New to CPAP - looking for recommendations on Bi-PAP

[cpdaniel]

Hello CPAPTalk community. I'm new to CPAP - so new, in fact, that I don't yet have my first machine. I've done two diagnostic studies and four sleep studies this year, and my sleep Dr. and I have decided that Bi-PAP will work best for me.

Thanks to ObamaCare, the health plan I'm forced to buy (the ACA made it illegal for my company to provide benefits - bet you haven't heard about that side of it!), I have no coverage for DME at all - so whatever equipment I get is coming out of my pocket.

Fortunately, while I'm not rich, I have adequate income to get what I need. For my Bi-PAP trial I had a Respironics autoset BiPAP machine (not sure the exact model, but it was recent, with full data collection, of course). For my three CPAP trials I had Resmed S9 Autoset machines.

At this point I'm planning on getting either the Resmed Aircurve 10 VAuto or a similar PR machine. Any advise from someone familiar with both is appreciated!

I'm a techie - nearly 40 years in the software industry, so as you might imagine I'm a data junkie. I've already downloaded SleepyHead and I have a current version of ResScan, so I'm ready to start looking at data as soon as I get my machine, I'm sure I'll be posting graphs and asking for help interpreting the data in a few weeks.

From what I've read on this and other Apnea forums, I think I'm one of the lucky ones. While I need a fairly high pressure (15-19), I had no problem tolerating the machine, the mask or the pressure during any of my trials. Not surprisingly, the one thing I did have a problem with is leaks.

Over the course of my trials I've had five different masks - the two I had the best results with were the ResMed Quattro FX and the F&P Simplus full face mask. I expect that I'll start with one of those two and see where I go from there.

While CPAP is no fun, I'm definitely looking forward to better sleep. I figure I've been suffering from apnea for at least 20 years - a bit annoyed that the medical community didn't diagnose me sooner.

Anyway, lest I ramble on too long - Just wanted to say hi! and get settled into the community.

[OkyDoky]

Welcome,
I have both the Aircurve 10 VPAP and the Respironics Auto Bipap 760. I started with the 760 and I'm glad I did because I have to use battery power when I travel and the Respironics are 12 volt which make them easier to use 12 volt batteries. I really had an easy time adjusting to my EPAP 11 IPAP 15 pressure and turned off the ramp after about a week. There are some event tracking, I believe, with Respironics such as Flow Limitations but I'll let some one else address that.

Now for The Resmed Machine. I have decided to use it as my primary home machine and use the other for back up and travel. After a few nights, The ResMed seems so gentle that it lulls me to sleep and it feels like very normal breathing.

[Pugsy]

I have owned both Respironics and ResMed bilevel machines....in all honesty it's a toss up and no clear winner in terms of "the best". They both have minor pros and cons but none are deal breakers or deal makers for that matter unless one specific feature happens to trip your trigger.
I probably prefer the ResMed just a little over the Respironics...I think it is a little more quiet but only just a little bit.

Since paying out of pocket...the Respironics machines are likely to be a little less expensive.

One of our forum members sat down and wrote a comprehensive comparison...look for RobySue's post.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71017&p=655822&#p655822

While she is talking about the S9 bilevel and the PR S1 Bipap...and we now have new models from both brands...the way they work hasn't changed.

Right now Sleepyhead won't work with the Respironics newest model the DreamStation but there is a new Encore version that I think will work...just came out and I haven't heard of confirmation.
Of course Sleepyhead and ResScan will work with the AirCurve models.

Since you are paying out of pocket you might check cpap.com for new...and secondwindcpap.com for gently used or new open box deals.

[cpdaniel]

I have owned both Respironics and ResMed bilevel machines....in all honesty it's a toss up and no clear winner in terms of "the best". They both have minor pros and cons but none are deal breakers or deal makers for that matter unless one specific feature happens to trip your trigger.
I probably prefer the ResMed just a little over the Respironics...I think it is a little more quiet but only just a little bit.

Thanks for the welcome and the links to past topics - fascinating reading. Looking forward to improved sleep.

[cpdaniel]

Welcome,
I have both the Aircurve 10 VPAP and the Respironics Auto Bipap 760. I started with the 760 and I'm glad I did because I have to use battery power when I travel and the Respironics are 12 volt which make them easier to use 12 volt batteries. I really had an easy time adjusting to my EPAP 11 IPAP 15 pressure and turned off the ramp after about a week. There are some event tracking, I believe, with Respironics such as Flow Limitations but I'll let some one else address that.

Now for The Resmed Machine. I have decided to use it as my primary home machine and use the other for back up and travel. After a few nights, The ResMed seems so gentle that it lulls me to sleep and it feels like very normal breathing.

Thanks for the comments. I think I'm going to start with the Aircurve 10 and look for a used S9 or PR S1 for a backup machine. Definitely sounds like having a backup machine (or two) is a good plan!

[grayghost4]

I have a used PR760 will ship free to US address :

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5286996463.html

[cpdaniel]

I have a used PR760 will ship free to US address :

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5286996463.html

I've got to let my credit card recover a bit before I bring in a backup, but if you haven't sold it when I get to that point, that'd be a fine machine

[cpdaniel]

Well, I ordered my machine today from cpap.com - hope to have it on Monday and get back to better sleep. It's been far too long getting to this point, but at least I'm finally on my way.