Picking Out CPAP Machine Tmrw

[Nikki]

Hi All,
I stumbled across this forum tonight while searching for types of masks for someone who sleeps on their side, mouth breathes on ocassion and toss and turns. I have an appt tmrw to pick up/out my cpap machine and needless to say I have acquired more than a few additional gray hairs during this OSA journey. I am a nurse who works in an Ear, Nose and Throat office and talk to people daily about OSA but only recently admitted to having significant symptoms myself primarily because I didn't think I could tolerate the cpap. However, I am tired of being exhausted, counting the hours until I can go back to bed or take a nap, living in a "brain fog" - not to mention the weight gain, insulin resistance, and high BP. "I am much to young to feel this d*@#% old" - So cpap here I come!! I have enjoyed reading your various posts, suggestion and advise and know I will turn to this forum for much support over the next weeks and months to come. I would love to get any suggestions or tricks of the trade from you seasoned cpap-ers. Thank You in advance for your advice.
Nikki

[Julie]

Hi, and don't let them pawn off an inadequate machine (or mask) on you for spurious reasons, i.e. "it will cost more" - the code for an Apap (that can be used in Cpap mode) vs straight cpap is the same, and will cost the DME no more. And don't let them talk you out of a data capable machine - of all people, tracking your progress and learning to tweak things yourself should be easy, and don't settle for inferior equipment.

As far as a mask goes, you've probably already realized that a full face one vs nasal is the smart way to start out, whether or not your first try ends up being the 'right' one for you long term. Don't let them just give you the Swift for Her (seems to be the standard nasal hand-out) and tell you you'll be fine.

Let us know how things are going and believe you'll have lots of support here, as well as more advice than you probably ever wanted ! Good luck.

[KatieW]

Welcome Nikki. Yes, many of us stumbled into this forum, and have stayed.

Let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow, and what equipment you end up with.

[Debjax]

I went through about 6 masks before I finally found one that I loved, and it was the one the RT at my DME tried to get me to use first....I was just so paranoid about having the thing on my face....and was absolutely NOT going to use nasal pillows, the idea was just horrible to me.....then I tried the Swift LT for her and found I loved it. Hubby tried the Swift LT also, but he is a bad mouth breather. He's tried the Quattro, Mirage and Liberty, he prefers the Quattro. So, masks are pretty personal in taste, and my best suggestion is to keep trying until you find one that you like and that works for you.

Remember also, when getting your machine, get one that is FULLY DATA CAPABLE. Not one that just reports compliance, but one that records everything. If it is going to be a CPAP, the Resmed Elite II S series has worked very well for hubby and I. The humidifier has a great capacity and the machine packs and travels well. I started with the Respironics M series, and did not like it because of the very small humidifier and the chintzy travel case.

Good luck, and keep reading here....lots of help.

[Marietjie]

you'll have lots of support here, as well as more advice than you probably ever wanted

masks are pretty personal in taste, and my best suggestion is to keep trying until you find one that you like and that works for you.

NIKKI ! - WELCOME !
(Just curious...)Do you know what your pressure is

[jules]

call and ask what machine you are getting and if it isn't data capable get a new prescription that indicates you need data - full data -- or find a new DME

if you have to do that find out what brand machines they have and post that and we can tell you what models are and aren't acceptable

[rested gal]

Welcome to the board, Nikki!

Hope you see this post before you accept a machine:

My list of machines that record "full data" (AHI and leak info) and those that don't -- updated through Jan. 2010:
viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

[Guest]

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to say Thanks Soooooo Much for the great advice...I ended up having to get my cpap machine on Friday because when I went in the the DME on Thurs and started asking questions about the machine they were setting me up with-I wasnot happy-the machine was HORRIBLE!!!! I was so very happy that I had spent so much time on this site Wed night other wise I would be miserable at this point. I ended up going to a different location to get a Resmed S8 Escape II with a H4i heater. I tried multiple mask and ended up going with a Resmed Quattro FFM. My setting is at 11 and can up to 13 if data shows its needed. I just couldnt tolerate the nasal pillows. I slept with the machine 4.5 hours last night and was so proud!!! Although I didnt feel like running a marathon today - I think I did feel better?!?!! I really like the "ramp" feature on the machine as it allows me to fall asleep before the pressure gets to be 11. Anyway - Thanks Again for the support!!

