First Mask

Going to pick out my equipment this week. I have plans on getting Dreamstation Pro but am not sure which mask I should get.

I am a side/ stomach sleeper and also have a mustache. I wear glasses and want a clear view. My concerns are noise and fit of course. I used a nasal mask for titration and liked it and have tried my wife's Swift FX on. I like the nasal but also like the pillows. Worry of chaffing in nose with pillows.

This is my list in order of preference.
1. Dreamwear
2. Airfit N10
3. Swift FX
4. Airfit P10
5. Wisp

They all have their plusses. I worry the Dreamwear will leak or heard noise can be an issue. My wife uses a Swift FX and the noise it makes bothers me at times. From what my wife tells me the DME I am going to will let me only try on the one I am buying so I need to make up my mind pretty much before I get there.

Please give me your views +/-.

Will be joining and making a profile once I get my equipment
Thanks

Guest1 wrote:Going to pick out my equipment this week. I have plans on getting Dreamstation Pro but am not sure which mask I should get.

I am a side/ stomach sleeper and also have a mustache. I wear glasses and want a clear view. My concerns are noise and fit of course. I used a nasal mask for titration and liked it and have tried my wife's Swift FX on. I like the nasal but also like the pillows. Worry of chaffing in nose with pillows.

This is my list in order of preference.
1. Dreamwear
2. Airfit N10
3. Swift FX
4. Airfit P10
5. Wisp

They all have their plusses. I worry the Dreamwear will leak or heard noise can be an issue. My wife uses a Swift FX and the noise it makes bothers me at times. From what my wife tells me the DME I am going to will let me only try on the one I am buying so I need to make up my mind pretty much before I get there.

Please give me your views +/-.

Will be joining and making a profile once I get my equipment
Thanks

I believe the Airfit P10 is the lightest and quietest mask. The P10 has a much more diffused venting than the Swift FX. The limited headgear adjustment is the only complaint I have seen. It works fine for me.
You didn't ask for input on this but if you can get the Dreamstation Auto Cpap rather than the Pro it might be of benefit to you. The PRO is only fixed CPAP pressure where the AUTO can run in either mode. The PRO can work fine but you will have your machine years and if you have problems it is easier to find a new pressure with the auto.

My DME/insurance gave me a 30 day trial. I tried the Swift FX and couldn't get beyond the noise and feeling like I had a lot on my head. I like the P10, much quieter. Would like to try the dreamwear one in future. Good luck!

I have the P10 and it has been great for me. I tried the Wisp and it was not for me. A good back up but not my nightly wear. The P10 is amazingly quiet my wife loves that part of it. I would like to try the Dreamwear, but I love my P10 and it is serving me very well. As for the chaffing you can get things to help prevent that and make sure the sizing is correct on it.

http://cpapguy.blogspot.com/2016/02/res ... eview.html

That's my thoughts on the Dreamwear, I hope it helps!

In my opinion I think that you have an awesome top five to attempt and try! I am still using the Dreamwear and like it very much. I am in the process of trying other nasal cushion style of masks and other nasal pillow to compare to the Dreamwear - but regardless I very much like it.
The Airfit P10 and Swift FX are great choices for the nasal pillows (in my own opinion and experience). If you transition to a nasal cushion style you may consider the Airfit N10 or possibly the Swift FX Nano. The Respironics Pico is a very light and durable mask too. However, it does have the forehead support. I've worn my glasses with that particular mask though so it is possible.
Sorry if I sounded that I was rambling at all! Just wanted to give you some information!

Well, my experience with the dreamware was that it was too noisy for me. But I tend to be sensitive to noise. The AirFit P10 is the best for noise, if the headgear works for you. For me it shifts around and adjusts itself while I'm sleeping (side sleeper that moves around a lot), and the leaks I get as it shifts around wake me up. The Swift FX has been the best compromise. If I'm careful in the fitting before I go to sleep, the leaks that I get don't wake me too often, but would really rather have the nice, quiet and diffuse venting of the P10 with the FX headgear. But ResMed hasn't seen fit to put out that mask yet *smile*.

I only wear my cpap mask when I'm sleeping, so don't worry about using my glasses while I'm masked up *smile*.

Hang in there, and try a few...cpap.com has "return insurance" that you can buy (free on the FX and P10 last I looked), so that you can return cpap masks within 30 days of purchasing them. You're likely to find one or two that work for you on your original list.

Thanks for the responses. I am still undecided but have a better idea of what direction I am going to go. I think I will go down my list and look when I get there and see what the DME offers me for advice even though I pretty much know.

