so I can FSA them.

Good luck!