new to fourm and just diagnosed with sleep apnea

Well, I am just in the beginning stages here. Have done the tests and fit ups but have not purchased the equipment yet.
I have a high deductable insurance so I am considering purchasing the equipment myself.

I have a comment then some questions.
Comment: Thank you for having this forum. It really helps to read and discuss what others have experienced and can help others (like me) make the best of this. I am really looking forward to a good night sleep and fully aware that this make take a little time to get it right.

Now the questions.
1) I am looking to purchase the auto-CPAP machine myself on-line with the hose and a mask. The one I am looking at is :
Machine: DeVilbiss IntelliPAP AutoAdjust with Humidifier, SmartFlex. - I can get it for $419
Hose : comes with a 6ft hose
Mask: ComfortGel Nasal Mask with Headgear : $54

So my question is - is this a good choice.

The DME that I worked with was going to get me a:
Machine: S9 AutoSet™ with H5i™ Humidifier, Standard Tub with hose
Mask: ComfortGel Nasal Mask with Headgear
but it was going to cost $2900 through my insurance and in the end I have to pay for it because I have not used my deductable.

Another question: Are the online stores reputable like:
CPAP Supply.com
CPAP Supply USA.com
or are there better sites available?

my understanding is that you send the online store your prescription and they will set the machine. is that ture?

thanks for your help. I am sure I will have many more questions.

This site is hosted by https://www.cpap.com/, it's hard to find a better bunch of people to deal with if you have to pay out of pocket, I got my new machine from them. What ever you get get one that has full data and get the needed things to read the data. A full face mask is useful if you mouthbreath, you will need data to figure that out. Jim

Hi - As you can see I use the machine you're looking at, and it's great, but I would definitely urge you to get the module and software with it so you can track your progress yourself - you'll find that your doctor probably won't want to see you for a long time (if ever) and if you understand what's going on, you can also learn to tweak your machine when necessary without having to go through dealers.

The S9 does have a few more bells and whistles, but is also more expensive, and quite honestly I'm not sure most of us necessarily need the extras... Cpap.com is the best place to shop.

My I suggest looking at the supplier here that hosts this forum. There prices are extremely good and if you did find something for a little less elsewhere (would be rare) they will price match.

ResMed S9 Auto Set...heated humidifier...climate line hose (optional but only $20 with this package and wonderful to prevent rainout),
https://www.cpap.com/customize.php?PNum=3151&PAID=0 $1,091

comes with S9 AutoSet CPAP Machine
SlimLine Tubing
Carrying Case
Disposable Filter
Patient Manual
SD Memory Card
Power Supply and Cord

The Devilbiss is Great machine but the data that it gathers is not a much as you can get with either the ResMed Auto set or the PR S1 APAP. Pluse with the Devilibiss the module and software is an additional purchase. $545 with humidifier and the module so you can get the extra data that you cannot get from the Smart codes on the LCD screen. It doesn't offer some data that the other machines offer that I find very useful.


You might also consider the PR System One Auto CPAP (APAP)..humidifier..SD card..carrying case, filters and hose..$619

You can use SleepyHead software (free) with all these machines.

These are prices from cpap.com who is the kind sponsor of this forum. Great people to work with and get supplies from. And yes, you can give them the information and they will get the RX for you or can can get it and send them a copy.

My experience buying from secondwindcpap.com was entirely positive. They also have zero hour, open box machines and slightly used machine.

I talked with a local DME but was turned off by their condescending, manipulative manner and high prices.

you might need to try several masks before you find the one that works for you. I am not a big fan of my local DME but it might be worth working your local DME on the mask. They "should" help you get one that's appropriate for you and a good fit, and you should have 30 days to try it out with the possibility of return/exchange within that time. My DME did not tell me about the 30 day window when I started out....and I suffered through an ill fitting mask for several months. Stick with the forum for knowledgeable posts and good advice and encouragement. It may take you a while to get it all worked out and to start to feel better.

If money is tight the Intellipap is your best choice. Even without the data module. True you do not get as much data without it, but most people don't really need all that data. I bought mine without the module, then bought the module the next year, and frankly I find it does not have that much more data then the smartcodes. Yes it does track it better as to exactly when the possible problem happened. But again if money is the issue the Intellipap is the way to go. They are also they one of the only ones to offer a 3 yr warranty. There are a lot of folks here that seem to believe that unless you have every bit of data possible from the machine, it is a bad machine. These folks are 1000% into their therapy and machine, I think most people would not be. I know I am not. I check my readings, make some adjustments and go on. I was fully successful the 1st year without the data module and software.

jhsleepy wrote:my understanding is that you send the online store your prescription and they will set the machine. is that ture?

Yes, it is true but even if they forget it is super easy to set the pressure yourself. Not a huge deal.

I have bought all my machines privately. It was easy to figure out how to set the pressure. I do have a DME that I use for mask supplies so that I can use my insurance. I don't have an annual deductible to meet so I might as well use some of the insurance money that I pay each month and get some return on my dollars. If money is tight and deductible is high... there are ways to even obtain masks at a discount. Depending on mask preference one can purchase the replacement parts on EBay and "build your own mask" with total price often being much less than even online seller. Depends on the mask if this is doable. Not all mask replacement parts are offered on EBay. The mask that I use is commonly offered though.

