Sleep study titration

Last night was my titration. I do not have any results yet but the tech told me my pressure was a 9 towards the end of the study but thats all she remembered off the top of her head. I tried the full mask and did not like it but I was set to not like it before I went in the door. Next was the nasal mask. Again, I was set to not like it so I went on to the nasal pillows. I was so sure the nasal pillows would be my choice and was surprised when I chose the nasal mask. My reasoning was, I felt that the pillows would cause me to mouth breath and the bands did not feel very tight. I still think I will go with the pillows when I order my supplies. I was pleasantly surprised that the air going into my nose was very tolerable!!! I was so happy! I was really expecting something much worse, so if you still have to go for your titration rest assured it was just fine! Maybe it was my low pressure but I had a good nights sleep and only woke when I heard a leak or opened my mouth. Stranger thing was not being able to talk with cpap on!
Thanks for all the help because it really feels like I understand more after last night. Now I cant wait to order my machine!

Sounds like things went well. We all learn to adapt and experiment a bit to make this work and to deal with problems that arise. BTW, you will eventually be able to talk with the air pressure in your nose, but it takes a little practice not to have all the air rush through your mouth. Good luck, and hope you get your equipment quickly.

My tech talked to me after turning on the CPAP.
It was hard to talk, I thought they were messing with me there for a bit.

Didn't know that talking with it on was a skill you could develop, good to know.

Take your time and do your homework, machine selection
is not always best left to the DME.

My doctor was cooperative and wrote a script for the machine I wanted.
Not everyone is so fortunate.

I was hoping for nasal pillows too, but they were noisy when I breathed,
I need quiet, and the nasal mask was a lot quieter.

- Kurt

kurth83 wrote:Take your time and do your homework, machine selection
is not always best left to the DME.

My doctor was cooperative and wrote a script for the machine I wanted.
Not everyone is so fortunate.

Excellent advice! There is a lot of great information here in the forum, on the New User and Wiki links at the top of your screen that will help you figure out what questions to ask and what equipment to look into. As for specific devices on the market today, I recommend that you browse through the options on cpap.com.

The other advice I'd give is that you look through your insurance company's list of in-network DMEs in your area. If you know which DME is going to work best with you before you see your doctor for your titration results, you'll be able to streamline the process by requesting that your records be sent to YOUR preferred DME (as opposed to the default provider your MD refers to).

Should I contact some DME's now even though I do not have a script yet? I have been reading this board for a month now trying to learn all I can. When I called my Dr.'s office I was told he writes a general script for a cpap. I want to be able to go in and say I want such and such a machine and be able to back it up with facts and not stumble over my words and terminology. Right now my O2 concentrator is through lincare,

I contacted Lincare today and I was told they sell 3 machines. I was a little confused on which ones they told me but here they are(hopefully correct):
resmed DS450...I am assuming that is a model number
deVilbiss intel pap
S8 escape not sure if this was resmed or respironics
The woman in the office said they will work with me to get a great machine..
I asked about a full data capable machine and she asked if my doctor wanted that...
I still feel so confused!!

ilvsleep wrote:I contacted Lincare today and I was told they sell 3 machines. I was a little confused on which ones they told me but here they are(hopefully correct):
resmed DS450...I am assuming that is a model number
deVilbiss intel pap
S8 escape not sure if this was resmed or respironics
The woman in the office said they will work with me to get a great machine..
I asked about a full data capable machine and she asked if my doctor wanted that...
I still feel so confused!!

If I were you I would call someone else. I can't find a ResMed DS450, but there is a Remstar that has the model number DS450S. If it is the machine at the following link then it looks like it could be a good one. https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/respi ... -plus.html

The ResMed Escape is a data'less pile of crap that doesn't offer any kind of exhale relief either. I had one and thankfully was able to trade it for an S9 before my rental time was up. The other one you mentioned doesn't look like it has data either but the description at cpap.com was kind of confusing to me.

If you are stuck with this DME and the first machine is actually a remstar pro that might not be too bad of a machine, but I don't know anything about a remstar. If I remember correctly from others posts the pro models have data but the plus models do not so watch what they give you to make sure you are getting what you want.

Just the fact that they questioned you wanting data would make me think they aren't going to be very cooperative. It would be worth your time to call around and see what others have to offer. I just got the ResMed S9 and I love it. Like I said before I had the S8 Escape and to be completely honest the difference between the 2 machines is night and day.

For what it's worth, I also use Lincare and switched to them when the DME the doctor's office gave me a basic, and I mean basic, machine and told me it was all they provided and told me they could do nothing else under Medicare regs. I came on here and cried and was told to insist, so I called the Dr.'s office back and they sent them a cancellation and sent an order to Lincare and they promised me an S9 Auto and I'm expecting it this Friday! Meanwhile they used a ResMed Auto 75 for compliance and it is a good machine and I found their RT to be very helpful, at least so far. So, if Lincare in your area is stodgy, call around to others and see if you can make a better deal.

Maybe it helps if you are switching from another DME and they want your business?

Thanks for all the advise! I think I will give Lincare a try and see how it goes. I am not a very assertive person but I know if I don't speak up I will not get what I want. If they can't help me get what I need I will go elsewhere. I am hoping the remstar machine is the one I am thinking of so I will be happy!

ilvsleep, I have the DS450 from Lincare. It does have full data, the only one above that one is the DS550, it is the APAP Auto also has the straight CPAP mode on it. Good luck and happy sleeping........

Thanks REF!! Thats great!

I researched all the cpaps I was interested in and than did a comparison guide from CPAP.COM . What a lifesaver that was for me! I narrowed it down to 5 choices and I went through each featured and checked off what I wanted and what my insurance covered than made my choice. I will be getting my PR System One REMstar Pro next week...finally I can get started! Dose anyone know how I go about getting the software? Not sure if this is an online thing or not! I think this board is great and I feel so much better informed by all your posts!!

With your proactive approach, I'm guessing you are going to do just fine. One word of advice, don't leave anything to memory or guessing with these machines. So many sound similar and it's easy to end up thinking you know what you're getting and having it all wrong. Be very specific, leave no room for misunderstanding or miscommunication, have it in writing (and look at it), then check and double check yourself (and them). One question I'd be asking right now is if your oxygen is going to be running thru your machine, and if that's gonna make a difference in the machine or mask you use.

My O2 will be discontinued when I start CPAP ! My oxygen sats stayed high during my titration night...thankfully!!

good information here....i'm going for my titration study this coming wednesday...