Any Recommendations?

On a new APAP machine for a full face mask user? One that has data capability?

Thanks in advance...

Jason S. wrote:On a new APAP machine for a full face mask user? One that has data capability?

Thanks in advance...

Get the Sleepyhead software up and running, it's the steering wheel the don't pack with your equiptment. With APAP, if you know your treatment pressure, set your machine to 2cm under and 2 over your needed CPAP pressure. many machines are set 4 cm to 20 cm, a failure setting some Dr's and DME's perfer.

It slows the machine's ability to help you. Adjust the mask on your back at the full treatment pressure. Trial and error on the mask straps too loose is bad, to tight is bad, you have to find the Goldilocks setting. Good Luck, you must adapt, then it works, Can't never did anything! Jim

Jason S. wrote:On a new APAP machine for a full face mask user? One that has data capability?

Thanks in advance...

What are you using now? Is it giving good therapy?

Jason are you still using the Respironics M Series machine and is it the apap model?
Are you buying out of pocket or is your insurance involved?
What pressure settings and do you use EPR or not?

The 2 brands and apap models that I most often recommend and the latest at this time.
Each has minor pros and cons but nothing critical IMHO.

Phillips Respironics...the DreamStation Auto CPAP...full data, works with SH and uses a plain ordinary SD card for data storage.

ResMed...the AirSense 10 AutoSet...full data, works with SleepyHead software and uses a plain ordinary SD card for data storage.

Pugsy wrote:Jason are you still using the Respironics M Series machine and is it the apap model?
Are you buying out of pocket or is your insurance involved?
What pressure settings and do you use EPR or not?

The 2 brands and apap models that I most often recommend and the latest at this time.
Each has minor pros and cons but nothing critical IMHO.

Phillips Respironics...the DreamStation Auto CPAP...full data, works with SH and uses a plain ordinary SD card for data storage.

ResMed...the AirSense 10 AutoSet...full data, works with SleepyHead software and uses a plain ordinary SD card for data storage.

I’m not sure what my insurance will cover but I’ve met my deductible for the year. I am prepared to go out of pocket if need be. I still have my old machine which frankly I don’t like and I don’t feel like I’m getting good therapy. Also have concerns about bacteria. Its 9 years old. Woke up feeling nauseous a few times. One problem is if I sleep on my back I have a very high need for pressure my machine cannot adjust to. I probably need the full 20 cm if I’m on my back but if I’m on my side I probably only need about 8 cm. Mask stays secure on my back but when I roll on my side I tend to get a lot of leaks maybe 30 to 40% of the night, so poor therapy. Tried different masks with same result.

If you only need 8cm, why is your bottom at 10.5cm? Also, you do know you can adjust the settings yourself, right? Of course, not recommended... blah, blah,blah.

Masks are different for everyone. I can't sleep on my back, so I can't help you there. I do sleep on my side and I really like the Sleepweaver Anew. It has a 30-day free return, so it's free to try (you might have to pay return shipping).

Jason....given what I know and remember about you and your situation and some of your past problems I would suggest giving strong consideration to the ResMed equivalent of your current machine and that would be the AirSense 10 AutoSet if you want the latest or the past model the S9 AutoSet.

I have used both brands and prefer the ResMed because its auto adjusting algorithm is a bit more responsive/aggressive than the Respironics algorithm. I get better results at lower pressures with the ResMed than with the Respironics.
Example...with Respironics I need a 10 cm minimum with 20 max to get an acceptable AHI and decent sleep.
With ResMed I can get that same (or even lower) AHI and decent sleep with a 7 cm minimum (and use 3 EPR to boot) and 20 max.
There are a couple of other minor differences that I like better too but I started my therapy 8 years ago with Respironics APAP and now I sometimes wish I had gone with the ResMed instead.

I mention the S9 AutoSet as a possibility because if paying for it out of pocket that discontinued model can often be found at substantial cost savings and they didn't change the algorithm with the change to the AirSense models. They just changed the packaging and a couple of minor menu offerings in terms of comfort.

Or here's another thought if you are willing to go out of pocket and since your pressure needs seem to be higher.
I know where there is a used (440 hour) AirCurve 10 VAuto available from a private person for $475. You might really like the comfort that bilevel offers and if you don't you can set it so that it mimics the apap model.
I REALLY like bilevel and more than what the Flex option from Respironics will give you....makes a world of difference in my sleep quality and I don't know why...but I just know I sleep better and longer with it.

