Newbie next steps... on choosing a cpap.

[ronnatal]

So I finally got all my results back from the second sleep study with the cpap on.

The cpap showed to help and now I am on the look of what to buy.
I want to buy the S9 AutoSet. Any thoughts?

The other question is... at the study I wore a nasal mask... which a couple of times during the night was a little annoying since I usally start off with my mouth slightly open and I had to force it close for the cpap to work correctly. So should I get a full mask?

The mask at the study was a gel mask and the machine also had a humidifier. I don't know what hose they used.
I thought about getting a heated hose and full mask but I don't know what kind would work for me... do they let you try it on at the store?

sorry for all the questions this is all new to me. Thanks in advance for all you help guys!

Ron

[ronnatal]

Oh and I already checked with my insurance and they gave me a long list of in-network providers here in austin and said they will cover the machine and all accessories.

[ronnatal]

any help would be awesome

[Carl LaFong]

What machine and mask worked for you during the study?

[beanfruit]

I think most DME's are supposed to show you a variety of masks and let you try them on. There's an excellent post somewhere with information you need to know before you see your DME...and I believe one of the recommendations is to make sure they let you try on masks, with CPAP on, and lying down. I wish I had read that before I saw my DME - she just gave me the same mask I wore during my sleep study and sent me on my merry way.

Can't speak about the full mask issue - it seems like they can be hard to get used to from what I've been reading. Is there a possibility that you would be able to start with a nasal mask, or even nasal pillows and use a chinstrap to keep your mouth closed?

I'd say try as many on at the DME that you can and be sure to take advantage of their 30 day mask replacement. If you don't like a mask, you should be able to get a new one within 30 days.

Hopefully someone will post a link to that post I was mentioning about things to know before you visit the DME - or do a search for it, I'm sure it will come up. Good luck

[Pugsy]

Hopefully someone will post a link to that post I was mentioning about things to know before you visit the DME

This one maybe..http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

[moresleep]

So I finally got all my results back from the second sleep study with the cpap on.

The cpap showed to help and now I am on the look of what to buy.
I want to buy the S9 AutoSet. Any thoughts?

The other question is... at the study I wore a nasal mask... which a couple of times during the night was a little annoying since I usally start off with my mouth slightly open and I had to force it close for the cpap to work correctly. So should I get a full mask?

The mask at the study was a gel mask and the machine also had a humidifier. I don't know what hose they used.
I thought about getting a heated hose and full mask but I don't know what kind would work for me... do they let you try it on at the store?

sorry for all the questions this is all new to me. Thanks in advance for all you help guys!

Ron

The Resmed S9 AutoSet is an excellent Auto Cpap machine, from all I have heard. I would get either a Resmed S9 or Respironics Series One flow-data-recording machine, if I were you. In terms of recording data, they seem to be the leading edge at the moment. I would insist on an Auto machine (unless, of course, you need a Bipap, in which case I would try for an Auto Bipap). Both the S9 and Series One Auto's have full flow-data-recording. The software is easy to come by. The S9 software is probably better, but there is the Sleepyhead solution for that. Be sure you insist on the humidifier.

If the DME will let you try out a variety of masks, that is the way to go. Finding the right mask is important. For me, it took awhile and a lot of money spent on masks, alas. I have a mouth leak problem which chin straps didn';t fix, but I didn't get along well with full-face masks--too much leaking around the edges. I do best with the Swift II pillows mask. I use 2" 3M paper tape for the mouth leak problem, probably not something your sleep doctor would recommend