New to this. Have crappy insurance, but have done my research. Could use some advice.

[The_Tool_Man]

I had a sleep study about 5 years ago in my early 20s. I'm still able to access the results; it showed 135 events per hour. Because I wasn't too concerned with my health at that age, I never followed up and got a CPAP.

Today, I am working on getting my health in order. I just feel exhausted all the time. I snore heavily. I sit up at night because I can't breathe. I'm obese, but it's so hard to make changes when I feel exhausted constantly. I need to get a CPAP.

I've done some research and it seems the machine I need to get is the ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset. Others have advocated for the Phillips Dreamstation, which I've found new on Amazon for $499. I've found a few of the ResMeds on FB Marketplace in the $300-$500 range with littie use. My crappy insurance won't even conver a sleep study until I meet me $7k deductible. So I am going with the DIY route. It's going to be a big struggle for me to swing the $500 or so as it is. If anyone can help me with where to find a quality machine at a good price, I'm all ears.

When I get the machine I intend to use OSCAR to interpret my data; hopefully with the help of the forum here.

A few questions.

Which of these machines I should be getting? Any advice on picking a mask? I'm not sure if I breathe through my mouth at night or not, but I am claustrophobic, so I would prefer a nasal mask rather than full face - not sure if that's the best choice though.

How do I go about setting the machine without going through a sleep lab? Is that what the Autoset feature does?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

For several reasons I suggest that you get the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet....
1....we don't know your pressure needs and if you happen to need pressures in the teens its exhale relief is superior to the DreamStation
2....there are some other reasons...more quiet, more responsive, etc
3...just trust me ....I have used both brands and the DreamStation is okay and might be especially useful if you want to do any off grid camping on battery power....ResMed is the better algorithm IMHO.

Contact LSAT....he's got a gently used machine that should work out very well and its cheaper than a DreamStation...
unless gently used just freaks you out too much.

viewtopic/t177154/For-Sale2-Almost-New-Machines.html

[K5MOW]

I think the AirSence 10 Autoset would be a great choice. You will get sleep data with this one.

Roger

[The_Tool_Man]

Welcome to the forum.

For several reasons I suggest that you get the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet....
1....we don't know your pressure needs and if you happen to need pressures in the teens its exhale relief is superior to the DreamStation
2....there are some other reasons...more quiet, more responsive, etc
3...just trust me ....I have used both brands and the DreamStation is okay and might be especially useful if you want to do any off grid camping on battery power....ResMed is the better algorithm IMHO.

Contact LSAT....he's got a gently used machine that should work out very well and its cheaper than a DreamStation...
unless gently used just freaks you out too much.

viewtopic/t177154/For-Sale2-Almost-New-Machines.html

Thanks for the response. I was leaning towards the ResMed as it is. Seems like it’s better supported among The online communities. I’ve got no problem with a lightly used machine. I don’t think I could afford a brand new ResMed as it is.

[Pugsy]

Buy from LSAT....I have bought 3 machines personally myself from him.
Very trustworthy.

But if money is really, really tight.....and you really, really need to save it....I have a used PR System One Auto BiPap model 760 that needs to go to a good home. I have 3 machines now and I just don't need a back up for the back up.

Send me a private message if you are interested and I will give you the particulars.
I think around 1500 hours...everything included like blower, humidifier, travel bag, etc...$175 and that includes shipping in the US.

It's a good machine...not as good as the AutoSet but it will go to 25 if you happen to need it and it is silent...and it will do a good job...and its cheap.

For masks....can you easily breathe through your nose just fine during the day?
If you can...look at one of the nasal pillow interface masks....not much to them and less chance of triggering claustrophobia.
I personally recommend the ResMed AirFit P10...it's silent and about as nothing of a mask as you can get in terms of stuff on your face or head.

[The_Tool_Man]

Buy from LSAT....I have bought 3 machines personally myself from him.
Very trustworthy.

But if money is really, really tight.....and you really, really need to save it....I have a used PR System One Auto BiPap model 760 that needs to go to a good home. I have 3 machines now and I just don't need a back up for the back up.

Send me a private message if you are interested and I will give you the particulars.
I think around 1500 hours...everything included like blower, humidifier, travel bag, etc...$175 and that includes shipping in the US.

It's a good machine...not as good as the AutoSet but it will go to 25 if you happen to need it and it is silent...and it will do a good job...and its cheap.

For masks....can you easily breathe through your nose just fine during the day?
If you can...look at one of the nasal pillow interface masks....not much to them and less chance of triggering claustrophobia.
I personally recommend the ResMed AirFit P10...it's silent and about as nothing of a mask as you can get in terms of stuff on your face or head.

Pugsy,

Thank you so much for the generous offer. I do think I am going to aim for the ResMed 10 though. The modern features are very appealing for me as I like to tinker and am a tech junkie.

I can breathe fine through my nose (except when congested), I'm not a mouth breather when awake. Like I said, I'm not sure of the case while I am asleep. And thanks for the recommendation on mask. Any thoughts on the the DreamWear Nasal Pillow?

[Pugsy]

The DreamWear gel pillows is a nice little mask. I have tried it and used it briefly but I personally had a problem with the frame size as it was too large for my small head...even the small frame allowed a bit too much movement of the pillows and I couldn't get a good consistent seal.

