Looking for help picking an APAP machine

Greets All -
Total newbee here, my doctor just wrote me a prescription for an apap machine...I don't have insurance so money is an issue for me...I am trying to find an apap unit that is the best value for the dollar...I'd like it to have these features if possible:
1- compatible with 10' hose
2- compatible with any type of mask ( not sure what type i'll use yet but would like it to be as comfortable as possible)
3- that the unit has some type of software I can track my sleep events with
i'm not to worried about a humidifier right now but would like it as an option....so far I have seen 2 units that may fall into my budget
1 - goodknight 420E - but I saw one website stating these units have quality problems....and i'm unsure if its a true apap
2 - resmed S8 - looks pretty good but the reviews say its a bit noisy......and unsure if it is an apap machine

also - if I go with a nasal type of headgear and i'm the type of person who sleeps with their mouth open should I get some type of chinstrap to hold my mouth shut or should I really only get some type of full face mask?

sorry to be long winded here but I have so much to learn but I really would like to get myself on an apap as soon as possible. Appreciate any feedback and information..Thank You

Did you have a titrated pressure?

If it's greater than 10 cm., a ResMed Auto would probably not be your best choice.

Covidien/Puritan Bennett now has the Sandman Auto (newer version than the 420E), but it doesn't have exhale relief if you may need that (helps with higher pressures).

Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex may be the best option.

Den

volkrt wrote:Greets All -
Total newbee here, my doctor just wrote me a prescription for an apap machine...I don't have insurance so money is an issue for me...I am trying to find an apap unit that is the best value for the dollar...I'd like it to have these features if possible:
1- compatible with 10' hose
2- compatible with any type of mask ( not sure what type i'll use yet but would like it to be as comfortable as possible)
3- that the unit has some type of software I can track my sleep events with
i'm not to worried about a humidifier right now but would like it as an option....so far I have seen 2 units that may fall into my budget
1 - goodknight 420E - but I saw one website stating these units have quality problems....and i'm unsure if its a true apap
2 - resmed S8 - looks pretty good but the reviews say its a bit noisy......and unsure if it is an apap machine

also - if I go with a nasal type of headgear and i'm the type of person who sleeps with their mouth open should I get some type of chinstrap to hold my mouth shut or should I really only get some type of full face mask?

sorry to be long winded here but I have so much to learn but I really would like to get myself on an apap as soon as possible. Appreciate any feedback and information..Thank You

Welcome!

1. all machines should be compatible with 10' hose.
2. all machines should be compatible with all masks.
3. 420E, S8, and M series autos all have capability for software use though you may need to purchase as separate item if not bundled in.
4. 420E seems to get good reviews around here as do the M series and ResMed S8 machines.
5. noise is all relative ... you can always try cranking up some ambient noise if the the machine noise has an annoying volume or frequency pitch.

Check out the froum sponser as they provide price matching for new machines. The forum sponer also runs a auction site for used and new machines where you may find really good deals too.

thanks for the info dream stalker.....is the S8 an apap machine?......also on the headgear...if I go nasal should I wear a chinstrap to keep my mouth closed?...anyone have success with that or is it best to go a F/F route?.....also for some reason I dont see my thread listed on the main forum...was it moved somewhere else?

volkrt wrote:thanks for the info dream stalker.....is the S8 an apap machine?

The S8 Vantage and the S8 Autoset II are auto adjusting (APAP) machines. The Autoset II is newer, quieter and has improved comfort options

volkrt wrote:......also on the headgear...if I go nasal should I wear a chinstrap to keep my mouth closed?...anyone have success with that or is it best to go a F/F route?

You'll get a different answer from every person you ask about this. Different things work for different people. Personally, I use Poligrip strips to keep my mouth closed. I find a chin strap uncomfortable, hot and annoying. I have bloating problems with a FF mask that I don't have with a nasal mask. That's just my opinion and what works for me. You'll have to find what works best for YOU

volkrt wrote:.....also for some reason I dont see my thread listed on the main forum...was it moved somewhere else?

Under the main blue bar at the top, click "View Your Posts" next to the user control panel. You should see a list of all of your posts.

thank you so very much for the info BlueBonnet...sorry to be such a noob here...but i'm trying to aquire as much data as I can as quickly as I can......it would be so nice to actually feel refreshed after a nights sleep, i cannot even remember the last time that happened.....seems like another lifetime...I like your idea and may try it but your right...each person is different and they have to find thru trial and error what mask fits best for them...i toss and turn a lot and also sleep on my stomach so i'm looking for something as unobtructive as possible so i can move around and not pull or push the mask off...thank you again for your time

Take a look at the DeVilbiss Intellipap. It's extremely quiet, has a setting for a 10 foot hose, compatible with any mask, is available bundled with SmartLink module and software, and/or an integrated humidifier. (I'd highly recommend that you get both). It's available at cpap.com, the sponsor of this forum.

I've been very pleased with mine.

