New Member with Questions

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
User avatar
sjm1027
Posts: 29
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2005 7:30 pm
Location: Massachusetts
Contact:

New Member with Questions

Post by sjm1027 » Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:40 am

Hello,

I had my sleep study on June 30th and 3 hours into it I was asked to try the Cpap machine. Man I couldn't believe how much effort I was putting into sleeping. So wonder I am always tired. It will take about 2 weeks before I can get my machine for the home and was wondering if any of you can tell me what the process is as far as selecting a cpap machine and a mask. The people that ran the study was SleepCures and it was done in the Marriott Hotel.
They mentioned a Medical Supply company would contact me and my Doctor would also get a copy of my report and a pressure setting.
Does this sound correct?
What should I look for in a machine? I want to get a good one, easy to clean and quiet. As far as mask goes... well a funny story, my boss has one and when he comes in every day you can see his strap marks on his face (I don't want that) so I am looking around. I used the nose pillow a thing that just contacted your nostrils. It was ok BUT if I moved it would too. I like to spin around from time to time.
So I have my work cut out for me the next few weeks. Not sure I have to purchase this thing through the medical supply company...
Well everyone have a great 4th of July! Thanks for listening.

Steve


_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: SleepyHead, daily tracking

ahujudybear
Posts: 354
Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 10:12 am
Location: Franklin, WI

Post by ahujudybear » Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:48 am

Hi Steve!

Boy! Are you in for an adventure!

You LIKED the machine used in your sleep study??? Hahaha! I coudn't use the one they gave me (my next sleep study will be using my own machine)...and the Mariott Hotel?? (Wonder how they collected the data, unless they lease a suite of rooms in the hotel?)

Anyway, your options for machine and mask will be pretty much dependent on the settings they suggest you use, though an AutoPAP with the C-Flex feature seems to be the most popular.

Read through the various postings here, especially the ones about specific masks and machines.

Have fun making your choices!

Oh! And Welcome to the Forum!!

- JB

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): C-FLEX


Guest

Post by Guest » Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:37 am

They had 3 rooms in a row. Inferred cameras and microphones, wires all over the place... The study guy was in the center room with 2 laptops. but it was quiet.

Thanks Steve

User avatar
rested gal
Posts: 12881
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
Location: Tennessee

Post by rested gal » Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:20 am

Hi Steve,
As far as mask goes... well a funny story, my boss has one and when he comes in every day you can see his strap marks on his face (I don't want that) so I am looking around.
I wouldn't want that either. There are much better masks than ones that leave marks on the face.

Give this one a try:

Breeze with nasal pillows by Puritan Bennett. Get nasal pillows bigger than you or the person setting you up thinks you should have, so that you won't have to cram them up into the nostrils. They'll seal better and be more comfortable if you don't have to shove them in to prevent leaks.

I'm a toss and turn side sleeper - the Breeze is one of my favorites.
Click below for more tips on making the Breeze work at its best. However most can use the side straps up considerably higher than I wear them in the retouched picture at this link:

Jun 30, 2005 subject: Need help with Breeze hose

If you don't have unusually large nares (the openings at the nostrils), the Aura by Aeiomed is another very comfortable mask for sleeping in any position. With a lot of tweaks, it's my favorite of all, with the Breeze still my close second favorite.

The Swift by ResMed is also very popular - suits many people. It will leave a "Nike Swoosh" mark on the side of your face, but a minor consideration compared to the plusses of that mask.

All of those are "nasal pillows" masks. Very, very good ones.

In the traditional mask category (triangular shaped, covers the nose), the Activa by ResMed is an amazingly comfortable one. With the straps worn floppy loose, leaving no marks in the morning, the Activa is virtually leakproof, no matter how much you turn.

Hey, besides getting good treatment, you may get a raise when you tell your boss about those masks!

Good luck!
_____________________________________
My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field. Those are just my personal opinions. A mask or machine I love/hate could be completely the opposite for others. Finding suitable equipment can be an expensive trial and error experience.


chrisp
Posts: 1142
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2004 3:51 pm
Location: somewhere in Texas

Post by chrisp » Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:31 am

I'd say no thanks to the medical supply people (DME) and just purchase from cpap.com . When you figure out what it will cost from a the DME and the poor selection of masks and machines you will see why we like cpap.com .

I suggest an Autotitrating cpap such as the GK420E or Respironics Remstar auto. Don't wasate your time with the straight cpaps. IMHO.

Oh yea, I almost forgot the most important thing..........

Beware of the EVIL DME. They like to say can't alot when you ask for an auto or a mask that they don't sell. Their markup is astronomical.

:twis ted: