Does treatment make sense for me and how to get started

[Pugsy]

I don't have any special reference for DIYing things. Sorry. I never wrote a book and what I learned I picked up here and with my own personal experience.

Where are you located? How easy or not so easy is it for you to just go buy a machine and a mask?

[halloweenharry]

I'm in Germany. Should be pretty easy from what I've seen, there are online stores that sell this stuff. I've seen a Philips Dreamstation Auto CPAP available for around 700€ for example.

[Julie]

If you have the choice get the ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset For Her (it's for men too - just a dumb name they stuck on it).

[khauser]

If you have the choice get the ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset For Her (it's for men too - just a dumb name they stuck on it).

So true. I understand that the idea was an algorithm that was intended to make xPAP therapy customized for women, but it turns out (of course) that men can benefit from it as well.

[Pugsy]

I am going to echo the sentiment for the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her machine choice if at all possible.
It has 2 different auto adjusting algorithm modes (in addition to regular cpap mode) and that 3rd algorithm might be of benefit to you.
We never know for sure if the way it does its job is going to be what someone needs to do better but I have always said it is better to have something and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I have used the Respironics apap (older version of what you are looking at) along with the ResMed apap.....if at all possible get the ResMed. Several reasons which I don't have time to go into now cause me to say that but if you can do it...that's what I would do.

Check out secondwindcpap.com. US based cpap online retailer but they sell internationally and often have low hour used machines (as well as new open box specials) that are quite reasonable in price even with shipping internationally. They are fine people to work with...I know many people who have used them both here in the US and internationally.
If I were you...I would go with a low hour used AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her...

[halloweenharry]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

They do have the S10 AirSense Autoset for her for quite a good price actually. If you guys recommend it i'm willing to give it a try.

Next order of business would be the interface. Generally I dont breathe through my mouth much as far as I am aware but im not a 100% sure. Should I go with a nasal pillow first and then switch to a full facial mask if it doesnt work? Or should i go directly for the ffm? Any recommendations? Anything else I need?

[Pugsy]

Go with the nasal pillow mask. Worry about mouth breathing if and/or when it happens and amounts to a problem that it needs to be dealt with. There are ways to deal with it that don't always have to involve a full face mask.

Nasal pillow masks have the least footprint on your face and trust me....even with less footprint sleeping with a mask on your face blowing air up your nose takes a bit of adjustment. Less footprint...less area needed to be kept sealed because the contact with skin area is less.

Look at the ResMed AirFit P10. Minimal headgear...easy to fit and seal...and essentially silent in terms of vent noise. I know you have no idea what I mean about vent noise but again trust me...it's important.

[khauser]

Next order of business would be the interface. Generally I dont breathe through my mouth much as far as I am aware but im not a 100% sure. Should I go with a nasal pillow first and then switch to a full facial mask if it doesnt work? Or should i go directly for the ffm? Any recommendations? Anything else I need?

That is an incredibly subjective issue. For example, I found myself unable to breathe with anything other than nasal pillows. It was as though having the pressure on the outside of my nostrils blocked them. On the other hand, many have reported difficulty breathing when using nasal pillows.

Also, your needs can change depending on the pressure you require, though I personally would be unlikely to ever adapt other than pillows or a canula-type solution (or the new bleep mask).

Do you think there's a mask you're more likely to use? Because having a xPAP machine is nowhere near as useful as using one, and treatment compliance is at least partially a comfort issue.

[halloweenharry]

I have no idea which one I would be more likely to use because i have never even tried on any of them. But Pugsy does make a good argument so Im gonna go with the nasal pillow for now and see how it goes.

I ordered the recommended machine and nasal pillows, I'll get back to you guys when they arrive, I'm sure I will need your help again Thanks for all the help so far!

[Pugsy]

You will want the clinical/provider manual and it may or may not be included with the machine.
You can download it here
https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... %20her.pdf

It may or may not have a SD card in it. If it doesn't you can use any generic SD card. 2 GB is plenty big enough but those are getting hard to find so may need to go to a bigger size. Doesn't hurt a thing. Don't go getting one of those really high end capacity fancy SD cards. Waste of money and I have heard of some software issues with those really big high end cards.