Yet another newbie looking for support.

[Red Sunset]

Hi All,
Was diagnosed yesterday with severe obstructive SA. Apparently I wake up 38 times an hour. I'm a 32 yo male. BMI of 29. I drink a little on fri sat nights only. I don't smoke. Now looking for a PAP machine.
My sleep specialist says auto pap machines are just a money making tool with no scientific evidence to back up their usage.
I've joined a gym to hopefully significantly reduce my weight.
Mainly, I don't wanna die young leaving behind my beautiful wife and child!
I'm thinking full mask as I often have a blocked nose.
Looking for any words of wisdom from the wise users out there.
Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Slartybartfast]

Your sleep doc is a traditionalist,** and that's OK, but since the difference between a fully automatic machine and one that is not automatic amounts to only about $50 most folks on this board are going to counsel you to do whatever it takes - even going so far as to pay for the machine out of pocket - in order to get the automatic machine. You, and not your doctor, are going to be the one hooked to the machine every night for the rest of your life. Get the automatic machine, even if the difference is only that of your comfort. The automatic machine is without a doubt the better investment.

**mine said the same thing. I couldn't argue that point with him 2 years ago, and I still can't, even having read a bunch of papers on the subject of CPAP therapy. But to characterize it as only a way for the manufacturers to make money is cynical and without foundation The cost difference between auto and manual CPAP machines is miniscule and during the night one only needs full therapy pressure about 10% of the time. The rest of the time the auto-PAP throttles down to a lower pressure which allows you to sleep more comfortably.

[raptor5150]

Get the auto, you won't regret it, I started out on a s9 escape and in less than 2 months later i was on a autoset and sleep much better now. Goodluck!

[jencat824]

Welcome to the Forum!

I agree with Slartybartfast that some drs are traditionalist, and to get what you want, you may have to pay for it. As you begin your treatment journey, I'm posting a link that is a great guide to purchasing machines. It will help you with finding the best and avoiding the worst.

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

Come back here with any & all questions. I've only been a member of this forum a short time and have received so much help, I am truly grateful for the advice & help I've received here. I've been on CPAP 12 yrs & am just now taking charge of my health fully by looking at my own data. The data capability of the machine you get is very important. As with comfort, you may have to pay out of pocket, or if you get a cooperative DME, perhaps pay the diffference, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Good luck with your journey & this forum is here to help,
Jen

[squid13]

Get the Auto machine. The Auto is two machines in one, you can use it in auto or you can use it in straight cpap, which ever suits you.

[chunkyfrog]

Welcome, Red.
Unfortunately, some of our doctors are Luddites when it comes to data.
Here, we embrace our inner geek. Data gives us more power over our care than some providers like.
As a diabetic, I depend on my glucose monitor to help me adjust my therapy. Cpap data is no different.
Read this before they stick you with a no-data, single feature machine--those make them the most money!
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

[Xney]

If you knew the perfect pressure that you need for OSA for the next 5+ years, then the auto would be a waste of money.

That's almost nobody.

Also, if you "don't get an auto", the DME can give you an even cheaper machine, which means they make more of a profit. (They bill the insurance for the same amount regardless of the machine). Guess which one they like to give to you?

As some have mentioned, many doctors are still treating sleep apnea like it was 20 years ago with "one cpap machine and mask, AND YOU'LL LIKE IT"

There's a lot more options, data, and treatment strategies from the last 5-15 years that many doctors are totally ignorant of, despite their degrees in it. Good doctors have kept up with the progress of the medical science.

[chunkyfrog]

I love my mask. There are dozens out there; keep trying until you get the lowest leakage
and the least/make that NO trauma to your face. You are worth it.
You can click on our masks in our profiles for more info on what we wear.

[porete]

If at all possible, get the auto. I have had mine for nearly a year and have had great success with it. It was a hassle to find a DME that would give me an auto, even though that is what was written on my rx. They kept telling me that my insurance would not pay, which is not true. The same HCPCS code is used for auto and cpap. It may take a while, but there are good DME companies out there. HTH, Porete

[kaiasgram]

Do you need any more votes?

