NEW HERE...... Howdy all. Just found this site when on aan outdoors forum , someone asked how many have sleep apnea and does it affect ones ability to function normally in the outdoors. the board lit up with over 50 resonse right away. a link was posted here . I have used the same old CPAP (Sullvan V) for 9 years. Ialways had trouble with masks leaking at the bridge of my nose . 6 months ago I tried the swift nasal pillows . I liked them at first but seem to have more and more trouble with leaks, escpecially sidem sleepin. I think somestimes I get awake thinking I do not feel like I slept well at all.soo... 1.....What do the cpap units with software tell/indicate to you??? would a new cpap with software actually indicate to me as to the quality of sleep I am getting and thus point out trouble spots??? I did not know any of this existed untill now , I am looking for something to help tune me in too a better sleep( arent we all} the last sleep study was about 2 years ago. thanks ...wrassleswithhose
new on this site
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Welcome to the Forum.
Yes, a new machine with software capabilities would help answer many of your questions. If you are considering getting a new machine, then I would recommend getting an APAP - and auto machine that can run at a range of pressures.
It permits you to spend most of the night at a lower pressure than your titrated pressure, but it automatically bumps up to a higher pressure when you have an apnea.
An auto also allows you to re-titrate yourself to see if you are still at the proper pressure for you. Age, weight gain or loss, illnesses, etc influence your needed pressure over the years. An auto helps you determine your needed pressure "at home", instead of going in for a sleep study every few years.
An auto can be set to straight cpap once you determine your "sweet spot" pressure.
Some machines have internal numbers that you can view every day to see if you had apneas, snored, had high leaks, etc.
Many of us prefer a machine like the Remstar Auto for which you buy a card reader and software (cost of $200 out of pocket). The software and additional free programs allow you to see even more details:
it shows at what pressures you are having apneas and hypopneas.
it shows at what pressures you are snoring.
shows your leak rates.
etc, etc, etc.
The Remstar Auto and the Resmed Vantage appear to be the best - based on forum posts. The Remstar Auto also has exhale relief, which is a real plus if you have a titrated pressure of 10 or above.
Have I sold you yet? ...............
Yes, a new machine with software capabilities would help answer many of your questions. If you are considering getting a new machine, then I would recommend getting an APAP - and auto machine that can run at a range of pressures.
It permits you to spend most of the night at a lower pressure than your titrated pressure, but it automatically bumps up to a higher pressure when you have an apnea.
An auto also allows you to re-titrate yourself to see if you are still at the proper pressure for you. Age, weight gain or loss, illnesses, etc influence your needed pressure over the years. An auto helps you determine your needed pressure "at home", instead of going in for a sleep study every few years.
An auto can be set to straight cpap once you determine your "sweet spot" pressure.
Some machines have internal numbers that you can view every day to see if you had apneas, snored, had high leaks, etc.
Many of us prefer a machine like the Remstar Auto for which you buy a card reader and software (cost of $200 out of pocket). The software and additional free programs allow you to see even more details:
it shows at what pressures you are having apneas and hypopneas.
it shows at what pressures you are snoring.
shows your leak rates.
etc, etc, etc.
The Remstar Auto and the Resmed Vantage appear to be the best - based on forum posts. The Remstar Auto also has exhale relief, which is a real plus if you have a titrated pressure of 10 or above.
Have I sold you yet? ...............
_________________
| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Compliant since April 2003. (De-cap-itated Aura). |
And here are some links with tips for side sleepers, plus tips for Swift users.
viewtopic.php?p=85539#85539
viewtopic.php?t=11023
viewtopic.php?p=85539#85539
viewtopic.php?t=11023
_________________
| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Compliant since April 2003. (De-cap-itated Aura). |
-
wrassleswithhose
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:52 pm
thankyou
thankyou,thankyou, this was the type of response I was fishing for. Yep this sounds like what I need , Now to figure out how to get it. time for more research. thankyou,...... wrassleswithhose
Hiya wrassleswithhose!
I agree that the machines with data recording capabilities are outstanding!
They really help you tune in exactly what's going on.
You can get regular CPAPs with these abilities as well as Auto units.
If you've had your unit for over 7 years as you say, then your insurance should be more than able to cover the cost of a new unit.
The two most popular CPAP devices with data recording are the Respironics PRO2 M and the ResMed S8 Elite. My preference is for the Respironics unit simply because that we provide most of our patients and also what I personally use myself. Links to each:
http://remstarpromseries.respironics.com/
http://resmed.com/Shared/StaticFiles/s8 ... sh-row.pdf
I would start by contacting your current equipment provider and seeing if they carry one of those. If so, then you could simply call your doctor and ask him/her to fax over a new prescription for one of them.
The Auto units are generally not specifically covered by most Insurance companies as they are considered a luxury above what is Medically Neccessary. There are cases where you may be able to have your equipment provider bill for a CPAP and provide an Auto unit. That would be a matter to discuss with them.
Being a new year - you may or may not have an insurance deductible. If you have not met your deductible you may have an out of pocket expense. Many advocate that if you are going to pay out of pocket anyways that it may be cheaper to purchase your equipment online, such as through the website owned by this forum. If that is the best course for you is up to you to decide. It's difficult to say if you will or will not meet your deductible all through the year and like most things - it's a bit of a roll-the-dice gamble! Heh!
If you have any further questions I or any of the other members here will be happy to help you out!
mattman
I agree that the machines with data recording capabilities are outstanding!
They really help you tune in exactly what's going on.
You can get regular CPAPs with these abilities as well as Auto units.
If you've had your unit for over 7 years as you say, then your insurance should be more than able to cover the cost of a new unit.
The two most popular CPAP devices with data recording are the Respironics PRO2 M and the ResMed S8 Elite. My preference is for the Respironics unit simply because that we provide most of our patients and also what I personally use myself. Links to each:
http://remstarpromseries.respironics.com/
http://resmed.com/Shared/StaticFiles/s8 ... sh-row.pdf
I would start by contacting your current equipment provider and seeing if they carry one of those. If so, then you could simply call your doctor and ask him/her to fax over a new prescription for one of them.
The Auto units are generally not specifically covered by most Insurance companies as they are considered a luxury above what is Medically Neccessary. There are cases where you may be able to have your equipment provider bill for a CPAP and provide an Auto unit. That would be a matter to discuss with them.
Being a new year - you may or may not have an insurance deductible. If you have not met your deductible you may have an out of pocket expense. Many advocate that if you are going to pay out of pocket anyways that it may be cheaper to purchase your equipment online, such as through the website owned by this forum. If that is the best course for you is up to you to decide. It's difficult to say if you will or will not meet your deductible all through the year and like most things - it's a bit of a roll-the-dice gamble! Heh!
If you have any further questions I or any of the other members here will be happy to help you out!
mattman
Machine: REMstar Pro 2 C-Flex CPAP Machine
Masks: 1) ComfortGel Mask with Headgear
2) ComfortSelect Mask with Headgear
3) Swift
Humidifier: REMstar Heated Humidifier
Masks: 1) ComfortGel Mask with Headgear
2) ComfortSelect Mask with Headgear
3) Swift
Humidifier: REMstar Heated Humidifier
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1