Newbie with a couple questions - no equipment yet

[Almeeda]

First I wanted to say hello to everyone. I've been lurking on the forums here for a few months now trying to read everything I could and so far it's all been a great help.

I got my sleep study done a couple of months ago, got a copy of those results as well as my prescription from the doctors office. Between the office staff and multiple DMEs I'm having serious issues getting equipment.
So over two months since my follow-up after the study and I still don't have any equipment, which is why I'm considering just purchasing it on my own.
I've submitted my RX to cpap.com and am strongly considering purchasing my own, and then submitting the information to my insurance company for reimbursement. I've spoken to my provider about this and have the form that I will need.

First question is if I go the reimbursement route I think that I will be required to do follow-up with the Dr for compliance reasons? I just did not think to ask my provider when on the phone with them.

Secondly, from everything I've read I am strongly considering going with the AirSense 10. Since they are the same price, it seems like I should go with the "for Her" version as it has some different algorithms that it uses. Is that accurate?

During the sleep study the tech first tried nasal pillows and while comfortable, I could not ever seem to breathe out while using them. I would either have to forcefully exhale through my nose or try some weird thing where I would breathe out through my mouth. That just wasn't working so during the study switched to a full face mask which was much better, even with my full beard. From reading here, it seems like maybe there are some settings I could adjust to make breathing out easier. In your opinion would it be worth trying to get pillows or starting with a FFM since I know that will work? I'm 99% sure I will be trying multiple masks before I find one that works for me anyway and plan on utilizing the return policy on cpap.com.

I've tried attaching my sleep study results but it does not seem to like the .pdf extension. I will look into this and try attaching it in a reply to this thread. Any guidance on that would be greatly appreciated as well. In the meantime here is a link to the file on Google Drive. https://drive.google.com/file/d/15TlYEB ... sp=sharing

Thanks!

[palerider]

First question is if I go the reimbursement route I think that I will be required to do follow-up with the Dr for compliance reasons? I just did not think to ask my provider when on the phone with them.

That's between you and your particular insurance company. Ask them.

Secondly, from everything I've read I am strongly considering going with the AirSense 10. Since they are the same price, it seems like I should go with the "for Her" version as it has some different algorithms that it uses. Is that accurate?

First, since you're still in the looking stage, terminology is important.

"Airsense 10" is like saying "A chevy". but that's all, corvette? malibu? volt? bolt? at least you know it's not a chevette, since the 'airsense 10' says it's a current model line, not an old clunker. There's four different airsense 10 machines, be specific. You're talking about the "Autoset For Her" which has all the goodness of an Autoset, but an extra treatment mode, a modified autoset mode.

[Almeeda]

First, since you're still in the looking stage, terminology is important.

"Airsense 10" is like saying "A chevy". but that's all, corvette? malibu? volt? bolt? at least you know it's a chevette, since the 'airsense 10' says it's a current model line, not an old clunker. There's four different airsense 10 machines, be specific. You're talking about the "Autoset For Her" which has all the goodness of an Autoset, but an extra treatment mode, a modified autoset mode.

I appreciate the info. Since there appear to be multiple models with AutoSet in the name as well as AirSense I will make a habit of including the full name, and once I get one it will of course be in my profile.

[fleabiscuit]

IMHO, Take a little time getting the best out of pocket price located. On my third machine and would have been much ahead if I would have just purchased them outright. That also includes the hoses, masks, cushions, etc. That’s at today’s prices and availability though. The internet and secondary market growth is much more favorable to users now. I’m going on a diet from my local provider.

[Pugsy]

would it be worth trying to get pillows or starting with a FFM since I know that will work? I'm 99% sure I will be trying multiple masks before I find one that works for me anyway and plan on utilizing the return policy on cpap.com.

Get the mask that you know works for you for right now and then try the pillow mask. If you can figure out the exhaling with nasal pillow issues (which I think you can) then you will have the full face mask for back up for times you can't use nasal pillows due to a cold or something causing bad nasal congestion.

FWIW the feeling of not being able to exhale easily is quite common and usually all that needs to be done is a slight pressure adjustment and/or different size nasal pillow.

[Almeeda]

IMHO, Take a little time getting the best out of pocket price located. On my third machine and would have been much ahead if I would have just purchased them outright. That also includes the hoses, masks, cushions, etc. That’s at today’s prices and availability though. The internet and secondary market growth is much more favorable to users now. I’m going on a diet from my local provider.

I will certainly be doing that. It will be a couple weeks before I can order the machine and supplies and I fully intend to shop around and get the best price I can find. I provided my RX to cpap.com just to ensure that there weren't any issues and I was looking to utilize their return policy for masks as it sounds like I will be trying multiples before finding the proper one for me.

Get the mask that you know works for you for right now and then try the pillow mask. If you can figure out the exhaling with nasal pillow issues (which I think you can) then you will have the full face mask for back up for times you can't use nasal pillows due to a cold or something causing bad nasal congestion.

FWIW the feeling of not being able to exhale easily is quite common and usually all that needs to be done is a slight pressure adjustment and/or different size nasal pillow.

That is the impression that I've gotten as well. The sleep tech seemed to be more concerned with me being able to actually sleep and working on some basic pressure adjustments than finding a perfect mask. Not that I have an issue with that, I can find a mask on my own, having a basic range of pressures to start with will hopefully save me some adjustment time.
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Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm excited to get my machine soon and finally be able to start working on an issue I've been dealing with for well over a decade at this point! Just the few hours of sleep I had during the sleep study with the therapy was one of the better nights sleep I've had in a long, long while.