Newbie Story

[ungy]

This is my first post but I've been reading the forum for a month or so and I want to thank everyone for all of the valuable information that I've learned.

Background: I'm 40 years old and have had progressively worse snoring over the years. My wife has described it as choking in my sleep. In early December my boss died suddenly in his mid-40's and I decided that I should at least look into my snoring issue before I headed down the same path. I'm a few pounds over weight but the snoring was constant even at my lightest.

Sleep Study: I attended an overnight sleep study in New Jersey at the end of January. 3 1/2 weeks later the doc reviewed the results with me and said that I had mild OSA (12 apneas/hr). I attend another overnight study 2 1/2 weeks later where they treated me with the CPAP (Nasal Mask and a Respironics machine but I'm not sure what the models were).

Results: I went back the doc today and he said the results were great. I had no snoring and zero apneas! This was done at a pressure of only 7.

Mask Fitting: I met with a CPAP Clinic Advisor in the Sleep Center to try on masks right after the doc reviewed the results. I told her that I didn't like the bulkiness of the Nasal Mask. I was given the Swift LT for Her to try first (yes I am a male so I thought it was a little strange). The Swift LT was much better for me then the Nasal Mask but did make a slight whistling sound when I was breathing out. I also tried that Fisher and Paykel Opus 360 Nasal Pillow and although I thought it was lighter it hurt my nose. Having done my research here I assumed that I'd be trying on a whole bunch more masks but it didn't happen. She had me put the Swift LT back on to confirm I liked that better and that was it. She then mentioned that the mask I get would have blue straps (which I assume means I'll be getting the male version although I don't know what the difference is). I asked about the Swift FX and she said that she has them out for trial now and hasn't decided if she will carry them in the clinic because she is hearing that they leak. She also mentioned that insurance (I have Aetna) covers 2 masks in the first 30 days (so I'm thinking I may try the FX on my own).

Machine: I then asked her about the machine and she said it would be a Fisher and Paykel SleepStyle 604. She said that the most important thing was that device has the heated coil tubing. Now the one thing that everyone on this board has made very clear is that the machine must be fully data capable. Since I wasn't familiar with the F&P machine I told her that I want to make sure I get something fully data capable. She said that wasn't really important but if I wanted that she’d order the Resmed S9 since that had both the heated coils (which she said they stole from F&P) and “all that other stuff I don’t really need”.

Next Steps: She told me that I’d be contacted by a DME to arrange the in-home set-up within the next two weeks. I’m guessing that this means I won’t have to deal with some of the nightmare stories that many people have had with their DME’s.

Things I didn’t ask that I should have: 1) What is the difference between the Swift LT for Her and the “one with the blue strap” and shouldn’t I try that on before ordering that? 2) Which ResMed S9 am I getting (the Elite or the AutoSet)? 3) Is the ResMed H5i Humidifier included in the order? 4) What is this all going to cost me? (To date I’ve just paid my co-pay of $40 for the 3 office follow-ups and $0 for the Sleep Study). I had called Aetna and I think I’ll be paying 10% of the monthly charge on a lease.

I’ll check back in when the DME contacts me.

[Hawthorne]

I have no idea what your machine will cost you! The Elite and the Autoset are both S9 machines so it could be either. Hope it's the Autoset. You do need "all that other stuff" if you want to take charge of your own therapy. Both these machines will help you do that. The Fisher & Paykel 254 also is an auto - fully data capable but not many on this forum have that machine. The 604 is not.

As far as the SwiftLT and the SwiftLT for Her is concerned, there are 2 differences- the one you tried on has light blue headgear and the Swift LT has navy blue headgear! The SwiftLT for Her (light blue headgear) comes with pillow sizes XS, S and M. The SwiftLT comes with pillow sizes S, M and L. You should get all 3 pillow sizes with either mask. You may need to ask for that but that is how they come when you buy them on your own and you should get all 3 sizes.

Those are the only differences. Oh! The SwiftLT for Her MAY come with padded cheek covers for the headgear.

I have the SwiftLT for Her and the SwiftFX. I like the Swift FX a lot better and, with the right size for me, no leaks.

[KatieW]

Which ResMed S9 am I getting (the Elite or the AutoSet)? 3) Is the ResMed H5i Humidifier included in the order? 4) What is this all going to cost me? (To date I’ve just paid my co-pay of $40 for the 3 office follow-ups and $0 for the Sleep Study). I had called Aetna and I think I’ll be paying 10% of the monthly charge on a lease.

