Newbie needs advice

[deadhead]

Hello everyone. This is all new to me and I was hoping I could get your advice on what I’m thinking about doing. I am in Toronto and have severe sleep apnea (55 incidents/hour).

I was looking at getting either the ResMed S8 Elite II or the M Series Auto C-Flex. I’m leaning towards the M Series based on reviews and the info presented on this site. What I’m a little overwhelmed about is deciding where to get the gear. If I get the machine from the US then I cannot borrow it to try it out first, and servicing it if it breaks down during the warranty period would be a big pain. On the other hand, it is cheaper. Given the two machines I’m considering, is there a real chance that either will not be a good choice for me or that they will break down within 3 years? I’m guessing that I can’t go wrong with either so not being able to try it out first is probably not a big deal. Do you agree?

As for the masks, since selecting and getting a proper fit seems to make more sense in person then I should probably buy it locally. I don’t think I can guess what mask is right for me then order it from the US and hope for the best. Do you agree? I fear that I'll get hosed on the price though since I understand that ADP only covers 75% of the cost of a basic mask and I don't have insurance and I'm guessing that the chances of a basic mask being ideal are minimal.

Thanks for you help!

[Abby]

Hi Deadhead,

I live in the GTA, too and I used the service provider recommended by my sleep lab (Medigas 416-365-1700). The service reps are very knowledgeable and they will let you to "borrow" masks, if you ask them (they often won't offer outright). Give them a call, they will tell you where your closest service rep works. I know they service the Toronto area. If that main phone number doesn't give you access to the service reps, send me an email and I will send you the phone extension of the lady that sets up the appointments. (hmlucky72ontario@yahoo.ca)

When I got my cpap, they did recommend upgrading from the basic mask -- long-term it's a good investment if you can find the right mask. That's trial and error. Don't be afraid to ask to "borrow" a mask for a week, before you actually buy it.

Ohhhh and yes, you've quickly discovered that masks are cheaper online -- I just discovered that today *duh* As a first time cpap user, I would recommend getting it in person, despite the cost differences.

Hope this helps!
Abby

[Pekoepup]

I have only been using XPAP for about 2 months. I have the M Series APAP with A-flex. I love my little machine and humidifier. I have already traveled with it and I used it in the hospital during a recent 2 week stay. The large teaching hospital I was in happened to use the same machine so I was allowed to use my own. I used a Resmed machine for my week long auto-titration trial and it seemed to be a fine machine but it was quite a bit bigger and bulkier than the Respironics machine. It may have just been the model that I was using though but I can't say since I have only seen that one machine.

I have tried about 5 masks so far and I am in love with me Swift LT. I am a side to back to side sleeper and this mask allows me to move around. The mask issue is difficult but you can buy the masks and machines here in the US at a lower price. CPAP.com lets you buy insurance when you purchase a mask in the event the mask doesn't work for you. I read many reviews and chose my masks to purchase carefully. I did opt for the insurance on a couple of the masks. I am Canadian and I have an Aunt living in Ottawa using CPAP. She buys everything on-line from US companies. Canadian prices are very high for masks and machines and she can't afford them.

Have you checked Craig's list and E-Bay for masks and machines. There were many machines on my local Craig's list. Good luck. I hope you get the equipment you need for success.

[ozij]

While the majority of people do well on any machine, for some, one machine is much better that the other.

Since you live in a country where machine trialing is an option, I would go for a trial before deciding which to buy.

O.

[goose]

I'm in the M-series camp, but that's only because that's what I have and what I've used.....

Totally agree with ozij -- if you have the opportunity to trial your equipment, take advantage of the opportunity!!!

After you have your "first issue" and you have some time and experience under your belt, check out cpap.com for your needs -- I know there are Canadians here on the forum that have dealt with them very successfully.....(I'm sure they'll chime in sooner or later)......From everything I've heard, they're a lot less expensive than the folks you have to deal with there.....

Good luck - -and be sure to let us know how you're doing
Oh -- welcome to the forum!!!!

cheers
goose

[Hawthorne]

Since you are a first time cpap patient and live on Ontario Canada, you should definitely buy in Ontario and take advantage of the ADP funding. Try to get the best machine you can. Unless your doctor thinks you need an auto or a bipad, you will probably not get it even if you are willing to pay the extra yourself. If you can get the doctor to write a prescription for an auto -great! He may even think you need a bipap ( depends on the results of your sleep study). If not, try for an M Series Pro with C-Flex. That will get you, at least a data capable machine so that you can buy software and a reader if you want, in the future, to monitor your own therapy. Do NOT get just a M Series Plus! The Plus will treat your apnea but, if you want to monitor your own therapy in the future, it will only give you compliance. It's just a very basic machine. You should be able to get, at least the Pro.

Make sure you get at least a copy of your prescription. If you want to buy another machine online, in a few years time, you will need it. Don't count on a new machine every 5 years in Ontario with ADP help, no matter what they say. Some doctors will not prescribe a new one, even if your pressure changes, in 5 years unless you machine is broken beyond repair or you need a different type of machine. You will also have to have another sleep study. Some doctors are more flexible. Mine is not! You will be able to buy a new machine form cpap.com or other online suppliers, with an old prescription. Not so in Ontario.

After you are more expereienced and know what mask suits you or want to try others, I would suggest ordering from cpap.com or cpapauction.com.

Make sure that, wherever you buy online, that they ship via United Stated Postal Service (cpap.com does and their shipping to Ontario is standard $17.00 - on the auction site you should email and find out and also check the amount they will charge for shipping). You can get some good, brand new (or almost new masks) and other cpap equipment including machines on cpapauction.com at a really reasonable price, if you want to try some others, later, after you get your first one and get used to this.

Just keep coming here and asking or PM me, since we both live in Ontario, I'm glad to share my experience.

[deadhead]

Thanks for all the replies and great info. It's a tough choice but maybe trying it out first and going local for the first set of equipment is probably a little better than buying it cheaper and hoping that it'll all work out. That means I'll likely end up trying the S8 Elite II. I don't recall what the cost of the software was but I think it was way too much. That really sucks because it sounds like a neat thing to have.

Thanks again!

[goose]

Deadhead -- take Hawthorne up on the offer!!! Local information and advice can be indispensable!!!
Good luck with your treatment, and again, please come back often and let us know how you're doing!!!!

cheers
goose

[DreamStalker]

Thanks for all the replies and great info. It's a tough choice but maybe trying it out first and going local for the first set of equipment is probably a little better than buying it cheaper and hoping that it'll all work out. That means I'll likely end up trying the S8 Elite II. I don't recall what the cost of the software was but I think it was way too much. That really sucks because it sounds like a neat thing to have.

Thanks again!

Its all about priorities ... if you put your health at the bottom, what good are the priorities at the top?

It should be easy to find a $200 cost of something that is has a lesser priority than your health.