Considering autopap

Hi folks,

I've been lurking for awhile, but I've got a question and I hope you can help. I've been on CPAP for about 3 years now. I won't go into all the insurance background, but currently my OSA is not covered by insurance, and though I'm compliant all night, every night, my sleep quality has been declining.

I only was titrated once, at the beginning of treatment, and never got to do a retitration due to insurance stuff. So, being proactive and all, I'm considering getting an autopap. I'm thinking either the Remstar Auto/C-Flex-y one or the PB 420E. Software price and size certainly point things towards the 420E. But C-flex is tempting - I've had very little trouble with my current pressure (12cm/h2o), but I don't know if that will hold true for the future.

So two questions:
1) Can anybody give me some thoughts to help me decide?
2) Is there any way to track/discover what an appropriate pressure is for straight CPAP without using the software for either machine? (I ask in case I don't like the autopap).

Thanks,

Jeremy

tHE pb 420e CAN USED IN EITHER AUTO OR STRAIGHT CPAP. THE SILVERLINING SOFTWARE IS OK ONCE YOU GET THE HANG OF HOW TO GET IN/SAVE/GET OUT. IT WILL COVER 200 EPISODES, SO THAT WOULD GIVE YOU A GOOD HANDLE ON YOUR PROGRESS. I JUST WENT OVER MY 200TH NIGHT'S SLEEP OR USE, AND IT GOES RIGHT BACK TO '1'.

I HAVE ANOTHER WHOLE SET UP FOR TRAVEL, AND HAVE NOW DOWNLOADED DATA INTO A SEPARATE FILE FOR MY BACKUP.

I CAN'T SPEAK FOR OTHER MACHINES.
HOPE THIS IS OF SOME HELP.


[quote="Anonymous"]Hi folks,

I've been lurking for awhile, but I've got a question and I hope you can help. I've been on CPAP for about 3 years now. I won't go into all the insurance background, but currently my OSA is not covered by insurance, and though I'm compliant all night, every night, my sleep quality has been declining.

I only was titrated once, at the beginning of treatment, and never got to do a retitration due to insurance stuff. So, being proactive and all, I'm considering getting an autopap. I'm thinking either the Remstar Auto/C-Flex-y one or the PB 420E. Software price and size certainly point things towards the 420E. But C-flex is tempting - I've had very little trouble with my current pressure (12cm/h2o), but I don't know if that will hold true for the future.

So two questions:
1) Can anybody give me some thoughts to help me decide?
2) Is there any way to track/discover what an appropriate pressure is for straight CPAP without using the software for either machine? (I ask in case I don't like the autopap).

Thanks,

Jeremy

Anonymous wrote:
1) Can anybody give me some thoughts to help me decide?

Have you bought new masks during those three years? If you haven't I'ld start with buying a new mask - or at least new seals for the one you have, if possible. And while you're at it, check the integrity of your hose.

Anonymous wrote: 2) Is there any way to track/discover what an appropriate pressure is for straight CPAP without using the software for either machine?

Of course there is - Autos can be set as CPAPs once you've decided what's best for you. If you want to self titrate, you should by an auto.

I own a PB420E.
The reporting software for the PB 420E - Silverlining - is not as good as the Encore Pro. The export data cannot be relied on if you have mixed apneas. You won't know how much time you spend in apnea nor how how many aps, hyp, etc you have in each pressure level. You do get that date from the Encore Pro, and Derek's "My Encore" give you an excellent view of long term trends.

However, the 420E might preferable for other reasons - Look for mails by WillSucceed about breath stacking - a problem he ran into with the Respironics with cflex.

Get yourself informed about other machines as well - they are not to be sneezed at.
Good Luck!
O.


Thanks,

Jeremy

Jeremy,

I've used all three of the major brands of autopaps. All three treated me well. Any autopap can be easily switched to "cpap" mode, if it turns out that's what you want to use after all.

I understand what ozij is saying about the data. However, I much preferred the Silverlining data from the PB 420E, especially for its "96 hour graph". Derek's free "My Encore" program makes a wonderful supplement of extended info for the Encore Pro software the Respironics REMstar auto uses. For almost anyone's purposes, I think either machine and either machine's software would give you the information you're looking for.

If it were me, I'd base my decision between those two machines on whether you'd prefer a small, lightweight autopap (the 420E) or a bulkier auto that offers exhalation relief with C-Flex in either mode of operation. Either machine can do a good job.

As does the ResMed Spirit, too, for that matter; but I didn't particularly like the Autoscan software for that machine, and detested the Humidaire II humidifier. If I were ever going to get a Spirit, I'd opt for a separate humidifier like the F&P HC 150 instead of the integrated humidifier.

I love my AutoPAP - After a week plus on the straight CPAP - with VERY bad sleep - I slept a full NINE AND A HALF hours on the APAP the first night I had it (Friday). That thing is great....