Hello. I'm less than new at this and I apologize as this must have been asked before - I searched for a topic & scrolled through the recent posts, but could find nothing similar to my situation.
I haven't done any sleep studies - because my Dr. said that if I'm diagnosed with apnea, it'll be difficult to find an insurance carrier later on, so he went ahead and prescribed me a CPAP without the study in hopes that I'll just buy the machine myself and save being diagnosed. As a result, I have very little to go one here as far as what to look for as far as features, masks, etc.
I'm 34 years old, perhaps slightly overweight, but no more that 15 pounds so. I sleep on my back and side mostly and breathe primarily through my nose, but sometimes I wake up with a dry mouth because I have been mouth breathing. I snore (sometime excessively) and occasionally stop breathing, so in interest of my wife & I both sleeping better, we're looking at purchasing a CPAP machine.
Now, I'm starting to research these machines a little bit and I feel a little bit overwelmed. There is such a wide variety that I really don't know where to start! Does anyone have any advice for a pre-beginner to at least get me started on my search for the right machine? Any help/advice/personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!
-Bryan
CPAP - getting started
9 posts
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Machine recommendation
Since you will have no titration study, I would suggest the Respironics Auto CPAP, along with the EncorePro software and reader (and the free add-on software, MyEncore). This machine along with the software will enable you to test what level of pressure you need to avoid apneas.
For a first mask, I suggest the Swift nasal mask or the Activa but ONLY if you are pretty sure you can't breathe through your mouth instead of your nose. If you are an established mouth-breather, you will need a full face mask.
Just my opinion. Others will suggest other options.
RestedGal started CPAP therapy a LONG time ago without benefit of a titration study.
Moogy
For a first mask, I suggest the Swift nasal mask or the Activa but ONLY if you are pretty sure you can't breathe through your mouth instead of your nose. If you are an established mouth-breather, you will need a full face mask.
Just my opinion. Others will suggest other options.
RestedGal started CPAP therapy a LONG time ago without benefit of a titration study.
Moogy
Moogy
started bipap therapy 3/8/2006
pre-treatment AHI 102.5;
Now on my third auto bipap machine, pressures 16-20.5
started bipap therapy 3/8/2006
pre-treatment AHI 102.5;
Now on my third auto bipap machine, pressures 16-20.5
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oldgearhead
- Posts: 1243
- Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:53 am
- Location: Indy
Bryan, that is risky, but if you are determined to do this by yourself (and this forum), then click on this link:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... p-h3i.html
This is the machine to buy because it is an Auto machine which means it will give you the pressure you need. With a straight cpap machine, you would have no idea what pressure to set it at.
Also, this machine shows you how you are doing by you pressing buttons the next morning and it tells how many apneas you had and the pressures you used the previous night.
You also need to purchase a mask, but that is another story. Decide on what machine to buy first. And remember, a straight cpap machine will be too risky if you haven't been titrated for a set pressure.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... p-h3i.html
This is the machine to buy because it is an Auto machine which means it will give you the pressure you need. With a straight cpap machine, you would have no idea what pressure to set it at.
Also, this machine shows you how you are doing by you pressing buttons the next morning and it tells how many apneas you had and the pressures you used the previous night.
You also need to purchase a mask, but that is another story. Decide on what machine to buy first. And remember, a straight cpap machine will be too risky if you haven't been titrated for a set pressure.
_________________
| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Compliant since April 2003. (De-cap-itated Aura). |
Moogy, I was going to say the Remstar Auto too, but with the software, it would end up being quite a bit more than the Vantage.
Bryan, if money is not an important issue, then do as Moogy said.
Bryan, if money is not an important issue, then do as Moogy said.
_________________
| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Compliant since April 2003. (De-cap-itated Aura). |
And instead of the Swift, I would recommend the Comfort Lite 2 because you get 2 interfaces. One is a nasal mask and the other is nasal pillows. That way if one didn't work for you, the other might. Also, you can switch back and forth. That is unless you need a full face mask - those are very difficult to get used to at first.