Thanks for the advice on the Dreamstation APAP. I will see if I can get them to go with it. My script does say "auto capable device" but I think this is for the dr to auto read the data. We will see.

I figure if I am not happy with either service, products availability, or final price will walk out the door. I know insurance is paying 80% but I am paying the 20% along with my premiums.

I will probably order a second mask from cpap. com to have a choice to figure which mask and type I like best.

Thanks again and you will see my bio in a day or two along with my whole life story.

guest1 wrote: My script does say "auto capable device" but I think this is for the dr to auto read the data

If your script says this it should be an APAP that can give you a range of pressures and automatically adjust to needs. Most of the newer machines, both auto and cpap, have the capability to wirelessly transmit data. Even those that have compliance data only.

guest1 wrote:My script does say "auto capable device" but I think this is for the dr to auto read the data.

newp, you'd be incorrect there, because that's not what that means.

The masks I like are the p10 and fx by Resmed, excellent masks.
The wisp nasal mask I tried and it was hard on my large nose.

The only mask on your list that I have tried is the Wisp. I like it as my number 2, the SleepWeaver Élan is my number 1 right now.

There is no way I would ever except less than an auto machine, even if I wanted a fixed pressure initially.

While you are actually in the office of the DME, they should be willing to hook you up to a machine and try as many masks as you like/need to. That's the whole purpose of having a DME!

While they probably won't let you take multiple masks home, they should be happy to let you try them in the office. My DME has a recliner in the room for just that purpose and we used it to try several masks that I was interested in. In the end, the one I picked did not work out for me so within 30 days, I brought it back and got the AirFit P10 which I have been happy with. They told me that was it for exchanges. Other DMEs will let you try as many as you like for the first month. Find out what their policy is when you meet with them.

For someone new to cpap, it is normal to have to try different masks.

Ok I have joined and setup my profile to where I am now.

I looked at the script again and see it has a separate line for the settings on an APAP and BiPAP. Being my settings are under the CPAP line not sure I will get them to support me on my desire to get an APAP machine. I am still going to argue that I want an auto system. I may just buy online outside of my insurance too. I have met my deductible but still have to pay 20% (40% out of network). By the time I do the 3 month minimum rental I will have to pay my deductible again plus 20%. I think the total will be the same or more as me paying outright, getting exactly what I want and not struggling through insurance bureaucracy. I am fixing to give the DME a call as they have had my script since Thursday and have yet to contact me.

As for the mask fit, my wife got her system from the DME I am going to, and they told her if she tried on the mask that they would work with her to get it fit right and she could return it within 30 days if there was a problem, but if they opened it, she bought it. They wanted her to pick the one mask and that is the one she came home with. I will go and give them a try but have no bad feelings of getting up and walk out if they are this way. I plan on trying 2 or 3 mask as this is what I will be wearing and need something that will work with me just starting therapy. If I go looking for a pair of shoes I might try several styles on till I find the one that I like and fits well and feel trying on mask is even more important.

I am tempted to write a diary and story of my experiences. The anxiety of all of this has me on edge. Its odd that I have had several health issues for over 10 years and now that I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, find they all point back to my sleeping problems. Who would have thought?

If you call your doctor's office and express your concern that the DME might stick you with a less capable machine, and that you'd like them to write the script for an auto machine, they may be willing to simply re-write the prescription without another office visit, then you don't have to argue with the DME.

It's worth a try, you don't lose anything by asking, and if they say no then argue with the DME, but if they say yes, then you're all set.

Just contacted my DME. They say they have never received my script yet even though it was sent Thursday. I then come to find out all they offer is the ResMed 10. They said they do not carry the Dreamstation. They also said the Resmed unit sent data and I could review it online. I said they all do that but wanted a more advanced unit so I could study it myself. I really wanted the Dreamstation but would be happy with airsense10 elite. Not very happy at the moment as I see bricks being thrown at me.

Next issue is my company I work for called me back to work and I will be leaving home in 4 days. Once I leave home it will be months before i make it back home. The DME said it takes longer than the few days to get things in order, equipment,insurance, paperwork. I asked them to rush this but with the first hiccup of not having my paperwork is slowing this down more. I told them I could send them my paperwork copies but they said they needed it directly from Dr office. I called the Dr office and they offered to send me to a different DME but said time wise would be about the same. The other issue is the other DME is out of network and cost me twice as much.

Now I am looking at just waiting 4-6 months to start my therapy. I don't want to do this as I am fighting denial that I really need this. I know I do but I have survived this long so what is 6 months more?