[Equipment] Need Help Finding a Fully Itemized List of Equipment!

[Wolfy71]

Living in the East, I have to make sure I purchase correctly, and get the whole kit & kaboodle, at once.

Wolfy71

I'm curious, Wolfy, you live in the East what? East, USA; MiddleEast; far-East?

Normally,in the US, the sleep therapists will recommend a source for your equipment. And the suppliers (referred to as DMEs) will work with you to make sure you get the proper equipment. Very seldom does one have to obtain everything for themselves on the first time acquisition.

Hi Bobg1946. I live in Vietnam now with my family. Here they don't have choice and either I do not trust their quality. They event do not have the sleep therapist. So I had to go to bangkok for checking up.
Anyway thanks all to your comments above. I am so happy to join this forum and found down many useful tips

[Wolfy71]

Hi, Thanks to all of you who were so helpful giving me ideas yesterday. Most kind. I spent the evening doing a little research and came up with a product list; and as I'm a novice, I've had to go largely on reviews. Below is a little table listing products, prices and comments I've made on them - but it certainly isn't definitive yet and and further suggestions or ideas would be very helpful to me before I start thinking about the next step, which would be the supplier/purchasing process.

Is this a process that all of you have to go through, by the way - Or do you get more of a professional 'heads up' on it? The hospital where I had the sleep test, 'Bumrungrad' in Thailand, rocks. The aftercare remains a moot point, though.

Cost / Product / Comments
$850.00 Resmed S9 -There was also the Remstar 60 which adjusts for humidity but Resmed got me on reviews
-The prescription says I need 'continuous positive pressure.' Still suitable?
$244.00 Humidifier -I live in a subtropical climate where humidity is high - Does this present any problems?
$127.00 Mirage FX Model Mask -This mask and the one below have the best write-ups - One or both?
$99.00 Aloha Nasal Pillow System with Headgear -Good for side-sleepers and bearded wonders like me!
$51.00 Climate line tubing
$50.00 Hose suspension system
$39.00 Inline bacteria filter x10pack -Is this compatible with the Resmed - It's made by Phillips?
$25.00 CPAP tube brush
$24.00 Disinfectant cleaning solution -I bet there's an easily available pharmacy substitute that's cheaper and more readily available!
$19.99 Vapor clear sinus blaster -Well why not? In for a penny…
$14.00 Filter cover x 2
$12.95 Software Memory Card Reader -Does the Resmed have software included?
$11.00 Fine filters x 2
$11.00 CPAP mask wipes -Would ordinary sanitory wipes do the same thing?
$1,577.94 - Total (Without Shipping)

[Wolfy71]

Living in the East, I have to make sure I purchase correctly, and get the whole kit & kaboodle, at once.

Wolfy71

I'm curious, Wolfy, you live in the East what? East, USA; MiddleEast; far-East?

Normally,in the US, the sleep therapists will recommend a source for your equipment. And the suppliers (referred to as DMEs) will work with you to make sure you get the proper equipment. Very seldom does one have to obtain everything for themselves on the first time acquisition.

Hi Bobg1946. I live in Vietnam now with my family. Here they don't have choice and either I do not trust their quality. They event do not have the sleep therapist. So I had to go to bangkok for checking up.
Anyway thanks all to your comments above. I am so happy to join this forum and found down many useful tips. (Er... my darling wife got on, assuming my identity, and wrote this...) She's from the Nam so that's why she's being so direct - I couldn't possibly comment.

[Wolfy71]

Hi, Thanks to all of you who were so helpful giving me ideas yesterday. Most kind. I spent the evening doing a little research and came up with a product list; and as I'm a novice, I've had to go largely on reviews. Below is a little table listing products, prices and comments I've made on them - but it certainly isn't definitive yet and and further suggestions or ideas would be very helpful to me before I start thinking about the next step, which would be the supplier/purchasing process.

Is this a process that all of you have to go through, by the way - Or do you get more of a professional 'heads up' on it? The hospital where I had the sleep test, 'Bumrungrad' in Thailand, rocks. The aftercare remains a moot point, though - Oh I see Bob (above) already answered that...

