Overwhelmed Newbie

[bunkit]

There is so much information on here I'm not sure I can get to it all in time.
A very nice person directed me towards your forum. I posted some where else that I received the results from my first sleep study yesterday.
My doctor was quite freaked out and said my results were severely bad. Just awful.

I quickly rescheduled my 2nd study for tonight and I have so much to get done between now and then that I'm not sure I can read all the great information here before I go.

Bottom line: I am a flight attendant and I don't want to be messed over into getting a crappy cpap machine. Can you recommend the best one for my position?

Thanks in advance.

[WichitaSleepRT]

Good luck with your study. I hope all goes well. As far as which CPAP to get, you'll get a lot of answers. I have been setting them up for about 8 years now. From my experience with PB, Respironics, ResMed, and F&P - the most reliable ones I have worked with are the ResMed units. Since you fly and space is of concern, look at the S8 series, they are compact, especially if you can get away with out using a humidifier (but this is rare.)

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi There ---If you can get it--get the RESMED ELITE II --it is data capable --you want that. You want to be able to see your data in the morning--the RESMED ESCAPE is a great machine but it is not data capable--only will tell you compliance. It does travel easily and the humidifier connects right into the machine itself so it takes up very little room in your luggage or your night stand at the hotels. Take an extension cord ----

I love my Swift LT mask --it is a nasal mask if you need a mask recommendation. Good Luck--you found a great place here with us HOSE HEADS!!!
Carrie

[bunkit]

Oh wow! Thank you very much. This is all new to me and the machine's don't bother me but when I look at the masks, they kind of freak me out. I can't imagine sleeping with something on my face but that Nasal Pillow one looks the most comfy of all I've seen.

I'm also a little concerned because I usually beat the crap out of my suitcase. Should I have two machines? One for home and one for work?

I'm beginning to feel better. The replies here are helpful. THANKS!

[mdbarthe]

A lot of people who travel frequently have two machines (if they can afford it). It's pretty handy having one you can throw in the bag and have ready and another that stays at home.

You might be wise to get a surge protector power strip and extension cord to take with you on your travels. Most hotel rooms have nightlights, etc. plugged into the outlets my the beds and nightstands, so you might have to string your cords a longer distance.

If you do overnights out of the country you might also need to look into electrical adapters.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi there---the nasal masks are the best ones for being less intrusive on your face, the comfort is there and you can even read and watch TV with the SWIFT LT. I have tried about 5 or 6 masks now and this is the one for me now. I am a side sleeper too--this stays in place while moving.

The Machine will come in its own laptop looking case and the humidifier fits in there as well and there is room for your mask and tubing as well. I would CARRY this on to the plane with you --never check it as the machine might get broken and it is way too expensive to take that chance on your life saving machine!!

Carrie

[ozij]

I am a flight attendant and I don't want to be messed over into getting a crappy cpap machine. Can you recommend the best one for my position?

Thanks in advance.

Oh wow! Thank you very much. This is all new to me and the machine's don't bother me

Oh?

but when I look at the masks, they kind of freak me out. I can't imagine sleeping with something on my face but that Nasal Pillow one looks the most comfy of all I've seen.

"...that nasal pillow"? That?

[bunkit]

I am a flight attendant and I don't want to be messed over into getting a crappy cpap machine. Can you recommend the best one for my position?

Thanks in advance.

Oh wow! Thank you very much. This is all new to me and the machine's don't bother me

Oh?

but when I look at the masks, they kind of freak me out. I can't imagine sleeping with something on my face but that Nasal Pillow one looks the most comfy of all I've seen.

"...that nasal pillow"? That?

Wow, you must be one of the negative Nellie's I read about in the Newbie Intro thread. Actually the word used was Troll but given your amount of posts, I'm not sure I'd call you that.
As I said, I'm completely new to this. Came here for some advice... not criticism on how I word my posts. Your response was not helpful or useful in anyway so I'm not sure what you were trying to accomplish but whatever.

[nomoore]

My guess is you probably sleep at many different elevations frequently. You might look for a machine that has an auto altitude adjustment.

[luvsbutv]

I'm so glad that I ran across this post. I am also an overwhelmed newbie. I'm currently waiting on another study to figure out all my settings. Hubby and I travel quite frequently and I have many of your same concerns. I am slightly claustrophobic (am ok if I can see, usually) and went to a therapist and now with the help of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) for Fears and Phobias, I am now able to put on a full face mask - and took a nap in it. I had to get a mask to get used to it because during my first study they said I had a panic attack. Had never had one before, never want another one. Unfortunately, I am a mouth breather I'm currently looking at the Mirage Liberty Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows. I would love to know if anyone has used this mask and what your thoughts were. Bunkit...good luck. I know I am looking forward to a better night's sleep.

