new cpaper

I am new to cpap, being diagnosed just a few weeks ago. I go in to pick up my machine this afternoon. I have no idea what I should be looking for in a cpap. Do I have to take what they set up for me or do I have any input into the decision? What should I be looking for? What features are important?

At my sleep study they fit me with the Activa mask. It was very comfortable and I had no problems sleeping in it. Are there any others that I should consider?

I have been following this board for the past couple of days and have found the information extremely helpful. I really appreciate the way the everyone is so willing to share from their experiences and is so kind in their reply. It is good not to feel like an idiot for asking stupid questions.

Welcome to the message board, DrainedDad.

You were extremely lucky that they used an Activa mask during your sleep study. It's an excellent mask, imho...probably the very best nasal mask (covers the nose) for many, many people. Since you had a good experience with the Activa during the study, I'd insist on that mask when you go to the DME ("durable medical equipment" provider... the home health care supplies store) to get your equipment.

If they balk in any way about giving you an Activa, or try to make you settle for another mask, get on the phone right then and there and call your doctor's office, asking that the doctor fax a specific Rx to the DME -- for the Activa mask.

There are other interfaces that suit a lot of people - the Swift and the Breeze nasal "pillows" masks, for example. If you are allowed to try on more than one mask at the DME, see if you can try on those two. Have a notepad with you to jot down the model names and sizes of any mask they let you try on...and your impressions of them.

Take your pillow with you. If they don't have a couch you can lie down on during the fitting, don't be shy about lying down on the floor in front of God and everybody -- to try out the mask in your usual sleeping positions. A mask that feels ok and doesn't leak while sitting up can be a disaster when actually lying down and simulating toss 'n turn sleeping. Gravity and a pillow under your head can change many things about your face and where a mask contacts it. Don't settle for just a sitting up fitting.

In the future, you might want to add one or more different style masks for rotating from night to night. Rotation to a different mask on some nights can alleviate "pressure on same spot every night" discomforts. So, take advantage of trying on every mask you can get them to let you try on - for future reference.

You may have no control over what machine they give you. But if the doctor, the DME, and your insurance company let you have a say so in the matter, I'd push for this specific machine:

Respironics REMstar Auto with C-Flex and heated humidifier. I also like the Puritan Bennett 420E autopap very much, too.

That REMstar Auto with C-flex is very versatile in that it can be operated in any of 4 ways. You can click the links below to see two user's reviews of it:

"Wading-Thru-The-Muck"'s review of REMstar Auto/C-flex

"rested gal"'s review of REMstar Auto/C-flex

Some people have had success in getting their insurance company to a least partially reimburse them when the person bypasses a local DME altogether and purchases equipment from online stores. Quite a few have found it to be less expensive in the long run and less hassle if the DME doesn't have the things you want. You'd have to crunch the numbers yourself...depends on your particular insurance company...the deductible, copays, etc., and just how much energy you want to devote to figuring out stuff like that.

Just about the only advantage (imho) to a first time user getting setup by the local DME is the opportunity to try on different masks, swap for a different mask if the first one proves to be unsuitable at home, and the opportunity to rent several different machines to find the one that suits best before buying. Those advantages are non-existent, however, at the hands of many local DMEs. Just depends on how helpful yours wants to be.

Good luck!

Thanks rested gal,

I have really appreciated your posts (and I have read alot of them ). I always scan looking for yours and rock and roll's, great information from both of you for those of us who are new to this stuff. I am very thankful for your reply. I have printed it off and plan on taking it with me. DMEs must hate it when patients come in armed with all this information and demand that they give us some options.

Quick question, has anyone with kids had their children freak out when the machine was first brought home? I am not afraid of the older kids laughing at me, but I don't want my 4 year old thinking some alien is attacking!

I think it's ok to recommend a brand of machine. But, there are some patient's who benefit more from autopap and some who benefit from CPAP and the doctor really should be the one to tell the patient if they need CPAP or AUTOPAP. I do agree that respironics with cflex is a wonderful machine (both cpap and autopap).
Just some thoughts,
Joyce

Here is the problem getting an auto-pap from your sleep doctor for most of us....It will not happen . The doctors here in my area are anti-auto. For me to get an auto I had to go to my primary doctor to get one. So for some us the best advice we can get is: Not to listen to our sleep doctor. If I had to use straight CPAP I would have given up... the remStar auto was a gift from God to me.....This is only my opinion

I don't have any kids...but I know my kitties (my children) looked at me funny at first - wouldn't even come near me! Now they are OK though!

I agree that the auto with c-flex is the best all around machine. My sleep doc also refused to prescribe an auto, so I went to my reg doc with all of cpap.com printouts about the machine. He was impressed with my presentation and wrote the prescription. Also, the auto can be set into the cpap mode if needed.

