Question from a New (2 Whole Days!) Cpap user

First, Hello to all, and thank heaven I found this forum. I've only had my machine for 3 days, but was so stopped up yesterday, that I was unable to use it last night. I don't know if the cold I appear to have gotten is related to the CPAP, or it could be that I've spent the last 16 days in an entirely different climate and may just have gotten a little sick because of the difference in air qualities.

My question is, I realize that there are a lot of posts asking about x, y, or z masks, but would anyone/everyone mind just posting in one thread what mask(s) you use and how you feel about them?

I'm currently using a resperonics Comfort Select (cause that's what the home health care guys put on me), and while I'm not completely unhappy, I'm wondering if there's a better fit for me.

Lastly, due to my travel schedule (I travel a good bit for work), I had to have a small unit. I told my home health care provider this and he came with the GoodKnight 420g. Now that I've found this forum, I'm seeing that a lot of people are using data hookups and their computers to track their treatment and progress. Sadly the 420G doesn't have this availability. How vital do you guys feel it is to have that info. I'm thinking of purchasing a humidifier for my goodknight even if I only use it when at home. I'm holding off till I get rid of this stuffed nose and stuff before I make that decision. I'd like to get at least a weeks sleep on it first.

Thanks again for being here, and I look forward to your responses.

Alan

You now have the smallest cpap unit, yes for sure get the humidifier, it makes all the difference in the world. As to the software to track your numbers, this is a personal decision. Some do and some don't. If you are techie and are into this then change to a unit that can compute it. If you just want relief and are not into all the tracking, then don't make the expensive inverstment.

Get an Activa by resmed for your first mask, you won't regret it.

Welcome Alan! Like you I started with the ComfortSelect and actually had good luck with it. Having said that, there are more comfortable masks! I currently use the Resmed Activa which has a very different nosecup design than the Respironics. It allows for a softer seal and some movement between the mask and your face. It is bulkier than other nasal masks but seems to be the best for me at least so far. I also recently purchased a ComfortCurve and am satisfied with the mask itself but like most new owners am having bad leaks at the hose elbows. Respironics has a score of ZERO for me on customer care having chosen not to answer my polite e-mails with even a how de do. Masks are tough choices since it's such a personal fit and most suppliers don't allow an opportunity to try several out. We all seem to end up with a drawer full of rejects. Price is not always an accurate indiction of how well a mask will work out, all the rejects in MY drawer represent a healthy chunk of the budget, and in the long run are no better than the original ComfortSelect. Regarding the humidifier, I tend to be stuffy and am a lifelong mouth breather but the heated o2 opens my sinuses every night and I feel like a million bucks in the morning. Like the masks, it's different for everybody but it's mandatory in my book! I don't personally use the software and base my results more on how I feel but many folks follow their numbers closely to be alert for mask leaks, machine performance etc... so I'm sure there are more replies waiting for you. Good luck!

I have a Remstar Auto with C-Flex that I absolutely won't part with--it is one of the loves of my life, even though I wish I didn't have to wear it, anyway it makes me feel 110% better.

I just had brain surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago, so I am pretty much exclusively Activa--R&R is right, you won't regret this mask.

I also have an Aeiomed Aura, which I love but need to do a little more tweaking on, it sits basically on my incision so it may be some time before I can truly feel comfortable with it.

I have tried a lot of masks and find that these two are the best. I have used Breeze, Swift, etc.

Good luck!

Heidi
a/k/a Sleeping with the Enemy (psst. the enemy is the OSA, that is trying to kill me slowly, so I wear my CPAP, so I don't die)

Fitting a mask is so much an individual thing that what works for the majority means nothing if it does not work for you. My two favorite masks are the Resmed Activa and the Ultra. I have considered getting the full face ultra for the times I had a headcold, but so far I have not had one bad enough to prevent my cpap from working. Many people benefit from a humidifier, but I have never had to use one so far. Sometimes I think checking software results justs adds to the tension of being treated. I really do not need any more stress, so I check my software results only when I feel like something is not going right, or if my wife observed something.

