Equipment

Greetings: I'm new to this forum and also new to the CPAP approach to dealing with OSA. Looks like I'll be getting a machine soon and am wondering if anybody has commnents + or- relative to the CPAP-Pro as sold on NOMASK.com. I don't think I can learn to tolerate a full mask and the partials also look like too much bulk for me, so think something like the CPAP-Pro might suit me. I had used a dental apparatus for several years and tolerated that.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

There are several nasal pillow "masks" available. Favorites among most users are the Breeze and the Swift. Others don't seem to work so well, and these two makes are much cheaper too!!!!

If you don't have to go through a DME, see if you can order online. You'll save a heap of money. Also most insurance will reimburse you up to their allowable amount after you purchase the equipment and file a claim.

DMEs usually charge about twice the price, but they don't usually get that much from the insurance companies, since most have their "allowables". If the DME is under contract they have to accept that amount as payement in full. Also what happens is you are renting the machine in most cases, because the insurance company wants to be sure you are complying with the treatment before paying for it. Usually this is a few months, and then they will pay up to the allowable amount making the machine yours. During this time you can possibly try different machines until you find one that works for you the best. It might require a change of prescription from CPAP to APAP (Automatic CPAP that raises and lowers the pressure according to your needs) or one with CFlex to help you exhale easier. There are basically three brands of machines out there: Resmed, Remstar and GoodKnight. All make straight CPAP, all make APAPs. The Remstar company is the only one with CFlex. If you travel a lot you might want the GoodKnight as it is very small and lightweight.
Be sure you get a heated humidifier as this helps humidify the air that is being shot into your nose to keep it from being dried out.
Best maks if you decide to go the regular route is the Mirage Activa. For Full face the Mirage Ultra.

Insurance companies will usually allow purchase of a new machine every 5 years, even though they are waranteed for 2, and a new mask every 6 months.

Greetings JK,

Welcome to CPAPTalk.com. You have come to the right place for opinions on equipment. There are lots of cpapers here.

I personally have not head anything bad about the cpappro mask. But then again, I have not heard anything good about it either. All of the popular masks on the market are normally discussed on forum's like these.

At cpap.com, where I work, we have masks that have been mentioned above. The Puritan Bennett Breeze Sleep with nasal pillows. This is my personal favorite. It uses nasal pillows and it is easy to wear becuase the only point of contact to your face is at the entrace to your nostrils.

Here is a picture of the Breeze at cpap.com

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1451

Here are two more very popular masks that get loads of positive feedback from customers and people here.

Remed Mirage Activa: This mask is a nasal mask, it has a cup that goes over your nose. You don't have to tighten this mask to get a good seal.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/767

The Resmed Mirage Swift is a new mask, that is very small and very light. For people who like nasal pillows, this is a good one.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1433

Take a look at these masks and keep reading here at cpaptalk.com

Regards,

Titrator

Titrator wrote:You have come to the right place for opinions on equipment.

He's right. Facts, maybe not so much. But we've all got opinions, and we'll share them until you're sick to death of hearing about them.

Liam, so prim, so proper, so quiet unless spoken to.

JK wrote:...am wondering if anybody has commnents + or- relative to the CPAP-Pro as sold on NOMASK.com.

Well, I've said this before several times... The impression I get is that the world of CPAP Pro users is split into two categories:

1) This is WONDERFUL. I've never been able to stand any of those other masks before, and this is EXACTLY what I needed!

2) Man, this thing is a cheap piece of CRAP. Uncomfortable, flimsy, definitely not worth the cost.


I myself have not tried one. One of the sleep doctors at my sleep clinic is also a hosehead, he falls into the second category. The company is small, so they do not have mass production working for them, so the cost is rather high, and they have a no-returns policy, and no one sells them except the web site. That alone has scared me away, because I'd like to have a chance to look at the item before I buy it.

But as I say, there are those who, failing to acclimate to ANY other mask, try this one and LOVE it, so as with so many things, YMMV.

Liam, whose mileage is measured in kilometers.

Are you sick of our opinions yet ? LOL

Have you made a choice ?

Couldn't resist.

Opinion. ASSA Dave is a bit behind the times.. ..


Cheers,

Chris