Newbie overwhelmed & trying to get started

[dwhla]

Got diagnosed. Made sure to ask for a copy of my results.

I enjoy research & will be spending the coming weeks on here learning. But am more than eager to get some kind of cpap machine on me so I can get back to REM sleep and then happy to tweak it. Unfortunately, I can see it will take more work than that.

Anthem Blue Cross seems to be covering almost nothing. $800 OOP (out of pocket) for sleep lab.

Doc's office tells me the CPAP will cost $900 OOP. Feels like just buying one myself is the best bet. But I read here that you need to play w/ many different ones to find what works for you so you should start with renting. But where to rent?

So many questions...

My prescription (I "get" the first half, not the second half):


Any place in LA I can physically visit to get in person advice? Any CPAP machine I should start with?

I'm a techie so I want as much data as possible. Apparently there's a device that gives you a mini sleep lab every night.

Let's see, I want to share w/ you my "numbers", I just don't know which numbers to share. Let me take a look at the study and just guess:

Epworth 13.
Moderate to Loud Snoring.
Moderate OSA and hypopnea.
Moderate Desaturation.
CPAP titration @ 7.
AHI 21
Oxygen saturation from baseline of 94 to low of 87.
Leg movements.

There are lots of other numbers but not sure what they mean.

Advice welcome

[bwexler]

There is a listing on this page for two great machines, either of which would be great for you at $199 each.
Then all you need is to be successful on the great mask hunt. That is the most difficult part of this therapy. It is like a woman shopping for shoes. There are several basic styles, nasal, full face, pillows. Then there are many different manufacturers each with several variations and combinations. The difference between the original and the new improved model often sounds trivial but can make or break the deal for any individual.
If you read here for a while you will probably come up with about a dozen favorites to choose from. Then it's all about trial and error until you find the one that is best for you.

[dwhla]

Thank you.
You mean the 2 used machines for $199?

Looks like someone is shopping for one of them, but I will ask him.

So that doesn't come with a mask? OK I will research that...hopefully much cheaper than the machines

Also, I noticed some people saying if they breathe through their mouth vs their nose. Is that supposed to be captured in the sleep study? Not seeing that result anywhere and frankly am unsure what I do when I sleep

[grayghost4]

yes ether one of the machines will give you data for sleepyhead software and they come with a mask of your choice form the list.
so it will be all you need to get started
he cam probably advise which mask would be the best for you to start with.

If you want something newer I have this one:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/hab/5300384023.html

[OkyDoky]

Your prescription is for 7cmH2o with a (HH)Heated Humidifier and supplies (such as mask, hose, filters,etc.). You may also want to get a heated hose. You can use an APAP machine from one of the 2 major manufactures, ResMed S9 Autoset, Airsense 10 Autoset(also has a For Her model), or Respironics model 560 or they also have a new DreamStation but I'm not familar with that one. You want to be sure and get one that has full data so you can monitor your therapy with Sleepyhead software.
https://www.cpap.com/ our site host has machines you can do research on. Also. check out http://www.secondwindcpap.com/ for slightly used and new open box specials.
This site will also help you research. https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd
If you have any more specific questions just ask.
I just saw Grayghost4 replied to you. He also is a good source for machines. The new Aircurve 10 VPAP, that I am using now, came from him and I'm very happy with that deal.

[dwhla]

Fantastic, this is all very helpful. Feeling like I will get going soon.

If the price difference isn't huge, I'll prefer to start w/ a new machine.

[OkyDoky]

Your Prescription is for CPAP but an APAP machine can be set in CPAP mode while the CPAP machine only has that mode. And when you are just starting the APAP machine will help you if you need to adjust pressures.

[Pugsy]

For masks...do you normally breathe through your nose just fine during the day or do you have chronic nasal congestion issues that can't be cleared up (like chronic allergies).
If you normally don't have any problem breathing only through your mouth then you probably would want to start with a nasal cushion mask (covers the nose only) or nasal pillow mask as they are generally going to have less surface area to get to seal and keep sealed. The more area touching the skin...the more area that needs to stay sealed.

For a nasal pillow type of mask check out the AirFit P10 that I am using (link in my profile).

For a nasal cushion type of mask you might look at the ResMed Swift FX Nano
or the latest from Respironics which uses a cradle cushion under the nostrils called the DreamWear.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... -pack.html
Actually it is $89 if you call for the special pricing and it comes with free return insurance so if you hate it you have 30 days to get it back to them and get your money back.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html
It also has free return insurance.

