Introduction - Newbie here...

[Char1ieJ]

Hello everyone! I joined CPAPtalk.com after spending the past couple of hours reading various information on CPAP machines, DME's and other associated fodder regarding OSA. I also just got off the phone with the sleep lab technician who filled me in on what I should expect next (titration study was 2 wks ago Thursday). So, here's the skinny on the not-so-skinny Char1ieJ...

I'm a 49 year old handsome sonofagun, husband, father to three (19yo, 15yo, 12yo), computer system administrator, semi-pro photographer, volleyball coach and recent heart attack patient. OK, enough about me...

This is the part that might mean more to the experts here... the sleep lab tech said I am to receive the following:

• Bi-PAP (not sure how to punctuate that acronym) machine
  Full face mask (I sleep with my mouth open an' everythang)
  Heated humidifier
  Data capable

OH, and most importantly for purposes of any ensuing discussion, I'm clueless about what's going to happen, which machine to choose and how to move forward. BUT, but, bUtt... I am reading like a mad man and WILL be edumacated by the time the DME rep raps on my front door.

So, please say HI... offer a kind word... or ignore me altogether. I plan to be here for awhile; ask questions; generate discussion; learn from my mistakes; help others and generally be a member of the OSA community online. That being said, I hope you see the pitiful attempts at humor as endearing and welcome me to CPAPtalk.com.

THANKS!
Char1ieJ

[Java]

Welcome Char1ieJ

I'm new around here too, but I have found this to be the most helpful group of people! There is so much information here. I might have shoved the CPAP machine in the closet again if it wasn't for all the wonderful information and support I found here.

[znurtdog]

Another Newbie here too. Waiting for my machine to arrive, after a long weekend of research and head scratching. I pay out of pocket so I passed on the local store's offer of a $395 machine for $600 and have ordered Intellipap machine and hoping that nose gear with chin strap will work for me. My AHI during sleep test was 88! I'm cautiously optimistic that my world is about to change for the better.. Thanks to everyone here for all their sharing!

[kaiasgram]

Charlie, you're a hoot, and you're most welcome here! Welcome! So glad you survived the MI. Now with getting on Bipap you'll be turning your life and health around in so many good ways. You found a great community here.

[Pachyderm's Nose]

WELCOME!

[Gin]

From one newbie to another, welcome!

I've been on the cpap since mid-June and it's the single best thing I've ever done for my health. I feel great, wake up rested for the first time in forever, and I'm seeing results in areas that I never even knew I could see results in (I look younger, my mood is great, anxiety and insomnia are gone and running to the bathroom umpteen times a night is history)

You will be so glad you did this...

[Sheriff Buford]

Welcome Charlie and other Newbies!! Hey... I thought I was the most handsome... Anyway... make sure you get a data machine. I went thru about 6 masks before I found "mine". The mask should be comfortable and doesn't leak. What works for me will not necessarily work for you. Make sure you can return a mask prior to 30 days for a different one. Work all your issues here. There are great folks here to help.

Sheriff

[gasp]

Ditto what Sheriff said - and welcome from me as well : ) Oh, and I echo the importance of reviewing your data - yourself - at home! It was the difference for me in the beginning to understanding which mask created the best therapy. The numbers and reports I reviewed on a daily basis when first beginning therapy helped me to understand that I needed to control my hose (hose hanger), add essential oil (Pur-Sleep), use a pad on my forehead (Pad-a-Cheek) and my own homemade cotton pads, and more.

Now I read my reports weekly. They tell me if any change is needed to achieve better therapy.

Best wishes!

[lorraineg57]

Another newb here, waiting to hear from the DME people and the results from my titration night. Not entirely sure the cpap will help me as according to my first night's report, my OSA is largely positional (when I'm on my back, and I never sleep on my back). At this point, I'd wear a Darth Vadar mask if it helped me sleep through the night without waking up numerous times.

Guess all us newbs will learn together and hopefully end up rested.

[codinqueen]

WELCOME! you have all come to the right place. I had a machine I put in the closet about 10 yrs ago because I didn't get any help from my sleep lab's product division (apparently that was pre-DME insurance contracts)or my Dr back then, and I hadn't found any on-line help. I was in the Atlanta area at the time but no support groups could be found, so I gave up. I also had an apparent brick back then, they did not ask for any SD cards etc to check compliance.

