HOW MANY MASKS DO WE PHANTOMS REALLY HAVE?

[dkeat]

Fun question, Judy Ann!

Machine: Puritan Bennette 420E autopap
Back up machine: Respironics Remstar autopap
(Software and clinician's manual for both.)
Even older backup: the "Tranquillity" straight cpap a friend gave me back when I wanted to see if cpap really would help me...and it did.

Hi Laura

You certainly have used an eclectic mix of equiment.

I would be curious to hear your pros and contras between the Puritan Bennet and the Respironics Remstar. Why is the Respironics only your backup unit, what is the difference, and is it a difference that you can "feel" in hightened well being?

[biggziff]

Started using CPAP on 10-14-05

RemStar Pro II CFLEX

Masks:
Swift
Activa
F&P 405
CPAPPRO (No Mask)
Comfort Curve

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, swift, CPAP, Comfort Curve

[rested gal]

Hi David,

Actually the quote about what machine I was using was what I wrote way back a year ago (Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:11 am Post subject: masks and machines) when JudyAnn started this thread.

Ironically, about a month after I had written that, the REMstar Auto became my primary machine. But only because I gave my first 420E to a friend who needed THAT particular autopap and no other...because of its "advanced" settings.

Since that writing, I've used two REMstar Autos -- the one mentioned then, and another one later when C-Flex was added to the REMstar autos.

To confuse things even more, I got a 420E again when I recently bought Wader's 420E autopap after he got himself a ResMed S8 Escape to use as his travel machine.

So.....a year after I wrote about which was my primary machine and which was my backup machine, I've come full circle back around to using a 420E autopap fulltime.

I've always felt the same (very rested) with any xpap machine - cpap, autopap, bi-level. All have given me good treatment. I prefer the 420E for its size and for the Silverlining software it uses...not because of any difference in how I feel.

What can I say? Obviously, I'm "easy."

Actually, at the moment, I'm using a BiPAP PRO 2 with Bi-Flex (Respironics bi-level machine) while all these other machines of mine are...ummm...away visiting friends and relatives:

420E auto
It will be coming home after Thanksgiving to resume its place as my primary machine.

REMstar Auto with C-Flex

REMstar Auto before C-Flex was added

VPAP III (ResMed's bi-level)

The old Tranquillity is still stored in a place of honor in a closet.

[Babbie]

Darn it - I thought I'd set a record for being on cpap the shortest amount of time with the most masks----no, Jan in CO has that. I too have been on since August - one unit-Remstar Plus with C-Flex, masks-1st was Comfort Gel (awful! ); then Swift (leaked and leaked and leaked), the Breeze Dreamseal(liked it for awhile then started leaking); and now my Activa which I wouldn't trade for anything. I have a Breeze DreamFit coming. I have a whole shelf in the bathroom for my "mask shrine".
Kathy

[Babbie]

I stand corrected - bigziff gets the prize for the most masks in the shortest time!!
Kathy

[biggziff]

heehehe...

I've found that I like the Swift and Activa the best for me. Side sleeping with either isn't easy, but does work if I position my head slightly off the pillow.

In search of the perfect mask.....

[Severeena]

I have my Small Hans Rudolph Full Face Mask and my Petite Hans Rudolph. I have three hoses. One of them is 9 feet long yes it is 9 feet and I love the length.

[ProfessorSleep]

This has been interesting reading! I will be up to 3 machines soon, started cpap 8/31/05. Have been fortunate to do some mask trades here so rather than a draw full of losers I have only 4 interfaces: Swift, Aura, F&P 407 nasal mask, and recently acquired HR full face mask. I'm sure the number of machines doesn't come close to what has passed through dsm's workbench!

[felineperson3]

I have been on therapy since Sept. 27th, 2004 and I only have the one machine--the Remstar Auto with the heated humidifier, but I wish I had a second one for a back-up. I really like the machine and I also purchased the Encore software in hopes I could learn how to monitor my sleep data and I owe many thanks to this wonderful forum for all the helpful posts that made it possible for me to get somewhat of a handle on what to look for and how to interpret the data. A big thanks to all of you:
One of the masks I first started with was:
A Comfort Select Nasal Mask that I only used for about a week that literally tore up my face and leaked terribly. Rather than leave it lay in a drawer I donated it to the Hurricane Katrina org. Hopefully, it will be compatible and helpful to someone down there.
My other masks I have are:
Nasal Aire Cannula
Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask
Swift
Aura
and last, but the best for me--the Breeze! All of my masks have been out-of-pocket expense for me until I reached the ripe old age for Medicare this September and I did obtain a back-up Breeze at that time.

[dkeat]

Hi David,

Actually the quote about what machine I was using was what I wrote way back a year ago (Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:11 am Post subject: masks and machines) when JudyAnn started this thread.

Hi Laura

Istn't there some kind of law against reviving old threads a year later?

I din't notice. How did this get going again?

Anyway, thanks for the data. I find the Resperonics software sufficient, probably because I don't know any better. I get my AHI easily enough.