I am a huge proponent of using the software. I want to know my optimum pressure with the least resultant apnea events. I wouldn't know that without the software. I want to know the number of non-responsive apneas, obstructive apneas and hypopneas I'm having. I want to see my snore index and if I'm experiencing leaks that I don't know about.

If you get an auto machine, the PB420E receives excellent reviews and is the smallest. Users like the Silverlining software program used with it. With the auto you can perform your own self-titrating experiments by adjusting pressure based on the outcome you view in your software. For example, my doc set my pressure at 10. I took a look at the events occurring at that pressure over the course of a few days, then changed it to 11 for a few days, then 12, then 13.... and documentation proved I experienced the least number of events at a pressure of 12. Now I know I'm receiving the best treatment possible.

Just my opinion.

Welcome Kluemaster!

I have the PB420E, and use the software. It has the same footprint as the 420G, and will use the same humidifier, so you could spread the expense out and get the humidifier while you are investigating the auto machine.

I find the Silverlining software quite user friendly, but the manuals are deplorable! NOT recommended reading for people with SA -- they will put you right to sleep! (Might be good if you have insomnia though!) You can probably get by without reading them anyway. The software is interesting, but it really depends on you -- are you interested in learning and tweaking and working with your doc -- or do you not want to mess around with it? I want to learn and be involved, so having the software is a no brainer for me, but you may have different priorities! The one thing that has surprised me about the software is that I don't sleep enough during the week and more on weekends -- it has pointed out to me that I need to allocate more daily hours to sleep, which is very hard for me -- it seems like there are never enough hours in the day! I download every morning, and the compliance data is right there on the first page.

The inconvenient part of the setup is that you have to unplug the 420E, take the cord and the machine to your computer, plug it in and connect the serial cable each time that you download. I have been thinking about getting another power cord to leave by the computer, but haven't gotten around to it... The smart card on the Respironics machines sounds easier!

The good news is that you can convert the data to a semi-colon delimited file to export to Excel if you really want to tweak the data!

Get the heated humidifier ASAP! I have been having really bad allergies this spring -- we have had a LOT of rain in So. Calif. this year, and can actually breathe better at night with the humidifier cranked up all the way! I also breathe better when I get a cold at night with the humidifier.

I haven't gotten the Aura the way that I want it yet, so my everyday interface is the NasalAire II. I have been using it for almost 4 months now, and it has worked well for me, once I got it sized right (bigger is better for this one!). I think that the main reason that I like it is that it is minimal and I can wear my glasses to read before I fall asleep.

You don't mention your titrated pressure -- that may have a bearing on the mask/interface discussion -- some masks don't do well with high pressures. I go up to 17 with my NAII and it doesn't leak much.

Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions about the PB420E or NasalAire II (or anything else!)

I can't emphasize enough that you should get the humidifier pronto! Our gracious hosts at CPAP.COM can overnight it to you -- it is probably cheaper than going through your local DME too! Check it out -- there is a link at the top of the page. (I don't work for them, although some of the posters here do -- just a satisfied customer!)

Good luck!

Hey Glassgal... thanks for the info on the PB downloads... but it seems that each machine requires a different version of the Silver Lining software (as my RT is just discovering!) I'll have to investigate which P-B BiPAP will do that!


Kluemaster?

I am relatively new at this (about 1½ months) and still going through sleep studies (4th one coming up on Monday). Right now I am using the Puritan-Bennett GoodKnight 425 BiPAP and absolutely love it. I have tried Respironics BiPAP S/T and a VPAP (don't know the mfg co.) but they are difficult for me to inhale with and cause me to stack my breaths at times.

