New CPAP User & Machine

[LARGRA]

I created a user name & registered.
The machine is a Phillips Remstar Auto A Flex with nostril pillows. I go back today for the first check up since I started. Do not feel much different but hope to remember to ask how much they want for this machine before the trial is up. [b]Thanks all for the advice that this is an ongoing process-it doesn,t improve overnight.[/b] If I had not found the forum I was going to tell them thanks but no thanks.Curious what they will find when they read the chip. Last night I woke up at least 4 times with the nose pillows everywhere but where they should be, I even put it on upside down once in the middle of the night-who says we are too tired to laugh. Anyhow G'day All

[Alshain]

I created a user name & registered.
The machine is a Phillips Remstar Auto A Flex with nostril pillows. I go back today for the first check up since I started. Do not feel much different but hope to remember to ask how much they want for this machine before the trial is up. Thanks all for the advice that this is an ongoing process-it doesn,t improve overnight. If I had not found the forum I was going to tell them thanks but no thanks.Curious what they will find when they read the chip. Last night I woke up at least 4 times with the nose pillows everywhere but where they should be, I even put it on upside down once in the middle of the night-who says we are too tired to laugh. Anyhow G'day All

The machine alone will be somewhere around $750 before your insurance pays it's cut. Your insurance will no doubt require you rent it at first, but as I understand it this is usually rent to own (someone correct me here?). Keep at it, pillow may not be for you, there are many options. I'm still trying to find my comfort zone too.

[gasp]

Glad you registered. I look forward to learning from your experience : )

What type of mask do you have. Are you taking it off at night or don't the nasal pillows stay put? Are you used to sleeping with your face in your pillow which knocks the mask away from your nose? Lots of questions : )

[archangle]

I created a user name & registered.
The machine is a Phillips Remstar Auto A Flex with nostril pillows.

That's an excellent machine. Be prepared for them to try to scam you when it's time to get a permanent machine. It would be really good to get the same PRS1 (Philips Respironics Series One) Auto machine as a permanent machine.

They may try to switch you to a "similar" permanentmachine. If it's a PRS1 "Plus" machine, it's a machine that records no useful data. They'll tell you it collects data, but it only records the time the machine is on. The PRS1 Pro machine is a fixed pressure machine, but records good data. It's OK, but the Auto is better and can do everything the Pro can do. See if your doctor will prescribe the PRS1 Auto you're using.

Don't let them substitute an older model like any of the Respironics machines that don't say "Philips." They're good machines, but they don't record nearly as much data.

If they want to switch to a ResMed machine, do your research there, too. Do not take an Escape or Escape auto. Do NOT accept an S8 machine, insist on an S9 machine.

[Pugsy]

Curious what they will find when they read the chip.

You can see what they will find yourself.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64906&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... re+options

[LARGRA]

Not impressed with check up, didn,t really seem to know that much(I dealt with a different person before) other than a big sales spiel when telling me the machine was $2400.00. Seems I could get the same machine online for a bunch less. I don't know if they upped the pressure or what but I could only use it about 45 minutes last night as it felt like a rug drier fan trying to force air through. The pillows are not the best but since they started me on the most expensive machine on a trial I'm not sure I want to expieriment with masks and end up paying a small fortune if I don't take the machine-$2400.00 maybe rent until I can buy one online?

[LARGRA]

Glad you registered. I look forward to learning from your experience : )

What type of mask do you have. Are you taking it off at night or don't the nasal pillows stay put? Are you used to sleeping with your face in your pillow which knocks the mask away from your nose? Lots of questions : )

Just some sort of nasal pillows, the first few days weren,t too bad but then they started leaking and waking my wife up and my son down the hall. I sleep on my back, couldn't stand to sleep face first in a pillow.
I'm going to have to try something else but as this is the trial period I'm scared of getting a huge bill for accessories if I try this stuff but do not take the machine.

[LARGRA]

I created a user name & registered.
The machine is a Phillips Remstar Auto A Flex with nostril pillows. I go back today for the first check up since I started. Do not feel much different but hope to remember to ask how much they want for this machine before the trial is up. Thanks all for the advice that this is an ongoing process-it doesn,t improve overnight. If I had not found the forum I was going to tell them thanks but no thanks.Curious what they will find when they read the chip. Last night I woke up at least 4 times with the nose pillows everywhere but where they should be, I even put it on upside down once in the middle of the night-who says we are too tired to laugh. Anyhow G'day All

The machine alone will be somewhere around $750 before your insurance pays it's cut. Your insurance will no doubt require you rent it at first, but as I understand it this is usually rent to own (someone correct me here?). Keep at it, pillow may not be for you, there are many options. I'm still trying to find my comfort zone too.

My service provider wants $2400.00 plus hoses & masks and my insurance MAY cover 80% up to a $1000, so I am certainly debating which way to go.

[nanwilson]

Hi
There are several online reputable companies that you can use..cpap.com is owned by the folks that own this forum..clinicalsleep.com is a Canadian firm from Vancouver. I have used both and have received excellent service and prices from both. Shipping from cpap.com will take up to 3 weeks, from clinicalsleep, only a week. Its your choice. I was stupid and bought from a DME in Alberta, ended up paying double what I would have paid online. I have not received ANY help from the DME AT ALL..its as if..you paid us, now get lost.

[ranman]

My service provider wants $2400.00 plus hoses & masks and my insurance MAY cover 80% up to a $1000, so I am certainly debating which way to go.[/quote]

If the maximum amount that your insurer will pay is 80% to a maximum of $1000.00 I would definitely look elsewhere for the machine. You can purchase the machine PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex on-line from the US for $635.00. The shipping costs to you will be under $30.00. The delivery time will be about 3 weeks.

