Getting CPAP tomorrow, please help.

[Annabelle]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 45 year old mom of three who was recently diagnosed with moderate OSA. I'm getting my CPAP machine tomorrow. What features are important to have in my CPAP? Any other advice? I'm nervous about having to deal with all of this, but am hopeful that I might actually get some good sleep!

Thanks,
Annabelle

[Tino2You]

Hi Annabelle,

You've come to the right place. Your first steps should be to ready all you can in the "Where a CPAP newbie should start" link above. There is a lot of information there.

To answer your question about what to look for, the most important thing is to get a machine that records all pertinent information. Often times, the DME will push you to take a machine that only records hours used, as that is what many insurance companies require for compliance. You should get a machine that records Apneas, Leaks, Snoring and even graphs each breath you take.

The two major companies that produce machines are ResMed and Philips Respironics. The former sells S9 Elite and S9 AutoSet both are full data capable machines. Philips sells the series 560 Pro which is full data capable. You script will specify which type of machine your doctor prescribed (single pressure CPAP (like the s9 Elite) or auto adjusting CPAP machine (like the s9 AutoSet). One thing to note that the auto adjusting machines an be set up for a constant pressure so if you ansnag an AutoSet you are most likely better off.

The one part of the puzzle which will give you the most trouble is the mask. DMEs should allow you to tgry a mask for up to 30 days and return it if it doesn't work for you. Masks should fit snug but not tight and should never cause pain or bleeding. There are about a hundred and eleventy different kinds of masks because what might fit me may ause you untold problems. What did they use for you during you sleep study? That is a good place to start.

So ready a lot, do not accept a machine with the word ESCAPE as the style (we call them brick. And lastly, ask questions. The people here are friendly and knowledgeable (other people...not me, per se).

tino

[Pugsy]

Start your reading with a couple of little blogs put together by one of our forum members.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

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

[beatlesfan]

Hi,

Like you, I am new to CPAP as well and also have moderate sleep apnea. Fortunately my insurance picks up the cost for the machine and mask and will also cover the periodic replaceable items. I have the Respironics System One Cflex+. My only advice is don't listen to the horror stories and failures. Go with your own experience and keep an open positive attitude. I thought it was going to be the most horrible thing I've ever experience but the reality is quite different. The machine I have has a comfort feature that lowers the pressure when you exhale so you do not feel like you're suffocating. I'm on my second week of CPAP and I definitely feel more alert and more rested. Nothing dramatic but I'm not feeling like I need to nod off all day long anymore so that's good!

best of luck and let us know how it turns out!

[archangle]

Hi,

Like you, I am new to CPAP as well and also have moderate sleep apnea. Fortunately my insurance picks up the cost for the machine and mask and will also cover the periodic replaceable items. I have the Respironics System One Cflex+. My only advice is don't listen to the horror stories and failures. Go with your own experience and keep an open positive attitude. I thought it was going to be the most horrible thing I've ever experience but the reality is quite different. The machine I have has a comfort feature that lowers the pressure when you exhale so you do not feel like you're suffocating. I'm on my second week of CPAP and I definitely feel more alert and more rested. Nothing dramatic but I'm not feeling like I need to nod off all day long anymore so that's good!

best of luck and let us know how it turns out!

You got screwed by your DME, beatlesfan. For the same price, you could have gotten a CPAP machine that records data on every breath you take. Yours just records the time that you're using it. The only thing that "compliance" data will do for you is let your insurance take the machine away because you aren't using it.

A PRS1 Pro or Auto machine would tell you how well your treatment is working, would tell you if you have leaks. It will tell you if you have central apnea, which needs a different treatment and may even be made worse with CPAP. If you have problems, a proper CPAP machine is like having a mini sleep test every night. It will detect many problems and let a competent doctor adjust your therapy to help.

With the Plus machine you have, your doctor and you have no way to tell if your treatment is working, other than how you feel and doing another expensive sleep test.

Check my signature line for links on what machine you should accept and how to not get screwed by your DME.

[Janknitz]

I believe Beatlesfan DID get a data capable machine. Part of this is the confusion the manufacturers cause with their naming conventions (purposefully on their part, I think). A PR System One PLUS WITH C/flex is a brick, but a PR System one with C/flex + is fully data capable. Very confusing!!!!

[sol]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 45 year old mom of three who was recently diagnosed with moderate OSA. I'm getting my CPAP machine tomorrow. What features are important to have in my CPAP? Any other advice? I'm nervous about having to deal with all of this, but am hopeful that I might actually get some good sleep!

Thanks,
Annabelle

Hi Annabelle
save yourself the trouble and go with Resmed S9 Autoset. most popular and got the best reviews
all the S9 features explained here
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/3151

[archangle]

I believe Beatlesfan DID get a data capable machine. Part of this is the confusion the manufacturers cause with their naming conventions (purposefully on their part, I think). A PR System One PLUS WITH C/flex is a brick, but a PR System one with C/flex + is fully data capable. Very confusing!!!!

I hope so.

If it's data capable, it will say something like REMstar PRO near the display. It's not data capable unless it says PRO or Auto. (or BiPAP)

What do you have, beatlesfan? Is it a PRO? Take the water tank out first and see if there's 3 digit number like 460 on the bottom of the blower unit.

[jweeks]

I'm nervous about having to deal with all of this, but am hopeful that I might actually get some good sleep!

Annabelle,

It is only natural to be nervous. Some people even go through a grief process as if a part of their body has died. It is OK to have feelings. You are doing the three best things that you can, however, in (1) talking about it, (2) learning about it, and (3) keeping the goal in mind (good sleep). While this is a lot of new stuff to deal with, and it comes at a time when you might be a little off your game due to being tired and maybe even a little foggy, I can promise that it becomes second nature pretty quickly. If you can take care of 3 kids, then you can do anything. It is a piece of cake in comparison.

-john-

[Annabelle]

Thanks for all of the info! I ended up with a ResMed S9 AutoSet and the Swift FX for her nasal pillows. I'm crossing my fingers that all goes well tonight!

[chunkyfrog]

Great! That's an awesome setup.
I've used my Autoset for nearly 2 years, and Swift FX for many months.
Check this to trade pillow sizes:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36070&p=783082&hili ... ge#p783082

[DiverCTHunter]

I believe Beatlesfan DID get a data capable machine. Part of this is the confusion the manufacturers cause with their naming conventions (purposefully on their part, I think). A PR System One PLUS WITH C/flex is a brick, but a PR System one with C/flex + is fully data capable. Very confusing!!!!

I hope so.

If it's data capable, it will say something like REMstar PRO near the display. It's not data capable unless it says PRO or Auto. (or BiPAP)

What do you have, beatlesfan? Is it a PRO? Take the water tank out first and see if there's 3 digit number like 460 on the bottom of the blower unit.

Beatlesfan's profile says they have a DS260. The product page claims it's data capable.

[DreamStalker]

Your off to a great start with that equipment.

Now all you have to do is live here on the forum for the next month or two and you're all set.

[Pugsy]

Beatlesfan's profile says they have a DS260. The product page claims it's data capable.

The DS260 has a SD card and the data it collects is compliance data. Hours of use. That's it. So yeah, it's data capable but not much data to collect.