Today I purchased a 420e with a humidifier and software. I haven't been at this very long, but if I'm going to be sucking on a mask for the rest of my life, I'm going to know what's going on!
I tried my best but could not convince my insurance company to purchase anything better than a Remstar plus. If I waited until I changed insurance companies, I would have to wait four months before I could get an apap machine that would do reporting. I simply didn't want to wait that long, call me impatient. Some of you may think I'm crazy, but there were some legitimate concerns that precipitated my purchase.
1. In my second sleep study, the one in which I was titrated, I only slept a little over 200 minutes, and I had to take a sleeping pill to achieve even that. So I don't have a lot of confidence in my 10 cm of pressure.
2. Before I even had the sleep study, I asked my sleep doc if he had any idea what my pressure might be. This was before I knew better than to ask such a stupid question. He offhandedly said it'll probably be around 10 cm. Miracle of miracles it was exactly 10 cm!
Another reason is that I've learned so much from everyone in this group that I just feel like I'm in the dark right now. I don't just want to use some unquantifiable measure of "feeling good" to determine if my therapy is working. I want to know what my ahi is, and it if it's low and I don't feel better, then there could be something else wrong, otherwise everything is good. Also, I probably fall into the geek category being a software developer, and if I know anything, I know knowledge is power, and data is king. The more information I have about my condition the better.
I also want to thank all of the ferocious (read rabid ) 420e folks in this group, you know who you are. You guys have convinced me. I was really leaning toward the remstar auto, because of the cflex, smart card, and to a lesser extent, humidifier buttons. But at 10 cm I don't need cflex, I can breathe easily against it, and your constant. unceasing, promotion of the virtues of the 420e allowed me to overcome my aversions to the primitive serial cable connection, and rear buttons. Why don't these manufacturers just start using a CompactFlash card? Dealing with computers all day has spoiled me.
Again, I just want to say thanks for all the threads, and all the information, it helped me immensely. I'm sure when I get my 420e I'll be asking more questions, but I know I'll find the answer here.
-BP
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): 420E, humidifier, cflex, AHI, Power, auto, APAP, Smart Card
Life's Too Short!
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BP wrote:"....Some of you may think I'm crazy, but there were some legitimate concerns that precipitated my purchase. ..."
Nope, you are saner than the average DME. And preaching to the choir. CPAP is a tough therapy to stick with and just about impossible if you don't take control of it yourself to SOME extent.
The outdated serial cable is about my only "WTF???!" with the 420E after about 4 days of ownership, and that is a liveable drawback.
So fare I PREFER the buttons on the 420E to my old Remstar. I think its easier to operate it by "braille" than the remstar. Remstar requires fiddling with reading the panel to change the humidifier. 420E humidifier can be adjusted easily in the dark by feel, and doesn't shut off and not turn on again like the Remstar when you get up during the night. I don't get the problem people are having with the 420E humidifier controls.
The extra sensor line is a bit of a pain, but the extra responsiveness seems worth it.
I am STILL waiting for the cable and software from my DME, going on 3 weeks soon, along with a predicted wait of 3 weeks to get the exotic and hard to find Activa mask in standard size. (exotic according to them). So I still can't compare software results to the remstar.
Its tons quieter than MY remstar Auto and i am just completely happy with the 420E so far.
As far as buying it on your own, I think you only paid a couple hundred more(if that) than my "covered by insurance" machine, due to the DME's jacked up pricing and my paying a percentage.
Nope, you are saner than the average DME. And preaching to the choir. CPAP is a tough therapy to stick with and just about impossible if you don't take control of it yourself to SOME extent.
The outdated serial cable is about my only "WTF???!" with the 420E after about 4 days of ownership, and that is a liveable drawback.
So fare I PREFER the buttons on the 420E to my old Remstar. I think its easier to operate it by "braille" than the remstar. Remstar requires fiddling with reading the panel to change the humidifier. 420E humidifier can be adjusted easily in the dark by feel, and doesn't shut off and not turn on again like the Remstar when you get up during the night. I don't get the problem people are having with the 420E humidifier controls.
The extra sensor line is a bit of a pain, but the extra responsiveness seems worth it.
