[Diagnosis] New adventure

[Sleepstarved]

Been lurking here for a while, lots of info and guidance. I haven't got my machine yet, had an inconclusive home study done last month and a titration (sp?) last night.

I'm very encouraged, didn't have any problems last night. The system was a Phillips Respironics. I probably should have asked more questions, but didn't. The mask is relatively new model and a perfect fit! I was comfortable and had no issues all night. The best sleep I've had in years, I didn't want to leave. LOL


 

I'm assuming the machines used at centers are not the same as ones sold to consumers, am I wrong? I was not able to locate by pic the same model I used.
Because I fell into such a good fit, do I really even need  to try other masks? and are they proprietary?

Anyway, I'm now anxious to get this show on the road. I go back to my sleep doc in a couple weeks, and am going to request a copy of both my tests. Right now the onlly thing that sticks is that O2 was extremely low.

After reading a lot of the posts on here I was guardedly optimistic. I'm so relieved that now I know I can do this with a little work and finding the right setup.  Sorry if this is a bit rambling.

[Gideon]

Now is the time to think about your machine.  I understand that the Sleeplab used a PR machine.  For the titration, I believe they performed it would make no difference the brand of machine.   I would definitely identify the model and size of mask they used last night, they are fairly universal.

I would recommend the ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset or the Autoset for her.  The for her has an additional algorithm for treatment, not a deal breaker either way.  This machine delivers FULL data down to a breath by breath level (when we request a 2 min segment of a graph, this is what we are looking at).  This is VERY important.  While we will work with any machine this is the machine that we feel is the most flexible.  Remember that this is a machine that you will likely have for 5+ years, do you think your optimized treatment will remain constant for that period?

Read the wiki article New to Apnea? Helpful tips to ensure success especially if you have not already.

[Sleeprider]

Most likely the machine you used was controlled by the technician remotely to titrate you to a CPAP pressure. The Philips machine that is sold to end-users is a Dreamstation, and may be one of three models. The Dreamstation CPAP is the most basic model. It looks like the others but does not offer efficacy data and has fewer features to help your therapy. Do not accept a Dreamstation CPAP! The CPAP Pro offers data and the Dreamstation Auto offers automatic pressure adjustment and some additional comfort features. Of all the Philips Dreamstation product, the Auto CPAP is your best bet.

I personally prefer the Resmed machines, and like Philips, they come in CPAP, Elite and Autoset. Again the Autoset is far and away the best CPAP of the three with automatic pressure adjustment. The reason I like Resmed is that it provides an exhale pressure relief that is the same as bilevel (BiPAP), with up to 3-cm pressure difference between inhale and exhale pressure. This gives us more options when fine-tuning therapy, and allows us to solve problems like flow limitation, snoring and hypopnea without increasing pressure, but instead working with pressure relief.

That's my 2-cents. Please read the links in Bonjour's and my signature.

[SarcasticDave94]

Sleepstarved.

I agree with both bonjour and Sleeprider. I'm also in favor of ResMed products as an owner/user. I've also had the Respironics DreamStation in the past. Both are excellent machines, but I believe the ResMed has the edge on breathing therapy feeling more natural and IMO easier to adjust to as a patient.

Best wishes on your near future successes.