another newbie

[dlynn]

Hi, I'm Lynn. I've been lurking since my cardiologist sent me for a sleep study. The first sleep study ended up being a split study since I had eighty apneas in an hour. I hope my CPAP comes today. OSA explains much. I have no idea what kind of equipment yet. I don't think I can use pillows. Tried that at the lab and couldn't get it off fast enough. It's good to find this site. Today while waiting for the machine I'm trying to figure out where it will live.

[Chikorita]

Hello and welcome to the forum. You'll find lots of kind helpful people here. My machine lives in the second drawer down of my bedside table.

[kteague]

Hi and welcome. I suggest you not open any of the items until you are certain it is a machine you want to keep. Get the exact name and model # and come back here and ask. Some machines only report how many hours you use it - only useful to the insurance company. You'll want a machine that records treatment data and reports on how effective your treatment actually is each night. Exchanging a machine can't be a battle, so be sure before you commit.

Mask style is very individual. I love the pillows style - some may hate them. Do you know what pressure is prescribed?

Hopefully this is the beginning of turning around those symptoms for which this diagnosis "explains much". Welcome to the group.

[jencat824]

Welcome!

You have just found one of the best sources of info about CPAP. The folks here are wonderful and very helpful, I found this forum in October & have learned more from this resource than in the 12 yrs prior. I would suggest you do as kteague said and don't open any boxes until you post the name of the machine here. The wise one's can help you with knowledge of the machine and help you get the best data capable & comfort capable machine. That is key for starting up. Below I have a link for you that has been posted a lot on this forum, it gives some info in general about various machines on the market now.

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

I wish you well on your journey with CPAP.
Jen

[MidnightOwl]

I agree with the recommendation to check what specific machine you are getting before accepting it. You also should find out exactly what it is going to cost you before you commit. If you have insurance that can vary depending on who provides the machine as well as things like your annual deductible. If you don't have insurance you'll really want to shop around even more. (The difference in cost can be 2 times or even more).

[chunkyfrog]

I agree with all of the above!
Data can be indispensable.
Do not let anyone cheat you out of equipment that works best for you.

[dlynn]

The info here has been really helpful. Machine comes tomorrow. It's a Resmed 9. Don't know if it's the escape or what. The mask is a Zest. It worked at the lab. I titrated at a 7. There were no apneas at that preassure. I have a medicare advantageplan so costs will be 20%. I have no idea what that will actually be yet.

[locust78]

Lynn, get ready for some trial and error. CPAP therapy is highly individualized, and can take a little bit of time to iron out the bumps. Patience and optimism will serve you well. Some of us were able to get it all together in a matter of days, for others (myself included) it may have taken months. That said, I'm confident that you'll find the rewards to be worth it. Doing your homework & staying connected to resources like this forum can go a long way in helping you keep the upper hand in your new journey.

[Tino2You]

The info here has been really helpful. Machine comes tomorrow. It's a Resmed 9. Don't know if it's the escape or what. The mask is a Zest. It worked at the lab. I titrated at a 7. There were no apneas at that preassure. I have a medicare advantageplan so costs will be 20%. I have no idea what that will actually be yet.

Lynn, I hope you get this before you head on over the DME. If the S9 you are offered has "ESCAPE" printed around the power button, you would be wise if you did not accept it. You want either one that has "ELITE" or "AUTOSET" printed around the power switch. The last two record full data, the Escape only records hours of use.

-tino