D DAY Tomorrow

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:00 pm

Howdy,

I'm sorry you have OSA but happy that you're here where people can guide you to effective treatment.

I don't know whats up with the nasal to full face to nasal to full face stuff. I do know that nasal masks are cheaper and so DMEs like to start patients off on those and then "sort out patients who are not compliant with traditional nasal masks" (ie. give you the good stuff) if the first mask doesn't pan out.

Make sure you find out what equipment you'll be set up with before they come out and drop subpar equipment on you. Some keywords to listen for include: 420, pro 2, c-flex, activa, auto, ultra mirage, and comfortcurve.

If you aren't hearing those words and would like to get some higher end equipment, check out BillMyInsurance.com. They will bill your insurance just like the company you've been referred to, but will let you choose the equipment you want.

Johnny

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:42 pm

Ramblinman,

Well, I'm sorry to hear you have OSA, but you'll do fine. You probably know more already about it and the treatment than the average person who gets diagnosed. I knew nothing at all. And the fact that you already are a regular on this site, you are so far ahead of the game. This place was literally my salvation. I sing its praises all the time. Where else can you find some many wonderful people who know so much about CPAP and everything related and who are so willing and ready to help?

So 7 cms is not high at all. That is good. When you mentioned a machine by Respironics, did you say you wanted the Remstar Auto with CFlex? I hope so. You definitely want a machine that has software capabilities. Now knowing what I do after a few months of this, I would never allow anyone I care about to use an XPAP machine without software. You really benefit by seeing how you're doing every night. The Remstar Auto with Cflex is what I just got last month (insurance bought it for me). Not only does it have the software capabilities, but you can use Derek's MyEncore along with it which is so user-friendly. This machine also has the ability to allow you to turn on and off the Cflex and make it an auto or a straight cpap machine, which is great. I have absolutely no complaints about it. And then of course there are those who swear by the PB 420e, also has software. But I've heard you have to plug the actual machine via cord into your computer, instead of removing a card from the machine and using a card reader to access your data. And if you're like me, who does it every morning, and sleeps downstair with the office/computer upstairs, that's a real pain. But there is so much info on this site about the pros and cons of each.

As far as your mask is concerned, you will probably go through a couple in the beginning before you find one you will call your own. A lot of well informed people on this site swear the Activa nasal mask should be the mask all newcomers should get first. If you are a mouth breather, there are methods by which you can fix that, so I'd give a nasal mask a shot first before a ff mask. I personally feel a ff mask gives you more area around the seal that could leak, not to mention bulkier and more claustrophobic for some people. Or you could consider a nasal pillow interface which usually are less cumbersome and at a low pressure like yours, you should have no problems at all getting used to it. It's really a matter of personal preference. And my DME, after I couldn't use my first interface after one week due to a lot of health/discomfort problems I found after using it, threw in a second mask as a courtesy. That was my Activa which I used for six weeks.

Well, I can "ramble" on, (pun intended...), but I've take up enough of your time. Welcome to our "club." And I'm sure I don't have to tell you to just ask questions when you get stumped, which if you're anything like me, especially in the beginning, AND EVEN NOW, I did/do my fair share of, which is why I try to pay some of my debt back as often as possible. What else can you do to say "thank you" to so many people who don't need your help? You help the people who do in return.

I wish you the best, the easiest of acclimation to the therapy and fast relief of your symptoms. Stay positive!!!

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:06 pm

Sleepless on LI wrote:A lot of well informed people on this site swear the Activa nasal mask should be the mask all newcomers should get first.

Lori, what are you talking about? Everyone knows that the first and last mask anyone should get is a Swift

I wish you the best, the easiest of acclimation to the therapy and fast relief of your symptoms. Stay positive!!!

Lori is right; attitude may not be everything but it will be a major component in your success (or lack of it with the wrong attitude).

Now it is late and I'm off to embrace my bedtime buddies; my faithful 420E and Swift .

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:51 pm

Lori, what are you talking about? Everyone knows that the first and last mask anyone should get is a Swift

No argument here, but others would disagree with us...

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:05 am

If my last mask were a Swift, I would be off CPAP....
O.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:58 am

O, it was a joke! Mask choices are personal things, just like the shapes of our faces.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:08 am

I know it was...

O.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:48 am

And if I didn't have my Swift, I don't think I'd be a happy papper...

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:35 am

and I rotate between the Swift and the Activa, so I get the best of all worlds...

....or is that the worst of all worlds?

I think I lost track.....

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:04 pm

Snork,

Those are the only two I can use, so far...

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:38 pm

If my last mask were a Swift, I would be off CPAP....
O.

Me, too.

Well... mebbe I'd make myself a mask out of a painter's muzzle or something.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 2:54 pm

Well... mebbe I'd make myself a mask out of a painter's muzzle or something.

I've no doubt you would. But what's a painter's muzzle?

O.