Help with model and website

[JReinhal]

I am attempting to self treat due to insurance reasons. Would the following model be recommened:

http://www.respshoppe.com/auto-cpap-mac ... -p-91.html

Also, is that a reputable site?

Thank you!

[kaiasgram]

it's a good machine to titrate on (my clinic used it for my titration). Many here have that model.
I would buy it from cpap.com, the host of this forum. Excellent customer service and the price is the same.
Living in Las Vegas you might want the humidifier too.

[JReinhal]

it's a good machine to titrate on (my clinic used it for my titration). Many here have that model.
I would buy it from cpap.com, the host of this forum. Excellent customer service and the price is the same.
Living in Las Vegas you might want the humidifier too.

Thanks a bunch for the response.
Due to my noted insurance issues, I do not have an Rx. I was informed that the site I linked does not require an Rx, though the forum sponsor CPAP.com does. Am I correct in that? If not, I will most definitely go through CPAP.com.

[kaiasgram]

According to their website RespShop does require a prescription. Want the link to that page?

[JReinhal]

According to their website RespShop does require a prescription. Want the link to that page?

Ugh, oh well... thank you for finding that for me.
At least I have a model to focus in on.

[JReinhal]

Is the machine I linked as well as a mask all of the items I will need to purchase to get the ball rolling?
Are there other necessary adds ons that I am missing?

[kaiasgram]

Well, like I said earlier, most people do much better with a humidifier -- it's a comfort item but a pretty important one especially if you're out there in the desert. Many also buy the heated hose -- also a comfort item but can help a lot. But yes one could get started with mask and machine.

Can you afford a home sleep test? If so that would get you a prescription (assuming you're positive for OSA). Even a dentist can write a cpap prescription.

[chunkyfrog]

Most people would add the humidifier, heated tubing, and a mask.
Note: cpap.com does discounts when you bundle--and they match prices--whichever is better for you.
I bought my back-up Intellipap autoadjust with humidifier, data module and battery for under 8 bills a year ago.
If you add those items together without bundling, you can see I saved a pile of dough.

[JReinhal]

Well, like I said earlier, most people do much better with a humidifier -- it's a comfort item but a pretty important one especially if you're out there in the desert. Many also buy the heated hose -- also a comfort item but can help a lot. But yes one could get started with mask and machine.

Can you afford a home sleep test? If so that would get you a prescription (assuming you're positive for OSA). Even a dentist can write a cpap prescription.

Would a dentist write an Rx for a CPAP based on the symptoms I tell him or would he have to send me for a sleep study?

[kaiasgram]

Well, like I said earlier, most people do much better with a humidifier -- it's a comfort item but a pretty important one especially if you're out there in the desert. Many also buy the heated hose -- also a comfort item but can help a lot. But yes one could get started with mask and machine.

Can you afford a home sleep test? If so that would get you a prescription (assuming you're positive for OSA). Even a dentist can write a cpap prescription.

Would a dentist write an Rx for a CPAP based on the symptoms I tell him or would he have to send me for a sleep study?

Probably not -- liability concerns. There might be a few who would do it (I think I've even heard of primacy care docs who have done it), but I have no idea how you'd find a doc/dentist who would be willing.

I haven't seen your earlier posts -- how certain are you that you have OSA? Occasionally we have someone come onto the forum and post a message that they are looking to buy an auto pap. You could give it a try, lots of people have the S9 Autoset and maybe someone's just about ready to sell one. I sold mine last year when I switched from apap to vpap (bilevel). Private transactions like that usually don't involve a prescription.

[JReinhal]

Well, like I said earlier, most people do much better with a humidifier -- it's a comfort item but a pretty important one especially if you're out there in the desert. Many also buy the heated hose -- also a comfort item but can help a lot. But yes one could get started with mask and machine.

Can you afford a home sleep test? If so that would get you a prescription (assuming you're positive for OSA). Even a dentist can write a cpap prescription.

Would a dentist write an Rx for a CPAP based on the symptoms I tell him or would he have to send me for a sleep study?

Probably not -- liability concerns. There might be a few who would do it (I think I've even heard of primacy care docs who have done it), but I have no idea how you'd find a doc/dentist who would be willing.

I haven't seen your earlier posts -- how certain are you that you have OSA? Occasionally we have someone come onto the forum and post a message that they are looking to buy an auto pap. You could give it a try, lots of people have the S9 Autoset and maybe someone's just about ready to sell one. I sold mine last year when I switched from apap to vpap (bilevel). Private transactions like that usually don't involve a prescription.

Let me say that I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out here. My symptoms began about 10 years ago. Im 37 now. At this point, while falling asleep laying on my back, my airway closes and I wake up in a panic. My girlfriend tells me its a gasping sound I make. If I lay on my side, which is all I do now, Im able to sleep soundly (at least I assume I am).
Strange, though, as I was able to sleep on my back through most of my youth.
Thoughts?

[kaiasgram]

My symptoms began about 10 years ago. Im 37 now. At this point, while falling asleep laying on my back, my airway closes and I wake up in a panic. My girlfriend tells me its a gasping sound I make. If I lay on my side, which is all I do now, Im able to sleep soundly (at least I assume I am).
Strange, though, as I was able to sleep on my back through most of my youth.
Thoughts?

It sounds suspicious to me.

Take this for what it's worth -- just an idea -- what if instead of trying to buy a brand new Autoset at retail prices, you instead do a home sleep study (there are a variety of options and range of prices with home tests) and if you do indeed have OSA, then buy a gently used Autoset (you'll have a prescription at that point). I bought my current machine from secondwindcpap.com, a very reputable seller of gently used cpap/apap machines.

[JReinhal]

My symptoms began about 10 years ago. Im 37 now. At this point, while falling asleep laying on my back, my airway closes and I wake up in a panic. My girlfriend tells me its a gasping sound I make. If I lay on my side, which is all I do now, Im able to sleep soundly (at least I assume I am).
Strange, though, as I was able to sleep on my back through most of my youth.
Thoughts?

It sounds suspicious to me.

Suspicious as in "Im not a doctor but that's probably sleep apnea"?

[kaiasgram]

Suspicious as in "Im not a doctor but that's probably sleep apnea"?

lol! Suspicious as in I'm definitely, totally, absolutely NOT a doctor (I'm a shrink!) but what I would say with confidence is that you should get tested. Any good doctor hearing those symptoms would want you to get tested for sleep apnea, if for no other reason than to rule it out.

The gasping, panic, and the 'testimony' of your partner does make it suspicious, and the positional aspect fits with obstructive sleep apnea too. Do you snore?

[JReinhal]

Suspicious as in "Im not a doctor but that's probably sleep apnea"?

lol! Suspicious as in I'm definitely, totally, absolutely NOT a doctor (I'm a shrink!) but what I would say with confidence is that you should get tested. Any good doctor hearing those symptoms would want you to get tested for sleep apnea, if for no other reason than to rule it out.

The gasping, panic, and the 'testimony' of your partner does make it suspicious, and the positional aspect fits with obstructive sleep apnea too. Do you snore?

I don't believe I snore. But while laying on my back and starting to fall asleep, I literally feel the back of my throat area closing off. It's guaranteed to happen whenever Im laying on my back.