Newbie Questions..

SleepyEyes21 · Post by **SleepyEyes21** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 9:41 pm

Hello - I am planning on taking a home sleep apnea test soon, and am wondering if anyone has taken this type of sleep test and how it went for you.

I have read a lot of posts here- such great information and support -thanks to all of you!

Also - are there any major differences between Phillips Respironics machines and Resmeds? They both seem to be good machines from the reviews - wondering if this is a personal preference or if there are significant advantages to each machine/ manufacturer?

Third - why are masks so expensive?? Does anyone know of any good places to buy CPAP supplies online or in store (I live in Brevard County, FL.)

Last - do CPAP hoses fit all types of machines or are they different sizes per the manufacturer?

Thank you!

bwexler · Post by **bwexler** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 9:58 pm

SleepyEyes21 wrote:Hello - I am planning on taking a home sleep apnea test soon, and am wondering if anyone has taken this type of sleep test and how it went for you.

I have read a lot of posts here- such great information and support -thanks to all of you!

Also - are there any major differences between Phillips Respironics machines and Resmeds? They both seem to be good machines from the reviews - wondering if this is a personal preference or if there are significant advantages to each machine/ manufacturer?
There are subtle differences between the brands, but what is more important is that you get a fully data capable machine so you can monitor your therapy and be sure it is working many DMEs (suppliers) will try to give you the cheapest brick (that only records time used) since most insurance has one code and one price for XPAP machines and the cheaper the machine the higher there profit.

Third - why are masks so expensive?? Does anyone know of any good places to buy CPAP supplies online or in store (I live in Brevard County, FL.)
The sponsor of this forum is a good online supplier. If you have insurance you need to check with your insurance company as to which DME is in network and weather they will reimburse you for an on line or out of network purchase. Mine won't.

Last - do CPAP hoses fit all types of machines or are they different sizes per the manufacturer?
There are heated hoses which require a proprietary connection at the machine end of the hose. There are also different diameter hoses, but they generally have the same standard connector.

Thank you!

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 10:40 pm

SleepyEyes21 wrote: Also - are there any major differences between Phillips Respironics machines and Resmeds? They both seem to be good machines from the reviews - wondering if this is a personal preference or if there are significant advantages to each machine/ manufacturer?

Third - why are masks so expensive?? Does anyone know of any good places to buy CPAP supplies online or in store (I live in Brevard County, FL.)

Last - do CPAP hoses fit all types of machines or are they different sizes per the manufacturer?

Thank you!

yes, plenty have, there's been lots of discussion here.
personal preference. look for other discussions. they're both fine manufacturers
because they figure they can screw you for little bits of plastic because you *need* it and it's *medical*
yes

Sheriff Buford · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 5:40 am

SleepyEyes21 wrote:Hello - I am planning on taking a home sleep apnea test soon, and am wondering if anyone has taken this type of sleep test and how it went for you.

I have read a lot of posts here- such great information and support -thanks to all of you!

Also - are there any major differences between Phillips Respironics machines and Resmeds? They both seem to be good machines from the reviews - wondering if this is a personal preference or if there are significant advantages to each machine/ manufacturer?

No differences, both are good machines. Just be sure you get a data-capable model. The DME will try to sell you a brick. I'd suggest a Resmed S9 Autoset with humidifier.

Third - why are masks so expensive?? Does anyone know of any good places to buy CPAP supplies online or in store (I live in Brevard County, FL.)

They are expensive because they can get away with it. The best on-line place is cpap.com. They'll probably have your order in the mail in a few hours, they are friendly, knowledgeable and sell items at a fair price.

Last - do CPAP hoses fit all types of machines or are they different sizes per the manufacturer?

All hoses are adaptable. It doesn't matter what machine you have.

Thank you!

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 6:52 am

Heated hoses are optional from both ResMed S9 machines and Respironics PR System One machines. Those 2 types of heated hoses are brand specific since they require special electric connection.

The non heated hoses will work with all brands of machines.

robysue · Post by **robysue** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 7:50 am

SleepyEyes21 wrote: Also - are there any major differences between Phillips Respironics machines and Resmeds? They both seem to be good machines from the reviews - wondering if this is a personal preference or if there are significant advantages to each machine/ manufacturer?

If you have not read my pretty thorough review of the PR System One Series 60 Auto CPAP and the Resmed S9 AutoSet. All the comments about the two machines other than those about the Auto algorithm also apply to the PR System One Series 60 Pro CPAP and the Resmed S9 Elite CPAP.

You can find my detailed review at viewtopic/t94287/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=82 ... 5&#p866535

Last - do CPAP hoses fit all types of machines or are they different sizes per the manufacturer?

Standard 22mm non-heated hoses will fit all types of machines. Both the S9s and the PR System One Series 60 machines can also take any 15mm non-heated hose. You do need to make sure the machine's hose setting is correct for the size hose you are using.

