Advice, please!

[patdart]

I've posted here before, and read many posts, but today, two weeks after my 2nd (diagnostic) sleep test, my pulmonologist and I talked and he has ordered Lincare to set me up with a machine and mask and says my need is for 8 (or was it 6?). He said my O2 didn't go but once for a very short time to 89 and he feels it will help me with my PV blood condition for which I'm being bled every few weeks. I've had Lincare before, and hope I will be able to ask for the machine I want to live with.

Can anyone recommend one certain machine that is the quietest and easily portable, as I travel a lot. At the current moment I am on O2, but he says I won't need it with the CPAP. That's a serious relief to me. I hope it proves true. I've been using it for about a month at the order of my hemotologist. As I understand it, I will probably be stuck with this machine for 5 years at least, so I want to ask for the 'cutting edge' as I start. I'm on a Mac and don't intend to change, so does that make a difference in what I will need?

I want a quiet machine that I can use on my unused side of my Tempurpedic bed, not my nightstand. Will that make a difference?

I used a full face mask at the test and not my eye mask which I have to have every night as I have no curtains and am light sensitive...what do you recommend for a mask? Is it changeable if it doesn't work for me? Can I use it with a sleep mask? Will they let me ask for nostril pillows? They seem best for fitting over/under a sleep mask which is sorta thick.

Any wisdom for me? I've read thru the archives for days hunting answers and I dread asking these questions, but I need advice this week.

I'll do my part answering others who come on.

Thanks in advance,

Patdart

[dtsm]

I use a ResMed S8 AutoElite II and the only noise is the exhalation from the mask. I can't hear anything from the machine. This model is data compliant; you can read the data off the machine each day before noon, or purchase software with card reader or usb adapter to download to pc. It is small enough to travel with (not the smallest but keep in mind too small means it'll move with the hose), even if you need the humidifier (which I don't use).

If you go to cpap.com, they list all the machines, along with detail ratings from real users!

I also use a pulse oximeter to do spot checks on my oxygen saturation level. I use the CMS 60-D but you can get a less expensive model; just make sure it comes with software to download the data. http://www.southeasternmedical.com has good deals.

Good luck - I'm sure others will provide their experiences.

[scrapper]

I have the ResMed S8 AutoSet II, and also love that........it's very quiet. I travel and find it easy to carry along.....it goes with me all of the time. To prevent rainout, I do also have the Aussie hose.......so you might want to look at the new S9 ResMed machine where a climate control hose is a part of the package instead.

As for masks.........your eye covering shouldn't be a problem with many of them. My current favorite is the new Swift FX nasal pillows that would not interfere at all.

Good luck...........keep searching, keep asking, keep on breathing

[KatieW]

I want a quiet machine that I can use on my unused side of my Tempurpedic bed, not my nightstand. Will that make a difference?

I have and love the S9 AutoSet, it's very quiet, and the "cutting edge", as it's only been released in the US for a few weeks. I don't know about running the ResScan 3.10 software with a Mac, but others can help with that.

Whichever model you chose, if you plan to use a Humidifier with your cpap, I don't think I would put it on the unused side of your bed, since the Humidifier could spill, and damage your cpap. Also, to avoid rainout (water in hose or mask), it is best to have the cpap lower than the bed. Is there some reason you can't have it on your night table?

Welcome to the forum!

[patdart]

Thanks for the fast replies. I don't have room on my side table and half of an empty King sized bed, so it would be most convenient for me to have it there as well as I can get to a plug there. (Mine is taken up by my phone). I really have to be able to put it there.

I would hope to get an note about using my Mac as all of mine are not PC's and I'm used to being shunted aside by PC users. (Why, oh, why, are they called that since they all are PC's?).

Maybe since I live in a warm climate I won't need the 'climate control'. I have a dehumidifier in my bedroom and have had to use O2 for weeks now and just the use of Ayr's nose gel has managed the drying of it so far...with the use of a daily wash with Ayr's Sinus Rinse in the mornings as needed.

More info coming I hope. i sure appreciate you guys who have studied this for years in some cases!

