Starting over

I was diagnosed about 5 years ago and started using my CPAP. I had all the usual challenges in the begining, mask, pressure etc. I was able to drop 40 lbs and my doc gave me the ok to stop using it. Well.....I find myself today with the weight back plus 10 so I'm starting over.. I saw my equipment dealer and got a new machine S9 Escape, humidifier and a Quatro fx mask. Wish me luck starting over!! I'm glad you all are here, the info posted is so valuable!

Joe

joesephp wrote:I saw my equipment dealer and got a new machine S9 Escape, humidifier and a Quatro fx mask. Wish me luck starting over!!

Take it back and get a machine that will actually help you if you have difficulties again.
The Escape won't even show you leak data (much less anything else).

See this blog.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

You may not think data is important but it is very important....especially for people who have had problems in the past and are giving things a second go around.

Totally agree with what Pugsy said, they gave you a brick.

Well that's disappointing! What should I ask for? Do dealers usually bottom shelf stuff first?

Joe

They certainly do.
The online price difference from your model to mine is minimal, the DME is still making a profit.
Don't let anyone lie to you. It is YOUR health!
Read Pugsy's link to the comparison, print it out, take to your doctor.
Get the new prescription to read the machine you need (with a pressure range if an Autoset) and "Dispense as Written".

Thank you both! Making the calls! I'll keep you posted!

joesephp wrote:Well that's disappointing! What should I ask for? Do dealers usually bottom shelf stuff first?

Sure they give you the cheapest (what they paid for) machine that they can so that they make more money.

If staying with the S9 models (so you can use your existing humidifier) you want at least the S9 Elite which would be the straight cpap model.
The S9 Autoset is the next step up in models above the S9 Elite and it offers both cpap and apap (auto adjusting pressure) modes..so like 2 machines in one.

So at least the S9 Elite.
The Autoset is really nice to have but it isn't the end of the world if you don't get it. Some people don't do well with the apap mode but for some people it is really beneficial to have the ability to have the machine vary the pressures if maybe some time you need a little more pressure than others.
I happen to be one of those people...I often need more pressure in REM sleep than I do in non REM sleep. If I had to use cpap only with a fixed pressure I would have to use a much higher pressure all night. While not the end of the world if I had to do that it is really nice not to have to.
I get to use maybe 10 or 12 for 80% of the night and the machine has gone to 18 or higher for the other 20% of the night.

The difference in cost is not astronomical though...maybe $50 between the Escape and the Elite and maybe another $100 for the Autoset. That's based on online prices...I don't know what DMEs pay for these machines.

The link that I posted above...be sure to read down at the bottom for "I have been given a brick" ideas on how to handle changing out to a full data machine. Some DMEs play hardball and are difficult to work with. Some say "okay" "didn't know you cared".

What insurance do you have? Is it Medicare my any chance? Have you checked with them to find out if your situation is a rent to own program or a straight one time purchase?

.

cosmo wrote:Does anyone have a link to see what a sleepy head or Rescan data report looks like?

For what....the Escape or Escape Auto?
Or the Elite?

The ResScan tutorial can be viewed
http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/

The SleepyHead User Guide (link in my signature line) has examples of report data.

The Escape Auto ....only shows total AHI (no event breakdown), and average pressure used along with the usage hours.
It doesn't even show leak numbers.

Escape Auto

cosmo wrote:Escape Auto

I don't recall anyone posting images of reports from the Escape Auto recently. Not many forum members have the Escape Auto.
Seems like I saw one a year ago and the person who posted it was wondering why the data didn't show up like the other S9 reports being posted.

They are going to be very brief because the data that it gathers is so limited. It would be much more limited than even your Intellipap.

It will show an overall AHI only as far as the types of events. No breakdown into hyponeas or obstructives or centrals.
The pressure will be only an average pressure number...no pressure graph to see how pressure might vary during the night.

I love it. When some of the more lowlife DME's hear Pugsy's name they cry

It's well they should... cuz Pugsy ripped them a new one by telling the CPAP user the ugly truth about how some DMEs misdirect and misbehave to make a few lousy extra bucks on an inferior CPAP machine!

Is it possible to link in a pulse/ox input feed to the S9 Autoset? Thanks

You can buy a unit if you have deep pockets. The rest of us have bought a made in China unit that doesn't connect

http://www.cpapusa.com/cpap-sleep-apnea ... T2822.html

Direct hookup? The manufacturer makes an interface ($$$$$) that links to one brand (more $$$)
Sleepyhead may be compatible with some of the more reasonably priced pulse-ox models,
with another one on the way! Thanks to Jedimark!