Questions from a Newbie

Hi all,

First, I feel lucky to have found this forum. It has already answered so many questions for me. I just had my titration done, and my level is 20. I was wondering the benefits of nasal pillows v. masks. It seems that if leakage is an issue the nasal pillows wouldn't be as effective.

Also, can someone tell me how to determine what type of machine you need? My doctor has my prescription ready, but I haven't seen it, and I don't know what machine/interface to begin with.

Thanks again for all of the helpful info. This forum makes me feel less powerless about this whole apnea thing.

I couldn't tolerate a nasal mask because of my nose itching. I switched to nasal pillows and love them. I use an Adam's circuit headgear. I also bought the breeze sleepgear but the quality was poor and it broke in a short period. (I understand they have beefed them up and should last longer.) I made the mistake, due to ignorance, of getting my machine from the same place that I had my sleep study done. They charged a small fortune, and, I believe, took advantage of my ignorance. Kudos to you for checking around first. I use a Resmed machine and it has been fine. Have had it since 2000. I am now looking for a backup/travel machine and like the price and size/weight of the Puritan Bennett 420 G.

Hi SW,

If the pressure the doctor prescribes is the same as they found at your sleep study... 20 , you are at the top of the limit that some machines (straight cpap machines and autopap machines) can deliver. That leaves only BiPap as the machine of choice for two reasons, imho:

A. BiPaps can be set to deliver higher than 20, if you need a pressure increase later.

B. 20 is quite a pressure to try to exhale against. BiPap machines can be set at two pressures - the titrated pressure of 20 for inhalation and a lower pressure for each exhalation.

Surely your doctor will prescribe BiPap for you. (I'm not a doctor...just my 2 cents worth.) The only reason I can think of that he might prescribe straight cpap (I cringe at the thought of a straight 20!) would be if insurance will not pay for a more expensive machine until it's "proven" (usually with a 30 day trial) that you cannot tolerate straight cpap. If that happens, I wouldn't give it 30 days, myself. I'd be calling the doctor's office every day, complaining about not being able to breathe against the pressure and begging for a BiPap machine. I wouldn't settle for cpap with C-Flex (or the new Respironics autopap with C-Flex) either. I would want a machine that is capable of being set higher than 20 if that ever becomes necessary...that means BiPap.

I've heard a lot of people report that their Breeze with nasal pillows handles a top of the limit pressure like that just fine. Experimentally I recently tried my Breeze at a straight pressure of 19, just to see if the pillows would leak. No leaks. Another good mask for that kind of pressure is the Activa, if the normal movement of the Activa wouldn't bother you...does bother some BiPap users.