I have learned more here than I ever thought I wanted to know about OSA and/or how to effectively treat it, and I use mine every night now since 2/16/11 when I started this 2nd journey into CPAP-land. The people here have helped me immensely, with plenty of questions, and i am in their debt. About 6 months after I started CPAP this time, my BP came down and I actually had energy when I woke up!!! I wouldn't think of sleeping now without it.

This is a caring group of people better than any sleep Dr or DME to get real answers to our questions as users that the Drs don't understand, unless they are also CPAP users.

Make sure you all ask if you can return your mask within 30 days for a different one if you need a different one.There are a lot of masks out there, if one doesn't float your boat, try another! Now you will embark on actually getting rested sleep as you find the mask of your dreams. You will feel better in awhile.

[JohnO]

Welcome!

Sit back, relax, and catch up on cpaptalk.com! This is truly a welcoming community that is very willing to help Newbies! I started reading the forum in June, did a sleep study in early August, and have now been on the Auto-CPAP therapy for about 45 days. Expect the first week to be rough and frustrating, but by asking questions here, you will overcome anxiety, and start to feel very comfortable with the therapy. As others have said, how many life giving therapies are there that don't require pills or going under the knife!

John

[Char1ieJ]

WOW, thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I'm blessed. I can pick my own DME -- and there are at least 3 close by. So, does anyone have recommendations on which brand to favor? I realize that's a subjective question, but at least pointers would be very much appreciated.

Specifics of the prescription are:
Bi-PAP machine
Heated humidifier
Data capable
I would think these parameters would narrow the options greatly, but I'm not sure.

Oh, I know the mask is personal -- so no worries on recommendations there. The sleep lab tech suggested that the full face with gel insert would be the best... and that's the type she gave me for the titration study. It was comfortable -- but it was only one night. From what she told me -- I sleep with my mouth open quite a lot, so a full face was written into the 'script. I'm open to suggestions. The Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear and the Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear, both manufactured by ResMed, are the two highest rated on CPAP.com.

I don't know any other specifics of the titration study results or the prescription just yet. I'll have those soon.

My questions:

• 1) Could someone point me to relevant BiPAP machine reviews / recommendations? CPAP.com shows the M Series BIPAP Auto with Bi-Flex and the M Series Heated Humidifier, manufactured by Philips Respironics, as the top rated BiPAP and heated humidifiers on their site.
  2) What feature(s) should be a must?
  3) What is "fluff" that I don't need?
  4) Tech told me to get long hose - implying that is needed if I sleep on my side. Is that true?
  5) What question does a newbie not ask, but need to know before deciding on a machine?

THANKS to all who answer!
Char1ieJ

[Xney]

You don't want the M series respironics, though it's a fine machine. It's an older model.

These are the two you would probably want to choose between:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/S9-VPA ... chine.html

S9 vpap auto, the vpap is the resmed "bipap". "bipap" is a respironics trademark - other xPAP manufacturers tend to use "VPAP".

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... chine.html

The respironics system one 60 series bipap auto. I think this is the current model, somebody might want to correct me.

(You need to add a humidifier to both)

Having the auto mode option will give you more treatment flexibility. Auto means you give it a pressure range, and with bipap/vpap it'll maintain different inhale and exhale pressures. You can also put it in straight bipap mode with set pressures. Basically, more options is a good thing.

[Greg6657]

Charleyj and all other newbys Welcome.
Im new to the site but have been on Bipap for almost 4 years, Here are some of the main things I have learned from here:

1. Once you get your equipment please fill out your profile, it helps all the pro's on here to help you.
2. Ask all the questions you have and remember the only dumb question is the one you don't ask. I can pretty much guarantee its been asked here before so don't be embarrassed.
3. Also if the going gets tuff don't give up! We have all been through the good, the bad and the ugly
4. Hopefully you have a good understanding support group, they also will learn this is a sickness and it will take a while for things to be different. Remember you have been sleep deprived and you have to pay back your sleep debt. You learn all of this as you go. And then there is this forum for support were always here,
5. And most importantly this is your health and you have to take charge of it, plus there are other people that are counting on you.

[Java]

These are the two you would probably want to choose between:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/S9-VPA ... chine.html

S9 vpap auto, the vpap is the resmed "bipap". "bipap" is a respironics trademark - other xPAP manufacturers tend to use "VPAP".

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... chine.html

Whoa.. little sticker shock here..
Seriously, what is so great about these to make them $1000+ more than other "good" machines?