How did you choose your 1st cpap

[jdireton]

I went for my sleep study and asked the RT in the morning how it went. I got the standard "I'm not a doctor and can't interpret your results" response, followed by, "I sure I'll see you again very shortly." He also asked how I had slept during the study, and when I replied that it was a fairly good nights sleep, he commented "I feel sorry for you!"

I got on the internet and researched all the major brands, reviews, and, luckily, found this forum. With no disrepect to any other machine, I choose the Resmed. Two days later they expedited my titration and the next afternoon I picked up a loaner Resmed. My doctor would not prescribe an AutoSet, indicating that the titration showed a "clear step" apnea resolution response and I didn't push it. I just told the DME what I wanted (Resmed S9 Elite, humidifier, and climate line) and they supplied it. I asked the rep and she told me a Resmed Escape would be their standard if not otherwise specified. Insurance covered it at the standard equipment rate with no objections. I don't know about the AutoSet advantage, but the data advantage with the Elite is an absolute must for me!

That said, I've got an 30 day AHI of 0.4, so I can't complain.

[Fosco]

Wow, I didn't even know there were choices (except for mask type)! I was just given one (by insurance provider) 4 years ago and told to have a nice day and that was the last I heard. Until I discovered this forum this week, it never crossed my mind that I had anything but the best care and equipment. Apparently, I was wrong.

[greatunclebill]

Wow, I didn't even know there were choices (except for mask type)! I was just given one (by insurance provider) 4 years ago and told to have a nice day and that was the last I heard. Until I discovered this forum this week, it never crossed my mind that I had anything but the best care and equipment. Apparently, I was wrong.

check with insurance because most will give you a new one at 5 yrs. when you get close talk to your doc to get him to write you a prescription for the newest, best one, whatever that will be a year from new. i would go for respironics or resmed simply because so many people have them and can help with nearly any issue that comes up.

[DenD746]

I had my sleep study a year before I began using CPAP. Before I saw the sleep doctor in preparation for going on CPAP, I did extensive research on the web including this Board which was very helpful. I also got some great info from a website that has video demos of the machines and a lot of the masks with description of the pro and cons plus explanation of the features. Based on all this research, I decided that I wanted the ResMed S9 Autoset with H5i humidifier, climate control tubing and so on. Then I visited the sleep specialist and I told him that is what I wanted and that did not want to do a another sleep study to establish the settings (my initial study was a split study where I used CPAP and they used a setting of 6) but wanted to do the titration process at home using the S9. He wasn't happy but gave me the prescription. He didn't even have the detailed sleep study results at hand and did not provide any info about settings. The DME was very cooperative and ordered everything I wanted and we set the machine up together. I have been on CPAP for a little more than a week and have been doing great. I have made some changes to the settings and will continue to play with them as time goes on but, so far, I am doing great wearing the mask about 6.5 hours a night over the 10 nights with an AHI of 1.3 (was 23 during sleep study) and getting better each day.

Based on my personal situation, I knew I needed a machine that was quiet (the S9 does have a bit of a whistle on hard exhale but that doesn't bother me - otherwise it is very quiet), had the climate control (stuffy nose due to deviated septum and allergies), full data capabilities (I am a bit of a data nut and a control freak so I want to be in charge of my own treatment), Ramp and EPR features (haven't used them yet but will try them out once I am fully used to CPAP). From everything I have read, this is one medical problem in which you need to take control of things yourself as the ability to deal with CPAP therapy is so individual in nature - it is not like taking a pill.

[greatunclebill]

I had my sleep study a year before I began using CPAP. Before I saw the sleep doctor in preparation for going on CPAP, I did extensive research on the web including this Board which was very helpful. I also got some great info from a website that has video demos of the machines and a lot of the masks with description of the pro and cons plus explanation of the features. Based on all this research, I decided that I wanted the ResMed S9 Autoset with H5i humidifier, climate control tubing and so on. Then I visited the sleep specialist and I told him that is what I wanted and that did not want to do a another sleep study to establish the settings (my initial study was a split study where I used CPAP and they used a setting of 6) but wanted to do the titration process at home using the S9. He wasn't happy but gave me the prescription. He didn't even have the detailed sleep study results at hand and did not provide any info about settings. The DME was very cooperative and ordered everything I wanted and we set the machine up together. I have been on CPAP for a little more than a week and have been doing great. I have made some changes to the settings and will continue to play with them as time goes on but, so far, I am doing great wearing the mask about 6.5 hours a night over the 10 nights with an AHI of 1.3 (was 23 during sleep study) and getting better each day.

Based on my personal situation, I knew I needed a machine that was quiet (the S9 does have a bit of a whistle on hard exhale but that doesn't bother me - otherwise it is very quiet), had the climate control (stuffy nose due to deviated septum and allergies), full data capabilities (I am a bit of a data nut and a control freak so I want to be in charge of my own treatment), Ramp and EPR features (haven't used them yet but will try them out once I am fully used to CPAP). From everything I have read, this is one medical problem in which you need to take control of things yourself as the ability to deal with CPAP therapy is so individual in nature - it is not like taking a pill.

you fit right into our little family.

[mlee001]

Wow, I didn't even know there were choices (except for mask type)! I was just given one (by insurance provider) 4 years ago and told to have a nice day and that was the last I heard. Until I discovered this forum this week, it never crossed my mind that I had anything but the best care and equipment. Apparently, I was wrong.

The same situation with me with my first CPAP machine over 10 years ago. The DME had it ready for me when I went to the appointment. Only mask fitting is where I had a choice. When I had my CPAP machine upgraded it a few of years ago was the same thing. They had it ready for me. I am happy with the machine, but would have like to see what others were also available.

[greatunclebill]

The same situation with me with my first CPAP machine over 10 years ago. The DME had it ready for me when I went to the appointment. Only mask fitting is where I had a choice. When I had my CPAP machine upgraded it a few of years ago was the same thing. They had it ready for me. I am happy with the machine, but would have like to see what others were also available.

when your current machine is 5 years old your insurance will probably pay for a new one. try to get a fully data capable machine so you can monitor your treatment. go to your doctor and ask for a prescription for a fully data capable machine so the dme has no wiggle room to give you something less.

[mlee001]

The same situation with me with my first CPAP machine over 10 years ago. The DME had it ready for me when I went to the appointment. Only mask fitting is where I had a choice. When I had my CPAP machine upgraded it a few of years ago was the same thing. They had it ready for me. I am happy with the machine, but would have like to see what others were also available.

when your current machine is 5 years old your insurance will probably pay for a new one. try to get a fully data capable machine so you can monitor your treatment. go to your doctor and ask for a prescription for a fully data capable machine so the dme has no wiggle room to give you something less.

I wish I had seen this forum before I had to reduced my medical coverage due to current economic situation. My current medical plan does not have DME coverage.

[pk6301]

When I first went in for my sleep study they said I qualified for CPAP, they wrote out the script and asked me which medical supplier I wanted to use to get the equipment from. I called that supplier and found out which machine I would be receiving and wich mask I would be getting, and that is how I started my research. I was given a Respironics 400 series Machine and a Resmed Quatro full face mask.
I am an Air Force Vet so the VA gave me a new machine the other week, it is a Resperonics System one 50 series.
The two machine are so radically different one was a constant pressure while the new one is variable pressure. I am much happier with the new one and will donate the old one.

[Dreamcatcher]

It chose me and we have been happy sucking face for the past two years