Newbie Situation

I read through some of the intro material, and even did some searches on specific terms, but I wasn't quite finding the help I am looking for. So I am hoping to impose upon the group wisdom for assistance.

I just got diagnosed with OSA last week, within a few days of hearing that my job is being moved to another state. As I my healthcare will be discontinued this Friday (and did not even cover for durable medical equipment in the first place) I am looking for the best solution to get at least a decent machine to bridge the gap until I am fully employed again in the future (hopefully with better medical coverage).

To this end I will probably be calling "Breathe California" to see if I can get on a waiting list for a donated machine, however I have been told that they will probably only have manual machines, and that I should look for an automatic. I have also looked on Craigslist and have found things like "Respironics Remstar Auto CPAP with SmartCard, Heated Humidifier" or "Respironics REMstar Plus M Series CPAP Bi-Level C-Flex" in the range of $160 - $200.

After using the test machine from the clinic for the last week, and returning it today. I got a prescription that has several numbers I don't yet understand. The tech wrote "NCAP set at 8.5cm" and under Patient Preference "Or Auto CPAP 4-20 cm H 70" Note: that last part is unclear could be "cm # 70", "cm #20" or "cm #10". I can post a picture if it would help

I am looking for general and specific advise about this, is it unwise to buy CPAP from Craigslist? Can I set the machine myself with the info I have? Should I stick to getting a manual unit from "Breathe California"? and generally any tips that might help as I start off in these troubled waters.

Hi- the last part of your prescription is Cm H2O (Centimeter of water)
An Auto machine settings start at a low pressure of 4 and go to 20 . So a setting of 4-20 on auto would be "wide open".
Does it say CPAP 8.5, That would make sense?

It appears you are in CA.. where ... I may be able to help you locate a good machine

MrWhite wrote:After using the test machine from the clinic for the last week, and returning it today. I got a prescription that has several numbers I don't yet understand. The tech wrote "NCAP set at 8.5cm" and under Patient Preference "Or Auto CPAP 4-20 cm H 70" Note: that last part is unclear could be "cm # 70", "cm #20" or "cm #10". I can post a picture if it would help

that's cm/h2o, centimeters of water. I'd suggest 8-20, not 4-20 if you get an auto machine, 4-20 is just dumb/lazy on their part. and that should be CPAP, not NPAP.

MrWhite wrote:I am looking for general and specific advise about this, is it unwise to buy CPAP from Craigslist? Can I set the machine myself with the info I have? Should I stick to getting a manual unit from "Breathe California"? and generally any tips that might help as I start off in these troubled waters.

all my machines came from craigslist, directly or indirectly. if you know a bit about them, it's a great source for equipment. I suggest meeting at a coffee shop, there's usually plenty of people around for safety, and available outlets to plug the machine in for testing.

an auto machine would be better, it makes it easier to get the right pressure settings since it does a lot of the work for you, plus, most all auto machines give you full data, whereas some manuals give you no data. you can also ask here on the forum, a few people have machines for sale, some folks make it their hobby to pick up machines on craigslist, or other sources, check 'em out and offer them for sale.

Here is everything that was filled in by the tech on my prescription



I do see I typoed it as ncap instead of ncpap

grayghost4 wrote:It appears you are in CA.. where ... I may be able to help you locate a good machine

I am in the South Bay Area.

MrWhite wrote:Here is everything that was filled in by the tech on my prescription



I do see I typoed it as ncap instead of ncpap

no change in response.

oh, and that grayghost guy... he's trustworthy and honest.

I have bought from grayghost4 and am very happy with my machine. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again.

this is the like : http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5453084928.html

ride over the hill for you .... I am in Concord ... if you need help

I sent an email to them to purchase it
will let you know the resposnse

grayghost4 wrote:this is the like : http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5453084928.html

ride over the hill for you .... I am in Concord ... if you need help

I sent an email to them to purchase it
will let you know the resposnse

Thank you, that looks great and it looks like that one probably uses SD cards instead of Smart Card.

yes it does use SD card and is an auto cpap ... and is compatable with Sleepyhead

MrWhite wrote:

grayghost4 wrote:this is the like : http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5453084928.html

ride over the hill for you .... I am in Concord ... if you need help

I sent an email to them to purchase it
will let you know the resposnse

Thank you, that looks great and it looks like that one probably uses SD cards instead of Smart Card.

it's a plus, it's crap, avoid anything that says "plus" or "escape" in the name.

it does have a smart card on it, but there's nothing useful written to it.

grayghost4 wrote:this is the like : http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5453084928.html

ride over the hill for you .... I am in Concord ... if you need help

I sent an email to them to purchase it
will let you know the resposnse

now, I know, you'll take another look and notice the 'plus' in the description...

The link takes me to this PR System One REMstar Plus C-flex/PR System one Heated Humidifier cpap - $100 (danville / san ramon) and I don't believe this is full data but a brick. Am I seeing the same one you are seeing?

You are correct it is a Plus .... not an auto

Shoot, well I will keep looking, and any help or tips are highly appreciated.