Pat

[Huffer]

If you're going to place it on the bed hopefully you'll use a tray or some kind of stable surface that will stop it from moving around and will contain a spill if you use a humidifier. I have a PR 1 APAP and it has a nice swivel on the output hose connection mounted right on the top. The S9 connects at the back, but that would be OK for you as it could be turned in any direction needed.

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

HI,
Most of the software for reading data from machines, is windows compatible. I have an AutoSet II and have ResScan 3.10. I used bootcamp to portion off the hard drive on my mac and installed windows XP. I run the software on the windows portion.

[patdart]

If you're going to place it on the bed hopefully you'll use a tray or some kind of stable surface that will stop it from moving around and will contain a spill if you use a humidifier. I have a PR 1 APAP and it has a nice swivel on the output hose connection mounted right on the top. The S9 connects at the back, but that would be OK for you as it could be turned in any direction needed.

With my Tempurpedic, which doesn't move when one person gets out of bed, I'm thinking it won't wiggle much, if any, and I will put it in a tray if Lincare lets me have a S9.

Am I right that the one I get at first will most likely be the one I'm stuck with?

Pat

[patdart]

Rats! I wanted a way to read the information on my Mac...how important is it? I'd hate to have to run XP on it just for that!

Pat

[dtsm]

Rats! I wanted a way to read the information on my Mac...how important is it? I'd hate to have to run XP on it just for that!Pat

I also use Mac but software "has" to run on XP - but then you can save as pdf and drag over to Mac desktop.

I have and love the S9 AutoSet, it's very quiet, and the "cutting edge", as it's only been released in the US for a few weeks. I don't know about running the ResScan 3.10 software with a Mac, but others can help with that.

3.10 works fine on Mac

[patdart]

Will I really need to run the software? Can I just use the information on the readout on the front of the unit? Won't that be enough?

Thanks again, all of you,

Pat

[GumbyCT]

I've posted here before, and read many posts, but today, two weeks after my 2nd (diagnostic) sleep test, my pulmonologist and I talked and he has ordered Lincare to set me up with a machine and mask and says my need is for 8 (or was it 6?). He said my O2 didn't go but once for a very short time to 89 and he feels it will help me with my PV blood condition for which I'm being bled every few weeks. I've had Lincare before, and hope I will be able to ask for the machine I want to live with.

Can anyone recommend one certain machine that is the quietest and easily portable, as I travel a lot. At the current moment I am on O2, but he says I won't need it with the CPAP. That's a serious relief to me. I hope it proves true. I've been using it for about a month at the order of my hemotologist. As I understand it, I will probably be stuck with this machine for 5 years at least, so I want to ask for the 'cutting edge' as I start. I'm on a Mac and don't intend to change, so does that make a difference in what I will need?

I want a quiet machine that I can use on my unused side of my Tempurpedic bed, not my nightstand. Will that make a difference?

I used a full face mask at the test and not my eye mask which I have to have every night as I have no curtains and am light sensitive...what do you recommend for a mask? Is it changeable if it doesn't work for me? Can I use it with a sleep mask? Will they let me ask for nostril pillows? They seem best for fitting over/under a sleep mask which is sorta thick.

Any wisdom for me? I've read thru the archives for days hunting answers and I dread asking these questions, but I need advice this week.

I'll do my part answering others who come on.

Thanks in advance,

Patdart

viewtopic/t50492/I-dont-want-to.html

[patdart]

I love it! I grew up with a cat who slept in our lavatory in the winter...it had a small bathroom heater under it! I really have no objection to the process because I'm used to things on my face when I sleep and I'm convinced it will make me feel better! But, I don't want to buy a PC to make it easier to keep up with it. Seems my provider could do that for me. Not so?

Pat

[JohnBFisher]

... But, I don't want to buy a PC to make it easier to keep up with it. Seems my provider could do that for me. Not so? ...

Your DME *might* print the reports for you. Some will charge you for that report. Some machines will provide information in the LCD display. That can often be enough.

Always remember, who will gain the most from you sleeping well. Your provider won't. They often just don't care. This is no different than tracking your blood glucose if you have Type 2 Diabetes. You could use a fancy computer program. But just having the machine that CAN keep track is often enough.

Hope that helps.

[Julie]

If your Mac has Intel (like mine) you can use Bootcamp to install Windows, then use the program without even having to be online (& risking trouble).