New User

I am ready to order my machine but am not sure what is the best, quietest, etc. I used a mirage swift nasal mask for my test. It worked great. I was looking at a REMstar auto but was told it does not work with the nasal mask I prefer. So I have been looking at the REMstar Pro 2. Can anyone help with this issue? Is there problems with the auto and this mask? What do you think about the different machines, auto and pro 2?

I found it very expensive to buy through a locall DME. the prices are three to four time what you can find on the Net. although you handle the paper work yourself, I find it alot better to save money than raise everyones insurance up more because of dealers charging as much as they can for the same machines. I found there was no addvantage to using a local DME. you would think if purchased a machine from them that a rental would be cheaper if not free until your new machine came in. Thats not the case in my area. If my machine needed to be repaired, I would pay the same as a person just renting a machine for any length of time. Sorry had to let out a little frustration.

Think this forum is great. this is my first visit and have already had a few questions answered.

Looking forward to hearing from you folks.

Kirk

There are several people on this forum using the Swift with their Remstar Autos with C-Flex, so that is not a problem. I really don't know why manufacturers or RTs are telling people you can't use nasal pillows with an Auto. but you can. At least I haven't heard of anyone having problems with them.

Janelle,

A guess about nasal pillows...

I recently posted a query about my troubles with my Nasal Aire cannula and one of the things I suspect is that the higher pressure kicking in later caused the "blowouts". If you are on regular CPAP, you could turn off ramp, turn on pressure and immediately test whether the device is secure and not leaking at full pressure. With APAP you can't do that. Again, this is a guess, but not pure conjecture. But even if this is the case, it doesn't mean you coldn't use them, just that there is a greater possibility of trouble during the night.

Most people (message board posters, anyway ) have no problem with their autopaps working fine with nasal pillow interfaces that use narrow diameter hoses connected to the main air hose. I think the autopap/mask manufacturers put that "not recommended for use with autopap" caution in there because there's always the chance that in a few cases an autopap will not be able to read the person's breathing correctly enough through narrow diameter connection tubes.

I've used three different manufacturer's autopaps now:

Puritan Bennett Goodknight 420E
ResMed Autoset Spirit
Respironics Remstar Auto (two machines, one without C-Flex and my current one after they added C-Flex)

I had the software for each. All worked fine for me, using several different types of nasal pillows interfaces.

lowekd, I'm not a doctor or anything in the health care profession, but if it were me, I'd not hesitate at all to get an autopap to use with your Swift. The particular autopap you mentioned you were considering - Respironics Remstar Auto with C-flex is the one I use and like very much. It gives me good, comfortable treatment with the Aura nasal pillows, Breeze nasal pillows, and the Swift nasal pillows. Also works fine with my favorite nasal mask (covers the nose) - the Activa; and with my favorite full face mask (covers nose and mouth for easy mouthbreathing on congested nights) - the ResMed Ultra Mirage FF.

If you order the Encore Pro software and card reader, you can monitor your own treatment on your own PC at home. But even if you don't get the software, you'll still have a very good monitor to pay attention to - how you feel each morning. If you had any doubts about whether you were doing ok with the Swift and the autopap, just set the auto to run as straight cpap. That option (running it as a straight cpap) is available on all autopaps.

Good luck!