new user

[discusdoc]

I was referred to this forum by a relative of mine with OSA when I asked him about choosing a CPAP machine.

I had long suspected that I had sleep apnea and finally had a sleep study last week. I had an AHI of 71 and was titrated to 9 cm H2O. I've not yet purchased my equipment but I've been researching the various machines and I'm looking for advice on what might be the best.

I'm actually a physician (internal medicine) myself and I hope that my energy levels and mental functioning improve on CPAP, so I will be better equipped to handle those 80 hour work weeks and 30 hour calls that I have as a resident. If things improve as much as I anticipate they will I will probably be more inclined to refer more patients for sleep studies.

[kteague]

Welcome. If you've read around a bit on here you've found that many have had trouble in regards to their doctors and sleep apnea. For you to have experienced some of the effects of it will make you a doctor some on here wish they had.

As far as a machine, there are loyal fans on here of different manufacturers. Some have technical reasons such as algorithms and how exhalation relief is handled. Some have software preferences. Others have considered their lifestyle, such as if the machine will travel a lot or if battery power will be a regular need (like campers). For garden variety OSA with no concern for centrals or complex apnea, any will keep your airway open, and any of the data capable machines will enable you to track your treatment. For a step up, an auto gives you more options.

I have used both ResMed and Respironics machines and have no real complaints about either - then again I'm not a very discriminating user. Just give me my data and I'm content. Good luck with your selection.

Kathy

[Hawthorne]

As a doctor, you can write your own prescription! Lucky you!

An auto is what you should prescribe for yourself. A Respironics or a Resmed are the main ones and there are others as well. Some here will suggest a new machine out - The Sandman Auto which, apparently has really great data. You will need software and a reader for all of the autos or data capable machines.

Cpap.com will give you information on all the machines and software as well as previews from people who bought them. Reading these will give you lots of information!

Getting a good mask that works well for you is the hardest part!

Good luck!

[Snoredog]

I'd recommend the Sandman Auto if you want to track your AHI and learn how you are doing:

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/covid ... chine.html

It gives that info from the LCD and in greater detail with the optional software.

[GumbyCT]

You will definitely want a fully data capable machine and an auto so you can find your correct settings. As recommended the Sandman auto is a very good choice. As is the Respironics Aflex. I wouldn't get anything else unless it was a back-up machine.

Good Luck and welcome to our world ,
GumbyCT

[rested gal]

I'd definitely get a machine capable of autotitrating.

The most comfortable machines I've used for breathing out against pressure are these two:

Respironics REMstar Auto with A-Flex M series

Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex

I would not get the M series humidifier, though. I'd get a standalone heated humidifier that can be used with any brand of machine. I use a Fisher & Paykel HC 150 heated humidifier with those two machines.

Encore Viewer is the software Respironics created for patients to be able to buy if they want to download data for themselves. Since you are a physician, you can order the Respironics Encore Pro software. Both softwares give exactly the same treatment data displayed the same way.

It's nice to have Encore Pro though, as you can save each download as a PDF and not have to start up the program itself if you want to go back and look at some of your old data.

The Puritan Bennett/Covidien Sandman Auto would be a very good choice of machine, too. It's software gives great detail.

If a person were not going to ever, ever want to use software with their machine, the ResMed autopaps give very useful info via the LCD window on the machine.

Data, data, data... that's what helps people determine what "tweaks" to make in the machine settings if they plan to be very pro-active in their own treatment. Which I imagine you would want to be.

October 2008 - my list of machines that record "full data" and those that don't.
viewtopic/t35685/viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

Welcome to the message board, btw! You might want to tuck this link into a pocket for future reference:
ALL LINKS by rested gal
viewtopic.php?t=17435

My edit - corrected wrong URL. No words changed in the post.

[lovey]

In another thread, you gave me great advice!! Again thank you. The others are right, get a data capable machine. I wish I had hooked up with this forum when I was newly diagnosed. I have learned so much from this forum and it has made me able to make better medical decisions. The support is also great!!! Keep coming back, we would love to hear about your experiences with CPAP with your unique perspective.
Sincerely,
Lovey

[discusdoc]

Well I took the plunge and bought the below listed equipment myself. Is there anything else that I will need? I also bought a manometer and hose cover. My order should arrive tomorrow, I'm looking forward to sleeping better.

[GumbyCT]

Well I took the plunge and bought the below listed equipment myself. Is there anything else that I will need? I also bought a manometer and hose cover. My order should arrive tomorrow, I'm looking forward to sleeping better.

Change those icons to text, Thanks doc.

[DreamStalker]

Well I took the plunge and bought the below listed equipment myself. Is there anything else that I will need? I also bought a manometer and hose cover. My order should arrive tomorrow, I'm looking forward to sleeping better.

You didn't get the auto titrating machine as you were advised to do ... or you listed the wrong equipment. And you should have opted for the HC150 humidifer instead of the integrated one ... live and learn.

Finding the right mask will be the hardest part of the treatment ... trial and error and the scientific method will be your friends.

Figure out how you plan to route your hose. Best of luck and welcome!