Need help please about a cpap machine

[Dixie62]

I have been borrowing a cpap machine from a friend of mine. It is a Resmed vantage with a humidifier. My question is.. It is getting time I think to where I probably need to think about purchasing one of my own. This one works good but I can not see keep track of how I am doing since I do not have any data to track or software to download it if I did have data. My problem is I will need to buy it myself since I have no insurance. So what machine can I buy that is pretty easy for me to use such as in cleaning, maintaining, being able to get data from and also be able to download the data or in some way be able to see how I am doing or if I need to adjust something.. I have typed a lot and I hope you can understand what I am trying to find out.. This is a great place to get info and I am really glad I was able to find this forum.. Thank you in advance for any info you can give to me.. I am currently also using a humidifier and have not tried to go without one. So do I really need one?
thank you

[Julie]

Until you try to go without a humidifier, you'll never know if you need one, but if you mean is it part of therapy, no it isn't. You don't "need" it in that way (I never use mine). I'll let others advise you on machines.

[jules]

RG's list of data capable machines from last year

viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

[jweeks]

I am currently also using a humidifier and have not tried to go without one. So do I really need one?

Hi,

Humidifiers can certainly make the treatment more comfortable. They are relatively inexpensive, and are built into many of the machines currently on the market. If you get one and don't need it, you can always turn it off. I'd suggest making sure that your machine has one so you have the option of using it as needed. While you might be doing OK right now, it might be a different story in winter when the humidity of the air in your house drops in half.

-john-

[mars]

Hi Dixie62

When you have read Rested Gals list then it may be time to check out Cpap Auction, and match what you need with what is available there.

The first machine, and the cheapest, that I used was a Sandman Info - it was data capable and had software and a good LCD readout, but was not an auto. With an auto you can check out both worlds, fixed cpap and auto cpap. Unfortunately it can be hard to know what is best for you without testing, but most machines seem to do the job they were designed for.

Choosing the right mask can be just as important.

Good Luck

Mars

[PST]

A ResMed Elite II or Auto II will seem nice and familiar, so if you like the machine you've been borrowing, one of those might be a good choice for a data-capable machine that you can alter the settings on. Which one would depend on whether you want the variable pressure feature of the Vantage. These use the same humidifier as the Vantage, if that doesn't need to be returned yet. On the negative side, these are both pricey, though a lot cheaper at cpap.com than at the local DME.

[Slinky]

Assuming the CPAP you have borrowed from a friend and are using is the Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage, you most certainly CAN check your data via the LCD screen!

Press the Left and Right buttons and hold for 4-5 seconds. Efficacy Data should appear on the LCD screen. From then on it is just a matter of Left button to Enter, Right button to Exit, Up button to Return to the previous screen and Down button to Proceed to the next screen. You can NOT alter your therapy settings in any way from this Efficacy Data menu, it is what the Users Manual refers to as the advance or detailed patient menu. IF the button press and hold does NOT bring up the Efficacy Data menu PM me and I will lead you thru how to turn SmartData on.