Some people do best with a machine that can increase and decrease pressure during the night as needed. Others prefer a steady single pressure. With the APAP machine you have both options available. It's a no brainer as far as I can see, and the resale value (should you ever need/want to sell it down the road) will be much better than with a straight CPAP machine.

And welcome!

[zoocrewphoto]

One trick that may be helpful in your case is that ANY doctor can write the prescription for your machine. So, when your sleep doctor gives you the prescription, ask for it in writing. Then go to another doctor, even a dentist if you want, and have them write a prescription for the machine you want and include dispense as written, and full data efficacy. They will need to write in a pressure range. A good place to start is 2 below to 2 above the straight pressure. So, if the sleep doctor prescribes cpap at 10, then have the auto written for 8-12. You can always adjust it later if you need to.

[Red Sunset]

Wow. Thanks SO much for all the quick responses. I will now definitely get an automatic. I'm not rich, but I'm also not strapped for cash, so I'm prepared to pay for the machine that's best for me. I'm a bit of a nerd too, so I'll probably enjoy the data! Is a full mask better for me if I often have a blocked nose? Also, does using apap conclusively reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack? Or does it just cure daytime sleepiness. Thanks so much again for all the replies

[zoocrewphoto]

Wow. Thanks SO much for all the quick responses. I will now definitely get an automatic. I'm not rich, but I'm also not strapped for cash, so I'm prepared to pay for the machine that's best for me. I'm a bit of a nerd too, so I'll probably enjoy the data! Is a full mask better for me if I often have a blocked nose? Also, does using apap conclusively reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack? Or does it just cure daytime sleepiness. Thanks so much again for all the replies

If your insurance covers a cpap machine, and you get a doctor to write a prescription for an apap machine, then it will be covered in the same manner.

I haven't read the studies, so I don't know what the actual numbers are. But sleep apnea is one cause of high blood pressure. It may take years to show up in the person, but basically, but a lot of people with sleep apnea get high blood pressure. And high blood pressure leads to stroke and heart attack.

I am 40, and I have had untreated sleep apnea for probably 10 years or more. I just started treatment on April 30 of this year. I had high blood pressure that improved with the usage of 3 medications, but was still not in the normal range. With cpap treatment (a few good nights in a row), my blood pressure is in the normal range. If I have a bad night, it spikes back up. For me, I can see a direct relationship between cpap treatment and blood pressure readings.

I have also seen many any other improvements. Fewer headaches, fewer bathroom trips at night, more cheerful attitude, energy drinks are rare now, I fall asleep faster, I sleep better in hotels than I used to, I don't snore, etc. Lots of improvement.

As to mask choices, I use a full face mask as I have chronic congestion and smaller airways to begin with. I don't breathe through my nose a lot, especially while lying down. I sleep with my mouth open, so I needed a full face mask. I use the Quattro FX, and while it took some work to master the leaks, it has become a great mask for me.

[BlackSpinner]

Wow. Thanks SO much for all the quick responses. I will now definitely get an automatic. I'm not rich, but I'm also not strapped for cash, so I'm prepared to pay for the machine that's best for me. I'm a bit of a nerd too, so I'll probably enjoy the data! Is a full mask better for me if I often have a blocked nose? Also, does using apap conclusively reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack? Or does it just cure daytime sleepiness. Thanks so much again for all the replies

If you are buying out of pocket, consider buying on line from our hosts. The price difference can be up to 60% less. Example - masks - $250 versus $150. A friend on Facebook just bought a mask at his local DME and was whining about the price, when I pointed him at cpap.com he howled.

[Red Sunset]

Hi again all. Trialling my first cpap tomorrow. I think it's a phillips remstar pro 60. Anyone got experience with this machine. What are the most popular units? The other one this store seems to be pushing is the fisher and pykel icon pro.