Newcomer to CPAP

Hey all, newbie here, so be gentle with me...

I have just done a couple of sleep studies, and it looks like I have mild to moderate sleep apnea and am going to need to start using a CPAP. So, I am beginning on a journey that most of you are well-travelled on. I am hoping that you can help me get going.

Basically, I want to know what you wish you had known when you first started CPAPing. What things do you wish you had done that I could do?

As I said, I have done two sleep studies (one just an observation one, and one with a CPAP). I am waiting for the full data from both of them, which I have requested.

I do have a few specific questions:

- On the second sleep study, I used a nasal mask and found it to be moderately annoying, but not hideous. Obviously I would like to get the mask as comfortable as possible. What other types would you reccomend I try if I found the nasal mask to be resonably comfortable?

- My insurance company has said they will cover a CPAP, but with a DME limit of $1500 a year. They also said that they will only cover the cost of the cheapest model that would fulfill the requirements. I want to get that to cover as much as possible, so what can I do to maximize that? Can I ask my doc to prescribe a higher end model and expect them to pay for it?

- My doctor informed me of the diagnosis by letter. For real: rather than call me or even get a nurse to call me, she sent me a letter letting me know that I have a potentially lifelong and life-changing condition. So, I am looking for a new doctor. Any recommendations for a new PCP in the somerville/medford area of Massachusetts with experience of Apena?

- I very much want to be involved in the treatment for this, so what models of CPAP might allow me to track my sleep myself and analyze the results?

- I have to do some travelling for work in the near future (for about 2 weeks). I am thinking of not starting the CPAP until after I return. Does that seem wise to you?

Welcome to the forum. You will find most of your answers in the CPAP Wicki (yellow light bulb above).

And this is a very comprehensive article on cpap:

http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com/

mmm,

this is what I always say..

i would get a resmed auto set s9 with humidfier

I would get a swift fx pillow mask if you dont have a clogged nose..

The rest you can figure out later..

whatever you get, make sure you can download the THERAPY data from the machine,
not just the COMPLIANCE data which is just the hours you used it..

This therapy and data is just coming out of the dark ages, so get a good machine,
I think its worth it even if you have to pay out of pocket..

auto machines or autpaps or autoset (resmed) can be run as cpap too, which means they
automatically follow youre every breath and find whatever pressure you need, or they can be
set at ONE single pressure. If you are given a straight cpap with one pressure, and your apnea
changes in sleeping positions, that is not going to get you the best therapy!
If you get a machine which only shows hours of usage, this is like driving around curves
in the dark on a moonless night..
the more you read, the more you know who is trying to screw you, and how to prevent it.
Also how to get the best bang for our cpap/apap buck, and how to get the best therapy..
that is your goal.. to get the very best therapy.. it may not be your dme' or docs goal though..

davehedgehog wrote:Hey all, newbie here, so be gentle with me...

Hi,

Don't worry, there is very little newbie-bashing going on here.

davehedgehog wrote:Basically, I want to know what you wish you had known when you first started CPAPing. What things do you wish you had done that I could do?

I wish that I had been able to start CPAP 15 years earlier. The last few years before I finally got a sleep study was nothing but one dance after another to work around issues related to OSA.

davehedgehog wrote:- On the second sleep study, I used a nasal mask and found it to be moderately annoying, but not hideous. Obviously I would like to get the mask as comfortable as possible. What other types would you reccomend I try if I found the nasal mask to be resonably comfortable?

If you work with a local equipment supplier, you will get to try a number of masks. You will want to try a full face mask, a hybrid, a nasal pillow mask, and a nose mask. Once you find the style that fits best, then pick a specific model. At the same time, you don't want to over analyze this. Most people go through several masks before they find one that they can live with long term. Your goal right now is to get a machine, get on the hose, and get started. You can optimize later.

davehedgehog wrote:- My insurance company has said they will cover a CPAP, but with a DME limit of $1500 a year. They also said that they will only cover the cost of the cheapest model that would fulfill the requirements. I want to get that to cover as much as possible, so what can I do to maximize that? Can I ask my doc to prescribe a higher end model and expect them to pay for it?

Don't let your insurance get in the way of getting the right machine. The current mainline machines that are really good sell for between $700 and $800 on-line. You want one that is "fully data capable". Don't settle for anything less.

davehedgehog wrote:- I have to do some travelling for work in the near future (for about 2 weeks). I am thinking of not starting the CPAP until after I return. Does that seem wise to you?

No, not at all. You want to get started at the earliest possible moment. Traveling with a CPAP is pretty easy. You just have to make sure that you take your machine, hose, mask, and an extension cord. Pick up some distilled water at a Walmart at your destination city. The only real trick is to make 100% sure that you empty the water tray in the morning before you pack up your machine. If you forget, you can ruin the machine. I am afraid of being left without a working machine, so I have a spare--one for home, and one for travel.

-john-

A few things I wish I had known...

The inestimable value of a data capable machine.
The difference between a mask that is simply wrong for me or one that will be fine with some tweaks.
The difference between my treatment being wrong for me or just needing time to adjust.
An understanding of the possible pitfalls of the ramp feature (pressure too low and too long, overused).
Trust your gut when the professionals tell you to just keep trying but you know something's very wrong.
About cpap.com.

Dave, welcome to the forum!

What great advice the others have given you.

Here's a URL to keep in your back pocket. Some of the discussions in the topics listed there might come in handy later.

ALL LINKS by rested gal
viewtopic.php?t=17435

One of my favorites in those topics is this one:
Great thread started by Moogy.
Oct 30, 2006 subject: Please Share Misc Helpful Hints
viewtopic.php?t=14746

If it were me, and I were searching for a machine today, I'd get:

autopap -- ResMed S9 Autoset

or

cpap -- ResMed S9 Elite

My list of machines that record "full data" (AHI and leak info) and those that don't -- updated through March 2010:
viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

Good luck!! And do keep posting... questions, progress reports, rants...all those and anything else that comes to your mind are welcome here.

Thanks all for the links and thoughts! Lots to think about and consider! I have an appointment with a sleep specialist doc to go over the results of the sleep study, so I'l talk to them about the prescription for the CPAP, etc. I definitely want to get a data capable mode that I cna analyze the data from, so we'll see where we go from there. I'll be sure to post updates here as I go ahead...

Take a look at the new IntelliPAP AutoAdjust with Smartflex --new model this month. It has all the bells and whistles that the others have for much less cost. It is also fully data capable.