DrainedDad wrote: Quick question, has anyone with kids had their children freak out when the machine was first brought home? I am not afraid of the older kids laughing at me, but I don't want my 4 year old thinking some alien is attacking!

I don't have kids. Hopefully someone with kids will respond.
But I might suggest letting your youngest look at the mask, before you put it on to show. Show your child how cool it is, tell them it's like being a jet pilot or Darth Vader or something. Let them hold it and maybe even put it on. I think the more you involve your child, the more familiar they will be with seeing you with it. It's only a suggestion (and I have no kids, so it may be dumb advice).

I also feel that all your children should be familiar with it. They may laugh. But at least they will understand what it's for. Later in life they might develop the same condition, or know of someone with it, and they will be so more knowledgable. They might be able to help somebody, even. Again, only a suggestion.

Good luck.


Linda

DrainedDad

I have a 5 year old and almost three year old. They thought the mask was cool and wanted to wear it. so i put it on their faces and they were fine with it. I am usually up before them and definately in bed after them so they don't see it. but my older one likes to come in the room on a Sat or Sun morning and start pulling at the hose and spinning it like a jump rope.

I wouldn't worry about the kids. As long as you have more energy for them, they will be happy.

Hi DrainedDad,
Being comfortable is the most important thing for you in getting used to this therapy. If you were comfortable in an Activa mask (my personal favorite) I agree with RG - insist on it. Your mask, along with a heated humidifier are the keys to successful CPAP. Be sure your Dr. writes heated humidification on your prescription. As far as machines go, if you can get an APAP, great. DMEs don't like to part with them as they are reimbursed by insurance companies at the same rate as for a less expensive CPAP. I found a DME provider that lets me upgrade for $200. It's still a ripoff, but cheaper than bearing the full cost myself. If you can't get an APAP, all the new machines are relatively quiet and reliable. I've never tried it, (and have no desire to as I have no trouble exhaling against my machine) but a lot of people really like the C-Flex on Respironics machines. I use an APAP at home and a CPAP when I travel, and sleep well on both. If you travel a lot you may want to consider a second machine for the road. Stick around, and don't be afraid to ask questions. You are definitely not alone in this struggle! Sleep well on your new cpap tonight!

I had a very successful first night using my new cpap machine. I guess I must be one of the fortunate few because I had no problems sleeping through the night on my first try.

I put the mask on toward the end of the Pistons game (welcome back from the dead Pistons ). This gave me some time to play with the headgear and nose cup. My wife complained a little about the air coming from the exhaust vents on the mask but commented on how quiet the machine was. We were not bothered at all by the whisper of the machine.

It took a little while to fall asleep but that may have been from the excitement of the Pistons win . Once I got there, I slept all night. It was the first night that I can remember not having to get up two or three times! I feel good this morning, not great but better than normal. No morning headache, no urge to go back to sleep for the rest of the day. I am anxious to see how I feel this afternoon when I normally nod off at my computer.

After reading "There's" thread on the comfort lite mask I was anxious to compare it to the activa that I had used in my sleep test. I hadn't remembered that the activa was so large; the sides of the mask were blocking my vision. If I wanted to read or watch tv before going to sleep that would have been very annoying. I was very impressed with the comfort lite. I know that "rested gal" doesn't think too highly of them but after testing it at my DME I decided to give it a try. I really like the small size of the nose cup and that they include nasal pillows as well. I plan to use the cup for a month or so and then try the pillow for grins and giggles. The head gear was not uncomfortable at all and very easy to adjust. It stayed sealed in any position that I laid in and I tried my back and both sides. I can't see how it would work for a stomach sleeper.

I was set up with the REMstar Pro cpap (not auto or c-flex). I don't seem to have any problems breathing against the constant flow. My pressure is set at 10. They included the heated humidifier.

I appreciate everyone thoughts on how to get my children used to it. It really was an unwarranted concern. The kids thought it was cool (they will like it even more if it allows dad to regain his energy for play! ).

Glad you had a successful first night! You are on your way! Don't be surprised if it takes a few weeks to feel much more energised or markedly less sleepy. If you have been apneaic for some time, you have quite a 'sleep debt' built up. People respond to therapy differently; some notice a night-and-day difference in a week, others are gradual over several months. It may take time, but imporvements will happen.

Welcome!

Relax and the kids will be relaxed-the two in my photo crawl in bed with me in the morning when I visit and often fall asleep with me at night. They love to get air blown on them when it is hot.

As soon as you are feeling more energetic-think about changing your user name to something that reflects your new found energy for your family.

It's great to read success stories like yours DrainedDad!
You sure seem to have gotten off on the right foot with your therapy!
Congrats!

Check the date of the original post... it's over a year old.