I am presently in love with the Fischer-Paykel FlexiFit HC405 Nasal mask. It has only four removable parts (including two that don't have to be removed for washing the mask and cushion that has to be removed to keep it from getting wet). It hasd a swivel attachment so that you can turn the hose in whatever direction you want, has ample "exhaust" vents and really snuggles in around your nose.

The Swift Nasal Pillows are nice, but my nose is asymmetrical in shape and in muscling, so it doesn't sit quite right on my face. It's OK for naps, but noisier than the mask above.... and I tend to take them off during the night!

I also use a "shapeable" pillow (HOME brand from Target, $12.99) that helps to keep my head from hurting where the straps are pressed between my head and the pillow. This pillow also conforms to the shape of my head and mask so that it actually helps to hold the mask in place. It will also change automatically to whatever position I move to during the night.

ahujudybear wrote:... but it seems that each machine requires a different version of the Silver Lining software (as my RT is just discovering!) I'll have to investigate which P-B BiPAP will do that!

Slight confusion here, Judy. An older version of the software will not be able to handle newer machines. All you need is the latest, updated version - as does your RT.

And you can get it at cpap.com for $99Silverlining version 3.6

O.

ahujudybear.

I also like the Flexfit 405. If you insert nylon net in the exhale vent, you will get more air flow and save yourself the time, expense, and agravation of getting the foam inserts. You can purchase nylon net at a fabric store or the fabric section of Walmarts for about 15 cents for 1/4th of a yard. F&P said it was o.k. to do this.

ozij's right about needing the most updated software with newer machines. I know I had to update my Encore Pro when the Remstar Auto with C-Flex came out. The older versions of Encore Pro that could read the Remstar Auto (with no C-Flex feature) fine, couldn't read data from the newer ones with C-Flex added.

However, it seems I remember (vaguely, and can't remember where I read it or heard it) that Puritan Bennett had not upgraded the Silverlining software at the time their 435 bi-level machines first hit the market, nor even soon after.

I don't know if Silverlining has been updated to read the 435's yet. Perhaps Adam or Ted or someone at cpap.com could tell us if there's an upgrade to SL that works with the PB435 now?

RG,
Do your really mean 4-3-5 or is the 3 a typo?
I think aujudybear talked about having a 4-2-5, and if that is so, then according to CPAP (quoted url above) the 3.6 handles it.
O.

I have the FP HC220 https://www.cpap.com/productpage/658 , I don't have ins to pay for it and it seems to be a good unit. So for only having it for a little over a month and using the Comfort FF mask, I am feeling great. I breathe better thru my nose, sleep on my side, awake all day and not feeling like I need to take a nap. Not bad considering that I was falling asleep driving home from work, or when fast forwarding thru commercials, or even when my wife is talking to me. I had to increase my pressure, but I think it has to do with the mask not sealing on my beard, so I compensated for it. Good luck and welcome to the board.

Toby

LOL, ozi... thanks for the catch. I misread Judy's model numbers.

You're right, ozi -- SL should work with Judy's 425 bi-level. From cpap.com's product description page:

The Puritan Bennett GoodKnight 425 Bilevel machine includes the following features:

* Smallest, lightest Bilevel, BiPAP or VPAP on the market.
* SilverLining 3.6 Data Management software option to download compliance and session data.

Thanks to everyone who's posted so far. I can see that the mask issue is one that's going to end up costing me some bucks! I'm going to order a Humidifier probably today, as well as possibly a activa mask. The comfort Select hasn't' really bothered me yet, but I'm kind of treating this like I did when I first bought SCUBA equipment. Even if it hurts to write the cheque, buy what you feel is best. This is life support equipment after all.

My current plan after reading everyone's posts is to try a new mask every month or 2 till i find the one that's just right. The one thing reading all these posts over the last week has told me is that there is not best mask for everyone. It's not going to be cheap, and I'll only try a couple in my initial run, but I really am trying to make sure that I don't rip it off at night, and end up not getting the benefits of the cpap.