Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.
Login or Create an Account
Just got diagnosed, feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the information.
I just got diagnosed and I think I am realizing that sleep clinics are a bit of a scam here in Alberta. I took a at home test and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. My sleep clinic only sells one model of CPAP and charge $2500 for it. It seems like I can buy it online for like $650 instead which is ridiculous. But I'm a bit overwhelmed with all my acronyms and understanding some of the verbage and I want to make sure I can do this on my own.
Sounds like in general, I should be looking at a APAP machine. Do you pick out a machine based on your diagnosis, or based on features/cost?
I've attached my sleep test results if that helps.
RE: Just got diagnosed, feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the information.
It appears from your sleep study that you have obstructive apnea with hypopneas. If I read it correctly you had no central apnaes. The answer to your question is both. You select the type of machine that will effectively treat your your apnea and then look for the right features . You want a data capable APAP machine that effectively treats obstructive events. The machine that provides the best results is the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset or Airsense 10 Autoset . THe Phillips dreamstation is a good machine but we see better results with the Resmed.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: Just got diagnosed, feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the information.
G'day SuperLuigi, welcome to the forum.
I agree with Melman - your best bet is the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset or Airsense 10 Autoset for Her. The "for Her" refers to some additional settings designed for women's particular respiration but some men have also found them useful. All the normal AutoSet modes are still available in the "for Her".
The hardest part of all this is getting a mask to suit. It needs to be comfortable, fit properly and not leak. If you're prone to claustrophobia you will want to look at the less invasive pillows types. Read all about it here: http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/Mask_Primer
RE: Just got diagnosed, feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the information.
You have a lot of flow limits and RERAs.
This means a PR CPAP or APAP is not recommended.
You need ResMeds EPR or the pressure support of a BiLevel machine to properly treat the RERAs. The question is will the limit of 3 cmw the ResMed AutoSet be enough or will you need the greater capability of. BiLevel such as ResMeds VAuto?
Without question the AutoSet will make a big difference . A BiLevel is very difficult to get as an initial machine.
Gideon - Project Manager Emeritus for OSCAR - Open Source CPAP Analysis Reporter
RE: Just got diagnosed, feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the information.
Welcome! Others have given great advice about selecting a machine. One additional suggestion: get a copy of your prescription for a machine. Suppliers who sell machines on line (and even some other stuff, like masks) often require you to send in a scan of a prescription.
