Starting Over with CPAP

I was diagnosed about 9 years ago after a sleep study. I don't remember all of the details, but I know they said I had over 50 events in an hour, and I was advised to get a CPAP, etc.

I was really excited because I was recovering from a heart attack at 35, lethargic all the time, and sleeping like garbage.

Long story short, through unscrupulous equipment providers and a doctor that seemed uninterested, it was a giant failure.

I tried it for about 7 or 8 months and gave up.

I am going back to a different doctor today, after a second heart attack, and I don't know if he will do another sleep study or not, but I was wondering if there were any tips on what I need to do in order to get the correct prescription for the best equipment, and what that would be. The first machine I had was an S9 Escape Auto, but I would like to make sure I get something that has detailed information output so I can bypass the doctors and equipment suppliers and really give this the best shot I can.

I have done a lot of research through this forum and the knowledge is amazing. I have a lot of ideas of what I would like to get personally, but I would like to hear any advice you all would have.

Thank you in advance.

Boshek77 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:11 am

I have done a lot of research through this forum and the knowledge is amazing. I have a lot of ideas of what I would like to get personally, but I would like to hear any advice you all would have.

Thank you in advance.

welcome to the zoo!

i'm so sorry that you've had these heart attacks. i hope you get on the right track and get your health improved.

personally, i would recommend the 'for her" machine in my sig below. there are a handful of "points' along the way of my cpap journey. but none of them is such a big point as my machine, for me. the algorithm is best suited, i believe, in helping me in fighting sleep apnea. there are several here on the forum who are fans of the resmed lines in general.

as to the script itself, you can just plain ask for the machine you want. and remember, it doesn't have to be a sleep doc that writes the prescription. ANY doc can, even your dentist, if they are so inclined. so if your doc doesn't want to write for what you want, feel free to shop it.

good luck!

I have read many posts regarding an extra setting on the "For Her" machines. I feel weird as a guy asking for one, but hey, I feel like getting an extra option is never a bad thing right?

Thank you for your response!

Boshek77 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 17, 2020 12:17 pm

I have read many posts regarding an extra setting on the "For Her" machines. I feel weird as a guy asking for one, but hey, I feel like getting an extra option is never a bad thing right?

Thank you for your response!

oh and if you haven't inferred from reading the forum, i'm a guy.

forum friend dog slobber says that chicks dig guys who use the "for her' model.

Visually the "For Her" model is gray with some leaves on it. My own husband, who is as macho as they come, says it is NOT something that would bother him.

The regular AutoSet is black...the for Her is gray with leaves...my husband said "Geez...you don't see it while asleep because it's dark and your eyes are closed"

Now if the leaves really bug a person there is a way to change it to solid gray or solid black by just spending $20 and changing out the face plate. It's easy to do. I have done it myself.

The regular AutoSet has 2 modes of operation
Fixed cpap mode
Auto Adjusting mode which we commonly refer to as apap mode

The for Her model has 3 modes of operation
Fixed cpap mode
Auto Adjusting mode just like the regular autoset
And an additional auto adjusting mode that has a slightly different algorithm. Now will you need or like or want that special algorithm...that's an unknown but I always feel it is better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.

So...2 machines in one or 3 machines in one and the price is the same. Kind of a no brainer.

If you want to read up on the models...here's the provider manual
https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... %20her.pdf

I lean toward recommending you get another sleep study, given the 9-year gap and the second heart attack. If you have regular old obstructive apnea, the For Her machine will be just the ticket. But it's possible you might have a need for a more specialized machine, like a machine with greater bi-level capacity, or an adaptive servo ventilation machine.

On the other hand, if you get the For Her, the data it yields via the Oscar software would probably point toward any need you might have for a more specialized machine. You could then sell the For Her and get whatever else it was that you needed. (Not clear whether you'll be self-funding, as I reread your post, so this scenario may not be in the cards.)

I am trying not to self fund, lol, hence the need for a little urgency on my part. After my recent hospital stay, I am all maxed out on my out of pocket spending for the year, but that rolls over on January 1st, so I am trying to squeeze these things in if possible. It's not that I want to rush anything, but if I can get the sleep study on this year's insurance bill, it will cost me nothing. Thank you all again for the responses.

I am definitely not bothered by leaves on a cpap machine lol! I think my girlfriend would appreciate it matching some of her decor!

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 17, 2020 12:45 pm

I lean toward recommending you get another sleep study, given the 9-year gap and the second heart attack.

good point!

Ahhh....extremely short time frame.

Get the Autoset for Her if you can get it and save money.
No way you can likely get another sleep study within the next 2 weeks and get a machine within this time frame. It would be difficult scheduling a sleep study that fast even if we weren't dealing with Covid.

Get the AutoSet...use it and if it shows us stuff that makes us think you might need a different machine then you can cross that bridge later. There's a good chance that plain jane vanilla OSA is still your primary problem and if it isn't...the machine will show us the kind of events that it can't deal with.

If it turns out you need a different machine...you can always sell your gently used machine here on the forum or maybe even your DME supplier will take it back and give you a different machine if you need something else.

Well, they did order another sleep study, but I told them I had to have it done in this timeframe, so they are doing an at home study and I should be able to knock it out next week. I will just keep my fingers crossed and push for the AutoSet. If I have to go out of pocket for it, then so be it. I really want to get a handle on this.

Thank you all. I will resurrect this thread in the next couple weeks to update.

Boshek77 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 17, 2020 3:57 pm

Well, they did order another sleep study, but I told them I had to have it done in this timeframe, so they are doing an at home study and I should be able to knock it out next week. I will just keep my fingers crossed and push for the AutoSet. If I have to go out of pocket for it, then so be it. I really want to get a handle on this.

Thank you all. I will resurrect this thread in the next couple weeks to update.

and i thank YOU in advance for staying in the thread. makes things much more tidy.

if you don't mind the idea of a used machine, forum member lsat quite often has machines to sell.

if peer to peer isn't your cup of tea, www.secondwindcpap.com is a source.

if brand new, consider our forum sponsor www.cpap.com.

whatever you decide, we'll see you soon.

Well, It has been a few months since I originally posted this, and I must say that I am really enjoying the AutoSet for Her machine. It is quiet, I feel like I am sleeping better (when I sleep), and overall it just seems like a quality unit.

My current problem revolves around masks. I tried to go with a Nasal Pillow, and I was given the Phillips Dreamwear. It was so difficult for me to exhale that I could not use it. I am talking about disconnected from the machine I couldn't exhale without tremendous force. I loved the design so much that I decided to try the full face version, but I wanted to try the Resmed. My equipment provider didn't sell that model, so I tried the Phillips Dreamwear full face. I had the exact same issues exhaling with it. I thought I might be able to get used to it, and wasn't able to return it, so I am currently using a very old (like 8 year old) Mirage Quattro. I love the way I can breathe in it, but the visibility and comfort leave a lot to be desired.

I guess my question is: do all of the Phillips masks restrict exhaling to the same degree? I really want to try the ResMed AirFit F30i Full Face, but I am concerned I will be in the same boat. Does anyone have experience with it? I can breathe like normal in the Mirage Quattro, and I am looking for a similar feel as far as breathing is concerned. I am going to just buy this mask straight up online.

I appreciate any feedback, and thank you all again for the machine recommendations.

Have you set the EPR (Exhale pressure relief feature/Resmed or C- Aflex for Phillips) to one of the levels (changeable if you feel the need) to address the problem?\

The masks may not be the problem.

Yes. The exhale issue is independent of the machine. I can't exhale through it when it isn't even connected to the machine.

Well, there are very many masks out there to try - have you looked at Cpap.com's variety?