Newbie seeks advice - No access to DME

[Isako]

Hi,

I know im asking alot for people to read all this and help me out, but I'm in a difficult situation in that I live in Malta, Europe and dont have easy access to CPAP equipment other than through extremely expensive importers (roughly 2-3 times the cost of directly importing from USA). The waiting list for a sleep study at a public hospital is around 1 year and a private sleep study is not affordable (+-€1500). I visited a respiratory physician, and he concluded (based on a home video recording that I made of me sleeping) and my symtoms that there is a very good chance that I have OSA. He suggested that I purchase a auto-pap which would both confirm the OSA and offer good long term therapy. (If not I could sell it). I have decided to purchase one and risk the small chance that I may not need it based on the data from the machine. Since I don't have any way to view the machines or try any of the masks on, I have been reading these forums for a few weeks to make a decision.

1.) I have narrowed the choice down (within my budget) to either a Resmed Autoset II with H4i OR a Respironics System One Auto with humidifer. Since I breath through my mouth I need a full face mask and have concluded that the comfort2 full face or the Resmed Quattro are the best choices to provide a good fit. The web site with the best prices offers both these machines for a very similar price. I generally favour the autoset II based on the slightly better reviews on cpap.com and the fact that it is the best seller however there is only a local respironics dealer on the island, so resmed parts would have to be imported as well. Does anyone think that either machine is a better choice for someone who has no prior experience with cpap and is looking for a machine which is most likely to be compatible with my OSA. Also, are my choices of mask a good logitcal choice?

2.) I am a technical computer guy and given that I read through the user guide, should I have any problem figuring out how to use the device without the help of a professional?
3.) How easy is it to misconfigure your machine and harm oneself? If I start with a normal pressure range say 5-15, and leave most other settings at default and play with them one at a time to see how they affect me, surely it will be ok?

If anyone could provide their wisdom from experience I would be very grateful.

Isako

[BlackSpinner]

Considering the incompetence of the DME's we have encountered you can't possibly mess up putting these things together.
I have a resmed product - they seem to be quieter then other products from what I have read. I love mine. The only harm you can do is by having the presure go too high and give you central apneas but the out put of the machine will tell you that.

Masks that fit well will be your biggest problem

I would start with the lowest pressure at 6 because many people find it hard to breath with anything lower the 6.

You might also want to get an oxymeter to track the O2 levels - it will give you a more exact measurement of the effects of the treatment - it is the drop in oxygen levels that does the most damage to your body.

[GumbyCT]

Make sure the software is available for the machine you order. Don't even try w/o software. A recording Oximeter is a good choice.

Finding good mask to fit your face is no doubt the hardest part. Get your doc to write a script so you can buy from cpapauction.com and keep an eye out here for the people getting rid of used masks too.

When you think about how much this will cost you - also think about how much you are saving.

Good Luck to you.

[jules]

be aware that US online dealers are probably not going to be able to send Resmed equipment out of the US - check before you decide and get disappointed when you find out you can't order Resmed - in fact check all the equipment you are thinking about first

[Isako]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for all the advice. Im surprised to hear that resmed may not allow shipment outside of USA, I'll check with the dealer. If so, I'll just use one of relay services that posts anywhere for often less than the dealer.

[jules]

you can probably get Resmed from your local dealer

but if you are buying say from cpap.com you can not get Resmed stuff sent out of US

even people in Canada can't order Resmed products from cpap.com and there might be more restrictions on other manufacturers

[Slinky]

If you can use a reliable US shipping address AND can provide an acceptable CPAP script (you should check w/the online provider whether your doctor's script would be acceptable for a sale to a US address) then I would suggest the Resmed simply because access to data is much easier and there is more data to be had via the LCD screen than the Respironics. You can get by w/o the ResScan software just using the data via the Resmed LCD screen. It would be more difficult to do so w/the limited data available from the Respironics device.

You might as well have the script written for the appropriate software as well. Just in case you do end up needing one. For the Resmed S8 AutoSet II that would be ResScan 3.7 or the more recent ResScan 3.10. For the Respironics that would be the EncorePro 1.8 or EncorePro 2.2.

For the Respironics you would need the Mako Infineer DT3500 cable reader. For the Resmed you need their proprietary ACR 38 card reader (due to the size and shape of the data card which is not standard).

I would suggest the Respironics FitLife full face mask or the ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face mask over the Resmed Mirage Quattro. The thin outer cushion cover of the Quattro has a knack for slicing the skin at the bridge of the nose.

[jules]

the m series respironics needs the DT3500 however the newer PR1 uses a standard card I understand and so just a card reader on your computer would work (you can ask in a new thread if you chose that)

also encore viewer is available for sale now for the new PR1 system

now there can be glitches if you are running say Vista 64 bit or the newer WIndows 7 - don't expect everything to be up to date - I know I am not up to date on where all the glitches are and how to solve them for either the Encore or the Resscan software

[unadog]

There are mask fitting guides on the ResMed site that you can print out and cut. I would have just assumed a large fir me, but a med was actually a better fit

I personally like Bipap/VPAP machines. Much more comfortable for me to have the lower exhalation pressure. Auto is available too.

You may want to look at used machines. A used auto BiPap might run $250 to $350 or so.

Good luck!
Michael

[Hawthorne]

If you decide on the PR Remstar System One, there is now patient software available for it as well. It is Encore Viewer 2.0. With is you will get detailed data if you have the Pro or the Auto of this machine. This has just been made available and you can read about it on cpap.com. They actually don't have any in stock yet but will take orders.

Cpap.com will ship Respironics and other machines (like Intellipap, Sandman, etc) and supplies for these machines to Canada but NOT Resmed machines or supplies.

You should check. They may well ship things (other than Resmed) to Malta.

It would be a lot cheaper if you knew someone in the US to whom you could have items shipped and they could ship it on to you. Cpap.com offers free shipping to a US address for orders $100 or more.