Please help picking my 1st cpap machine!!

[Mike081376]

Ok ya'll,

I got the OK today to get a cpap and mask from my DR. and insurance provider. I have a website who is a preferred DME from my insurance company...about 5 pages and looks like most brands/models you all have is on there. I just need some recommendations on which model to get. I travel A LOT on the road so something compact and easy w/ humidifier, also something that records everything....notice this site doesn't provide pricing upfront, have to get a quote. My out of pocket is 10% for all equipment, so pricing shouldn't be an issue....Thanks for the help/advice!!! Oh yeah, also mask help too!! Im going to start with nose only, then if I have any issues move to a full mask, unless ya'll think thats just a waste.

http://www.cumberlandmed.com/shop/produ ... Family=198

Thanks

Mike

[Mike081376]

Bump for help!!!

[Gerald]

Mike....

In one of your previous threads, I sent you a message with a link that would give you the info you need.

That link was your path to a thread asking about the "Holy Grail" of CPAP machines.

Evidently, you did not understand the link....or you forgot to check it out.

Otherwise, you'd already have your info together.....and you'd be ahead of your vendor.

[KSMike]

Hi Mike,

I'm brand-new also, so I'm probably the last guy who should be dispensing any advice. But I've been very impressed so far with the equipment listed in my signature. That machine comes with a nice carry case that's made to accommodate the M Series humidifier too. I chose to go with a different humidifier based on the recommendations of some of the experts here, but if I was traveling much I would have gone with the M series humidifier just based on its form factor and ease of packing. I may buy the M series humidifier still, just to keep around for occasional travels.

[nomoore]

Keep in mind that CPAP.com does not deal directly with insurance. You will have to pay out of pocket up front. They will give you an invoice that has the correct codes on it to claim it on insurance. Check with your insurance to see if they will accept the invoice. My insurance wouldn't do it.

That's one of the reasons you get such good prices from them though. Because dealing with insurance costs a lot of resources that CPAP.com would rather use to help out the little people (us). For instance they host this forum and put together great product comparison challenges to get better info direct from the patients to the manufacturers.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi Mike--I love my RESMED S8 Elite with EPR---it is a GREAT machine!! I can access the data every morning on the LCD read out --so I get immediate feedback. Also it is light weight so it will travel well and comes with an intergrated humidfier that fits right onto the machine --so it is all one piece if you want it to be and takes up very little room.

The mask I'd recommend is the SWIFT LT----it is a great mask for side sleepers. It is very comfortable and highly recommended by a lot of people on here. I have tried like 5 or 6 masks before I settled on this one to get some really great sleep. It is light too --the head gear is so light --you don't even know that you have something on at night. I have also tried the OPTI LIFE --it is a good nasal mask too--I still keep it on hand for a back up--
good luck!!
Carrie

[AuntieNae]

Can I echo Gerald?

I have both the ResMed Auto and the M Series Auto .. you can not go wrong with either. I can tell you the pros and cons of each .. if you need that feedback.

[Slinky]

The fully data capable Resmeds can't be beat for EASE of access AND amount of data available via their LCD screen. The Resmed S8s are slowly being phased out by the Resmed S8 IIs. (The S8s came out in 2006, the S8 IIs came out in 2008).
They are also 1 lb lighter than the Respironics when packed in their carrying case and ready to walk out the door.

I'd suggest the Resmed S8 II Elite w/EPR and EasyBreathe for a CPAP or the Resmed S8 II AutoSet w/EPR and EasyBreathe. Altho you wouldn't go wrong w/the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR or the Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage. These latter two were the two I've owned before being switched to a bi-level (the Resmed VPAP Auto).

You do NOT want the Resmed S8 Compact, Resmed S8 Escape or Resmed C Series Tango or any Respironics w/a Plus in the model name. They are NOT fully data capable!

Masks are .... so individualistic. One man's poison is another man's ambrosia. Personally I like one of Respironics' oldest nasal cushion style masks: the Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion. Its not a very popular mask.

[sleeplessinaz]

Mike081376 --let us know which machine you ended up deciding to get? How is it working for you?
Carrie

[Mike081376]

Carrie, wish I could tell you which machine I picked..but im putting up with typical DR waiting period....I want to thank ya'll again for all the kind words and info you've given....

Mike

[Mike77]

I am a new CPAP user. I have been sleeping with it for the past 4 nights. My insurance requires that I rent the machine for the first month and then I have the option to purchase after the first month. My doctor provided me with the ResMed S8 Compact. I have no trouble with the machine - so far. However, after reading a lot of the posts on this forum, I have begun to wonder if I should not upgrade to a data-capable machine. Am I correct to think that my machine does not offer 'any' data? Is the issue that my machine does not offer any user-readable data, or is there data that the doctor can read and I cannot?

Thank you for the input!

[Slinky]

Resmed makes a darn good CPAP, but you don't want the Compact. You want AT LEAST the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR, or better yet the Resmed S8 II Elite w/EPR or if you really wanna push the issue the Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage or even Resmed S8 II AutoSet. The Compact can't offer any data of any value to you or your doctor. Its a bottom of the barrel Resmed, capable of providing good therapy and nothing else. Not even a hint of what difficulties you might encounter w/xPAP therapy when first starting out like high leak rates, etc. Take it back! ASAP. BEFORE your month is over!!!!

[wjb1044]

I used a Respironics M Series for a couple of weeks then switched to a Resmed S8 II Elite. I definitely like the Resmed better. It is so easy to use and the EPR on the Resmed feels much better to me than the C-Flex on the Respironics did. The Resmed has a better integrated humidifier and everything fits in a travel case really well.

Good luck with your new machine!

[rested gal]

Whatever brand you choose, do be sure to get a machine that can record more data than just "hours of use" (also called "compliance.")

This may be the link Gerald gave you, but anyway... here are specific names of machines...

My list of machines that record "full data" and those that don't -- as of October 2008:
viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168