Now it is a lot noisier in terms of vent noise than the P10 and you probably have no idea what I am talking about but masks all have vent holes so that when we exhale the carbon dioxide that we exhale in each breath gets washed out of the mask. We don't want to keep rebreathing that carbon dioxide laden air...not good for us.
Some masks have a diffused venting system...air flow is not as direct and not as loud and once you use a mask you will understand what I mean.
The more direct/forceful the vented air is the more chance for it bouncing off something or hitting your bed partner or for creating just plain noise.
The P10 has such a diffused venting system...you have to put you hand about an inch away from the holes to feel it and you certainly can't hear it.
The DreamWear gel pillows...2 vent holes...one at the top where the hose attaches and one near the nose and it's that one that is likely to annoy some people. It's fairly forceful and you can feel it 2 feet away and maybe more depending on the pressure used.

No problem about preferring the AutoSet....that's why I have 2 other ResMed machines. I understand. Just thought I would toss it out there just in case it was appealing to you.

Now ResMed has a nasal pillow mask that has the hose attaching on the top like the DreamWear...it's called the P30i...and I think it has a diffused venting system. I have never seen one so I have no experience with it.

The vented air may or may not be a problem for you but I just wanted you to be aware of the potential as it is a common complaint from a lot of people. Especially spouses...they don't care for a blast of cold air on their backs or in their face in the middle of the night.....can't imagine why.

[babydinosnoreless]

I am claustrophobic. The dreamwear is my back up mask. I personally prefer the N20 because it seals better for me and is more stable for me but like pugsy I need a smaller size. I find the "for her" sizing of the resmed mask works just a bit better.

The dreamwear does use the same frame for the nasal, the pillows, and for the full face. The full face will also need a different headgear.

If you decide to go with the dreamwear and don't mind used I have a couple of nasal cushions that are too big for me to use. The fit pack had all the cushions. I would be happy to send you both the medium wide and large nasal cushion if it would help. People were so nice when I first started this journey I try to pay it forward when I can.

Btw I also have a machine from Lsat. He is awesome.

[palerider]

Thank you so much for the generous offer. I do think I am going to aim for the ResMed 10 though.

There are a lot of very different machines that are "Resmed 10", including the crap "airstart" and "CPAP'" models, it's best to always say and think "autoset", we've had people that went in to unscrupulous DME suppliers (I know that's not applicable for you) and said *I want a Resmed auto" and ended up with one of the crap machines that don't provide data... When if they'd said "autoset", they'd have gotten what they wanted.

[djams]

I just want to let you know that I feel you're doing the right thing here. Meaning DIY.

I *so* wish I had made a post like you did here. Would've saved me around 3 grand. Two sleep studies, all the equipment and appointments. All to end up with a prescription that was totally wrong for me.

The knowledgeable folks here here helped me get straightened away, They'll do the same for you.

For "run of the mill" OSA, there's really no need to get involved with the sleep mills.

Finding THE mask is the hardest part. Cpap.com has 30 day maks insurance. I've found that calling them up works the best when placing an order. Knowledgeable folks with good suggestions.

Best of luck to you.

[The_Tool_Man]

I just want to let you know that I feel you're doing the right thing here. Meaning DIY.

I *so* wish I had made a post like you did here. Would've saved me around 3 grand. Two sleep studies, all the equipment and appointments. All to end up with a prescription that was totally wrong for me.

The knowledgeable folks here here helped me get straightened away, They'll do the same for you.

For "run of the mill" OSA, there's really no need to get involved with the sleep mills.

Finding THE mask is the hardest part. Cpap.com has 30 day maks insurance. I've found that calling them up works the best when placing an order. Knowledgeable folks with good suggestions.

Best of luck to you.

I appreciate the reassurance. I've read a lot of horror stories about people leasing machines and having a hard time with insurance companies and such. Good tips on the mask. Do you think it's safe to buy from ebay?

I found a unit today on the Facebook Marketplace. It's an Airsense 10 Autoset with under 100 hours. Seems to come from a clean home. It includes two masks, case, heated hose, power supply, and humidifier. I can get it for $320 (which I can afford right now). Does that sounds like a good idea?

[Pugsy]

That's a good price and it comes with a couple of masks and even if they are used it will give you and idea what masks are like and what size you might need and what kind you might prefer. Masks are pricey.

That's a good price even without the masks for that few hours on a machine.

[The_Tool_Man]

I was just looking closer at one of the pics he sent. Looks like one of the masks is a P10.

[The_Tool_Man]

I am claustrophobic. The dreamwear is my back up mask. I personally prefer the N20 because it seals better for me and is more stable for me but like pugsy I need a smaller size. I find the "for her" sizing of the resmed mask works just a bit better.

The dreamwear does use the same frame for the nasal, the pillows, and for the full face. The full face will also need a different headgear.

If you decide to go with the dreamwear and don't mind used I have a couple of nasal cushions that are too big for me to use. The fit pack had all the cushions. I would be happy to send you both the medium wide and large nasal cushion if it would help. People were so nice when I first started this journey I try to pay it forward when I can.

Btw I also have a machine from Lsat. He is awesome.

I really appreciate your generous offer. Let me figure out what facemask I’m going to go with and I may end up taking you up on that.

[bristolman]

do search ( the great pillow exchange ) , I posted some masks in there . gently used . pay shipping if you would like to try .
mike