Cost / Product / Comments
$850.00 Resmed S9 -There was also the Remstar 60 which adjusts for humidity but Resmed got me on reviews
-The prescription says I need 'continuous positive pressure.' Still suitable?
$244.00 Humidifier -I live in a subtropical climate where humidity is high - Does this present any problems?
$127.00 Mirage FX Model Mask -This mask and the one below have the best write-ups - One or both?
$99.00 Aloha Nasal Pillow System with Headgear -Good for side-sleepers and bearded wonders like me!
$51.00 Climate line tubing
$50.00 Hose suspension system
$39.00 Inline bacteria filter x10pack -Is this compatible with the Resmed - It's made by Phillips?
$25.00 CPAP tube brush
$24.00 Disinfectant cleaning solution -I bet there's an easily available pharmacy substitute that's cheaper and more readily available!
$19.99 Vapor clear sinus blaster -Well why not? In for a penny…
$14.00 Filter cover x 2
$12.95 Software Memory Card Reader -Does the Resmed have software included?
$11.00 Fine filters x 2
$11.00 CPAP mask wipes -Would ordinary sanitory wipes do the same thing?
$1,577.94 - Total (Without Shipping)

So, did I forget anything?

[big_dave]

Here are answers to some of your questions:

You will need to pay attention to the exact model of the machine. “S9” refers to the entire ResMed product line, not an individual machine. You will want the S9 Autoset (provides automatically adjusted pressure and is data capable) or the S9 Elite (also data capable but provides only fixed pressure). Avoid the S9 Escape and the S9 Escape Auto which are “bricks” (not data capable). All of these machines provide continuous positive pressure.

If your climate has consistently high humidity, a humidifier may be unnecessary, but is still usable. Are you using an air conditioner that dehumidifies the room?

I notice you have both the climate line tubing and the inline bacteria filter on your list. They cannot be used together since the climate line tubing requires a special connection to the humidifier.

Barbicide (used by hair stylists) has the same active ingredient as Control III but the mixing instructions are different.

I see you have two filter covers on your list. The filter cover does not require regular replacement; it only needs to be replaced if it breaks.

You may already have a suitable memory card reader on your computer. It is the same slot your camera’s memory card uses. I don’t think ResScan is included with the card reader, but it is available by request from Apnea Board.


I hope this helps.

[PaulaO2]

You can get a new, open box Resmed S9 Autoset with humidifier for less than $800 with Supplier #2. Slightly cheaper without the humidifier but it is a good thing to have. Even cheaper if you get a 'gently used' one.

What is the Aloha pillow system? Another mask?

Your problem is going to be finding the right mask. If you breathe through your mouth at night, a nasal pillow or nasal mask is not going to be adequate. You could try a chin strap but may have to go to a full face mask. If you have to get one sight unseen, get one that has different sizes included. Like some nasal pillows include the small, medium, and large pillows in the box. That will give you the chance to figure out which size fits you best.

The hose holder thing can be duplicated using things you have at home. A simple hook and string would do.

If you get the S9, you just need a simple card reader, not a Resmed proprietary one. The software is not included with the machine but is available by request through this forum.

I tried the CPAP wipes and was overwhelmed by the citrus smell. It just did not go away without rinsing which defeats the purpose of them.

You can wash the hose, mask, and humidifier using simple dish detergent and warm water. There's not a need for a kick butt disinfectant. A lot of folks use a product called Control II. A jug of it lasts a very long time. I don't think it is a cleaner, but a disinfectant so you'd still have to clean them first.

[edm_msu]

More possibilities:
Snuggle Hose Cover
Pad A Cheek mask strap pads
Chin strap
Get the washable (openable) humidifier tank for the S9
SlimLine tubing in addition to the Climateline tubing
I use Huggies baby wipes and they work fine

Do you know what type of mask works for you? Full face? Nasal? Nasal pillows? What did you use when you were diagnosed?

Especially if you haven't tried a specific mask, I'd only buy one. You could buy extra cushions and/or pillows.

[Wolfy71]

Thanks to all of you, once again! I've incorporated your wisdom into my shopping list and just sent it off for the specialist's perusal. I'll let you know what she advised as soon as I've heard news.

Warm Regards,

Wolfy71