Want Advice on Getting a Machine Please

[ArtNJ]

Hi all. Going for 2nd sleep study (with CPAP) Saturday night. I have read a little, and know that I want to try and get an APAP like the Respironics Auto M Series w/ AFlex. Do I want the humidifier to be heated, or that doesnt really matter? (Live in NJ.)

Who writes the prescription? The "sleep doctor" who looks at the study results, but whom I will not see? Or my primary care doctor, who is a really nice lady and will probably do whatever I ask for if its reasonable?

I gather the way to go is to write exactly what I want on my sleep center forms, and indicate that I want the prescription provided directly to me (or is it directly to my primary?)

My insurance company pays by code, and seems to have a large number of approved equipment vendors so I should have some leverage. I am also not concerned about paying a little out of my pocket if i have to.

[TXLadybug]

I love my RedMed Autoset II with EPR - which is like C-flex. It's a much much quieter machine than the Respironics, which sounds like you have Darth Vader in your room all night, and large glowing blue buttons to annoy you further.

Mine came with the hi4 heated humidifier. I only have to set mine on 2 to be comfortable, so I know it has a lot greater capacity to humidify more if I should need it. It also has a pre-warming function which is nice when it's cold out.

[mdbarthe]

Hi, ArtNJ,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on researching the best equipment choices right from the start! The best part about an APAP machine is that you can use it in either regular CPAP mode or Auto. A machine that is capable of downloading data to computer software that you have in your home and allows you to monitor your therapy is very important also. I strongly recommend heated humidification, especially in climates like yours that get cold during part of the year.

I don't know how everyone's medical situation works in their particular communities, but all my sleep doctor did was send the results of my PSG and his interpretation, report and recommendation to my family doctor. It was my family doctor that wrote my prescription. I told him what I wanted and he faxed the script to my local DME.

From there I worked with my DME who was well versed on what my health insurance would cover and I was able to get the machine, mask and all other parts through my health care benefits, minus my deductible.

Good luck and, again, welcome!

[ArtNJ]

Found the "Our Wisdom" section, which largely answers my questions. As I said, my primary doctor is *very* nice, and my insurance company works with a bunch of DMEs. So I guess I just need to make sure the sleep center is sending the report to my primary and not straight to a DME, then discuss with the primary what the prescription should say?

Since I have an agreeable PC, plus several DME choices, I guess I'll aim high and try to get an APAP.

(I may be getting ahead of myself, since my 2nd sleep study (first with CPAP) is Saturday)

Thanks for the tip on the resmed being quieter with less glowy buttons. I can sleep through white noise, but variations bother me.

[BeanMeScot]

You do want a humidifier and they are all heated humidifiers.

The machine you picked is the same one I did. I have no idea why anyone thinks it is noisy. I have never heard it unless I didn't have the mask on and the air was like a gail through the mask. The buttons don't bother me as I use a mask and it makes it easy to find the button to shut it off in the dark!

[mallen4258]

You want a heated humidifier. I have the Respironics M APAP with AFlex AND the Resmed S8 Autoset II. There are features on each that I like and both machines are excellent, if someone would take the best of both, then WOW that would be a GREAT machine!! It is a personal preference, but for me, I like the breathing on my Respironics Auto a little better. My prescribed pressure is 8 cm and I have mine set at 8-13 with CFlex at 1 (found I don't care for AFlex) and humidifier set at 2.

Some of my experiences
Resmed
LOVE the fact it does not have the external "Brick" power supply that the Respironics has.
Slightly longer hose standard.
Better internal data storage
seems smaller, but actually is larger in Volume (cubic inches).
Display is not as obnoxious in dark.
Quiet

Respironics
Like the reporting of the Encore software, even though install is not as user friendly as Resmed
I actually like the newer humidifier tank, it is easier to empty and clean and is large enough for my use.
Smart card can be left in machine, and does not protrude.
For me, I like the CFlex operation better than Resmed EPR
I like the way the humidifier and CPAP go to together, even though the Resmed does not have the external wire connections

Either piece of equipment will serve you well, but get a reader and software for your machine so you can monitor you treatments, IT HELPS!!!

[montana]

I have the M Series Auto CPAP with A-Flex and it is great and not noisy at all. Nice small size too ...great for travel. Before this one I had the REMstar Pro 2 C-Flex CPAP Machine. It was very quiet too and still works just fine. I love the new one mush more compact and the water container is easy to clean and insert... and I like how it auto adjusts for altitude too.

[2flamingos]

I also have the M-Series Auto with A-Flex. It is the only machine I have had (only been on pap for 7 months) so I really cannot compare. I can, however, say that I do not think it is noisy - especially not if compared to my (or my S.O.'s) snoring. The blue lights - give me a break..... since my machine is on the bedside table, lower than my head and actually "behind" me - i do not even notice them unless I roll over, raise up and look for them (but they do make it easier to find and turn off in the dark).

I have had nary a problem, love the way it "breathes with me", loading software (other than a pc issue) was easy and has not given men any problems.

So, basically, if your DME will let you try one for a week or two and then try the other to see which is best for you, I think you can't go wrong.

[KevinDL]

I also have the M-Series Auto with A-Flex.

It is so Quiet that I have to touch the Machine to know that it is on (Very Minor Vibrations can be Felt if you touch it while On).

I have heard a Few people complain about it's volume, with all of Us Chiming in saying how Quiet they are, I wonder if the few Noisy Machines are older machines with Hundreds or Thousands of Hours on them, are defective, or very old early Models?

As an Electronics Technician with 30+ Years of Experience, I Love the External Power Brick, Because it can easily be Replaced with a 12V, 4.16+ Amp Supply (Or Run on a 12 V Battery available almost anywhere, in the event of Failure (Without Having to send in the entire Machine) and can be positioned away from the machine on the floor, etc.

Also Having the Power Supply External to the Machine keeps Extra Heat out of the Machine away from the expensive electronics (Heat is the #1 Killer of Electronics).

Hope this Helps!

Kevin

[alnhwrd]

Art,

Either your regular doc or your sleep doc can write your prescription for your machine. So once you have completed the titration and have your pressure setting or range, I would ask the doc to write you a prescription for the machine you have decided you want set to your prescribed settings. For example, "Respironics M Series With Aflex with pressure set to X (or from X to Y if set in Auto mode), if that is the machine you decide upon. You MUST get a machine with at least the basic nightly data, such as pressure, leak rate and AHI. Do NOT let them give you a Resmed Escape or Compact, or a Respironics Plus. These record compliance data only, which is worthless for tracking your therapy. Humdifier and Exhalation relief are important, at least at first, although many turn off EPR after a while. Good luck!

[Slinky]

Both will give you excellent therapy. The Resmeds are far ahead of other brands w/regards to ease of access to and amount of data available via the LCD screen until such time as you get the software and cable reader and the software is easier to install and use.