? for anyone with c pap machine experience

[Tink3815]

My husband was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. We will need to purchase a cpap machine. Any one have advice about the machines i.e. what to look for or avoid. Was it hard to adjust to?
Thanks

 

[Disneyfanatic36]

For me it has not been the machine that is a problem, it has been the face mask. I have had 2 machines and they have both been fine but finding a mask that works for me has been very hard.
I did have a very hard time getting adjusted to it so I wish your DH the very best of luck.

 

[nanadeb]

I have used a CPAP for over 12 years. It took about 2 weeks to get used to it, but it has been well worth it. The best machine is one with a connected humidifier. Mine is a Respironics model that is fairly small and travels well. The part with the humidifier detaches easily. The whole thing goes into a shoulder bag. Thie partiicular model also is 110/220 volt, so can be used overseas.
I agree about the mask problem. Thje best thing to do is go to a medical supply company with a respiratory therapist who will fit the mask. Insist on trying out the mask with the machine running.
Check with your insurance company for what medical supply company they work with and take your prescription there. They will will set the machine to the pressure prescribed by your physician.
The nice thing about the CPAP for the partner is, the machine makes a nice kind of low white noise that evens out background noises. And if your partner snored, it is a real benefit!
HTH.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Here's the most important thing to remember:

DME (durable medical equipment) suppliers are in it to make money. (Like any business!) And there are good ones and bad ones. If your insurance is paying for the machine, even in part, they may steer you toward a less expensive one because they get the same benefit from your insurance company no matter which one you buy. So shop wisely. If necessary, your dh's doctor can adjust his prescription to state that you must have an 'auto' machine, that it must have a heated humidifier, etc. And keep in mind that masks don't 'come' with machines. Both are separate. Any mask (of any manufacturer) can be used with any machine.

I'd strongly suggest reading and posting on one of the sleep apnea forums like cpaptalk.com or apneasupport.org and also as a pp said, find out what your insurance coverage is and if your carrier has a list of providers that you must use.

Oh, and about the masks. He will have tried one with his sleep study. If that worked well, great. If it didn't the boards will be a good place to get an idea of other masks to try out. There are nasal masks, nasal pillows, full face masks, minimal full face masks, hybrid masks...a whole array. You can see almost all of the masks online.

Good luck!

 

[tng]

I am a tech at a sleep disorders center. The center where he had his study should send his prescription to a DME co. that they know and trust and accepts your insurance. Typically, the insurance will rent the machine for a few months or a year to make sure he is compliant and then they will purchase. We recommend the new Respironics System One machine (it has a humidifier attached). It is small, quiet, etc. The ResMed unit is good also. As for masks, the original script should have the mask he was titrated with at the sleep center. If he does not like that one, the respiratory therapist should fit him with different types. There are so many out there now: nasal, pillows and full face. It does take a while to get used to, but the benefits are amazing to see. Hope this helps and he does well with it

 

[Bren's Mom]

We recommend the new Respironics System One machine (it has a humidifier attached). It is small, quiet, etc. The ResMed unit is good also.

The System One looks like a great machine, I have an older version of that. But it's important to note that it's over $600. By comparison, the first DME my sleep center 'assigned' me to (and it was an assignment, my center uses a rotating list, luck of the draw) said I could have a $200 piece of junk. Sure, of course they say this. Because they get the same reimbursement from my insurance company as they would from the $600 machine my Dr. and I wanted me to have. I researched and discussed it with my Dr. I wanted an auto machine and C-flex, which she totally agreed with and put on my Rx. So I switched DMEs. Do your reasearch! Don't let anyone just say, here, take this one.

For prices on CPAP machines and for reviews this is a good site:

http://www.cpap.com/advanced-find-cpap-products/CPAPS

Or you can just google the machine they're offering.

Also keep in mind that both ResMed and Respironics make a great many different machines, so you need to know the manufacturer name AND the model of the machine you're being offered. Check it out before agreeing to it!

 

[libinatorsmom]

We have one - for my husband (actually I think we are on our second one) we use the Medical Supply Store in our closest BIG city (this is Iowa so trust me we dont get that big) and our insurance covers most of the costs of the machine... the biggest thing is make sure he gets a mask that he likes...

 

[TrustedTraveler]

I started with a BiPap machine that my local supplier tried to rent to my insurance company for $400/mo. The insurance company balked at renting and the sale price was set at $4000. Instead the companies negotiated a rate and I'm not aware of the outcome. Meanwhile, I found CPAP Supplies Plus online and have replaced the machine and have purchased several masks.
Their prices are a fraction of what I've seen elsewhere and their service is excellent.
Good luck with your machine. Mine saved my life.

 

[Tink3815]

Thank you to everyone who replied. We did decide to go rental, as that is what our insurance required us to. We are working with a very nice therapist who was impressed that I knew the questions to ask thanks to all of you. He has done the machine now for about a week and is doing about 5-6 hours a night. I can tell a real difference in his energy level.
Thanks again