What should I get?

Dan01 · Post by **Dan01** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 9:42 pm

OK, the one I am looking at is the REMstar Auto C-Flex CPAP with heated Humididfier with bag hose and manual.

The Doctor wrote on the presciption for a specific Nasal Mask. He wrote: Medium Comfort Select. I am not sure what medium means, but it looks similar to the one I used in the sleep study. I don't know we he was specific on the mask. I saw one today at Apria, but their prices seemed really high.

I will probably buy on line. I can't wait. I want to feel like I did yesterday after the sleep study.

Gal, I might try the auto mode if I have problems with the regular mode. I hope it helps me lose weight PLUS lower my blood pressure.

What does the bag mean when they say with bag??

Thanks again all for the info.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 11:49 pm

"with bag" just means a bag you can put the machine in...might be handy for travel.

If the doctor thought he was doing you some kind of favor specifing the "Comfort Select" mask on your Rx, he wasn't. Possibly that just happened to be the mask that was used at the sleep clinic during your sleep study? The doctor may be just parroting what was mentioned on your sleep report as having been used on you at the clinic. It doesn't mean that's necessarily the best or most comfortable mask for you.

What's a comfortable mask for one person may be a painful, leaky thing on someone else. The comfort of a mask can sure make or break whether you can adapt fairly quickly to this very new way of "sleeping", or be up and down all night struggling to make a mask not leak and not hurt.

I think there are many other masks most people could have better luck with than the "Comfort Select".

The Activa by ResMed would be my first choice if you want to use a nasal (covers the nose) mask. Or you might find a nasal pillows mask to be more comfortable - a lot of people prefer "nasal pillows" - they are generally less prone to leak and often have more comfortable headgear than most nasal masks.

The Breeze and Aura are my favorites in nasal pillows interfaces (masks.) The Swift is another popular one.

cpap.com is a good place to shop online, imho.

If you decide to try the Aura, however, cpapsuperstore.com is where I'd buy that particular mask. That store has a "return for full refund" policy on the Aura. If you try it and you don't like it, you can send it back for your money back. You're out only a few dollars for shipping if the mask doesn't suit you. As far as I know, the Aura is the only mask that particular store sells with a guarantee like that.

Normally, if you buy a mask online and it doesn't work for you, you're stuck with it. That's true of mask purchases at a lot of local DMEs too. "Open it and you've bought it." There are some DMEs that let you try several different masks, but you better ask what their policy is.

You don't need a prescription of any kind to buy masks from online stores. If you're willing to spend your own money, you don't have to settle for whatever a DME happens to have in stock, or even for what mask the doctor wrote on the Rx. You can buy your own mask anytime from an online store.

Some have even contacted their insurance company and gotten the ok for insurance to ok reimbursing the patient for online mask purchases.

Dan01 · Post by **Dan01** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 12:53 am

rested gal wrote: You don't need a prescription of any kind to buy masks from online stores.

That is great news. That Aura looks like it has something that goes into the nose. Is that the case?

I just saw the mask on cpap.com for $50. At the Apria store they wanted almost $400. What gives? Is it the same thing - it looks the same.

I did not see the straps on the mask at CPAP.com. If they don't show the straps with the mask, does it come with the straps?

Dan01 · Post by **Dan01** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 1:29 am

The Remstar Auto with C-flex looks good. I wonder if you can set a maximum pressure for the auto mode?

Two more things: They look like they program the card for you, right? This is not need in Auto mode I presume. Also, I should probably buy a couple filters for the CPAP when I order it, right?

C-Flex means it relieves pressure when you exhale. Is that important? I didn’t notice a problem at the sleep study with not having a C-Flex.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 4:17 pm

If u buy the encore software u can change the the pressure ranges with the card in a card reader thru your computer. Just pull the card from machine, put in card reader and start encore program. Hit prescrpition, and set the ranges you want. All with your computer
Put card back in machine, and it makes changes from the card. Easy.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 4:20 pm

Forgot about c-flex. It is important if your pressures ramp up to over 10. If you hit 15, your going to really notice breathing against pressure. There are three settings for c-flex. Highest offers most pressure relief. Filters last a long time.

