Newbie -- specifics help to get started quick

The only thing you have to watch out for with the Autoset is to make sure it's an AutoSET, not Auto Escape. We've seen DME's play this bait and switch game over and over again. Make them show you the model name on the machine, and don't accept anything with "Escape" in the name.

You can get a quick tutorial somewhere here on how to check usage hours, to be certain they're not pawning a used one off on you. It's highly recommended that you check the hours of usage before signing anything.

Janknitz wrote:The only thing you have to watch out for with the Autoset is to make sure it's an AutoSET, not Auto Escape. We've seen DME's play this bait and switch game over and over again. Make them show you the model name on the machine, and don't accept anything with "Escape" in the name.

You can get a quick tutorial somewhere here on how to check usage hours, to be certain they're not pawning a used one off on you. It's highly recommended that you check the hours of usage before signing anything.

Video tutorial for the System One machines is here (bottom of the page): http://www.cpaplibrary.com/machines.html

Note: Usage hours (aka Therapy hours) apparently can be reset to zero, but Total Run hours cannot. Check both. I'm not familiar with how to find this info on your machine (I have ResMed), but hopefully the tutorial will show you how to get there. If not, post again, someone will help you.

mgaggie wrote:

robysue wrote: And all three of the machines are top-notch APAPs that record full efficacy data and are full of comfort features. But as a self-described techie, you probably want to steer clear of the Icon because no-one knows how to obtain the software needed to download your data to your own computer and analyze it.

I have used Sleepyhead software to read both Icon Auto and my Icon Novo with no problems.

Mgaggie,

Thanks very much for the update on this. It's good to know that SleepyHead works with the Icon Auto.

I do have a couple of questions so that I can provide an accurate updating to my long post.

1) Is your Icon Auto the (older) plain ICON Auto or is it the newer Icon+ Auto. I've heard that the Icon+ is not compatible with InfoSmart software from F&P. And I was wondering whether you or anybody else knows if SH can work with the newer Icon+ machines.

2) I thought the Icon Novo was a brick that records nothing but compliance data, and that you had to have either an Icon Premo or an Icon Auto before you had a machine that recorded efficacy data. Are you sure you get data off the Novo? Or is it a Premo????

Robysue

HerbM wrote:I am tentatively picking: Resmed-S9 Autoset

Trying to figure out if it has the ClimateLine tubing (which seems to be the only heated version and which sounds much better for controlling rain out). It's about $40 if I have to buy it.

Are there any "revisions", "versions" or "submodels" of the S9 Autoset that I need to watch out for? (Sometimes you get last year's version of the same "model".)

Just a point of clarification...The Phillips Respironics 60 series models of machines also do have an optional heated hose.
The Climateline heated hose is no longer the only heated hose in town that is integrated into the cpap machine system.
It's only available with the 60 series of machines though...their latest model.

ResMed is pretty straight forward with the naming of their machine models. Clearly stated up by the LCD screen.
S9 Escape...brick, no data but hours of use
S9 Escape Auto...it does have apap mode but still a brick as the only useful data it offer is generic AHI...nothing else...
S9 AutoSet which you have decided you want...and I suspect you would do very well with and like. There not much to not like about it..

There is one other model in the S9 line...the VPAP machines...bilevel pressure machines which have their own subset of models. But I won't confuse you with those since you don't need them.

It makes sense that Respironics has an integrated heated hose.

My adviser almost laughed when I made specific inquiries about heated hose and humidifier and indicated they all had it (as if it just would be obsolete not to have these features).

"All" means (in this case): Resmed-S9 Autoset, Remstar Auto, Icon Auto

So far, every indication (except the fib, or ignorance, about no software being available) has provided evidence that the DME is taking pretty good care of me.

I am very much a "show me with your actions" sort of person so I will keep watching them but remain open minded. I have no problem walking out (except the disappointment of not getting to start -- and I'll prepare myself for that just in case.)

The advice here has been very helpful and friendly and you folks need to know how much you are appreciated.

I ordered the inexpensive recording Pulse Oximeter also: Finger Pulse Oximeter AH-50D Plus

(It's will also be a good way to let my wife pre-test and see if she might benefit from a trip to the sleep doc -- I started with one from the dentist which cost me $160 to wear for 2 nights, instead of < $60 to own one. Sure, probably not same quality but it will do according to folks around here. My insurance -- from last year might give me back 80% of that though, so it might have only cost $32.)

--
HerbM

HerbM wrote:
I ordered the inexpensive recording Pulse Oximeter also: Finger Pulse Oximeter AH-50D Plus

--
HerbM

Does it connect directly to the S9 and do the results appear in Sleepytime? Is it reasonable to tell the DME that you want one?

