Need help choosing machine for my teen

Hey guys!

When my husband was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few years ago, I spent a lot of time on this forum reading all the wisdom and figuring out what was the best option. We bought my dh a Respironics APAP machine, Ultra Mirage Mask and that was in the wonderful brief period that you could download Encore Pro for free and use My Encore with it. What a blessing! It changed my dh's life. It's amazing all he has been able to accomplish since he's able to live without sleep deprivation. In fact, he's now an entrepreneur and we have a book coming out very soon.

My teenage son has been falling asleep constantly during the day and he had a sleep study last week. He is having not a lot of episodes (about 5 AHI), *but* it's really stressing his body (heart rate varying from 26 to 112), he is having desats down in the 80s, and he's having a lot of arousals. He'll have a cpap titration next week.

I need to choose a cpap for him, but I just don't have time to do all the research right now - I barely have time to sleep myself right now. I am sure there have been advances in the past several years and I want to take advantage of that. Can y'all give me a hand and tell me what's currently considered the "cadillac" of apaps? How about full face masks? What would you guys recommend for a teen? He will definitely be compliant - his constant sleepiness is making him miserable!

Here are my considerations: Insurance should cover it 100%. I want an apap for him since he's still growing and so things will change. I loooooved the Encore Pro/My Encore software, *but* we lost it in a hard drive crash I'm an analytic type and having the software and ability to play with the settings to maximize treatment is important to me. He's the analytic type, too.

BTW, don't know why it's showing 1 post - I posted a lot back in 2006...

Thanks so, so much!!

I like my Respironics m series APAP with A-flex.

The M replaced the Tank model and the A-flex is available in addition to the old c-Flex. With A-flex you get all three. Straight APAP with no flex, APAP with Cflex and APAP with A flex in addition to being able to use it as a straight CPAP with the 3 "flex" options.

Can't say about the FF mask as I like my swift pillows.


Others like their Resmed's.

If I were buying a new machine right now and wanted all available options I would get:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

The only question mark, since this machine was just released, I don't know what the status of software availability will be.

I like the Swift Lt mask, as long a one can avoid mouth breathing....tape for awhile if necessary.

Good Luck!

I am very partial to my DeVilbiss IntelliPAP auto. It is simple to use, and portable. It is comfortable to breathe against, even without pressure relief features. It will run on AC and DC power, and has worked especially well for frequent trips I have taken in the last few months. This is important because if he is like most teens, he is active, and doesn't want to be slowed down by a machine. It does not provide as much data as the Respironics or Resmed machines, but it is more than adequate for tracking therapy. (One thing to consider in this case is it sounds like your son might be having long events-- some machines report event length, the DeVilbiss does not.) The IntelliPAP also has a lot of 'fine tuning' adjustments for flagging hypopnas and apneas.

As far as masks go, I would suggest a full face mask. In the long run, these are less problematic than nasal masks, which frequently require things like mouth taping. Which mask to use? It is totally up to the shape of his face, and he will have to find out like the rest of us. I will say I am very happy with my Hybrid mask. The Quattro before it was good as well, but it seemed to not like it when my face got oily in the middle of the night.

Above all, make sure your son is heavily involved in the decision! Being the son of a 'hoser' means he probably understands a lot more about OSA than most 'newbies'. Make him do the research so he understands what is out there.

well, i imagine everyone will speak highly of the machine they are using...and i am no different. i love my resmed elite II...it is a straight cpap....and it is supposedly the quiestest machine out there. i have to think an apap by resmed...would be super quiet too. this machine is easy to use...the software is great...it has exhalation relief...nice features! good luck on your search....

My $0.02 worth (no doc, just a user). I lust after a Resmed S8 AutoSet Series II (finances prevent me from buying right now). It's an Auto with exhalation relief (makes it easier to exhale by dropping the pressure by 0, 1, 2, or 3 cmH2O at the user's discretion; it also has a built-in technology that more closely mimics natural breathing making adjustment easier and faster. The Ramp length of time is settable by the user from 0-45 mins. A deluxe humidifier tank can be ordered whose top lid opens for easier thorough cleaning; mulitple setting make it easy to set each night if desired or re-set if necessary without turning on the room lights or leaving the bed. He's a teen and most I know are concerned about 'looks' -- the ResMeds are attractive. It can be operated as an APAP or CPAP depending on how well he sleeps with varying pressure (I sleep better with, some do not); the advantage is that it delivers the least amt of pressure based on the preceding 5 breaths and detected changes in the user's breathing (flow limitation, snores, etc). Leak, apnea, hypopnea, pressure data is available on the LED. With the software--which cannot be sold in the US (can order from Australia with 10-day or so delivery--more details can be reviewed. (PS Respironics is not providing software for users for their latest machines; that might change, but I wouldn't hold my breath on a promise.)

Masks...hmmm. I'd try something like the Respironics OptiLife pillow mask which is about as minimal as a mask can get (other than the Nasal Aire which is noisier). I'd also get the RespCare Hybrid which covers the mouth, has nasal pillows, does not cover the nose, and does not touch the forehead; it comes with 3 sizes of oral cushions and 3 sizes of pillows that can be set at 2 heights making getting a good fit pretty easy. If he does not mouth breathe, the OptiLife is good for side sleepers (all with apnea should avoid sleeping on their back). The Hybrid is esp good for nights with congestion or if he becomes a mouth breather (often from congestion).

I'd also get a power outage alarm to ensure he wakes up if the power goes out; almost everyone does, I do not (slept an hr with the mask on and power out, not good to re-breathe your exhaled air that long) and need that alarm. Our host sells them for about $16. Battery backup is something to consider for his and your hubby's machines...on the other hand, you could just buy an RV for them to sleep in if the power goes out

Quick connectors make disconnecting from the hose/machine fast and helps extend the life of the ends of the hose. I have 2 hoses in case of leaks, but that's me.

Nasal Aire II is a great little mask. I think it beats the little pillows all to heck.

neverbetter wrote:Nasal Aire II is a great little mask. I think it beats the little pillows all to heck.

I totally agree!!

there are limited units and masks available for pts <21 years of age, due to FDA regs. Just a heads up!

cpapqueen1 wrote:there are limited units and masks available for pts <21 years of age, due to FDA regs. Just a heads up!

Huh??