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 5:35 pm

I use the PB 420E, small compact, fairly quiet, easy to figure out. It has both auto (which I use quite nicely) and ''straight" cpap, with the ramp feture. Of course the ramp feature on mine is shut in the ''off'' pos. as I'm on auto. Nice part of the PB cpap.com has the silverlining software so you can monitor your own progress for something like 200 episodes (or night's sleep). I check it daily when I think of it. Heated humidiifer is the GK H20 which sits underneath the unit, compactly.

I may look at the Remstar for my own info down the road. The mask is the fly in the ointment, get one that you like and you have it made. I use the resmed swift nasal pillow.

If you are claustrophobic, n. pillows might be an option.

it's a lot of try and see with this technology, but listen to Rested gal and others, they know everything and are so helpful and eager to pass on their experiences.

Welcome, hope it helps you to feel better.

takes time, be patient!!

Dan01 wrote:I have some questions before I buy a CPAP:

Doe the doctor need to prescribe an AUTO CPAP in order for me to get one? I will get a prescription tomorrow, but am not sure what he will do. His price is way high and would like to shop around.

Does the Auto CPAP have the manual setting, I guess set with a card?? Sorry, not sure how they are set. I would probably never use the Auto, but maybe it would be a good idea?

Which is the best brand? Goodnight, ResMed or Respironics?

What is the best model? I would probably want a heated unit where I can turn the heat off during the summer?? Is price always the best indicator for quality?

Now the Mask: This is probably important right? What should I look for? A friend said he uses a full mask when he is congested – should I get one of those initially, and which one?

During the first sleep study they found I had 17 obstructive events and one central. I only could sleep for an hour and half and the tech told me that sometimes people do have a central one in the first hour.

During the second test he needed to get to 8.5 cm to stop the snoring. I had not trouble falling asleep with the nasal mask. What about falling asleep with the full mask, is it harder?

Lots of questions: If anyone can answer any of them let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Dan

Dan01 · Post by **Dan01** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 7:33 pm

I just ordered the Remstar with C-Flex and the Comfort Select Mask. The mask may not be the top of the line, but it is similar to what I used in the study.

I ordered it from CPAP.com

Dan01 · Post by **Dan01** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 9:43 pm

I got my CPAP today and hooked it up tonight. I rinsed out the mask and the humidifier and then dried them. It really smells like plastic still. I am letting it run, but is the smell normal? I don't remember that at the sleep study.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:39 pm

Dan, when I got my new Remstar Auto with C-Flex, it had a "new plastic" smell when running. Took several nights of using it before the plastic odor finally went away. Each night the plastic smell was a little less and a little less. Can't remember how many sessions exactly until it was gone - maybe 4 or 5.

Dan01 · Post by **Dan01** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 12:00 am

rested gal wrote:Dan, when I got my new Remstar Auto with C-Flex, it had a "new plastic" smell when running. Took several nights of using it before the plastic odor finally went away. Each night the plastic smell was a little less and a little less. Can't remember how many sessions exactly until it was gone - maybe 4 or 5.

God bless you and thanks for answering that question. I was worried that some chemicals or something would get breathed in. I rinsed the hose because I think that is where the smell was coming from.

When I first got it I set it up for regular CPAP (8.5 cm MAX). Then after talking to my wife I decided to set it in Auto Mode with C-Flex with 8.5 max. I will see how that works. In the sleep study they did not have the C-Flex. The pressure was always on.

My only concern, and the reason I decided to get the CPAP was because of my three episodes waking up unable to breath for half a minute or so. I now see other advantages to CPAP. I am determined. Wish me luck.

Thanks again Rested Gal.

Dan01

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:13 am

Dan01 wrote:The Remstar Auto with C-flex looks good. I wonder if you can set a maximum pressure for the auto mode?

Two more things: They look like they program the card for you, right? This is not need in Auto mode I presume. Also, I should probably buy a couple filters for the CPAP when I order it, right?

C-Flex means it relieves pressure when you exhale. Is that important? I didn’t notice a problem at the sleep study with not having a C-Flex.

What should I get?

Re: What should I get?