Bryan, did the doctor at least measure your oxygen while you slept (using a little thing that clips to your finger)?????????????????
Bryan, did the doctor at least measure your oxygen while you slept (using a little thing that clips to your finger)?????????????????
_________________
| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Compliant since April 2003. (De-cap-itated Aura). |
Hi Bryan,
I'm far less knowledgeable about all things CPAP than many here, since I've only been using it since April of this year. But I can tell you that if you're buying the equipment out of pocket, CPAP.COM (the host of this forum) has the best prices. My insurance doesn't cover treatment of apnea, so I paid for everything out of pocket. Money is tight, so I did quite a bit of research to find the best prices and found them here.
As for what machine to get, there are folks here who can help guide you. What I can say just based on the knowledge I do have is that you will want to look at APAP machines and not CPAP machines, since you will not have a sleep study to determine your needed pressure. An APAP machine can be set at range of pressures, as wide as 4-20cm, and then by downloading and reviewing the data from the machine over time, you can determine a much narrower range, and even one set pressure, that meets your particular needs. Once you've found your needed pressure, the APAP can be operated as a CPAP and run at one pressure instead of a range, but a CPAP can't be operated as an APAP. There is a good article on how to use an APAP to conduct your own sleep study somewhere on this forum, but I'm not sure how to find it. Sorry! Try searching for posts on APAP written by Rested Gal. And maybe someone else can post that link?
So my general advice is to look at APAP machines with software that enables you to download your data. From there, you can get fancy and get a machine with either C-Flex or EPR, functions that provide pressure relief upon exhale. There is also always a chance that you could end up needing a Bi-PAP machine. If money isn't an issue, you may want to buy an Auto Bi-PAP with software to cover all possible treatment options.
Hopefully, this will at least narrow your options and give you some specific topics to research.
Once you have an idea of what machine you want, you can start to think about a mask. What fun!
This forum is an amazing source of information and support. The folks here will guide you well! Best of luck to you.
I'm far less knowledgeable about all things CPAP than many here, since I've only been using it since April of this year. But I can tell you that if you're buying the equipment out of pocket, CPAP.COM (the host of this forum) has the best prices. My insurance doesn't cover treatment of apnea, so I paid for everything out of pocket. Money is tight, so I did quite a bit of research to find the best prices and found them here.
As for what machine to get, there are folks here who can help guide you. What I can say just based on the knowledge I do have is that you will want to look at APAP machines and not CPAP machines, since you will not have a sleep study to determine your needed pressure. An APAP machine can be set at range of pressures, as wide as 4-20cm, and then by downloading and reviewing the data from the machine over time, you can determine a much narrower range, and even one set pressure, that meets your particular needs. Once you've found your needed pressure, the APAP can be operated as a CPAP and run at one pressure instead of a range, but a CPAP can't be operated as an APAP. There is a good article on how to use an APAP to conduct your own sleep study somewhere on this forum, but I'm not sure how to find it. Sorry! Try searching for posts on APAP written by Rested Gal. And maybe someone else can post that link?
So my general advice is to look at APAP machines with software that enables you to download your data. From there, you can get fancy and get a machine with either C-Flex or EPR, functions that provide pressure relief upon exhale. There is also always a chance that you could end up needing a Bi-PAP machine. If money isn't an issue, you may want to buy an Auto Bi-PAP with software to cover all possible treatment options.
Hopefully, this will at least narrow your options and give you some specific topics to research.
Once you have an idea of what machine you want, you can start to think about a mask. What fun!
This forum is an amazing source of information and support. The folks here will guide you well! Best of luck to you.
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Guest
I agree with most of the above, but you may want to set whatever apap you buy to something a little more than 4 to start. A lot of us have trouble getting enough to breath at 4. I don't want you to get frustrated if you put a mask one and feel like you are suffocating (then you need more than 4 just to be comfortable.
Also, if you get yourself a nasal mask, read threads on taping.
Also, if you get yourself a nasal mask, read threads on taping.
9 posts
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