trying to figure out what to get

photogal · Post by **photogal** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 7:11 pm

Hello, I am new to the forum. I have had OSA for at least 20 years. Previously had 2 studies, but the 2nd study when they tried titration with a nose mask, it didn't work as I am a mouth breather. My apnea was so severe that the only way I could breathe was to sleep on my stomach with my chin on my crossed hands, head thrown back. I would find this position after going to sleep and wake up that way. Very hard on the back and neck.
I had radiofrequency treatment to my soft palate and base of tongue, which gave me an improvement of about 50% for a couple of years.
The apnea slowly got worse after that. I am able to sleep on my sides, although with much apnea events.
July 03, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Wow...what a road I've traveled. Lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, International Breast Cancer study.
As of today, I am cancer free.
But...I have bone spurs in my right shoulder (I'm left-handed, thank God) and also a torn rotator cuff. Surgery is a month or two ahead, but I knew I had to do something about my OSA as I will need to be able to have something besides my left shoulder to sleep on. I just had a new study, diagnosis Severe OSA, over 40 events an hour. Oxygen 83%
They used the full face mask on me and a machine that was not auto or bi. I had a lot of trouble and some panic trying to exhale. I do have asthma, and COPD. I was given a RX for the straight machine with heated humidity, but feel an auto or bi would serve me better. I will have to fight for a new rx I guess.
I've been trying to figure out the best machine, mask, humidifier, etc.
I gather Remstar auto or bilevel with Cflex and heated humidity is the ticket? How about the full face masks? Recommendations as to comfort?
I really need some help.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:32 pm

If you are buying, fax that script to cpap.com and they will take that rx for an autopap...

Grant I · Post by **Grant I** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:35 pm

Photogal:
I, too, am a full-face xPAP'er. Here are my favorites:

"ResMed Ultra Mirage" Full Face (not the Mirage full face Series II)
"Respironics AutoPAP with Cflex" and heated humidifier

Hope your DME will provide what you need!!

Good luck and keep us posted with your progress

Grant
PS Congrats on your cancer-free status; I'm a 5-year survivor--19 months in remission....

photogal · Post by **photogal** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:57 pm

I do have to work within my insurance. That's why I need the doctor to change the RX so they will pay a fair share of it.
I'm so glad to hear that you are a cancer survivor. Good luck to you.
My doctor is out of town this week, so I can't contact him for a while. Since it is Spring Break, he's probably off skiing with his wife & kids.
Do you have any skin problems from the mask?

snoozin' · Post by **snoozin'** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 7:51 am

Photogal,
Check with your insurance and see if they will only pay a DME, or if they will reimburse you if you submit the bill with the codes.
My insurance will reimburse me 70% after I pay the yearly deductible, if I buy from an out-of-plan provider. They'll pay 80% from an in-network provider. I had already made deductible with the doctor's visits and sleep test, etc. so it actually worked out better for me to buy on-line, because the price was so much lower. (70% of $500 left me paying $150, while 80% of $1200 still left $240 for me to pay!) So check with your insurance to find out exactly what their terms are. You might be surprised.
Debbie

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:19 am

First, congratulations on your good prognosis, and also much luck with your upcoming surgery. Please keep us posted. I am a new fairly new anyway, apap-er. I use the nasal pillow, Swift. It's not as bad as something touching your face, bridge nose, skin problems. I also have a chin strap (ugh), but it works for me.

In fact, I can now tell the days that I toss it off unknowingly during the night, as the next day I feel much more tired.
I have the 420E, so I can follow my daily progress with the SILVERLINING SOFTWARE program, which is great, and also an eye opener.

These are the items that I use and work for me. Can your sleep doc consult with your surgeon, so they are on the ''same page'' so to speak with your apnea problems, and at least be aware of what you're dealing with?

Good Luck, and again a good prayer for your complete recovery.

Gailzee

photogal wrote:Hello, I am new to the forum. I have had OSA for at least 20 years. Previously had 2 studies, but the 2nd study when they tried titration with a nose mask, it didn't work as I am a mouth breather. My apnea was so severe that the only way I could breathe was to sleep on my stomach with my chin on my crossed hands, head thrown back. I would find this position after going to sleep and wake up that way. Very hard on the back and neck.
I had radiofrequency treatment to my soft palate and base of tongue, which gave me an improvement of about 50% for a couple of years.
The apnea slowly got worse after that. I am able to sleep on my sides, although with much apnea events.
July 03, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Wow...what a road I've traveled. Lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, International Breast Cancer study.

As of today, I am cancer free.
But...I have bone spurs in my right shoulder (I'm left-handed, thank God) and also a torn rotator cuff. Surgery is a month or two ahead, but I knew I had to do something about my OSA as I will need to be able to have something besides my left shoulder to sleep on. I just had a new study, diagnosis Severe OSA, over 40 events an hour. Oxygen 83%
They used the full face mask on me and a machine that was not auto or bi. I had a lot of trouble and some panic trying to exhale. I do have asthma, and COPD. I was given a RX for the straight machine with heated humidity, but feel an auto or bi would serve me better. I will have to fight for a new rx I guess.
I've been trying to figure out the best machine, mask, humidifier, etc.
I gather Remstar auto or bilevel with Cflex and heated humidity is the ticket? How about the full face masks? Recommendations as to comfort?
I really need some help.

photogal · Post by **photogal** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 1:56 pm

The 2nd sleep study I had (I've had three) they put a chin strap on me but I still manage to breathe through my mouth in spite of the guy tightening me down. I guess through the teeth and lips, I don't know.
Looks like it has to be a Full Face for me. Darn it.
I went to CPAP.com to check out the Resmed Ultra Mirage FF mask recommended to me, but I couldn't find it. Would the person who recommended it send a link and tell me exactly what it's called? All I saw was "Mirage Equivilant" which I clicked on and saw a mask called Ultra Mirage Full Face mask, but it didn't say by ResMed. Is it one and the same?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:25 pm

photogal, yes..that's one and the same.

"saw a mask called Ultra Mirage Full Face mask, but it didn't say by ResMed. Is it one and the same?"

That's what I use when I need to mouth breathe on congested nights. And, it's what I would use all the time, since I often inadvertently mouth breathe at night or at least puff air out from between loosely closed lips. The solution I use (could be considered dangerous) is taping my lips shut with adhesive tape. Using tape is the only way I can stop mouth air leaks in order to use the most comfortable other kinds of masks. Chin straps can't do a thing for really persistent lip air puffs.

Good luck! You're a fighter!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:35 pm

Resmed Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask

https://www.cpap.com/productSearch.php? ... %Full%Face

trying to figure out what to get

trying to figure out what to get

Here's my recommendation

Grant , thanks for the recommendation

Re: trying to figure out what to get

Gailzee, are you a mouth breather?