Travel CPAPS

[craigclive]

My travel CPAP died and I am l looking to replace it. I have looked at the XT Fit for $189. I contacted a vendor who advised me that since my initial prescription was for an automatic machine so the XT Auto Travel at $385 was what I needed.

I wrote back to try to understand why I should purchase the more expensive machine. I knew it had all the bells and whistles, but I don't think I need them since I use the machine for short periods of time when we travel.

I received this response from the vendor:

I was not the one who spoke with you, but likely the reason is simply you have a prescription for an automatic (which has a higher pressure for breathing in and a lower pressure for breathing out.). This means that we have to follow the prescription due to the FDA. If you speak to your doctor you may convince them to put you on a single pressure, just be warned a lot of people do not adjust well going from an automatic to a manual since that is a single high pressure going constantly. Often, though, doctors have very specific reasons for prescribing an auto so you would need to speak with them to see why they have given you this prescription.

Anyone have any experience with manuual vs. automatic machines and how much different are they?

Thanks,

Craig Clive

[LSAT]

How about this from Amazon..No prescription required.
https://www.amazon.com/Apex-Medical-XT- ... ravel+cpap

[Pugsy]

an automatic (which has a higher pressure for breathing in and a lower pressure for breathing out.).

This statement is incorrect. The automatic has to do with the machine's ability to auto adjust the pressure needs as it senses the need and while it may or may not have a difference between inhale and exhale...the automatic thing isn't related to inhale/exhale differences.

A fixed pressure (cpap only) machine just blows air at whatever pressure it is set at.
A cpap machine that can auto adjust the pressure is commonly called an apap machine but in reality it's a cpap with auto adjusting mode capabilities but it also has a fixed pressure mode option.

While a supplier can legally supply an apap capable machine when the RX states a fixed pressure (they just switch it to cpap moded and set a fixed pressure)...if the RX states a range of pressures (range being where it can auto adjust those pressures) then a supplier can't take a cpap only capable machine and set it to an auto adjusting range.

If your original RX specifically states a range of pressures then a supplier can't honor the RX as written with a machine that won't/can't do that range of pressures.

If all you want is a fixed pressure plain machine...ask your primary doctor to write you are RX for a machine that will do just a single fixed pressure.
Or find a supplier who isn't quite so nit picky about the RX.

What model is your primary machine? You show a DreamStation CPAP machine in your profile and that is the Respironics model DSX200xxx
and it is a fixed pressure only machine. Or do you have the model DSX500xxx which is the auto adjusting model?
Model numbers are usually on the side or bottom of the machine on a little sticker.

[ChicagoGranny]

Anyone have any experience with manuual vs. automatic machines and how much different are they?

Which model machines have you been using 1) at home and 2) for travel?

What are the pressure settings on each? How well do you judge your sleep on each? How do you feel the next day?

[SewTired]

When your doc did a sleep study, they determined a straight pressure. However, your doctor chose to give you an APAP. You can contact your doctor's office and ask them to send a script for a straight pressure machine, your choice. It helps to have your Sleepyhead report that indicates what your current 95% is, since that or slightly higher is going to be your best straight pressure.

I find it funny that you have to fight for a straight pressure. Most of us have to fight for the apap.

I found a straight pressure fine provided I had the RAMP feature. My original script said 11 straight, but the sleep doc would raise that to 11.6-12 based on my CURRENT data (my 95% is 11.6) if for whatever reason, I wanted straight pressure.

FWIW, you may find it easier to just buy from an online retailer unless your local DME will reasonably match the pricing. I doubt insurance will cover it as they usually only cover one machine every so often.

[LSAT]

When your doc did a sleep study, they determined a straight pressure. However, your doctor chose to give you an APAP. You can contact your doctor's office and ask them to send a script for a straight pressure machine, your choice. It helps to have your Sleepyhead report that indicates what your current 95% is, since that or slightly higher is going to be your best straight pressure.

I find it funny that you have to fight for a straight pressure. Most of us have to fight for the apap.

I found a straight pressure fine provided I had the RAMP feature. My original script said 11 straight, but the sleep doc would raise that to 11.6-12 based on my CURRENT data (my 95% is 11.6) if for whatever reason, I wanted straight pressure.

FWIW, you may find it easier to just buy from an online retailer unless your local DME will reasonably match the pricing. I doubt insurance will cover it as they usually only cover one machine every so often.

I don't agree wth that statement...For most people...best fixed pressure would be under the 95% figure.

[ChicagoGranny]

I don't agree wth that statement...For most people...best fixed pressure would be under the 95% figure.

This disagreement is an example of why APAPs are wonderful for many people. I woke up this morning with the machine pumping 15. Reached over, turned it off, let it autostart at 10 and got another pleasant 30 minutes of light sleep at 10. I feel great (for an old woman)!

[craigclive]

Thank you all for your input. My primary machine is a dreamstation DX500XXXX. I thought my previous machines, Respironic pros started at 4cm H2O and went up to 11 cm H2O. The XT fir seems to do the same things?

The XT Fit features a ramp setting so therapy can be eased into at night. The ramp time can be set from 0-45 minutes in 5 minute increments, and ramp pressure can start as low as 3 cm H2O or as high as 1 cm H2O below full therapy pressure.

[Pugsy]

Respironic pros started at 4cm H2O and went up to 11 cm H2O. The XT fir seems to do the same things?

Yes..by utilizing the ramp feature a fixed pressure Respironics Pro machine would do the same thing as the XT...ramp from 4 to 11 over whatever period of time you want to or need to use the ramp.

It will do what you are wanting it to do.

The problem is whomever you contacted to purchase it doesn't seem to want to sell it to you because the RX you provided calls for something different than what the machine can do. You can push back and explain that you are okay with the machines limitations and understand it and you are fine with it but they may be in a position where they can't legally sell you a machine that can't be set to the RX stated pressures.
If that is the case you can maybe get your doctor to give you a new RX with a fixed pressure of 11 cm...or try to find another retailer who can bend the rules a bit.

Send me a private message with who the online seller is...if you can't get a new RX for some reason and really, really want this machine maybe I can help.