Sleep Well
Nikki

[jules]

My setting is at 11 and can up to 13 if data shows its needed.
Nikki

what data you going to find on an escape?

[KatieW]

The S8 Elite II is data capable.

The S8 Escape II is not. It has a Data Card, but that card only records compliance hours.

Confusing, I know.

[jules]

The S8 Elite II is data capable.

The S8 Escape II is not. It has a Data Card, but that card only records compliance hours.

Confusing, I know.

exactly so there is no AHI data to determine if the pressure needs to be raised - only gut feelings

the m series pro vs plus with card module same thing - pro has "real data", plus even with a card doesn't,

and for the legacy series pro is like escape and pro 2 is like elite either of the CPAP or BIPAP models

[torontoCPAPguy]

The Escape II is what they got me to take unfortunately. Then I discovered the Autoset II and now have two of them; one for backup or travel. The Escape II is in the dresser and am not sure what I am going to do with it. For sure the data is important but even the Autoset II doesn't give you the full story. What it DOES do is give you a better class of quality of service and of sleep. It allows you to set a range of pressures and have it evalutate your needs and change the pressure on a breath by breath basis which is a valuable asset. It has a mask fitting mode. And so on. There is little comparison in quality of performance although they are built roughly the same. Difference in cost once you have the humidifier? $350 for the Escape II and $550 for the Autoset II. I'd dump the Escape II on the auctions and pick up the Autoset II asap along with the software and a reader.

Good luck and welcome to hosehead land! Get ready for a good night of sleep which is where I am going now.

[rested gal]

I slept with the machine 4.5 hours last night and was so proud!!! Although I didnt feel like running a marathon today - I think I did feel better?!?!! I really like the "ramp" feature on the machine as it allows me to fall asleep before the pressure gets to be 11.

Nikki, that's a great start! You have good reason to be proud.

a Resmed S8 Escape II

I would take the Escape II right back to the DME as soon as possible and tell them you want to swap it for a ResMed S8 Elite II. The Escape II cannot give you ANY useful information about your therapy. The Elite II can.

They are exactly the same machine except for the type of data each can record. Either machine fills your "cpap" Rx the same. The insurance billing code is the same. Your treatment will be exactly the same.

The difference is that the Escape II can show only "hours of use." The Elite II can show AHI and leak information in the LCD window on the machine the next morning. Very helpful for seeing how the therapy is going. No need for software to see that data.

The DME gave you a nearly bare-bones model (the Escape II) because they make a little more profit by giving you that model rather than the more informative Elite II.

with a H4i heater.

That's good. If/when you take the Escape back to swap for the Elite, you won't have to get a different humidifier. The H4i also works with the Elite II.

[hayeswildrick]

Reading the above, I'd like to offer this advice for newbies...

ALWAYS ask your Dr. to prescribe a specific machine. In my case, I had the Dr. write a prescription for a PR System One.

Additionally, if you want to get an APAP rather than a CPAP (as most on this board would recommend), the secret is to ask your Dr. to prescribe a range of pressures (e.g. 9-14 cm). My first time around my Dr. prescribed an M Series AUTO, but with a straight pressure of 9. The DME insisted that since I was prescribed a straight pressure, the Dr. must be confused because I don't need an Auto machine. Fortunately, I was able to hold my ground and got the machine I wanted.

The second time around (having built a great relationship with my Dr.) I asked the Dr. to prescribe a PR System One with a pressure range from 9-12. No hassles on getting the auto machine this time.

Jeff