I am STILL waiting for the cable and software from my DME, going on 3 weeks soon, along with a predicted wait of 3 weeks to get the exotic and hard to find Activa mask in standard size. (exotic according to them). So I still can't compare software results to the remstar.
Its tons quieter than MY remstar Auto and i am just completely happy with the 420E so far.
As far as buying it on your own, I think you only paid a couple hundred more(if that) than my "covered by insurance" machine, due to the DME's jacked up pricing and my paying a percentage.
Remember:
What you read above is only one data point based on one person's opinion.
I am not a doctor, nor do I even play one on TV.
Your mileage may vary.
Follow ANY advice or opinions at your own risk.
Not everything you read is true.
What you read above is only one data point based on one person's opinion.
I am not a doctor, nor do I even play one on TV.
Your mileage may vary.
Follow ANY advice or opinions at your own risk.
Not everything you read is true.
-
Guest
Lot's of luck.......................
Lot's of luck to you BP! sounds like you have a PLAN to me!
all the best,
steve,
ufo13
all the best,
steve,
ufo13
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johnnygoodman
- Posts: 784
- Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 5:13 pm
- Contact:
chrisp, as you can probably tell from Johnny's post, bmi is where I tried first. No go with CIGNA, they have absolutely no flexibility.
snork1, thanks for the post. You are certainly one of those 420e advocates that I was speaking about. I sure am looking forward to seeing what's going on. Concerning pricing, it's funny when I mentioned purchasing online to my sleep doc, he said that kind of machine will cost you over $1500. I told him I'd seen it online for about half that, to which he then replied "but who will set it up for you?". So I guess he figured it was worth $750 to set the pressure to 10 cm. What a joke!
johnnygoodman, I sure wish we could have dealt with CIGNA. Oh well. Hey I've seen the light for a long time, it's my bank account that had trouble making the decision.
-BP
snork1, thanks for the post. You are certainly one of those 420e advocates that I was speaking about. I sure am looking forward to seeing what's going on. Concerning pricing, it's funny when I mentioned purchasing online to my sleep doc, he said that kind of machine will cost you over $1500. I told him I'd seen it online for about half that, to which he then replied "but who will set it up for you?". So I guess he figured it was worth $750 to set the pressure to 10 cm. What a joke!
johnnygoodman, I sure wish we could have dealt with CIGNA. Oh well. Hey I've seen the light for a long time, it's my bank account that had trouble making the decision.
-BP
You're so right BP - life's too short.
I have a math loving, who, whenever I wonder if I should buy something more expensive, takes the amount, and divides it the by the number or moths, or years I will be expected to use it.
Bank account considrations can be overwhelming for some of us. But anyone who can considre paying that bit more, should look at the difference, remember that fact that they will probably spend a 1/3 to 1/4 of the rest of their live using this equipment, and ask themselves if it isn't worth it.
For some of us it will be impossible. But if it's not impossilbe....
O.
I have a math loving, who, whenever I wonder if I should buy something more expensive, takes the amount, and divides it the by the number or moths, or years I will be expected to use it.
Bank account considrations can be overwhelming for some of us. But anyone who can considre paying that bit more, should look at the difference, remember that fact that they will probably spend a 1/3 to 1/4 of the rest of their live using this equipment, and ask themselves if it isn't worth it.
For some of us it will be impossible. But if it's not impossilbe....
O.
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| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks. |
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
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Fatigue Fighter
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:24 pm
- Location: California
I like my bilevel (BiPAP) machine but if my 2nd titiration tomorrow (in 4 months) does not work for me, I will try the APAP. My sleep doc already gave me a prescription for one. If I go the APAP route, I am also leaning to the PB 420E, but am considering Respironics APAP with C-Flex since I seem to have weak chest muscles or something.
I sure like reading all the posts of everyone's experiences with machines and masks and what works for them or doesn't. Good luck on your treatment. I am interested in learning what you machine you select and how it works for you.
FF
I sure like reading all the posts of everyone's experiences with machines and masks and what works for them or doesn't. Good luck on your treatment. I am interested in learning what you machine you select and how it works for you.
FF
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