Tests done, what machine to get?

thenapper · Post by **thenapper** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:09 pm

Hello all,

I've been reading your posts to educate myself.

I want to be proactive in this sleep apnea thing I've got. The Dr. will be writing a script here in a few days. What machine do I want? Remstar C -flex auto? Remstar M series auto? A bi level thing? And Do all masks fit with all machines?

When I did the sleep study they titrated me at 4 (I think). It was tough to exhale. They put a chinstrap on me in the middle of the night because I woke up choking.

I want a machine bad. It wasn't that I noticed feeling great the next day. What I did notice,was how bad I felt the next day after coming home and sleeping a night without the machine. I was an anxious, nervous, depressed wreck. Which I think is how I am normally. After so many years of this I guess it seems normal. I am surprised to read that people actually feel like the have a future, to me that is a novel concept.

Anyway thanks for any advice.

thenapper

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:19 pm

I would want the current Remstar C -flex auto with Heated Humidifier, I have a lower model CPAP that is great, I didn't know about the Auto then.
It is the most popular among the users here.

If your pressure is 4 cm, that's really low, a lot of folks have trouble getting enough air at that pressure, but it should be easy to get used too.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:42 pm

For 4cms I think you need a bedside fan

Seriously, I think an Auto would be a waste of good money but if money is not an issue go for one

If you travel then the smaller units have great appeal but the standard sized ones sit well on bedside tables & are less likely to pull off (as the PB420 series are prone to do).

The Remstar AUTO is of course popular here and a 'can't go wrong' choice.

Also you should look at the ResMed models.

Good luck

DSM

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:51 pm

Hi thenapper,

Here are a few reasons you might consider either the Remstar auto or the BiPAP-auto.

- If you had difficulty exhaling, you most likely had a pressure of 14 cm, because a pressure of 4 cm is not normally difficult to exhale against.
- At higher pressures, both C-flex and BiPAP will give you exhalation relief and make exhaling easier. You may want a BiPAP. Try one out if you can.
- I'm assuming you have insurance. You need to know that there is only one insurance code for CPAP/APAP. Whether your DME provides you the best machine or the worst, they get paid the same amount and you pay the same amount. Go for the best. (If you're buying direct then price makes a difference.)

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Bill

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:53 pm

thenapper, I wouldn't try to choose a machine until you know for sure what your prescribed pressure will be.

I think you might be mistaken about it being "4". Ask the sleep clinic to give you the full summary of your diagnostic and titration study.

If you were having difficulty exhaling against pressure, I'm guessing that they had you up considerably above a pressure of 4 before they were finished with you.