Very confused

So I have severe OSA, my apneas average 46 per hour with max apnea of 38 seconds my O2 level was 84% at one point.

At age 5 I had tonsils and adenoid tissue removed, at 13 they tried to correct a deviated septum (they failed), since a child I snore and being under 10 my sister remembers me randomly stop breathing, to the point she'd walk to my bed and put her hand to my nose to see if I was breathing, I was a skinny ass kid but now I'm 5'1" at 175 pounds so I am overweight and obviously it worsens my OSA but Dr said even at ideal weight I'll still have it bad, currently my husband reports I randomly gasp for air like I'm choking, will even kick arms/legs while gasping

After my study was done I got a call from Apria and they called to see when they could fit me for my new machine and I was like WTF what machine? I knew I'd get a machine and mask and all after the study but they seem to have decided for me what I'd get, today I got a prescription that reads:

Auto-CPAP 5-15 C-flex 3, small resmed swift fx mask, heated humidifier

The machine was like $850 and my deductible is $2000 so I have to pay out of pocket for the machine, the study was done 6 months ago and I couldnt afford the machine at the time, I still cant but maybe I could pay it with a credit card I guess (Apria was rude as hell about me asking questions and telling them I wanted to talk to my Dr first) anywho, today I visited a pulmonologist who is the guy who evaluated my sleep study it seems, I took with me some machines I found online and he completely dismissed me and said I should only use resmed or respironics, my problem being those machines are pretty expensive.

So after all this if you are still reading... are other brands that inferior? I've been seeing the carefusion cpap with heated humidifier, the probasics zzz-pap cpap and humidifier and they seem compliant with what I might need, I dont know if I should just suck it in and get what they tell me to get...

Oh and Hi! ^_^ I'm Nancy from Space coast FL, 27 and owner of 4 dogs ^_^ nice to meet y'all

maybe read this :

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

for an auto cpap he is right.

Try secondwind dot com for some reasonably priced second hand ones.
you will also need a humidifier, hose and mask.

Check your private message box please.

Stick with the ResMed or Respironics brand. You won't be sorry.
With those other machines...you get what you pay for.

I see machines under $400 like this one and I wonder why not these

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/respi ... cflex.html

nangiggles wrote:I see machines under $400 like this one and I wonder why not these

It does not offer any data.

Plus it is not an APAP machine. Your RX is for a range of pressures and that machine only offers a single fixed pressure.
If you have a machine that does a range of pressures it will vary the pressure based on needs.
So you might use your 5 minimum pressure for most of the night and only go up to maybe 10 or more for a short time.
If you were to try to use a single fixed pressure you might have to use 10 cm or more all night long...
Trust me...you want lower pressure when you can use it.

Pugsy wrote:

nangiggles wrote:I see machines under $400 like this one and I wonder why not these

Trust me...you want lower pressure when you can use it.

+1
I learned this the hard way.

Call your insurance and find out which local DMEs (CPAP sellers) are "in network" for your insurance. In network DMEs must sell you the CPAP at a price set by the insurance company, even if you haven't met your deductible. You'll usually save over 50% off the "ripoff the uninsured" price.

You may not be stuck with Apria. DMEs tend to be much more accommodating if they know you are ready to take your business elsewhere.

If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go check for yourself.

You need to have a fully data capable machine. The only models to consider are ResMed S9 Elite or AutoSet or Philips Respironics REMstar System One Pro or Auto. Treating your apnea with any lesser machine is like treating diabetes without checking your blood sugar levels.

I have Apria, Lincare and Respironics locally, I'll hit em all up

About the masks...you should be able to get a new mask every 4-6 months depending on your insureance. I suggest trying a full face or when you get sick or have allergies. You will have the obvious necessicity of breathing thru your mouse. Also, since you are in Fl.; get some sort of power backup for you machine. A generator; battery w/ inverter or even a windmill gernerator...lol

Seems I'm gonna have to go with Apria anyway, they're gonna let me fraction the amount into 3 monthly payments so it doesn't hurt so bad

Ok so an Auto Resmed S9 with a swift fx small nasal pillow is heading my way!