Mkatz27 wrote: Does it connect directly to the S9 and do the results appear in Sleepytime? Is it reasonable to tell the DME that you want one?

There is a pulse oximeter that will interact with the S9 but it is VERY expensive. These less expensive machines will NOT work with the S9 machines.

The less expensive models like the CMS 50 DPlus will work independently of any cpap machine. Generally it is less expensive to just buy one of them online and DMEs don't normally sell them. Instead DMEs usually will just let you do an overnight trial with their high dollar unit ..sometimes free but more often so they can generate income.

Pugsy wrote:

Mkatz27 wrote: Does it connect directly to the S9 and do the results appear in Sleepytime? Is it reasonable to tell the DME that you want one?

There is a pulse oximeter that will interact with the S9 but it is VERY expensive. These less expensive machines will NOT work with the S9 machines.

The ResMed oximeter "kit" was APPROX over $800 when I looked at it a couple of years ago.

I was pretty sure my then BC/BS insurance would NOT pay for it, but thought that if the DME could order it for me, BC/BS would discount it down enough to where it would be more reasonable even if I had to pay 100%.

I could not only NOT find anyone who would order it for me, I could not find anyone who would even find out what the "actual" price was.

Makes you wonder whether ResMed has ever sold any?

StuUnderPressure wrote:Makes you wonder whether ResMed has ever sold any?

Probably just to sleep medicine facilities -- there was one attached to the S9 Autoset that Kaiser sent me home with for my week long titration.

Herb,
I went through the same decision making cycle as you. Be REAL careful because I asked for a ResMed S9 Autoset and they said "Oh, we're giving you the escape auto". And I was tired, grumpy but I was prepared and said "Uh, NO! AUTOSET!" I later had to tell them 'I'm looking for a NEW ONE, not USED ONE" (new price should equal new machine). I like the autoset because it has all the info and you can do the oximeter thing. But it's far cheaper to do the oximeter that syncs with Sleepyhead.
I have used sleepyhead to help adjust my machine and I think I finally have it close to correct!
Now, make sure you get your prescription so that you can use anyone you want. My insurance pays 80% of the "in network" providers and 60% of not-in-Network. I'm finding some deals where NOT in network results in the same/lower cost. And it reduces my stress in dealing with part theft. I'm mad at the doctor's office because they won't give an itemized receipt so I can't get the up to $50 rebate on the autoset. They sell you the "mask" but that kit comes with 3 pillows of three sizes. They gave me 3 pillows and charged insurance for 3 pillows. They gave me the autoset, took the slimline tube and non-washable humidifier tub, then "sold" me the heated tube and washable tub and charged full price for the autoset (which comes with those accessories) AND charged for the new stuff! I want to deal with reputable people who don't open the package and take out the included stuff, particularly when the cost diff to me is similar or $0.

As others have already said the cheap pulseox does NOT "Interface" with the S9, but I read (elsewhere) it does work with SleepyHead AND it has it's on software so worst case you could just bring up both windows on screen and compare the times (as long as you clocks are in sync.)

MitzyG: +1 I agree.

One advantage that I have going into the DME is that I am NOT suffering from the personal symptoms, i.e., not feeling particularly tired, no headaches, no fogginess, no falling asleep unexpectedly, no grumpiness (besides my usual ).

I snore (doesn't bother me, and my wife has worn earplugs for years); I have high blood pressure and afib (both treated to normal.) So my issues are more about long term health, avoiding strokes, and also cutting out/down the snoring.

You folks with the lack of sleep discomfort have my full sympathy as you have it a lot rougher than I do.

20 years ago I had a negative sleep study due to the snoring, but I have always had odd sleep patterns, at least since 13 and probably as early as 5 (I have specific memories of breathing issues going to sleep at age 5 -- these are really my first clear memories of introspective thought as well which is part of the reason that I remember these episodes.)

In my youth, in the Army and later working in the oilfield as a diver then a directional driller (both jobs that encougage or require long wake periods and frequently needing to skip sleep) this was never a big issue for me -- if there was nothing to do, I could happily sleep 12 hours and if there was something important it was not big deal to go 48 hours (even 65 was doable with effort) OR to go many consecutive nights with just a few hours.

During junior high I learned to relax and deal with insomnia (all night, many nights in a row) by either just relaxing or using self-hypnosis to rest and sleep.

I actually have thought for years that it would be better for me if the day were 36 hours long, 12 to sleep and 24 to be awake.


Talk is cheap however, we'll see next month if the mask causes me to lose sleep and how I deal with it if that happens.

The more information that comes my way (from you folks and watching mask & machine videos etc.) the less faith my doctor engenders as he didn't prepare me for ANY of this despite being quite knowledgeable, very clear, and quite articulate about the sleep study and initial items.