Which one you get will depend on your persistence and the DME. Also if your doctor is willing to write the prescription specifically for the S9 AutoSet, then you should get that one.

The Elite is a fixed pressure cpap. The AutSet can be set as a cpap, or as an apap (range of pressures). The Elite would be fine, but the Auto set gives you more options, and would be my choice. If your prescription includes a heated humidifier, it should include the H5I Humidifier and the Climate Control Kit (heated hose), as well as a regular hose.

I don't know wht it will cost you, it depends on what the DME charges, what your insurance company pays, and what your co-pay and deductible are.

You've done your homework well, and it sounds like you're well on your way!

[ungy]

Update: As promised the DME contacted me within two weeks and came to my house in the morning yesterday with the equipment. To my pleasant surprise I received the S9 Autoset and the H5i humidifier. However, I did not initially receive the ClimateLine hose and we went into a short funny story…

Me: “Where is the heated hose?”
Woman (DME) got on the phone and called the office. Woman: “He wants the heated hose”.
Office Manager on the other end: “He really asked for that”
Now I should note that I heard everything that the office manager was saying on his end of the phone because the woman at my house had the phone volume very loud.
Office Manager: “Tell him he needs a prescription for that hose”.
Woman: “No he doesn’t.”
Office Manager: “I know he doesn’t but tell him he needs it anyway.”
Me: “Do you guys know I can hear your entire conversation? I want the heated hose and I’m not getting a prescription. In fact, that was the one thing that the doctor said was mandatory for me which is why they ordered the S9!”
Woman: “Did you hear that. He heard everything you said.”
Office Manager: “I can’t believe you had us on speaker”.
Woman: “I didn’t. You must have had it on speaker. I’m coming back to the office later to pick up the heated hose because I know we have one in stock”.

…so she came back with the heated hose later in afternoon.

I’m still not sure how much I’ll be paying yet. I have Aetna and they should be covering 90% of the cost. She did explain that the humidifier, hose and mask will be charged in full day 1 so my first bill from the DME/insurance will be for 10% of that. In addition, I’ll be paying each month 10% of the rental charge for the S9 itself.

My first night on CPAP (mixed review). When I fell asleep while watching TV my wife said that I did not snore/choke. In fact, she said the machine was so quite she wasn’t sure if I was breathing so put me in the camp that says the S9 is incredibly quite. My mask was somewhat comfortable (much better then the one at the sleep study) but my nose did hurt slightly. This morning the S9 display said that I had 7.9 hours of sleep time (or at least mask on time) which I think is good given it was my first night. I took the mask off once during the night for a drink. I also slept on my back the whole night because I wanted to see the results of the mask without sleeping on my side since it seemed the mask slipped a bit when I turned to the side. My AHI was 6.0 which I was very disappointed with. In my study I had zero apneas and I was hoping for similar results. I have not had a chance to look at the data on Rescan yet but I hope to do later this evening. I know this if unrealistic but I was really hoping that I’d be jumping out of bed this morning ready to go but when the alarm went off I hit the snooze, took the mask off and tried getting 20 minutes in without a mask.

To be continued…

[rosiefrosie]

Update: As promised the DME contacted me within two weeks and came to my house in the morning yesterday with the equipment. To my pleasant surprise I received the S9 Autoset and the H5i humidifier. However, I did not initially receive the ClimateLine hose and we went into a short funny story…

Me: “Where is the heated hose?”
Woman (DME) got on the phone and called the office. Woman: “He wants the heated hose”.
Office Manager on the other end: “He really asked for that”
Now I should note that I heard everything that the office manager was saying on his end of the phone because the woman at my house had the phone volume very loud.
Office Manager: “Tell him he needs a prescription for that hose”.
Woman: “No he doesn’t.”
Office Manager: “I know he doesn’t but tell him he needs it anyway.”
Me: “Do you guys know I can hear your entire conversation? I want the heated hose and I’m not getting a prescription. In fact, that was the one thing that the doctor said was mandatory for me which is why they ordered the S9!”
Woman: “Did you hear that. He heard everything you said.”
Office Manager: “I can’t believe you had us on speaker”.
Woman: “I didn’t. You must have had it on speaker. I’m coming back to the office later to pick up the heated hose because I know we have one in stock”.

…so she came back with the heated hose later in afternoon

I have to laugh. Glad you're getting what you want. Good Luck

rosie

[dave21]

LOL - good for you Ungy taking the bull by the horns and sticking with what you wanted!