A “new kids” questions about cpap machines & masks

[Pokey49]

I’m new to the apnea, cpap world. It appears I’ve figured out all the hoops & bureaucracy of Medicare to get them to pay for it. Once my doctor submits his clinic notes I’ll work with a local DME to get set up. But I know little about cpap & masks. 
My prescription recommend Apap at a setting of 4-20. That seems pretty wide to me. I do think I prefer auto pap as I don’t want to deal with going back into a sleep lab to adjust pressures. And everything I read indicates Apap is more comfortable. It’s my limited understanding that auto pap adjusts pressures automatically based on my personal inhalation & exhalation pressures. Is that true?
I’ve been told a ResMed 10 air sense is the way to go?????  Is there a special model that’s regarded as best??
Masks: I’m a mouth breather but I’m not keen on the idea of a full face mask. Can I potentially go with a nasal mask using a chin strap?? 

Pokey

[SarcasticDave94]

You're going to want very specific info regarding the name of the machine you will tell them you want.

Quote this following line:

ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet

Alternate is ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet

If you need bilevel instead, then it's a ResMed AirCurve 10 VAuto or alternate ResMed AirCurve 11 VAuto

[Pokey49]

Thanks much for the references. They will help a lot to educate me before getting fitted up.

[Deborah K.]

As to pressure setting, as an adult, you will want to start your low-pressure setting at 7.  They prescribed you the full range of pressure the machine provides, which is just laziness on their part.  4 is only there because some children need a pap machine.  You will probably need to change it yourself.  It's easy to do, and we'll help you learn to do it.

As to masks, many of us who mouth breathe use nasal pillows masks or nasal masks.  Some succeed with chin straps, but most find that mouth tape works better.  The DME will likely push you towards a full-face mask, but ask for what you want.  There is no hard and fast rule, but generally, full-face masks leak the most, nasal masks leak less, and nasal pillow masks leak the least.  There are plenty of people who succeed with all three types, so it's a very individual thing.

My very favorite mask is not a regular mask at all.  It's the Bleep system.  They now have two types, one that attaches by plastic parts, and the newer one that attaches by magnets.  Some love the magnets, but for quite a few of us they did not fit correctly, so I went back to the original.  Here's a link to Amazon showing part of the mechanism you can buy separately.  It shows how it works.  We are not allowed to link to the provider itself, but this will show how it is used:

[Prescription Required Item Removed]Search Amazon for Bleep mask.

I am unable to use it right now due to problems with my skin, so I am now using a Fisher & Paykel Nova Micro nasal pillows mask.  I cannot provide a link because it's a very new mask and Amazon is not yet selling any parts.  I like it a lot.  If you decide to pursue it make sure your DME provides you with a fit pack.

These are just the things I have liked, and there are a huge variety of choices.  Good luck with finding what works best for you!  

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