I would use your local DME for fittings and possible purchase for the mask only. Getting the proper mask size and model or style is of the utmost importance in achieving proper therapy. You must concentrate on this and nothing can substitute for an actual fitting for this purpose.

Use your insurance ($1000.00) for this purpose (Mask). Once you know which masks work for you you can then purchase where ever you like. Be aware that no US vendor can ship Resmed product to Canada. I use Resmed masks and have found clinical sleep in Vancouver to be well priced and have ordered from them. I have purchased several CPAP machines from cpap.com and have been very happy with their service.

I refuse to be gauged with high prices from local DME's. If you have other questions you can PM me.

ranman

[Alshain]

I created a user name & registered.
The machine is a Phillips Remstar Auto A Flex with nostril pillows. I go back today for the first check up since I started. Do not feel much different but hope to remember to ask how much they want for this machine before the trial is up. Thanks all for the advice that this is an ongoing process-it doesn,t improve overnight. If I had not found the forum I was going to tell them thanks but no thanks.Curious what they will find when they read the chip. Last night I woke up at least 4 times with the nose pillows everywhere but where they should be, I even put it on upside down once in the middle of the night-who says we are too tired to laugh. Anyhow G'day All

The machine alone will be somewhere around $750 before your insurance pays it's cut. Your insurance will no doubt require you rent it at first, but as I understand it this is usually rent to own (someone correct me here?). Keep at it, pillow may not be for you, there are many options. I'm still trying to find my comfort zone too.

My service provider wants $2400.00 plus hoses & masks and my insurance MAY cover 80% up to a $1000, so I am certainly debating which way to go.

Wow, I'm sorry I didn't realize there would be such a huge difference in Canada. I'm going to refer to nanwilson on this one as I live long ways away from there.

[LARGRA]

My service provider wants $2400.00 plus hoses & masks and my insurance MAY cover 80% up to a $1000, so I am certainly debating which way to go.

If the maximum amount that your insurer will pay is 80% to a maximum of $1000.00 I would definitely look elsewhere for the machine. You can purchase the machine PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex on-line from the US for $635.00. The shipping costs to you will be under $30.00. The delivery time will be about 3 weeks.

I would use your local DME for fittings and possible purchase for the mask only. Getting the proper mask size and model or style is of the utmost importance in achieving proper therapy. You must concentrate on this and nothing can substitute for an actual fitting for this purpose.

Use your insurance ($1000.00) for this purpose (Mask). Once you know which masks work for you you can then purchase where ever you like. Be aware that no US vendor can ship Resmed product to Canada. I use Resmed masks and have found clinical sleep in Vancouver to be well priced and have ordered from them. I have purchased several CPAP machines from cpap.com and have been very happy with their service.

I refuse to be gauged with high prices from local DME's. If you have other questions you can PM me.

ranman[/quote]
Thank You, yes I will probably order from the U.S. $2400.00 plus mask & etc is a bit too stiff. I was terrified at the thought of buying a second one-my insurance pays for 1 in lifetime. Glad to see there are a lot better deals around. Thanks for the advise on the mask-I will try the provider for that.

[gasp]

Glad you registered. I look forward to learning from your experience : )

What type of mask do you have. Are you taking it off at night or don't the nasal pillows stay put? Are you used to sleeping with your face in your pillow which knocks the mask away from your nose? Lots of questions : )

Just some sort of nasal pillows, the first few days weren,t too bad but then they started leaking and waking my wife up and my son down the hall. I sleep on my back, couldn't stand to sleep face first in a pillow.
I'm going to have to try something else but as this is the trial period I'm scared of getting a huge bill for accessories if I try this stuff but do not take the machine.

This may not be the case for you, but many report (and it's true for me) that when they sleep on their back apnea events increase which causes the machine to push more air. If the machine is pushing a LOT of air, perhaps it is unseating your pillows. Also, you may be sleeping with your mouth open which would also cause the machine to push a lot of air and be noisy - both from the sound of air but you could snore while getting air pushed up your nose.

Most find switching between sleeping on each side the best for keeping the airway open and therefore reducing events. The pillow can push against the mask when lying on your side, but it can work. I always sleep on my side and have a firm Tempurpedic pillow.

I'd be curious if there are a significant amount of people here on the forum who successfully sleep on their back.

[Mr Bill]

I can only sleep on my back to avoid CA's, but fortunately do not have OA's at my pressures. Others will weigh in but I think I have read of nasal pillows being used in the 15-25 cm-H2O range of pressures successfully.

Its typical for the DME to mark up the on-line price by 50%. My DME wants $8750 for my ASV for a unit that was at the time of purcase $5800. Since the system 1 came out, the price had dropped quite a bit. But that will not apply to my situation unless my fairy Godmother is watching over me. My insurance told me to go with the DME to buy my machine because they will pay a good percentage of that marked up price but zero percent of a machine purchased 'out of network'.

[LARGRA]

Hi
There are several online reputable companies that you can use..cpap.com is owned by the folks that own this forum..clinicalsleep.com is a Canadian firm from Vancouver. I have used both and have received excellent service and prices from both. Shipping from cpap.com will take up to 3 weeks, from clinicalsleep, only a week. Its your choice. I was stupid and bought from a DME in Alberta, ended up paying double what I would have paid online. I have not received ANY help from the DME AT ALL..its as if..you paid us, now get lost.

Hello,
Thanks for the tip.I would have bought U.S. but my insurance company demands Canadian only so I likely will use clinicalsleep.com. I have an e-mail in to them asking them to get me set up with one.
Thx again