Accessories and Consummables
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Accessories and Consummables
Hi, although I have been reading this board for several days this is my first posting, so wish me luck. I am Australian and am about to join the hose head community having now undergone two sleep studies and now awaiting my sleep specialists's advice and prescription, which I will be given in 8 days. I will therefore be ordering a machine shortly and am presently leaning towards Respironics Pro with Cflex with a Comfortgel mask. However I would appreciate views on what to order with the machine, to complete the set-up. For example, should I purchase software to download and monitor my own data, or leave this to the professionals? How long do humidifiers, hoses masks filters and the like last; and should I initially buy some replacements parts, eg filters and mask pads? Any other useful advice for a newbie would also be appreciated.
I would definitely get a humidifier. I don't have great luck with mine, but from what I've heard, I'm about the only one. (And in truth, I do like having it with the nasal mask. I just can't tolerate it on high like others do)
Software depends on what you're getting. When you say Remstar Pro, do you mean Remstar Pro or Remstar Pro Auto? If you're not getting the auto, I'm not sure how much use the software will be for you.
Masks are generally replaced about ever 6 months. Some folks will tell you longer, some will break sooner, but most insurance companies (at least in the US) will pay for a new one every 6 months.
I'd choose a different mask, I have yet to find anyone who thinks the word "Comfort" in the name of most of Respironics masks is anything but an ironic joke.
I'd suggest the ResMed Activa for a nasal mask, the Breeze or Swift (I haven't tried the breeze) for a nasal pillows deal, or the ResMed Mirage Ultra for a full face.
The rest... I'm going to buy accessories as I need them. My thinking is, who knows what tomorrow may bring? If I can't stay compliant, and give up on the machine, what use are the other accessories?
I think that covers it.
Liam, amazing how knowledgable someone can fake being, after only a few weeks reading other people's experiences...
Software depends on what you're getting. When you say Remstar Pro, do you mean Remstar Pro or Remstar Pro Auto? If you're not getting the auto, I'm not sure how much use the software will be for you.
Masks are generally replaced about ever 6 months. Some folks will tell you longer, some will break sooner, but most insurance companies (at least in the US) will pay for a new one every 6 months.
I'd choose a different mask, I have yet to find anyone who thinks the word "Comfort" in the name of most of Respironics masks is anything but an ironic joke.
I'd suggest the ResMed Activa for a nasal mask, the Breeze or Swift (I haven't tried the breeze) for a nasal pillows deal, or the ResMed Mirage Ultra for a full face.
The rest... I'm going to buy accessories as I need them. My thinking is, who knows what tomorrow may bring? If I can't stay compliant, and give up on the machine, what use are the other accessories?
I think that covers it.
Liam, amazing how knowledgable someone can fake being, after only a few weeks reading other people's experiences...
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Hmm. Depends on how much you can afford to spend, whether you or insurance will be paying for most of it, and how interested you are in taking charge of your own health.
If you can afford it, and want to keep track of your illness yourself, then an autopap and software would be better than a straight cpap. The autopap makes small adjustments, without needing to go for another sleep study and get a doctor's prescription. Some people don't seem to need adjustments, and do fine at one set pressure for years, but other people seem to need adjustments frequently. Colds or respiratory illness might require a pressure change. Allergies and stuffed up sinuses might require a pressure change. Gaining or losing weight might require a pressure change. It depends on you and how sensitive you are to the pressure and other influences. And if you want to keep track of it yourself, you will need the software. If you have a good doctor or RT, who has the software, you might be able to make arrangements with them to download on a regular basis, and then you wouldn't need the software yourself. But if your doctor and RT don't have the software, or won't give you regular downloads, then you might want to get it yourself.
Some people love heated humidifiers and some people hate them. Again, that depends on you. How dry an area do you live in? Do you prefer to sleep in a warm or cool room, etc. etc. I didn't have one for the first year I was on cpap. I just recently got one, and it does make sleeping a little better, but I could live without it if I needed to. Two friends, husband and wife both on cpap, one can't sleep at all without the humidifier on, one can't sleep with it. Same room, same temperature, just two different people.
Some people use two or more different masks and switch between them, because one sometimes leaves marks or rubs the face. Again, depends on what you like.
An extra hose is always nice to have available (especially if you have pets. The cats put a hole in my first one.) But hoses usually last 6 months or more. Masks usually last around that too, longer if you're switching between a couple. The machine probably comes with a pollen filter good for several months. Some have better quality HEPA filters available - if you have allergies, you might want to get that.
So much of this is personal. Some people need more accessories than others and you know yourself best.
Debbie
If you can afford it, and want to keep track of your illness yourself, then an autopap and software would be better than a straight cpap. The autopap makes small adjustments, without needing to go for another sleep study and get a doctor's prescription. Some people don't seem to need adjustments, and do fine at one set pressure for years, but other people seem to need adjustments frequently. Colds or respiratory illness might require a pressure change. Allergies and stuffed up sinuses might require a pressure change. Gaining or losing weight might require a pressure change. It depends on you and how sensitive you are to the pressure and other influences. And if you want to keep track of it yourself, you will need the software. If you have a good doctor or RT, who has the software, you might be able to make arrangements with them to download on a regular basis, and then you wouldn't need the software yourself. But if your doctor and RT don't have the software, or won't give you regular downloads, then you might want to get it yourself.
Some people love heated humidifiers and some people hate them. Again, that depends on you. How dry an area do you live in? Do you prefer to sleep in a warm or cool room, etc. etc. I didn't have one for the first year I was on cpap. I just recently got one, and it does make sleeping a little better, but I could live without it if I needed to. Two friends, husband and wife both on cpap, one can't sleep at all without the humidifier on, one can't sleep with it. Same room, same temperature, just two different people.
Some people use two or more different masks and switch between them, because one sometimes leaves marks or rubs the face. Again, depends on what you like.
An extra hose is always nice to have available (especially if you have pets. The cats put a hole in my first one.) But hoses usually last 6 months or more. Masks usually last around that too, longer if you're switching between a couple. The machine probably comes with a pollen filter good for several months. Some have better quality HEPA filters available - if you have allergies, you might want to get that.
So much of this is personal. Some people need more accessories than others and you know yourself best.
Debbie
6 posts
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