Should my first machine be an APAP? (Opinions sought)

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:28 pm

If you're still checking the software daily (like someone else above mentioning no names) then I'm sorry to have to tell you that you have geekitus

Guilty as charged!! Slap the cuffs on me, I'm goin' down.

momexp5 · Post by **momexp5** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 11:07 am

WAFlowers wrote: Actually my wife and I just put 2+2 together for a friend. He's been suffering cardiac problems -- arythmia and palpatations along with hypertension -- and his wife says he snores heavily and sometimes gasps for air. I sent him all the info I have on OSA and he's going to speak with his doc, ASAP.

Bill, that's fantastic, good job! I hope someday I can get my dad to go in.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:08 pm

Its been said here over and over that CFLEX doesn't do much at lower pressures which is where I'm at (10 or less). Given that, the small size and weight of the 420E tip the scales in its favor, so that's the machine I'm planning to go with.

And I think I know which masks to try first. Next week can't get here soon enough! But TGIF; I can sleep long for the next 2 days.

Today I'm so sleep deprived I feel like I'm on the downside of drunk most of the way to hangover. I just wish there'd been an upside to this feeling.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:49 pm

Wear it in good health, Bill.

Take care,
DW

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 10:39 pm

The 420E is a great little machine - and don't forget a humidifier - integrated of not.
Stick to it - you'll be feeling better.
O.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:14 pm

I finally got my prescription today. Doc specified a 420E and heated humidifier. Nice to have a doc who's willing to let the patient use APAP.

I'd have been happier with a generic prescription, but since it was for the machine I decided on I really can't complain.

Ordered from cpap.com today for delivery tomorrow, along with a Swift and ComfortSelect mask (so I can switch back and forth as needed). Oh, and I'm getting the software too!

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:09 pm

I am leaning toward the 420e w/software also. Since there is no smart card, does one have to tote the machine to the computer each time to download info to software? My pressure will probably be 11 or 12. That was with a sleeping pill at clinic.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:18 pm

seagull wrote:Since there is no smart card, does one have to tote the machine to the computer each time to download info to software?

I assume so, but with the 420 series so small and light that shouldn't be a burden.

Ask me again tomorrow night; I should know by then.

NOzsnAZ · Post by **NOzsnAZ** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:21 pm

Ask me again tomorrow night; I should know by then.

So? It's been a couple months now. What is/are your impressions of the 420E? How are you sleeping these days? Are you glad you got the software?

Inquiring minds want to know...

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:13 pm

I've lost count; am I coming up on my 7 week or 8 week anniversary? I could check a calendar, but it doesn't matter.

What really matters is that I'm sleeping well, feeling great and thinking clear! As I've said elsewhere (more than once) my main problem is getting enough sleep.

About the same time I started CPAP treatment my son started high school. In order for him to catch his bus he has to get up at 5:30, so I get up with him, make coffee for us, and keep him on schedule for his 6:23 ride. I also walk him (and Roxy, the dog he and I share) to his bus stop.

Some days I go back to bed for one more REM cycle (about 90 minutes) but other days, like today, I get busy and then just go to work. I'll try to go to bed earlier tonight.

Since day one I've been almost 100% compliant. One morning early on I fell back asleep without meaning to and didn't have the mask on. One afternoon recently when I wasn't feeling well with a cold virus I fell asleep sitting in the family room. My son, out of concern (for the noise of the snoring more than my health I think) woke up to tell me to put on my mask!

I've been very pleased to have great success with all the equipment I chose. I made a good choice for both APAP (420e) and mask (Swift). No regrets there at all.

The 420e has done an excellent job of treating my OSA. Most of the time I do well with relatively low pressures (7-8), but some nights I've needed more (9) and having an APAP it automatically adjusts to meet my needs.

The software has been essential in fine tuning my treatment to get the best results. I had a very good, accurate titration as it turns out (although I wouldn't have known without the software) and could probably have done OK without it. But I know I'm doing better because of it!

Having bought everything out-of-pocket and not going through insurance, I can honestly say this was the best healthcare investment I've ever made!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:22 pm

Having bought everything out-of-pocket and not going through insurance, I can honestly say this was the best healthcare investment I've ever made!

I resemble that remark! Same here!

Tired-in-Seattle · Post by **Tired-in-Seattle** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 7:26 pm

Newbie on the block. Been looking at buying an auto CPAP and asked my provider about the 420E which seems to be the recommended model in this Forum anyway. They said that this model was noisier than the others and the humidifier tray was hard to clean since it was not removable. Has anyone experienced any problems or is my provider just being a little biased.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:26 pm

Ummm, just a bit of bias showing I think. Actually it sounds like your DME is trying to stear you to whatever he makes the most profit on.

My 420e when using the humidifier is amazingly quiet! Some people have reported some louder units (manufacturing variation?) but most people with the heated humidier report that it acts like a muffler on a car (or a silencer on a gun).

The humidifer reservoir slides it so easy it is child's play.

I haven't a clue what your DME is on, but maybe he/she should be on CPAP because something is clearly addling their brains. Maybe it is the idea of having their outrageous profit decreased by you getting a quality machine.

Tired-in-Seattle · Post by **Tired-in-Seattle** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 8:17 am

Thankyou Bill for the response. It is good to hear that it is not load, I would never hear the end of it from my wife if it was.

Just completed my overnight CPAP test this morning, they say I settled on a pressure of 8. I slept good, but the nasal mask and head gear were not very comfortable and left a tender spot on top of my nose between my eyes. The Swift system seems like a good design, have you experienced any problems with it.

Tom

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 8:43 am

Waste of time, anyone who can post 930 posts in 4 weeks should be teaching typing at a university.

Mask