With Respironics auto machines and their Flex option the most exhale reduction you can get is 2 cm and that is based on your breathing and if you don't breathe forcefully enough you won't get that.
ResMed's EPR exhale relief isn't flow based and you get what you set. Even with the AutoSet you can get a full 3 cm reduction if you want it and that creates its own little bilevel situation. One of the reasons I am using the AirSense 10 right now because I like the 3 cm reduction...not quite as much as the 4 cm reduction I could get with a real bilevel machine but close enough that I am quite happy with it.

Do you have a copay involved with your deductible? Does your insurance do the rent to own thing which might mean you go into next year with a new deductible to have to be met or do they just buy the machine outright?
Do the math to see what your potential out of pocket expenses might be with co pays and potential rent to own cash outlays after Jan 1.

Jason S. wrote:I probably need the full 20 cm if I’m on my back but if I’m on my side I probably only need about 8 cm.

Very close description of my pressure needs. I solved this some years ago by wearing a firm foam 4-inch cervical collar. Now, I sleep most of the night on my back, and the pressure ranges mostly from 10 - 12 with occasional forays to 14.

The collar keeps the neck in the best position for airway patency and also helps prevent jaw drop.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/DMI-Universa ... e/23057188

ractar28 wrote:If you only need 8cm, why is your bottom at 10.5cm?

Because the machine cannot ramp up quickly enough from 8 cm to the required pressure (14 cm or more) to provide adequate therapy

Pugsy wrote:Jason....given what I know and remember about you and your situation and some of your past problems I would suggest giving strong consideration to the ResMed equivalent of your current machine and that would be the AirSense 10 AutoSet if you want the latest or the past model the S9 AutoSet.

I have used both brands and prefer the ResMed because its auto adjusting algorithm is a bit more responsive/aggressive than the Respironics algorithm. I get better results at lower pressures with the ResMed than with the Respironics.
Example...with Respironics I need a 10 cm minimum with 20 max to get an acceptable AHI and decent sleep.
With ResMed I can get that same (or even lower) AHI and decent sleep with a 7 cm minimum (and use 3 EPR to boot) and 20 max.
There are a couple of other minor differences that I like better too but I started my therapy 8 years ago with Respironics APAP and now I sometimes wish I had gone with the ResMed instead.

I mention the S9 AutoSet as a possibility because if paying for it out of pocket that discontinued model can often be found at substantial cost savings and they didn't change the algorithm with the change to the AirSense models. They just changed the packaging and a couple of minor menu offerings in terms of comfort.

Or here's another thought if you are willing to go out of pocket and since your pressure needs seem to be higher.
I know where there is a used (440 hour) AirCurve 10 VAuto available from a private person for $475. You might really like the comfort that bilevel offers and if you don't you can set it so that it mimics the apap model.
I REALLY like bilevel and more than what the Flex option from Respironics will give you....makes a world of difference in my sleep quality and I don't know why...but I just know I sleep better and longer with it.

With Respironics auto machines and their Flex option the most exhale reduction you can get is 2 cm and that is based on your breathing and if you don't breathe forcefully enough you won't get that.
ResMed's EPR exhale relief isn't flow based and you get what you set. Even with the AutoSet you can get a full 3 cm reduction if you want it and that creates its own little bilevel situation. One of the reasons I am using the AirSense 10 right now because I like the 3 cm reduction...not quite as much as the 4 cm reduction I could get with a real bilevel machine but close enough that I am quite happy with it.

Do you have a copay involved with your deductible? Does your insurance do the rent to own thing which might mean you go into next year with a new deductible to have to be met or do they just buy the machine outright?
Do the math to see what your potential out of pocket expenses might be with co pays and potential rent to own cash outlays after Jan 1.

Thanks for the good info!

ChicagoGranny wrote:

Jason S. wrote:I probably need the full 20 cm if I’m on my back but if I’m on my side I probably only need about 8 cm.

Very close description of my pressure needs. I solved this some years ago by wearing a firm foam 4-inch cervical collar. Now, I sleep most of the night on my back, and the pressure ranges mostly from 10 - 12 with occasional forays to 14.

The collar keeps the neck in the best position for airway patency and also helps prevent jaw drop.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/DMI-Universa ... e/23057188

Thanks.