My Intro + ResMed AirSense vs Phillips Dreamstation + MASKS

[solracotos]

Hello everyone!

I was recently tested and diagnosed with sleep apnea. I did a home test and it showed 25 events per hours so I was scheduled for a second round of testing with a CPAP machine. That was last week.

Yesterday the doctor's interpretation came out. I need a CPAP machine with a pressure of 11cm of H2O.

Up till now everything has been relatively easy (Mainly because my options for deciding or complaining have been limited). I now have to decide between machines and masks

_________
Mask

So, during the CPAP portion of the test I tried the following masks

1.Philips Respironics DreamWear Gel Pillow Mask (https://www.sleepdirect.com/masks/phili ... t-headgear
2. Some sort of Nasal Mask (don't know brand )
3.Philips Respironics Amara™ View Full Face Mask (https://www.sleepdirect.com/masks/phili ... CEQAvD_BwE

-I liked the simplicity of #1 but HATED having those pillows shoved into my nostrils, Also hated the way in bent my nose! So this was a NO go for me
-I HATED #2. To me it was more restrictive specially with the head-gear pressing on my sides and cheeks. This was also a NO go for me
-I liked mask #3, the fit was good! However, like the Nasal mask the amount of head hear needed was pretty distressing. Nonetheless, that is the mask I sleep all thru the night.

Based on what I've seen it seems that the Philips Respironics DreamWear might be the mask I want. It is simple, it doesn't shove stuff into your nose, it doesn't bend your nose. Plus it seems to be compatible with the Philips Respironics DreamWear Full Face Mask, which had a lot less head gear than the Amara View but offers a similar fit to the Amara View.

Note, that I will need two mask options because I suffer from complete nasal blockages due to swollen Turbinates. Most of the times the blockage is isolated to just one nostril but in the worst days both. So most days I will be able to use nasal mask but some days, I will need the full face. As I type this my left nostril is ~85% blocked in a few hours the blockage will shift to the other one (sigh)

Do you have any recommendations? Any pointers to help me choose the right mask?

_____
Machine

Now come the issue with the Machine! I believe the sleep lab used a DreamStation. One thing that happened during the CPAP sleep test was waking up to a stomach full of air in the later stages of the CPAP titration test. (I have never belched so hard or long in my life ).
My Durable medical provider mainly stocks ResMed AirSense products but said they could request Phillips Dream station if I really wanted. But to me these facts are not enough reason to sway me one way or the other.


Honestly, I don't have the slightest Idea what to chose!

Is there anything in particular I should be looking to help me make my decision less stressful?

[Okie bipap]

Welcome to the forum. You can find a lot of good information here. Most of the people here are willing to help you in your journey with your new machine. Some will give very detailed information and spoon feed you if necessary. Others may seem rather harsh, but they often are quite knowledgeable and do not appreciate people who do not know what they are talking about trying to offer information that is not 100% correct, or people who refuse to head offered instructions and continue to complain about in effective treatment. I wish you well on your journey. No matter what problems you have, others here have already had them and can off ideas if you are willing to listen to them.

I recommend you get the ResMed Air Sense 10 auto or auto for her. If your insurance will not pay for that, insist on the ResMed Air Sense 10 Elite. This machine offers full data capability. Under no circumstance should you accept anything that says Air Start on it. These machines only report usage. If you have problems, which is common for new users, these machines will not provide the data necessary to figure out what your problems are. The ResMed Air Sense 10 CPAP model offers a little more data, but does not offer full data. Many of the forum members that have tried both brands of machines prefer the ResMed machines. If you do get the Dream Station, do not accept the DreamWear CPAP. Insist on the Dream Station Pro as it offers full data reporting.

As for masks, I have used the Amara View in the past, and actually prefer the newer DreamWear full face mask. The head gear is simpler and easier to adjust. I have found the DreamWear easier to adjust so I don't get leaks. The new ResMed F30 is very comfortable if it fits your face. I really liked the mask, but due to my facial structure, I had a hard time getting a good seal without leaks.

[ChicagoGranny]

I recommend you get the ResMed Air Sense 10 auto or auto for her.

+1

I recommend you get the ResMed Air Sense 10 auto or auto for her. If your insurance will not pay for that, insist on the ResMed Air Sense 10 Elite.

Insurance companies don't care. They pay by the HCPCS code which is E0601 for either of the machines. Definitely should insist on an Auto.

[ChicagoGranny]

HATED having those pillows shoved into my nostrils, Also hated the way in bent my nose! So this was a NO go for me

If the pillows were in your nostrils, they weren't fitted properly. The pillows seal on the outside of your nostrils.

If they bent in your nose, the headgear was adjusted too tightly. The headgear should not be tight.

[palerider]

Hello everyone!
...
Honestly, I don't have the slightest Idea what to chose!

Is there anything in particular I should be looking to help me make my decision less stressful?

I could swear I just answered this exact same question.... somewhere else.

[palerider]

I recommend you get the ResMed Air Sense 10 auto or auto for her.

Ya know, Another reason to go Resmed that most people don't mention, the auto-on/auto-off works SO much better on the resmed... I always felt like I was trying to suck start a bulldozer with the Respironics... but with the Resmed, it starts right up with a small inhale (or exhale)... and shuts off in a few seconds, instead of a minute or so after I take the mask off.

[babydinosnoreless]

Ooh auto on and off. I saw that in the menu but was afraid to touch it. Will have to turn it on and give it a try.

[palerider]

Ooh auto on and off. I saw that in the menu but was afraid to touch it. Will have to turn it on and give it a try.

"smartstart"... It just turns the machine on when you mask up, and turns it off when you remove the mask... I find it very convenient, because where my machine is, with the headboard I've got, I practically have to disjoint an arm to reach the power button while *in* the bed...

[babydinosnoreless]

Cool. I will have to give it a try.

[solracotos]

Hello everyone!
...
Honestly, I don't have the slightest Idea what to chose!

Is there anything in particular I should be looking to help me make my decision less stressful?

I could swear I just answered this exact same question.... somewhere else.

Yes, you did! Thanks for that!

[solracotos]

OK, DME called Monday and yesterday I picked up my machine. They had no issues with my requests (The first DME did)

So I got,

Resmed AirSense 10 autose for HER
Heated tube
and Dreamwear Full face mask ( I will self buy the Regular Dreamwear nasal cushion)

Used it last night and.... I usually don't have issues falling asleep but last night I did. I tossed and turned a lot! The little window said that I used the machine 6hrs had smiley green faces on both sections. It will definitely be an adjustment but I'm ready for it.

What is the software you guys use to look at the SD card data?

[ChicagoGranny]

What is the software you guys use to look at the SD card data?

Read the first two announcements at the top of the index page.

------> Sticky: Newbies PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

------> Pugsy's Pointers...SleepyHead Tutorial and TX Hints

[solracotos]

Thanks I will!