Need to buy a CPAP. Any suggestion ?

[Gourou]

I'm looking at the different xPAP available on https://www.cpap.com...

especially that one:

420SP CPAP with H2O Heated Humidifier and Silverlining Software https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

and that one:

420E CPAP with Heated Humidifier and Silverlining Software
https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

I'm not really sure I understand the difference... the 420SP one is under "CPAP" category and the 420E is under "auto-adjust CPAP". They both come with the Silverlining software.

So what's the difference between an APAP (auto-cpap) and a normal CPAP used with the software? The APAP will adjust the pressure automatically in real time, versus the CPAP that I have to set it by myself... but still, both of them can monitor my sleep, leaks, apnea/hypopnea periods, etc...?

[TXKajun]

Gourou, yep, sounds like you've got the basics down on APAP vs CPAP.

One thing that got me to go for the APAP is that my titrated pressure was 16 cm H2O. That's pretty darn high. Using my APAP and the software, I found out that I can get by with a range of about 11-15 cm, most of the time spent between 11 and 13 cm. Although 2 cm may not sound like much of a difference, it's really a major difference!

Sooooo, when I need to get the higher pressures, I get them, but when I don't need them, I can just kind of "cruise" on the lower pressures.

Another thing....if/when I manage to lose another 15 lbs or so, hopefully my pressure will go down even lower. Using the APAP, I can check it over a range each night rather than having to "guess" at a single pressure each night.

Kajun

[Gourou]

That's in my plans too so that's exactly why a titration software will be required... I can't believe they just don't give titrating CPAP to everybody... just think about all the costs involved for re-doing a polysomnography!! or the costs of sleeping with the wrong pressure.. tire at work, sick, insurance, etc...

Another thing....if/when I manage to lose another 15 lbs or so, hopefully my pressure will go down even lower. Using the APAP, I can check it over a range each night rather than having to "guess" at a single pressure each night.

Kajun

[simplyjudy61]

I am using the REMstar Auto M Series Auto C-Flex machine by Respironics and loved it. It monitors and adjust my pressure, my AHI, Average leak., etc .I also have the software, smart card and reader and can monitor my own therapy. My Insurance only paid 75% for my online purchase, but it is worth it, because I can get the best quality machine. The local DME will sell you a regular machine for the same price. I rather pay the difference out of pocket and get the best machine there is. Sleep is the best gift you can give yourself and it is worth every penny. Good luck with your purchase and please compare and read all you can on CPAP before making any decisions on what you need or want.

[echo]

Gourou- note that all APAPs can be set in CPAP mode (so, to one straight pressure the whole night), so one way to think of it is that with APAP, you're getting 2-for-the-price-of-1 Well the APAPs are of course slightly more $$ than the CPAPs.

Some people apparently do better with an APAP though, for reasons that I myself don't know.

As far as I understand any M.D. can write a prescription.

If you buy from cpap.com, you can buy an APAP with a CPAP prescription.

Also it's been mentioned, but be very careful with the names of the machines (for a prescription or ordering) - "data reporting" may simply mean that they report compliance numbers and that's it - you have to be 100% sure that you're getting ALL the data, in accordance with what DreamStalker already posted.

[Slinky]

Any MD or DO can write the script. Once your insurance has been billed for the CPAP billmyinsurance can't help you and most other local DMEs won't either 'cause the first months will go to one DME and then when you change only the balance of months goes to the other. HOWEVER, if you've had your machine just barely 3 months or just under 3 months the current DME may not have establshed compliance nor billed your insurance yet.