Now what!?!?!? lolol any suggestions or insight for a noob, will my nostrils hurt, will they dry up, will the head strap leave lovely marks in my face, will my husband stay awake because the machine is loud, please share with me your life experiences.

Where do you buy your masks, tubing, filters, etc, through insurance/DME? How often do you change tubes, masks, etc. any and all info is appreciated

Hopefully for the first time ever I'll feel rested, focused and with energy

nangiggles wrote:Now what!?!?!? lolol any suggestions or insight for a noob, will my nostrils hurt, will they dry up, will the head strap leave lovely marks in my face, will my husband stay awake because the machine is loud, please share with me your life experiences.

Where do you buy your masks, tubing, filters, etc, through insurance/DME? How often do you change tubes, masks, etc. any and all info is appreciated

Since you are going to be new to the world of xpap therapy there will be a learning curve with the equipment and the data that it provides. Some people take to the equipment quickly and others need assistance in getting to where they want to be. If you need help the members of the forum are here to help you.

As I am relatively new myself I can't answer all of your questions but will share what knowledge I can.

If your nostrils hurt you have the headgear on too tight-loosen them up a little. Some people get drying of the nasal mucosa but there are nasal sprays to combat that. I don't have any marks on my face from the straps (but wouldn't care anyway if I get the sleep I need). The machine is very quiet but my wife runs a hepa filter anyway as "white noise".

You will want to download some software that allows you to see how your therapy is going (and video tutorials to explain how to use the information), how to change settings on the machine, etc. Someone will probably PM you about where you can get the software. There are two versions and which is used is a matter of personal preference. You will need a computer that has a slot for an SD card to get the information onto the computer.

A search of cpap equipment will give you all the information you will need about purchasing equipment. Of course, this website is sponsored by Cpap.com and they sell everything you will need.

I am sure others will chime in to provide more information (and download links for the software). Best of luck in your therapy!

nangiggles wrote:will my nostrils hurt, will they dry up, will the head strap leave lovely marks in my face, will my husband stay awake because the machine is loud,

Nostrils shouldn't hurt unless you have the straps too tight. People tend to do this with nasal pillows. Anything more than very minor tenderness then the straps are too tight and most often with the Swift FX it is the top strap.
Get some Lansinoh ointment and use just a little around and in the nostrils at bedtime. It will help with the tenderness.
It's pure lanolin and found in the baby aisle of most stores. Nursing mom's use it to help with sore nipples.
Strap marks can happen. A lot depends on face tissue and do you spend a lot of time sleeping on your side or cheek.
The Swift FX comes with some side strap covers but they are rather thin. If those are not sufficient then you can make your own out of heavier fleece. I use the side strap covers from padacheek.com.
The machine sounds are minimal. If the sound bothers your spouse there are some things to do to reduce what little noise there is. Cross that bridge only if you need to. It really is not usually a big deal because these machines are really pretty quiet. More noise from mask venting than the machine.
Dry nose????Use the humidifier and the Lansinoh.

nangiggles wrote:Where do you buy your masks, tubing, filters, etc, through insurance/DME? How often do you change tubes, masks, etc.

Check with your insurance company on allowable replacement schedule for the other parts. If it mimics Medicare here is the usual allowable time frame for allow replacements on the Medicare schedule.
http://www.resmed.com/us/documents/1013 ... sories.pdf
Some items don't really need to be replaced at such short intervals. It's probably a good idea to have a working spare of everything. Someone yesterday found that their tubing (long hose) had multiple pin holes in it..
The Swift FX headgear will last many, many months. The nasal pillows...how long they last seems to be highly individual. I get multiple months out of a set and others barely make 2 weeks.
Normally most of the stuff I get is through my DME using my insurance but sometimes I find other sources...just depends on the deal and what I want.