new cpap user

[indybarb]

I am going next week to get my equipment to use for my sleep apnea. The lady I spoke with says they have Fisher HC234 and Respironics M Series. Also, the Comfort Gel Nasal Mask by Respironics. Would appreciate any opinions on these. Am glad to have found this website, but had no idea there was so much involved! Hope I can keep all the records, etc. Thanks for any info.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi New User--WELCOME!!! I don't know what your pressure is but I LOVE my SWIFT LT for her mask!! It is a nasal pillow mask and makes life so much easier to sleep with ----esp. if you are a side sleeper. I would HIGHLY recommend that mask to you if your pressure is not too high. It seems that the higher the pressure---the more you might need a diff. type of mask.

I have the RESMED 8 ELITE machine with EPR---it is a data capable machine. You WANT a machine that will show you every day how you did the night before so be careful ----some machines that they will try and give you will only have a card that shows how many hours that you have used the machine. Some won't track your leaks, or HI etc. So be careful with that. good luck!
Carrie

[indybarb]

thanks Carrie... I am told my pressure is 10... not sure what that means..

[amos]

Barb,

A pressure of 10 means that it take an air flow of 10 cm H2O to keep your airways open. Cpap pressure is more like barometric metric and not like tire pressure.

Good luck with your equipment and therapy.

amos

[alnhwrd]

Indybarb,

You probably don't want the Fisher machine. It has some interesting features, including the only machine that comes with a heated hose to reduce condensation in the hose (aka rainout), but it has no exhalation relief or access to any meaningful data to tell you how your therapy is doing. The M-Series PRO (not PLUS) is a decent machine that does have exhalation relief (called C-Flex) and access to data. The Plus will only tell you how much you are using the machine, called compliance data, which is not worth much to you. Do NOT let them saddle you with the Plus, you will regret it later. The Pro is a better machine, but they make more money if they convince you to take the less expensive Plus. The comfort gel mask is ok, some like it, some don't. Make sure that when they size you for it that they have someplace that you can lay down and move around with the mask on, hooked up to a machine at your prescribed pressure. If you have problems with the mask (too many leaks, too uncormfortable, etc) make them let you try another size or type.

I hope some of this helps and that you are soon sleeping well. If you can, let us know how things went for you.

Alan

[zomby]

I use the comfortgel nasal mask and I like it.

I bought a swift lt and a comfortgel full face on amazon because I wanted to try them but I still like the comfortgel nasal mask the best.

The nasal pillows are comfortable but it feels like too much air pressure right up my nose. The full face mask gave me a sore on the bridge of my nose that lasted for over a week.

[Babette]

I've never used the Resmed machines, but I hear good things about them.

If you go the M Series route, you MUST get either a PRO, or an AUTO. DO NOT ACCEPT A PLUS. Fight it tooth and nail.

The Plus machine is NOT data capable. Don't believe them when they lie and say it is. Only the PRO and the AUTO (aka APAP) are fully data capable.

I'm very happy with my M Series, but I would probably be equally happy with a Resmed, if that's what I had been given at first. It's all I know.

Good luck!
Barbara

[junie]

Hi, Just wanted to say it also Don't get the Plus machine that's what I have now I didn't know
any better, I got my machine a couple of months before, I found this group, I've learned so much
here, That I'm getting a new machine on Monday The M series pro with c-flex, with humidifier,
I'm so excited to be getting a machine that's data capable,
I'm also using the swift lt nasal mask and I just love it.
Good luck to you.

[Catnap]

You probably don't want the Fisher machine. It has some interesting features, including the only machine that comes with a heated hose to reduce condensation in the hose (aka rainout), but it has no exhalation relief or access to any meaningful data to tell you how your therapy is doing.

Actually, the 234 doesn't come with the heated hose (I have that model). You have to move up to the 600 series to get that. It still lacks data capability.

[SleepSAM]

I really like my Comfortgel. I spoke with someone on another board who said that it hurt his nose...I however, think it is the most comfortable mask available. I have tried many. I have been purchasing mine from cpapfirst. com the have it for $58.
Sleep Tight!
Sam
South Carolina

[araminta]

Welcome to the forum. As you probably have figured out, there are m any options and the bottom line is that it often some trial and error to find the right cpap machine and mask to suit your own personal needs.

I tried the popular Resmed Auto 8, but in the end found that the Respironics M Series with A-flex was the best fit for me.
i also tried the Swift LT, but couldn't tolerate the nasal pillows.

Good luck with getting set up. It takes a huge adjustment, but once you get to wake up feeling rested after a good nite's sleep, it will make the struggle with the right equipment worht it.