If you do have chronic nasal issues that force you to have to mouth breathe then probably a full face mask would be needed so that you don't lose therapy pressure out the mouth.
You can look at the various models here
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/full-face-cpap-mask.php

and there's another full face mask that uses nasal pillows and something over the mouth ...called hybrid
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/hybrid-cpap-mask.php

Masks...one man's treasure can be the next man's trash for any number of reasons. What I might love you might hate or I might hate what you love. We can tell you what works for us but ultimately you are going to have to try it to see if it works for you.

[dwhla]

I used to breathe fine through my nose, but after gaining weight, which probably caused the apnea in the first place, my nose is often blocked.

At the sleep lab, as I recall it only was a plug in my nose and it worked just fine. I will double check the lab results.

So I guess nasal cushion mask is where I should begin or nasal pillow mask.

For masks...do you normally breathe through your nose just fine during the day or do you have chronic nasal congestion issues that can't be cleared up (like chronic allergies).
If you normally don't have any problem breathing only through your mouth then you probably would want to start with a nasal cushion mask (covers the nose only) or nasal pillow mask as they are generally going to have less surface area to get to seal and keep sealed. The more area touching the skin...the more area that needs to stay sealed.

For a nasal pillow type of mask check out the AirFit P10 that I am using (link in my profile).

For a nasal cushion type of mask you might look at the ResMed Swift FX Nano
or the latest from Respironics which uses a cradle cushion under the nostrils called the DreamWear.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... -pack.html
Actually it is $89 if you call for the special pricing and it comes with free return insurance so if you hate it you have 30 days to get it back to them and get your money back.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html
It also has free return insurance.

If you do have chronic nasal issues that force you to have to mouth breathe then probably a full face mask would be needed so that you don't lose therapy pressure out the mouth.
You can look at the various models here
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/full-face-cpap-mask.php

and there's another full face mask that uses nasal pillows and something over the mouth ...called hybrid
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/hybrid-cpap-mask.php

Masks...one man's treasure can be the next man's trash for any number of reasons. What I might love you might hate or I might hate what you love. We can tell you what works for us but ultimately you are going to have to try it to see if it works for you.

[dwhla]

Your Prescription is for CPAP but an APAP machine can be set in CPAP mode while the CPAP machine only has that mode. And when you are just starting the APAP machine will help you if you need to adjust pressures.

The one metsfan has available is Philips Respironics System One REMstar Auto-Cpap with Humidifier
Model - 560P, so that sounds like an APAP.

Just about finished closing that deal once I figure out which mask of his matches. I think 1 - Remed Ultra Mirage II Nasal Mask - Medium.

[OkyDoky]

Your Prescription is for CPAP but an APAP machine can be set in CPAP mode while the CPAP machine only has that mode. And when you are just starting the APAP machine will help you if you need to adjust pressures.

The one metsfan has available is Philips Respironics System One REMstar Auto-Cpap with Humidifier
Model - 560P, so that sounds like an APAP.

Just about finished closing that deal once I figure out which mask of his matches. I think 1 - Remed Ultra Mirage II Nasal Mask - Medium.

Yes that is an APAP.

[metsfan302]

you can set it for your pressure and leave it one pressure or change the max and let the machine decide what u need. the reports on sleepyhead will help you fine tune things too. but your script shows 7 ? as pressure?

[dwhla]

you can set it for your pressure and leave it one pressure or change the max and let the machine decide what u need. the reports on sleepyhead will help you fine tune things too. but your script shows 7 ? as pressure?

I think he wrote 7 cm H2O whatever that means

[Tdub210]

thats the amount of air pressure your Dr prescribed for a setting on your machine. Its what's believed to be the pressure necessary for keeping your apnea at bay. For example, I'm on a APAP and my settings are min 6 max 18. You MIGHT want to make changes to it as you go depending on how things go. I'd recommend going with the initial setting, getting sleepyhead software and tracking progress to see how you're doing. If things aren't working, you can post screenshots of your sleepyhead data here and some very knowledgable people here will help you dial it in.

[dwhla]

thats the amount of air pressure your Dr prescribed for a setting on your machine. Its what's believed to be the pressure necessary for keeping your apnea at bay. For example, I'm on a APAP and my settings are min 6 max 18. You MIGHT want to make changes to it as you go depending on how things go. I'd recommend going with the initial setting, getting sleepyhead software and tracking progress to see how you're doing. If things aren't working, you can post screenshots of your sleepyhead data here and some very knowledgable people here will help you dial it in.

Excellent, I will do just htat!