Regarding data or lack of...well...I personally feel it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Same goes for level of data available. I want everything that is possibly available just in case I might need it. Is it critical? Probably not but in my mind it has always been worth the peace of mind knowing that I at least had it available. It all comes down to what gives you the most peace of mind along with what fits your pocketbook the best.

jmcanzo wrote:If money is tight the Intellipap is your best choice. Even without the data module. True you do not get as much data without it, but most people don't really need all that data. I bought mine without the module, then bought the module the next year, and frankly I find it does not have that much more data then the smartcodes. Yes it does track it better as to exactly when the possible problem happened. But again if money is the issue the Intellipap is the way to go. They are also they one of the only ones to offer a 3 yr warranty. There are a lot of folks here that seem to believe that unless you have every bit of data possible from the machine, it is a bad machine. These folks are 1000% into their therapy and machine, I think most people would not be. I know I am not. I check my readings, make some adjustments and go on. I was fully successful the 1st year without the data module and software.

I disagree. $200 or so difference in price for something you're going to use for the rest of your life is insignificant. Data capability could be the difference between effective and ineffective treatment. It could be the difference between staying with CPAP and giving up. It could be the difference between needing another expensive sleep study or not.

archangle wrote:

jmcanzo wrote:If money is tight the Intellipap is your best choice. Even without the data module. True you do not get as much data without it, but most people don't really need all that data. I bought mine without the module, then bought the module the next year, and frankly I find it does not have that much more data then the smartcodes. Yes it does track it better as to exactly when the possible problem happened. But again if money is the issue the Intellipap is the way to go. They are also they one of the only ones to offer a 3 yr warranty. There are a lot of folks here that seem to believe that unless you have every bit of data possible from the machine, it is a bad machine. These folks are 1000% into their therapy and machine, I think most people would not be. I know I am not. I check my readings, make some adjustments and go on. I was fully successful the 1st year without the data module and software.

I disagree. $200 or so difference in price for something you're going to use for the rest of your life is insignificant. Data capability could be the difference between effective and ineffective treatment. It could be the difference between staying with CPAP and giving up. It could be the difference between needing another expensive sleep study or not.

True but the Intellipap DOES provide data, just not all what you are looking for. Have you ever looked at what the smartcodes provide without the data module? It tracks more the 1 day. You try to make it sound that the Intellipap is a brick. It is not. Also how many others allow you to update the firmware? When I bought mine they did not have smartflex, a yr later they did. I updated the firmware and POOF! it is just like the new ones.

jmcanzo wrote:True but the Intellipap DOES provide data, just not all what you are looking for. Have you ever looked at what the smartcodes provide without the data module? It tracks more the 1 day. You try to make it sound that the Intellipap is a brick. It is not. Also how many others allow you to update the firmware? When I bought mine they did not have smartflex, a yr later they did. I updated the firmware and POOF! it is just like the new ones.

Look at a SmartCode report. The smartcodes give you ONE number each night for 7 parameters.

95th Percentile Pressure
90th Percentile Pressure
AHI
Pressure Plateau Time
High Leak Flow Time
NRI
EPI
While Breathing Hours Last Day

Very useful info, but no info on what happened over time during the night. No info on duration of the apneas, no information on how apneas correlate with the times when you have leaks, or with changes in pressure. No information on whether you have apneas in clusters. No information on whether the apneas are false readings from after you put the mask on and are not asleep yet. No info on whether you have leaks all night or just when the pressure increases. No graphs where you can see visual patterns of what happened over time during the night. No indication of when you used the machine during the day, how many times you got up during the night, etc.

Most importantly, if the SmartCode lets you know you have a problem, full data collection gives you a lot more hints on where the problem lies.

Look at the data on a SleepyHead or ResScan report instead.

Yes, having software updates available is a good thing.

thanks everyone for your input. Let me ask you a couple of more questions

I think I will continue with the Machine: DeVilbiss IntelliPAP AutoAdjust with Humidifier, SmartFlex and ComfortGel Nasal Mask with Headgear getting the hose cover as well. I signed up to the CPAP.com to purchase and they are the best prices. Thanks for the that.

My question is for the DeVilbiss IntelliPAP and using sleepyhead software, does that give me the data that I need to see what is going on or do I need to but the data module?

thanks,

jhsleepy

Giving your last question a bump to bring it up to top of page.
I think that you need the module to get the data from the machine to the SD card and then you can use the software of your choice. I can't swear to it but I do believe that without the module there is no way to get the data to the SD card and one is limited to the onscreen data and Smart code thing.

Thanks for the info. It appears that you are correct. I rcv'd the unit, hose and mask today. Trying it out tonight. Everything worked well and bought it a CPAP website. the prices are great and they were very easy to deal with. Thanks for the reference to them.

I will be trying out the humdifier as well. The unit is very quite and the mask fit me just like in my sleep study. I am looking forward starting this and making this work.

I will need to look into the software package.

thanks

jhsleepy

I think you'll be happy with the Intellipap. I actually prefer it to my PRS1 (now my backup). Good luck with it.