Im new to this

[kchilz]

Hi everyone I just learned that I have sleep apnea on tuesday I will go to get fitted I would like to know what is the best cpap machine and mask out their?

[Guest]

I LOVE my Resmed Cpap AUTO!, It's a pretty neat machine, it has the exhale and the automatic pressure and it records your data with a smart card. You can buy the software extra at cpap.com it's called the EncoreViewer Software and SmartCard reader, I got the USB plug in type for the card reader. Try and get the remstar heated humidifier to, you can buy them in a packaged deal at cpap.com at a really great price if you have your own prescription! Goodluck

[Goofproof]

I LOVE my Resmed Cpap AUTO!, It's a pretty neat machine, it has the exhale and the automatic pressure and it records your data with a smart card. You can buy the software extra at cpap.com it's called the EncoreViewer Software and SmartCard reader, I got the USB plug in type for the card reader. Try and get the remstar heated humidifier to, you can buy them in a packaged deal at cpap.com at a really great price if you have your own prescription! Goodluck

If your machine uses Encore Viewer, it's a Remstar not a Resmed, Resmed doesn't have exhale relief in Auto mode. Jim

[Guest]

Yes, it is a REMSTAR AUTO, I am so tired and stressed Septoplasty & Turbinates Surgery next tuesday. Thank You GOOFPROOF! for the quick correction... [/b]

[Goofproof]

Yes, it is a REMSTAR AUTO, I am so tired and stressed Septoplasty & Turbinates Surgery next tuesday. Thank You GOOFPROOF! for the quick correction... [/b]

Wish you the best outcome with it. Jim

[Suz-E-Q]

When I was a newbie (really still am, just over 30 days on BiPAP), Rested Gal was very helpful. The thread is burried way back so I copied what RG wrote and pasted it here. Hopefully it is valuable to you.

Suz-E-Q, congrats on doing your research and being proactive about what you want!

If you want to be able to get full data (AHI, Leak, snore data) from your machine, be sure you don't accept a machine with "Plus" in its name. The "Plus" machines do not record full data even if they have a Smart Card stuck in them and even if they have "Bi-Flex." The "Plus" models record only hours of use ("compliance.")

This is the one most likely to be offered to you by the DME and is the one NOT to get:
Respironics BiPAP Plus with Bi-Flex M series.

Any of these bipaps are fine...they record full data:
Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex M series
Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex (older non-M series machine)
Respironics BiPAP Pro 2 with Bi-Flex (older non-M series machine)

With luck, one of those three bipap machines will be brought out to begin with, and everything will be peachy keen.

But just in case.... to give you ammunition....

If the DME says, "Oh, we can't give you a BiPAP Auto because the doctor prescribed BiPAP with Bi-Flex, not a BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex." Point out that the BiPAP Auto can be set to operate in just BiPAP mode (with or without Bi-Flex turned on.) Also ask him sweetly, "Isn't the insurance billing code for a bi-level machine the same for both machines...the BiPAP with Bi-Flex and the BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex?" (It is.)

The DME really WILL mark you down as a "difficult patient", then.


If the DME balks, you might have to get the doctor to write out the full name of the machine you are to be given. In that case, every word will matter, so be sure the doctor writes out what the specific machine is to be:

Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex M series

Oh, and be sure "heated humidification" is written on the Rx, too.

Good luck!

[mindy]

Hi everyone I just learned that I have sleep apnea on tuesday I will go to get fitted I would like to know what is the best cpap machine and mask out their?[/url]

Welcome,

Regarding the previous post with long quote from previous thread: that was about BIPAP machines which not everyone needs. If your doc wants to prescribe straight CPAP, you may want to ask about APAP. There are several differences but to highlight a few:

CPAP means you will be on a single pressure, titrated from your sleep study.

APAP is more flexibile. It can be used in CPAP mode but if in APAP mode, it is set to a range of pressures and it also provides pressure relief when you exhale ... in other words, it will do something like drop the pressure when you exhale so it doesn't feel so different.

Lots of folks are on CPAP and do fine but some eventually go on to APAP so some of us think that it makes more sense to get an APAP in the first place.

If you get a fully "data-capable" machine, then you can monitor your own therapy if you get the software. It depends on the individual.

Some people adapt to CPAP very quickly and others struggle with it for awhile. You may or may not feel better quickly ... it can easily take a couple of months so don't give up! Come back here if you run into questions or problems.

Good luck!

Mindy

[snoregirl]

You say you are getting fitted soon.

I just want to comment that I hope you have done the cost analysis of purchasing online vs. at a local DME, and that if you decide on a local DME you get your prescription in hand and copies of your sleep studies and YOU pick the DME based on speaking with some that your insurance will deal with and not just letting the doc fax the info to HIS choice of DME.

Plenty of reading on this subject in this forum.