My husband is supposed to get fitted for his machine and mask probably this week.  Are there better machines and masks that we should look for?  We know absolutely nothing about the equipment.  I have been reading posts here and it sounds so confusing.  I'm sure that sone it will be second nature but right now it's overwhelming.

Thanks,
 Donna

donnadabb68 wrote:

My husband is supposed to get fitted for his machine and mask probably this week.  Are there better machines and masks that we should look for?  We know absolutely nothing about the equipment.  I have been reading posts here and it sounds so confusing.  I'm sure that sone it will be second nature but right now it's overwhelming.

Thanks,
 Donna

You need to post more info.

Type & severity of the apnoea, titrated pressure setting, whether he breathes through his nose or mouth or both. Any other respiratory conditions, allergies or similar.

Does he travel a lot, go camping, sailing or adventure type breaks.

The more information posted the more focused the replies will be.

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

We don't know any of those things yet.  I just know that in a couple of days he is supposed to go get fitted.  He used to be very active.  He played golf, went fishing, had a fishing camp, hunted, but now he sold his boat and camp, plays golf once every couple of months, he still hunts but not like he use to.  the summer months have been very hard on him.  He has no allergies except to penicillin and statin drugs but is not allergic to any molds or grasses that we know of/  He is very sensitive to smells, although since he has been on some medications he has lost his sense of smell.  So for now that is all I know. Sorry.

I would suggest that if the recommendation is for a CPAP (as opposed to say, a bi-level, and most of us are just scripted and only need CPAPs) that your husband ask for the Resmed S8 II Elite w/EPR or the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex. Both are excellent quality CPAPs w/a form of expiration pressure relief and both are fully data capable and thus are able to provide some data indicatiing how well he is responding to CPAP therapy or what any problems he may have w/the CPAP therapy might be. Both come w/integrated, heated humidifiers and most of us need the additional humidity that a heated humidifier can provide. Both are quiet, small and compact, taking up little room on the night stand and pack easily for travel, weighing under 6 lbs complete.

He would do well to ask to try at least one of each style mask even if he did well w/the mask provided during his titration. There are 4 basic styles of mask: full face, nasal cushion, nasal pillows and a "hybrid" style that combines both nasal pillows and mouth piece thus acting as a full face mask. He should be fitted for his mask whilst laying down with a CPAP turned on at his scripted pressure or 10 cms, whichever is higher.

He should keep in mind that no one has a more vested interest in his health and his health care than he does. That HE is paying for this equipment whether out of pocket or thru insurance. If he meets some resistance to his preference for either of the two full data capable CPAPs suggested above he should stand his ground and be DIPLOMATIC, TACTFUL, but FIRM.

He should call his insurance company NOW and ask what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully, he will have the option of more than one. He should select the one that he is most comfortable w/and has the most lenient mask exchange policy.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Thank you for the info.  I think I will print it and take it with us.  I will never remember all of this.  As it is I don't understand half of some of these words.

I would call the insurance and see what DME's they are contracted with in your area...as CrohnieToo said.  Then I would call the DME and tell them that your husband has jsut been diagnosed and that you will be needing an XYZ xPAP...that he wants either the blah bla or the blah blah.  Also ask if they have a 30 day mask return policy.

I basically repeated CrohnieToo...but I would not print out to take...I would call a few days ahead.  Also talk tot he Dr office to see which type of machine he will be writing a script for...a CPAP, and APAP or a BiLevel...tell them that you want to do some research on the makes and models.  If he says CPAP...then see if yo can get him to go for an APAP...can work the same way...but has so much more that it can do if ever needed...maybe not needed right now but you will have this for around 5 years or so...so better get it now if you can.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Those are really good suggestions.

Thanks

I know this might not help for you since you need to think fast, but what I did was make a list of the things I thought I might need.  I like to go camping for instance so a machine that could be both portable and use an extra battery was important to me.  I made this list before I looked at any models.  Then I narrowed things down that way.  By the way, the ones recommended do meet that criteria.  I actually chose the respironics with Aflex mentioned above because it can be set for either Cflex or Aflex (don't worry about what they are right now.  They are both settings for comfort).  You can only run one type at a time but I have the choice.  I figured I also wanted a machine that would have options for the future since we tend to stick with them for five years before the insurance will let us get a new one.

Masks are harder.  Think about what position he likes to sleep in for starters.  Does he like to breathe through his mouth or not is another important question for masks.  Does he do okay with "stuff" on his face is another - I like less and I like it balanced all around rather than grouped heavily in one area for example.  Also, I hear that angle of the air exhaust ports can matter if they tend to blow on the partner.  I would think that might be worse for a man.  I am tiny and hubby sleeps all wrapped up.  So my air angle doesn't blow on him directly.

I am not an expert either.  I just got my stuff yesterday.  But for the last two weeks I have been here and on other parts of the internet learning.  You will do okay.  And there is usually a 30 day return policy so you should be okay even if you realize that you made a mistake after you bring home your husbands gear.  

The main thing is to not let them boss you around.  Start right now with letting them know that you will respect them, only if they show it back.  The people who sell the stuff can be bad from the stories I hear.  My experience so far has been excellent though so you might be just fine.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

Ya know, I really think that the BAD in the DME's is that we do not understand and look back with regret that we did not knwo more at the time.  Once they know that you are aware of how things work...being on the same page is much easier to deal with...and easier to overcome them IF they DO try to pull the wool over your eyes.  Seldom will one out right lie to you...just not tell you all the options that you actually DO have available.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

I've been through 3 different masks and finally got comfy with the Hybrid. But then I was getting up in the AM with very dry throat. After talking with sleep study MD, recommendation was to add moisture/humidifier, even tho it caused a "tickle" and cough during the study. I've been using for the past 3 nights and I wake up (during the night) coughing and hacking my brains out!!! Wondering if I should leave the humidifier off and learn to live with the dry throat????

Thanks for any suggestions.