Had he planned to see me BEFORE my starting treatment one might excuse the lack of information as "He'll give me that at the next appointment" but since he didn't even request to see me until 3 weeks after treatment starts, he has left time for many people to fail before they even get the required info. (Support group and all that, plus counsel on all the choices, what to expect, how to solve problems, and how to understand what is going on.)

Again, many of you folks probably had it much rougher since most probably didn't automatically seek out Internet forums until after problems arose. (I.e., one of my favorite Google searches is: [ Topic KeyWords FORUM | BBS | Community ] which will find a discussion forum on just about anything.

I really do appreciate all of the help you are providing, including much of it that is already here to learn just for the reading.

When I first started this thread, I was just shy of overwhelmed by the quantity of information and the difficulty in finding anything that organized all of that but within a day you had helped me get a very good grip on it.

Already I am thinking that a second mask might be useful right from the start.

There are 2 new FF masks that just came on the market, the F&P Simplus and the Resmed AIR. We're still experimenting with both of them and they may be keepers. And there's the old standbys the Resmed Quattro FF and Ultra MirageFF. They're a little bulkier than the newer ones mentioned but they're very popular and we've used them both.

MitzyG wrote:They gave me the autoset, took the slimline tube and non-washable humidifier tub, then "sold" me the heated tube and washable tub and charged full price for the autoset (which comes with those accessories) AND charged for the new stuff! I want to deal with reputable people who don't open the package and take out the included stuff, particularly when the cost diff to me is similar or $0.

There actually needs to be classes one can attend BEFORE they even attempt to purchase the XPAP they require or desire. No one just starting out can even come close to figuring out what all the options are.

The ResMed S9 AutoSet does NOT come with the ClimateLine hose & the dishwasher safe tub.

You can order one or the other as part of a package with the H5i Humidifier, but NOT both.

For example, I ordered my ResMed S9 H5i Humidifier as the ResMed Item No. 36901. This also gave me the dishwasher safe water tub withOUT any additional charge. But then, I DID have to pay for the ClimateLine hose.

Then I tell the DME: "But, how do I connect to just the machine without using the Humidifier". She immediately pulls out & gives to me at no cost the non-heated SlimLine hose.

By the way, all of the ResMed water tubs that fit in the H5i Humidifier are now made to be opened to clean. The dishwasher safe tub is just a better quality tub, hence ResMed's claim that it is dishwasher safe.

robysue wrote:

mgaggie wrote:

robysue wrote: And all three of the machines are top-notch APAPs that record full efficacy data and are full of comfort features. But as a self-described techie, you probably want to steer clear of the Icon because no-one knows how to obtain the software needed to download your data to your own computer and analyze it.

I have used Sleepyhead software to read both Icon Auto and my Icon Novo with no problems.

Mgaggie,

Thanks very much for the update on this. It's good to know that SleepyHead works with the Icon Auto.

I do have a couple of questions so that I can provide an accurate updating to my long post.

1) Is your Icon Auto the (older) plain ICON Auto or is it the newer Icon+ Auto. I've heard that the Icon+ is not compatible with InfoSmart software from F&P. And I was wondering whether you or anybody else knows if SH can work with the newer Icon+ machines. I hired an older style Auto. So I can't comment on the newer style ones

2) I thought the Icon Novo was a brick that records nothing but compliance data, and that you had to have either an Icon Premo or an Icon Auto before you had a machine that recorded efficacy data. Are you sure you get data off the Novo? Or is it a Premo???? My permanent machine is the Novo brick, as usual I was only able to get hours from SH about the Novo. With the auto I was able to get full data from SH.

Robysue

Hope this helps Robysue

I have clear emails from the DME rep saying it's an S9, with ClimateLine (she stated emphatically that I would NOT EVEN GET the standard hose, or "slimeline" as she called it).

Definitely the Humidifier and the special order mask that I wanted.

Point of clarification: Even the statement that no software was available didn't come from the RT/counselor but from the business person who was checking my insurance etc. -- so maybe she'll even give me the secret handshake decoder ring. No biggie if she doesn't but so far I am still very impressed with here.

Also, found out today that whoever said my machine was to be set min/max wide open was wrong (or I misheard); my machine is to be initially set 6-12 after a basically failed split night titration.

Got my sleep report (short version) emailed to me from the doctor today too.

And ordered a 2nd mask from this Forum's sponsor Cpap.com -- Airfit P10 pillows for $99 with free shipping and FREE return insurance. I decided that on the nights my nose is clear enough this would be a big enough advantage to be worth 100 bucks and that if it completely fails then it will just have to go back.

So I will have an oral (only) and a nasal only mask to start.

Two more FULL days until I pick up the unit, third night from now to try it.

You folks continue to be a really big help.

"Disappointment requires prior planning" (Richard Bandler developer of NLP) but I am still excited to do this.