[elader]

Welcome, we are here to help. Please don't think someone with 5000 posts is a troll because of a few words. Take the time to know someone before you decide to insult them personally.

Besides that, if you are sleeping somewhere other than home frequently, you should consider size and weight of the unit you will be traveling with. You really should not be sleeping without it ever. See it, lift it, before you buy it. NEVER check it in your luggage, always carry it on.

A second machine is not a bad idea if you can afford it. Your second one can be bought at cpap.com, probably for much less than you can get it for locally.

I would really suggest buying two of the same units or at least the same brand - different machines breathe differently, have different settings. Much easier when they work the same.

masks: no, they aren't sexy. Many folks here have tried many many masks. i thought the nasal pillows seemed like a terrific idea until I used them. Everyone is different - face shape, stuffy noses, tolerance to uh... big freaking plastic masks on their faces . You must work with your provider - don't walk out with the first thing they stick on your face. you should try on a bunch of stuff WITH THE MACHINE ON and pick what seems right. Don't worry if you have to go through several to get it right, it's your life we are talking about.

Wear it unconnected, watching tv. get used to it, don't worry if it seems weird and depressing at first, your life is being saved.

[bunkit]

Welcome, we are here to help. Please don't think someone with 5000 posts is a troll because of a few words. Take the time to know someone before you decide to insult them personally.

No no, I said they probably were NOT a troll because of he amount of posts. Meaning, they've been here for a while. I was in no way insulting. Came here for some good advice. Tell me what their post to me is? Not advice, that's for sure. I found THEM to be insulting. If one doesn't have anything nice to say or worthy...why not just stay out of the post? That's what I meant. I'm not here to start out on the wrong foot and I don't believe I did. That response was not necessary.

Now onto the reason for my OP.

A second machine is not a bad idea if you can afford it. Your second one can be bought at cpap.com, probably for much less than you can get it for locally.

I would really suggest buying two of the same units or at least the same brand - different machines breathe differently, have different settings. Much easier when they work the same.
Thanks for pointing that out. Never thought of that.

masks: no, they aren't sexy.

What? No sexy mask??? DARN! LOL

Many folks here have tried many many masks. i thought the nasal pillows seemed like a terrific idea until I used them. Everyone is different - face shape, stuffy noses, tolerance to uh... big freaking plastic masks on their faces . You must work with your provider - don't walk out with the first thing they stick on your face. you should try on a bunch of stuff WITH THE MACHINE ON and pick what seems right. Don't worry if you have to go through several to get it right, it's your life we are talking about.

Wear it unconnected, watching tv. get used to it, don't worry if it seems weird and depressing at first, your life is being saved.

THAT is a FABULOUS idea. Very informative. I appreciate your input.

[bunkit]

I am slightly claustrophobic .

I am too and that is why I'm so concerned about the mask. Glad to hear you finally got used to it. I didn't realize I had to wait for 2nd results. I just assumed they'd be pushing a machine on me in the morning. This is why I came here. I know nothing.

[kteague]

Hi and welcome. Some places do a split night study, where the first half is diagnostic and if needed, the second half is to titrate on a machine. If that doesn't sound familar to you, yours will probably be just diagnostic for a full night.
Kathy

Edit: Just went back and read closer. Sorry, you did say this was your second night. Some do report they got a machine the next morning, but usually the complaint is how long it takes to get one. If you feel you're not ready to make an informed decision, you don't have to accept one. Let us know how it goes.

[Raj]

Bunkit, as a flight attendent, you spend far more hours breathing dry and unhealthy air than most of us. This has got to negatively affect your sinuses, nasal tissues, and throat. I imagine that any tendency you have toward OSA would be exacerbated by this unescapable aspect of your job, and I'd think that in your case, a humidifier is an absolute must in a xPap unit. The system Sleeplessinaz recommends above (Resmed Elite II and Swift LT mask) seems ideal for your needs, but you'll also have to carry some distilled water with you for the humidifier (mineral deposits will build up with even filtered tapwater, and the unfiltered kind is brimming with stuff you don't want to inhale all night). Once you get your basic system, you'll probably find you need some add-ons such as a hose cover and some way to keep your lips sealed; but getting a machine that collects data and allows you to access it is a crucial first step. I hope you're feeling better soon.