First Post

[LocoLouie]

Hello Everyone. Hope all is well.
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea the first week of Februrary and began using a Bi-Pap machine a week later. I have not had much problem using the machine or the Activa mask that was recommended by the tech. I started out using them at least 8 hours a night and still do. My pressure is set at 17 in and 10 ex.
I do have a question that I have not found an answer to in the previous posts
( although it is probably there some where ). Do the various nasal interface manufacturers recommend pressure settings for their interfaces or is a CPAP user completely at the mercy of the technicians suggestions? In other words, wouldn't a company know if their design of, let's say, a nasal pillow would be more uncomfortable at a specific pressure than that of one of their competors?
Thanks.

[Wulfman]

LocoLouie,

Welcome to the forum and the hosehead club.
With that name (LocoLouie), you'll probably fit in quite well here

As far as your question goes, I imagine the manufacturers know which ones work best at which pressures, but a user may be at the mercy of a DME supplier that doesn't.
I can't say from any first-hand experience as I selected and purchased all of my equipment here at CPAP.COM and didn't get any specific recommendations from any local DMEs.
If the users become "empowered" to take charge of their own therapy, they're not at the mercy of those inept and "EVIL" DMEs.

Best wishes,

Den

[~AP]

I'm new here too, so not much help to you, but you have a really good question. I'd like to know the answer myself.

Any suggestions from those who have been around awhile??

[NightHawkeye]

In other words, wouldn't a company know if their design of, let's say, a nasal pillow would be more uncomfortable at a specific pressure than that of one of their competors?

The truth is that the interface manufacturers are constantly learning, just as we are. There are too many variables and the game is dynamic. That's why the best interfaces today are not the same ones as a couple of years ago.

The question's good, but don't expect the manufacturers to answer it. It is very uncommon for businesses to openly volunteer flaws in their products. Ergo, the value of this forum. You can find out here, for instance, that the Swift is horribly noisy and leaky at higher pressures. (You asked about pillows, after all.)

Regards,
Bill (who likes his Swift, but is mildly irritated with its shortcomings)

[Selena]

Hi, I've called various mfgrs to get comparative info. on different masks, but very few will admit to knowing anything about other masks, whether they do or not, so it is confusing. One of your best bets is to talk to experienced people at places like Cpap.com who sell many different masks and ask them what kind of feedback they get on individual masks vs others.