CPAP Without Prescription

[Dormeo]

Congrats on the rx! All masks go with all machines. I would press for the information and make your preference known. A pain, I know, but could be important.

[Sleeprider]

Accepting whatever shows up is a recipe for disappointment. You are the end user and will have this machine for at least the next five years. Ask what has been ordered, and if it is not the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset, let them know you won't accept an alternative. You have a right of refusal. I really don't like surprises when it comes to CPAP machines. ASK!

[SarcasticDave94]

Ditto the above.

[jwoodz]

Thanks for the input! 

I called Sleep Data and asked and the person said she doesn't know which one it is, but it's the newest one from ResMed. And she said it's surprisingly small. So not much help lol. I plan to call back and see if I can get any more info.

[Sleeprider]

If it's Resmed, it will likely be the Autoset since you are self-titrating. No problem.

[jwoodz]

Seems odd, though, that they are mysterious about it or seemingly not able to determine what they are sending me. Oh well, will see what arrives I guess.

[SarcasticDave94]

I'm not too surprised that the DME doesn't know what machine they're sending. When waiting on the ASV in 2017, my DME auto message sent me about 6 false messages the machine was to be delivered the next day while live operators said it wasn't even ordered.

[jwoodz]

Thanks, Dave and everyone else!

As it turns out, I was actually given a CPAP machine, as my sleep test showed 15.7 AHI. I've heard 15 AHI is sometimes the cut-off for getting a machine - though not sure if that's correct.

The machine they sent me is in fact the AirSense 10. I can see how it may take some getting used to, though it has gone ok so far, with one exception - I've found the nasal pillow mask they gave me somewhat irritating to my nose as it's left some red bumps around my nostrils. Guess I may need to try another mask.

Aside from that, the machine indicates an AHI of only between 1 and 2 for each of the 3 nights I've used it so far. So it definitely seems to be an improvement. 

Jim

[Dormeo]

Jim, congrats on the machine. I'm guessing it's an Airsense 10 Autoset; is that right? If you're down to AHI of 1 to 2, you're doing very well. Would you like to post a daily chart so the forum members can take a look and see whether some little tweaks might be worth trying?

The usual low-end cutoff for a diagnosis of mild apnea is 5. 15 is on the borderline between mild and moderate.

If you like your pillow mask except for the red bumps, try putting a little something on the affected area once or twice a day and see if that helps. Some people swear by Lansinoh, a lanolin product to sooth irritation for nursing mothers. (So you'll find it in the baby-care aisle at the drug store.) Others find that Polysporin or a similar product helps.

Now that you're geared up, you might want to take a moment to fill out the rest of your profile so people can easily see what you use.

[Sleeprider]

jwoodz you might want to update your profile information with the new machine, and when you're ready, post a chart and we can let you know what we see.