Appreciate the reply Elpap....thank you...I did look at that machine and it looked right in my budget but I also read it doesnt have any software capabilities to it?....also what type of mask do you like with it if you dont mind me asking?....Thanks again

volkrt wrote:thank you so very much for the info BlueBonnet...sorry to be such a noob here...but i'm trying to aquire as much data as I can as quickly as I can......it would be so nice to actually feel refreshed after a nights sleep, i cannot even remember the last time that happened.....seems like another lifetime...I like your idea and may try it but your right...each person is different and they have to find thru trial and error what mask fits best for them...i toss and turn a lot and also sleep on my stomach so i'm looking for something as unobtructive as possible so i can move around and not pull or push the mask off...thank you again for your time

It might help if we knew what mask you used during your sleep study and if it seemed to work okay for you. It would also help if we knew the titration pressure determined necessary to treat your OSA.

The mask they used for the study was a F/F but they could never get it to work right.(leaked a lot )..I even had 2 seperate tests done....the only conclusion they came to from the test is that I had severe apnea and that the apap was the best treatment for me at this time...... it was very difficult for me to sleep at that place anyway.....sorry I could not provide more definitive information but thats all they told me to do at this time. So here I am basically at the bottom level trying to get this all sorted out..... when you dont have insurance its difficult to get all the support you would need for something like this...so I am just trying to do the best I can.....hope this answers your question sir

DreamStalker wrote:

volkrt wrote: 1 - goodknight 420E - but I saw one website stating these units have quality problems....and i'm unsure if its a true apap

4. 420E seems to get good reviews around here as do the M series and ResMed S8 machines.

My 420E was awesome (and yes, it's a true APAP, whatever that means) and I adored it. Until it broke. I expect TexasKajun would tell you the same, he had the same problem. The needle that inserts into the sensor line broke off on both our machines.

I wouldn't buy the 420 series now, they switched manufacturing plants in 2007 (maybe late 2006?) so all the 420 series machines (especially the 420G, though, more than the 420E) made in 2007-2008 had a high rate of breakage.

I quite like the Sandman Auto that I got as a warranty replacement for the 420E, I don't like it as much as the 420E but (I hope) it's less likely to break on me. If I were looking to buy a new Auto from scratch, I'd get the M series. However, Covidien/Puritan Bennett is less resistant than Respironics about users buying the software themselves, so the Sandman Auto would be a good choice also. It also has a decent user accessible data display right on the machine--last six sessions' duration, AHI, and leak rates (well for leaks it only says "OK" or "High").

volkrt wrote:The mask they used for the study was a F/F but they could never get it to work right.(leaked a lot )..I even had 2 seperate tests done....the only conclusion they came to from the test is that I had severe apnea and that the apap was the best treatment for me at this time...... it was very difficult for me to sleep at that place anyway.....sorry I could not provide more definitive information but thats all they told me to do at this time. So here I am basically at the bottom level trying to get this all sorted out..... when you dont have insurance its difficult to get all the support you would need for something like this...so I am just trying to do the best I can.....hope this answers your question sir

Take a look at all the APAPs avaialble for sale at CPAP.com and check out the prices at CPAPAuction.com - reading the info might help you decide especially when comparing machines and prices. I think you will find the hardest part of starting treatment is not the machine but the mask and we all all different when it comes to which mask works. I guess you learned that much during your sleep studies. I also think many of us had difficulty sleeping during our sleep studies and some, like me, are convinced the sleep study data was a waste of time. I titrated at 7 cmH20 but on APAP the machine generally is pumping out 10 cmH2O or more to respond to events.

Thank You Tilly for the info on that machine it looks pretty good.....and also Thank You KengEsq for the info on the auctions..I have been looking at the different machines as you suggested and have been trying to read as much feedback or data I can about them on this site..... Whoever started this site all I can say is a deep heartfelt "Thank You!".....Thanks again for all the input so far it has been a huge help to me!

volkrt wrote:Appreciate the reply Elpap....thank you...I did look at that machine and it looked right in my budget but I also read it doesnt have any software capabilities to it?....also what type of mask do you like with it if you dont mind me asking?....Thanks again

You were probably reading older reviews, the SmartLink module and software for the IntelliPap Auto have only been available since last fall. Without the optional SmartLink module, the machine has no data capabilities. With it, you can get 1 night, 7 night and 30 nights averages of pressure, AHI, exhale puffs, non-responding index right on the LCD of the machine. With the software, you get detailed data and graphs on your computer.

I use the machine with the Breeze Sleepgear w/nasal pillows. I'm a side sleeper; the Breeze is the only mask I've tried where I can lay my head on the pillow the same way I did pre-CPAP without it dislodging the mask. From what I understand, the AEIOMED headrest, which I haven't tried, also has that attribute.

Thanks Elpap...much appreciated....so I take it you dnot use a chinstrap at all?...both headsets look fairly comfortable....ad I really like the fact you can move around with them because I am defintely a side sleeper and on my stomach......