I'm new to cpap, need recommendations

[dream-warriors]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, and I just had a sleep study last night that did confirm I have sleep apnea. I have a follow up sleep study in a couple of weeks, and I really was looking for equipment reviews/recommendations. I do tend to breathe with my mouth at night, so I was hoping with all the experience on this forum I could be pointed to a few masks that might work for me.
I just want to buy a quality unit first, instead of wasting my money on an inferior unit. With that in mind, where are the best prices that everyones found to buy their equipment.

Thanks so much in advance,
Greg W.

[GumbyCT]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, and I just had a sleep study last night that did confirm I have sleep apnea. I have a follow up sleep study in a couple of weeks, and I really was looking for equipment reviews/recommendations. I do tend to breathe with my mouth at night, so I was hoping with all the experience on this forum I could be pointed to a few masks that might work for me.
I just want to buy a quality unit first, instead of wasting my money on an inferior unit. With that in mind, where are the best prices that everyones found to buy their equipment.

Thanks so much in advance,
Greg W.

Greg, this is really a self help kinda place. You have to search and read. Good places to start are listed right at the very top of the forum Home Page - such as "News Users", "Our Wisdom", and the post by Jules "Where a Newbie Should Start". There is no wisdom pill and will get out what you put in and it is a steep learning curve.

You may come across some personal reviews here or there but I think the above reading should get you started and keep you busy, so get comfy and put on your reading glasses.

I think once you get busy reading you will see the sleep business doesn't always give you the choice of what equipment or DME you can use.

Welcome to the BEST CPAP forum on this internet.

Feel free to post any more questions you have but a quick search will usu. give the answer right away.

[jules]

are you going to use insurance for sure?

are you wondering if you are better off not using it?

do you even have insurance to use?

start with these ------ if you answer the first question YES - you got your hands tied more and will fight a lot to get the best equipment

you need to know what kind of machine you will need too - won't know until after the second study most likely - cpap/apap or bilevel machine for example

masks you can start looking at ------- I suggest you ask them to let you try several at the titration but take in a short list ----- I started browsing masks online and after a few days I then started to write down Plus and minus for some - came up with a short list - the local DME had 3 of the 6 on my list so I looked at those - of course in time my criteria has changed

[Julie]

Well, in the interests of trying to be helpful to newbies, I'll say that you should try to get a "data capable" machine, which means one that not only gives you a couple of bits of information on how you slept last night, but one which will give you lots of info. each night that you can read from your computer (via a special card reader and software) and be knowledgable about your condition, take control of it as very many of us have done. You can look at probably the most widely used 'bundle' (machine, reader and software) here:- https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html. The smart cards come with the machine. What's also important (but what many or most insce. co's may not pay for) is to have an "auto" machine, vs straight Cpap, because apart from an auto machine being able to be used in plain Cpap mode, you are not limited to one set pressure being used in your therapy, but will have a machine that can sense when you need more or less at a given time during the night, however it is something you should read more about at the lightbulb on the first page here. There are other very good machines with and without smart cards and/or auto mode, but those are the two things to aim for when choosing one. Problems you will run into along with insurance co's that won't pay for data-capabability can be DME's (dealers) who want to give you only basic machines without the 'features' because it's to their advantage to do so (won't go into it all here), and only being assertive with them will get what you want, as well as ones saying they will only rent machines for 6 mos. (at a high rate) then sell them to you afterward. You may also want to consider buying your choice of machine outright from a place like Cpap.com (best prices anywhere - and no, I have zero personal stake) and if your insce. co. has agreed beforehand, then submitting the paperwork to them. Anyhow, as Gumby said, do some homework, but hopefully this will help to get you on the right road.

[Autopapdude]

Definitely read the reviews both at this site and on others as well. Also look at the ratings on Cpap.com--I find that they're quite accurate for the most part. Once again, you need to find out what the insurance will pay, and what the DME is offering for your particular prescription. If you are a "self=pay, obviously you will have more choices, as most DMEs show up with a machine and mask and just give you whatever they want to provide.

[dream-warriors]

Thanks for all the input. I'm not limited by an insurance company for my equipment, because it will be out of pocket. With that in mind please keep your suggestions coming on what machine has the best and most useful features.
I just want to be able to do some homework on the different machines before my next sleep study in a couple of weeks.

Thanks again everyone,
Greg

[Autopapdude]

If you're not "insurance dependent" (same here), I would say that the best three machines in terms of popularity are as follows, in no particular order: 1. M series (now to be replaced by the PR series) autopap-- Respironics offerings),2 the Resmed Autoset II, and 3. the DeVilbiss Intellipap Autoset. All three are excellent machines, and have their relative merits and detractions. Check them out and see which one you like for YOUR specific situation. I got the Intellipap Autoset, and love it, but lots of people love the algorithm of Resmed or Respironics for their own therapy.

[cflame1]

It really depends on what your pressure is and what the titration study comes back with as a recommendation. You need to know whether to go with CPAP/APAP or BiPAP/VPAP. The answers on the machines will be different based on that information.

Autopapdude has good suggestions about the CPAP/APAP. But if you need a BiPAP/VPAP (Bi-Level), then the answer will be different.

[GumbyCT]

If I had to choose a machine - I would choose one that I could get the software to track my therapy. To me nothing is more important than knowing where you are and how you are doing, period. You can NOT do that w/o the software and card reader, well and some computer skills

The Sandman is one machine which has not been mentioned yet, which I think has the software come right with the machine. If the software is not available, I would cross that one off the list and keep moving.

Keep in mind some of the machine requirements could depend on other medical issues or needs that may arise (be found) during your PSG (sleep study). A higher pressure is one such need. Certainly an auto is always a good choice.

You are doing the right thing by educating yourself before hand as this sleep business is pretty brutal and money driven. Not having to depend on insurance you could have some fun requesting quotes from local DME's, tho in the end I would not think they will be willing to help someone who doesn't want to pay way more than necessary. It could be interesting tho, esp. if you need a mask fitting or local help/service, you would know who is willing and who is not.

Speaking of mask - that is the most difficult part. Many sleep centers also offer mask fittings, take advantage of those and trial as many as you can.

Faces are like fingerprints and each has a different fit.
Gumby said it.

EDIT: Reading Cflames post I have to agree.

[GumbyCT]

BEWARE: The new Respironics PR systems have no software available for patient use. I would avoid any machine unless I could get the software for my personal use.

[roster]

If I had to choose a machine - I would choose one that I could get the software to track my therapy. To me nothing is more important than knowing where you are and how you are doing, period. You can NOT do that w/o the software and card reader, .....

Gumby has it nailed for you. Also see what cflame1 has to say about the type of machine you need.

Here are a few guidelines for the next step in your process:

Things To Ask About Your Polysomnogram (PSG) and Titration Study

1. Did I have any central apneas? How many?

2. Were there any comorbidities? What were they?

3. Did I breathe or leak through my mouth? How often? What do you recommend to prevent it?

3. Did I exhibit Positional Sleep Apnea (PSA)? Was my apnea more severe in one sleeping position as compared to others? Is my pressure requirement higher in one position as compared to others? (Often sleep apnea is more severe when sleeping on the back.)

4. Is there anything else unusual about the results?

5. How will I know my therapy is preventing apneas?

6. I am determined to own a data-capable machine and software to monitor apneas, hypopneas and mask leak. This will allow me to call your office with specific questions if I have problems with the therapy. Will you help me with the appropriate prescription?

In addition to the questions:

1. Get a copy of your PSG. It is your legal right to have one.

2. Get a copy of your CPAP prescription.

3. Make sure the prescription calls for an integrated humidifier with the machine.

[JoyD.]

Hi,

Maybe I missed reading this in the former posts . . . but since you will pay out of pocket BUY ONLINE! Your local DME will charge three times the online prices.

CPAP.COM who sponsors this forum has low prices (also will match any lower price you may find online) and is extremely reliable in every way. The members on the Forum here will give you more education and training than any DME.

However, I'd suggest going in various DME's to look at and try on masks. That doesn't mean you have to buy them. Then if you buy the mask from cpap.com, you might want to buy the insurance that allows you to return/exchange the mask if it doesn't fit properly.

Best wishes!

[cinco777]

3. Make sure the prescription calls for an integrated humidifier with the machine.

I don't agree with the above recommendation as there are standalone humidifiers that offer advantages not found with integrated humidifiers. I, and many other members of this forum, have purchased a standalone humidifier and are very glad that we did. Check out the F & P HC 150 standalone before you make a decision on what kind of humidifier to get: integrated or standalone.

[Autopapdude]

See if you can get the prescription as generic as possible. Use general language, and undated times. There are samples herehttps://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Prescriptions.html#221

[roster]

3. Make sure the prescription calls for an integrated humidifier with the machine.

I don't agree with the above recommendation as there are standalone humidifiers that offer advantages not found with integrated humidifiers. I, and many other members of this forum, have purchased a standalone humidifier and are very glad that we did. Check out the F & P HC 150 standalone before you make a decision on what kind of humidifier to get: integrated or standalone.

Cinco,

I am familiar with the F&P HC150 and it is an excellent standalone CPAP humidifier. But it brings the inconvenience factor of having another device with another power cord and another hose.

Additionally, I maintain that many users very much overestimate the amount of humidity needed. A properly working CPAP system provides air pressure without any additional air flow (as compared to normal breathing) to dry out airway passages. The appropriate amount of humidity needed from a CPAP humidifier is an amount which will keep the humidity inside the system at the level of a healthy room humidity. This level is 40 to 60%. All the machines we would currently recommend have integrated humidifiers that can easily maintain 60% at high pressures. Humidity levels above 60% begin to be suboptimal for health reasons.

If you are just concerned about health and not concerned about having the finest toys, the additional cost and inconvenience of a standalone humidifier can be avoided.

Regards,