Returning after a long absense

[Liam1965]

I haven't been active on the site for maybe 8 years, but apparently my apnea is getting worse...

I had given up on CPAP therapy, because I was never able to get to sleep with the machine on, I seemed to develop pressure-induced central apneas just as I was falling asleep, and I'd wake up gasping.

So here's my question: How have the machines and the masks improved in the last 8 years? Is there any chance I'll better tolerate therapy this time than last time?

And if so, what's my best option for a machine and mask, currently? I used to have a lot of problems with leaks, which would keep me awake. I also need a full face mask, because I discovered that with the nasal only masks, in my sleep I'd just decide to open my mouth and let the pressure run and mouth-breath. The sleep technician recommended an F&P Simplus (after the Eson, which she also suggested, failed due to the mouth breathing).

Any advice on the latest technology would be appreciated, if I decide to go through with this, I'll be shipping my prescription over to cpap.com and buying my machine there.

Liam, feeling an extreme case of 'deja vu'.

[chunkyfrog]

Welcome back to the "fold". Here, hold that corner down!

[Pugsy]

Huge improvements have been made in the machines and masks in the last 8 years....heck even in the last 5 years since I started therapy.

[Wulfman...]

Hello Liam!!!

Good to see you wander back this way. I followed your postings back in 2005 when I started hanging around here.
I see from your post history you last posted on April 2nd of 2009.

But, to echo what's been said, there have been pretty good technological leaps since your (and my) Legacy model(s) were the "top-of-the-line" models. I'm still sticking with mine, but then I don't have any history of Centrals or other complications and only need a "blower" which gives me some data.

These new System One (Philips/Respironics) machines and the ResMed machines give lots more information now.

Anyway, good to see you're still "kickin'". I had been digging through some old threads awhile back and saw some of your posts and wondered about you.


Den

.

[Jay Aitchsee]

Hi Liam, In my opinion the most popular FFM's today are the F&P Simplus, the ResMed Quattro Air and the ResMed AirFit F10. They are all similar in design and generally lighter than the older FFM. I've used all three and my favorite varies, but overall, I prefer the Simplus.
The Simplus is less expensive than the other two, plus the frame accepts all sizes of cushion, so there's not an additional expense to try another size.
The Simplus and the Quattro Air have forhead braces, the Airfit does not.
The Airfit and the Quattro Air have interchangeable cushions, which is kind of a nice feature if one wants to swap between masks with and without forehead braces, though two separate headgears would be required.
Obviously, there is no way to tell which you would prefer or which would work better for you, but, unless you have an aversion to masks with a forehead piece, I would recommend you start with the Simplus.

[Sleeprider]

Liam, what's the plan man? Are you proposing to buy outside the DME system? Assuming your needs are a good auto CPAP, I'd get either the Philips Respironics System One 60 Series Auto with heated tube humidifier, or the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset with Ckimateline. The Resmed S9 Autoset is about the same. Nasal masks have really gotten nice. What worked for you before? All your stuff is too old to show up in your profile. Anyway, if you're not doing the insurance gig, there are some machines being sold on the forum that would be great deals.

I just finally dumped the old M Series Auto last December. The improvement with the new model machines was pretty amazing. I originally got a PRS1 Auto here on the forum, then picked up a BiPAP on Craigslist and both has fewer than 200 hours.

Good luck and welcome back.

[Jay Aitchsee]

Just to add to sleeprider's comment, see viewtopic/t103983/For-Sale--New-ResMed- ... t-675.html by respected forum member and seller STL Mark

[OkyDoky]

Also check with Greyghost4 and Sleep_Quest. I have bought from both STL Mark and Sleep_Quest 0 hour machines at a good price. Great service from both. And when the timings right I wouldn't hesitate to buy from Greyghost4.

[Liam1965]

Does cpap.com not still sponsor this site? Admittedly it's been a while, things may have changed.

And yes, I'm opting to buy if I decide to try again, because my recollection is that last time I rented, the inflated price of the equipment from the rental place mean that my 20% copay on the rental would have bought the machine and mask in about 4 months... except that if it had worked, I'd still be paying that amount every month.

Liam, trying to decide whether to continue the schtick of adding a commentary after his name after every post.

[Pugsy]

Yes, cpap.com still sponsors this forum.

[yaconsult]

Yes, the machines and masks have gotten better! They collect a lot more data and we have the wonderful, free sleepyhead software to be able to analyze how our therapy is going. See the links at the top of the forum.

It's possible to get a good deal and save money on craigslist but doing so requires lots of time, research, and questions - there is tons of overpriced, out-of-date stuff out there and you don't want a smoker's old cpap! I was very lucky to get a great deal on my current equipment from a local guy on craigslist for $100 since he had a new insurance-provided machine.

Everyone is different, but what works for me at my higher pressures of 12-20 is the breeze nasal cushions and a ruby red chinstrap. This is very comfortable for me and I love the way the hose connects off the head of the bed. I hope you are able to find a combination that works for you.

[Liam1965]

They are telling me I need about 10. Less on my side.

Liam, quietly humming Queen/Bowie's "Under Pressure".

[kteague]

Well hello there Liam! Can't speak for anyone else, but those sign-offs are like your trademark. I always looked forward to them. At least drop us one here and there for our entertainment, please. As to machines, do you feel there's any need to be sure your centrals are only at sleep onset before purchasing a machine, or was all that covered when you were here before?

[Liam1965]

According to the sleep study, they are not all that uncommon just at the moment of crossing over into unconciousness, and the solution is first that the machines today are apparently better at reacting to that situation than they used to be, and second taking some sort of sleep aid to get you past that point and into sleep, where your body starts breathing again.

Liam, who waits for sleep with 'bated breath.

[Morbius]

According to the sleep study, they are not all that uncommon just at the moment of crossing over into unconciousness, and the solution is first that the machines today are apparently better at reacting to that situation than they used to be...

Sleep onset centrals are a normal phenomenon as the pCO2 threshold changes, and should not be clobbered with machine breaths.

Morbius, who actually doesn't even use a CPAP machine so could easily be challenged with a "You have no idea what it's like!" retort.