Is it safe to assume,,,?

Is $1000 the copay? Seems cheap if it's the full cost--around here, a sleep study is much more expensive...

If it were me, I'd use the $1000 to buy an auto Cpap with humidifier. In fact, at secondwindcpap.com, you can get an open box Respironics System One REMStar Auto with Aflex including humidifier for around $500. This machine records full wavefore flow data. It also runs on 12 volts, if needed for camping. Download the Encore Pro software, and it will tell you exactly how you are doing. If you are diligent, over time it will probably give you a better picture of what you need than would a sleep study.

As for your problems with the mask, I'd say it's maybe time to replace it. When my masks start off the night not leaking but end up with leaks that minor adjustments won't fix, I've found it's because the mask material has degraded. Washing in soapy water may help, if it's an oil issue. I would recommend against using the Ramp feature to cover up the nonperformance of the mask. Obviously, that only works for a short time, and, probably once you're asleep, the leaking will begin again. In fact, I don't use Ramp at anytime. If my mask is going to leak, I want to know about it while I am still awake to do something about it.

The Optilife mask was the one used in my titration study and they gave it to me to take home and use.
I didn't particularly like it. It actually was less stable than the Swift LT. So I got a Swift LT and used it until the Swift FX was released.

On a scale of 1 to 10....Optilife a 3 or 4..it does an okay job but for me the other 2 were much better choices and I would give either a 9. There is a mask trial program you might look into. You can try a mask for a week to see if it works so no need to buy it if it does not suit you. Only drawback is for some masks there is a waiting list. Supplies are limited. Info here.. I will tell you this...the Swift FX is by far the most comfortable nasal pillow mask I have tried and I have tried them all except for the Headrest and the recently released GoLife. My husband says the exhaust vent sounds with the FX is much less than the LT. Movement with either is simple and easy.
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html

Regard new machine or new sleep study. If I had no other health issues and no history of centrals in my previous sleep studies, I would just get a new full data machine that has software available. For my personal preference I would go with either PR S1 or ResMed S9 full data machines and I would get an auto or APAP (can be used in cpap mode so 2 machines in one). Software is free and easily available and personally I feel provides better data in the way it is presented. You really need a new machine anyway that shows data and the F & P could be delegated for travel or back up use. You can easily use a full data machine to find optimal pressure. Also you could use an APAP with a minimum of 5 and maximum of say 10 or more...and the machine wouldn't go up unless it needed to and you would have the comfort of the low pressure and have the safety net of more pressure available if needed.

I wouldn't go with 4 cm pressure personally because I feel like I am suffocating with that pressure but you might be different. Heck, even my titration study starting pressure was 5. With 4 cm..some people simply don't feel like enough air is moving. You can try it now if you wish to see how it feels like.

But if it were me I would get myself an APAP, get educated on what all it means, get my software and take care of it myself. All depends on how comfortable you are doing it yourself. It isn't hard to figure out. Cost wise the PR S1 Auto is considerable less than ResMed. I have one. I haven't had a chance to try a ResMed machine to compare but either would do you a bang up job.

It doesn't have to be new or auto, this will do it for $150. Cheap way to clear up De-Nile. Jim

viewtopic/t70848/FS-Respironics-REMstar ... CFLEX.html

moresleep wrote:Is $1000 the copay? Seems cheap if it's the full cost--around here, a sleep study is much more expensive...

Well it's been about a year since I've had that post-surgery sleep study and if I remember correctly, the sleep center had given me two option: 1) file an insurance claim, in which the rate would be about $1,200 (and since I was no where near my yearly deductible of $5,000 it would all be out-of-pocket), or 2) pay ca$h $800.

Obviously, I chose option 2.
[the only brake I got was that I used my FSA for this payment, so at least there was a tax benefit to that expen$e..]

Thank you Pugsy for all your comments and insightful ideas. I will look into the mask trial option and into renting or maybe borrowing a smart machine that can tell me my pressure. Unfortunately, same as with my sleep study, my insurance doesn't pay a dime till I meet deductible so buying/renting a machine will be out-of-pocket for me

Hey, subtle must be your mddile name. Great post!