The manufacturers' integrated hoses are NOT interchangeable. You must use a Resmed heated hose on a Resmed machine and you must use a PR heated hose on a PR machine. Third party "standalone" heated hoses can be used on either machine. But third party heated hoses are becoming much harder to find, at least in the US.

CapnLoki · Post by **CapnLoki** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 8:28 am

SleepyEyes21 wrote: Also - are there any major differences between Phillips Respironics machines and Resmeds? They both seem to be good machines from the reviews - wondering if this is a personal preference or if there are significant advantages to each machine/ manufacturer?

There doesn't seem to be a major difference in the therapy, but there are a few differences that made me happy I got started with Philips Respironics. The machine runs on 12V directly, which is very handy if you plan to run on battery power often. It also appears to be a bit more efficient. In addition, the Philips line seems to run $100+ cheaper than Resmed, which makes a difference if you plan to buy a second, identical machine for backup/travel.

But whichever brand you go for, make sure you get a fully data capable machine, not the bottom of the line "brick" that only records usage stats. In the Philips line that would mean at least a 460 cpap, or preferably a 560 apap.

As for online vendors, our host, cpap.com, is a good choice. If your insurance has high deductibles or copays, you may find you can save money simply buying out of pocket.

SleepyEyes21 · Post by **SleepyEyes21** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 4:20 pm

Many thanks to all who answered my questions! RobySue - thank you for the link to your article - I will read it.

Can someone tell me how to reply to individual responses to my questions please? I am not finding how to do this - could be because I only had 4 hours of sleep last night

I did get my in home apnea test kit today, and will start testing tonight.

Thanks,

library lady · Post by **library lady** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 4:28 pm

In the section to the left of each post, underneath the avatar and other poster info, there is a little box with the letters PM in it. PM stands for Private Message; if you click on that you can send an individual message to the poster. A message will come into the poster's email with a link to take them to your message.

SleepyEyes21 · Post by **SleepyEyes21** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 4:42 pm

Thank you, Library Lady. How do you reply to someone here in the public forum?

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 5:07 pm

SleepyEyes21 wrote:Thank you, Library Lady. How do you reply to someone here in the public forum?

really? you just did.

tortoisegirl · Post by **tortoisegirl** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 6:33 pm

I think the poster may mean how to indicate that their response is to a certain person...some forums have it so you can respond to a certain post in a thread and it will show as a response to that post. Here, I think you'd either need to quote that person (click the orange "QUOTE" button to the left of the response title), or just mention their username so they know you are responding to them.

Good responses already, but I thought I'd add that if you have insurance, you need to check with them as to if they will pay for a claim for supplies bought online. With insurance, as you typically pay a percentage of the "negotiated" price of an item (after any deductible), the list price doesn't matter. If you are paying out of pocket, then yes, online is likely significantly cheaper than a physical DME. CPAP.com also offers return insurance on some masks (free for some, spendy for others), which is good as its quite common to go through many masks before finding one that fits well. Some folks here may also offer them for sale or trade, new or used. Many DMEs have free mask exchange policies, so although the list price could be high, if you are able to swap them out for free (often keeping the old one as they otherwise trash it), plus get help with selection & fit, it could end up being worth it, even if you don't have insurance.

I haven't had a home sleep study, but some others have, so you may be able to find some posts here already. If you have specific questions though, be sure and ask. So it is for more than one night? That is helpful. Best wishes.

SleepyEyes21 · Post by **SleepyEyes21** » Sun Aug 10, 2014 3:31 pm

tortoisegirl wrote:I think the poster may mean how to indicate that their response is to a certain person...some forums have it so you can respond to a certain post in a thread and it will show as a response to that post. Here, I think you'd either need to quote that person (click the orange "QUOTE" button to the left of the response title), or just mention their username so they know you are responding to them.

Thank you, tortoisegirl - glad someone can relate to what I was thinking That is exactly what I meant - 'responding to a certain post in a thread and having it show as a response to that specific post.'

Good responses already, but I thought I'd add that if you have insurance, you need to check with them as to if they will pay for a claim for supplies bought online. With insurance, as you typically pay a percentage of the "negotiated" price of an item (after any deductible), the list price doesn't matter. If you are paying out of pocket, then yes, online is likely significantly cheaper than a physical DME. CPAP.com also offers return insurance on some masks (free for some, spendy for others), which is good as its quite common to go through many masks before finding one that fits well. Some folks here may also offer them for sale or trade, new or used. Many DMEs have free mask exchange policies, so although the list price could be high, if you are able to swap them out for free (often keeping the old one as they otherwise trash it), plus get help with selection & fit, it could end up being worth it, even if you don't have insurance.

Great advice about insurance and DME's- I will check on that.

I haven't had a home sleep study, but some others have, so you may be able to find some posts here already. If you have specific questions though, be sure and ask. So it is for more than one night? That is helpful. Best wishes.

I will look around the site more for posts about in home testing. The test is for three nights- tonight will be my 3rd night - testing equipment is comfortable and not too bothersome. Thanks for the well wishes

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