New to CPAP

[Meredia]

I just had my sleep study last night they told me they wouldnt do the 2nd CPAP part unless I had over 20 breathing episodes per hour and they did the second part so im assuming that Im going to end up on a CPAP

What questions do I ask
What type of machine do I really Want
Ive read posts on data collecting machines, some have humidifiers some don't... I want the best I can get my insurance to cover... any advice?

[AuntieNae]

Welcome
You have found a forum of folks who were in your same shoes .. in my case, last Fall. You DEFINITELY want a data capable machine.

I walked blindly into my DME - Durable Medical Equipment supplier - and ended up with a basic model. After a restless 2 weeks, I found this forum, called my Dr and got a prescription for a machine that could tell me more than the "compliance" or "yes you are using it" stuff the one I had did. Can I say again how important data capable is?

The insurance code is the same on a basic model up to the Auto .. so the DME will give you the basic machine .. unless your Dr specifies otherwise. Seriously, I like knowing HOW I am doing and have been able to get my mask leaks better under control.

Ask questions, check above on the light bulb - Our Wisdom - and start reading!

AuntieNae

[Meredia]

So what are some good brands and models

The place that does my study will do my machine for me also

I think they had respironics machines....

[AuntieNae]

Meredia

My DME was also the place I had my study .. so I know what you are saying.

Respironics .. they are called the M Series with integrated humidifer

You do NOT want the Plus model
You DO want the Pro model

does that give you a place to start? Research the differences here at cpap.com so you know when you walk in

[Meredia]

I just called apparently March 5th at 9am is there next follow up appointment thats over a month away......

So i guess i have another month of crummy sleep and time to learn all my options.

[nomoore]

Meredia

My DME was also the place I had my study .. so I know what you are saying.

Respironics .. they are called the M Series with integrated humidifer

You do NOT want the Plus model
You DO want the Pro model

does that give you a place to start? Research the differences here at cpap.com so you know when you walk in

The Auto model is even better but it is almost impossible to get unless your doctor prescribes it. It doesn't REQUIRE a specific prescription though so you can buy one out of pocket with just a regular cpap prescription. Depending on your DME it may be difficult to get a fully-data-capable machine (you definitely want this to monitor your progress) without a prescription.

The Respironics M-Series Pro and Auto are both fully-data-capable
The Auto is Auto-adjusting and can be run in regular (non-auto) CPAP mode too.

[gasp]

I also suggest a data capable machine. I prefer and use the Respironics A-Flex with heated humidifier. Also, ask your DME about mask warranty. I believe ResMed and Respironics both have a 30 day warranty so that if a mask doesn't work for you they will replace it with another type. Be certain that the DME doesn't double bill your and your insurance company if they utilize the warranty.

[THE HARD TRUTH]

I WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED WITH OSA IN JULY 2008 AND LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE WHO HAS THIS DIAGNOSES,IS WAS TOLD ABOUT THE GOLD STANDARD.EVERY APNEA WEBSITE THAT I GO TO YOU READ THE SAME THING.FIRST OF ALL I AM NOT IN DENIAL,I HAVE APNEA AND IT CAN KILL ME.FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY ARE TOLD OVER AN OVER AGAIN THAT CPAP IS THE ANSWER.APNEA PATIENTS ARE BRAIN WASHED INTO THINKING THAT THERE IS NO THERAPY BUT CPAP.AT TIMES I THINK THAT MOST SLEEP DOCTORS HAVE A LOT OF STOCK IN THE CPAP COMPANIES AND THE DME'S.AND MAY BE GETTING KICK BACKS FROM THOSE COMPANIES.THE DOCTORS AND THE DME REPS TELL YOU JUST GET USED TO HAVING HURRICANE KATRINA STRAPPED ON THEIR FACE.JUST GET USED TO THE OVER PRICED MASKS THAT LEAK AND THE 50 LBS OF TIGHTNESS ON THEIR STRAPS JUST TO HOLD THE THING ON YOUR FACE THEN THEY TELL YOU THAT THE PERFECT MASK IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.IT REMINDS ME OF THE SCENE IN THE FIRST ALIENS MOVIE WHEN THE HALF SQUID AND HALF CRAP CLIMBS ON TO YOUR FACE.FIRST OF ALL CPAP'S ARE OBSOLETE.THEY TELL YOU YOU WILL GET USED TOTHE RESISTANCE OF YOU LABORED BREATHING OUT AGAINST THE INCOMING PRESSURE. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN,IT'S LIKE BREATHING INTO A BALLON ALL NIGHT LONG.I AM A AIRCRAFT MECHANIC i KNOW ALL ABOUT OXYGEN MASK REGULATORS. PILOT DO NOT HAVE TO BREATH AGAINST 300 LBS OF PRESSURE.THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NO REASON THAT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT YOU CAN'T EXHALE NORMALLY. THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY.BIPAS AND CFLEX ARE OPTIONS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIKE ME,THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE A HUMIDIFIED FISHER AND PAYKIIL AND A HUMIDIFIER IN YOUR BED ROOM.YOUR RINITUS MAKES YOU APNEA THROUGH YOUR NOSE.THEN THEY TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE TO CUT OUT YOUR SEPTUM AND PACK YOUR NOSE COMPLETELY WITH GAUZE FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS SO YOU CAN'T BREATH. THE ONLY REASON THAT I AM WRITING THIS IS TO SAVE YOU FROM WHAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH.I DECIDED TO GO THE ORAL APPLIANCE ROUTE AND I AM SURE GLAD THAT I DID. SINCE I HAVE NO TEETH A TAP WILL NOT WORK FOR ME BECAUSE I CAN NOT MOVE MY JAW FORWARD. AND THEN A DENTIST IN COLUMBUS OHIO FOUND A SOLUTION FOR ME. iT IS CALLED AVEO tsd AND IT IS MADE IN NEW ZEALAND BUT IS APPROVED BY THE FDA. APNEA IS SIMPLE MECHANICS. YOUR TONGUE BLOCKS YOUR AIRWAYS. THE TOUNGE STABILIZING DEVICE THROUGH SUCTION HOLDS YOUR TONGUE OUT.IT REALLY WORKS.100% COMPLIANCE FROM THE FIRST DAY THAT YOU USE IT.iT COST THE SAME AS ONE CPAP MASK $150.YOU JUST HAVE TO GO TO A DENTIST AND YOUR SLEEP DOCTOR CAN FIND A GOOD ONE FOR YOU. BUT IF YOU STILL WANT TO BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT CPAP GO AHEAD AND KEEP TELLING YOURSELF THAT IS IS THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS OUT THERE.kEEP LISTENING TO THE BULL THAT YOU WILL JUST GET OVER IT

[rested gal]

Here are links to some topics where snork1 discussed his experience trying the Aveo tongue device:

Somnoguard AP vs Aveo TSD
viewtopic/p334869/viewtopic.php?p=144209#p144209

Aveao TSD vs dental device
viewtopic/p334869/viewtopic.php?p=135042#p135042

Surgery: My final option. Death is better than this....
viewtopic/p334869/viewtopic.php?p=99876#p99876