I have an old prescription but no current insurance so I am going on my own. I don't have a machine yet and I am deciding on one. I briefly tried an old basic borrowed CPAP just to get an idea what PAP therapy feels like, It was set at 8 and did nothing for my UARS but it gave me some questions to explore.
After reading many expert MD reviews and some quality comments on this forum, I realized that I need a Bi-level machine, preferably Auto, so I am going to buy a used one. I like ResMed S9 VPAP Auto for its programming but Respironics System One BiPAP Auto is said to have an adjustable (vs. fixed) Pressure Support which is said to be helpful for UARS... I briefly tried a new DreamWear nasal mask (with on old cpap) and tolerated it, so this is the mask I want to go with the Bi-level. Now comes the real dilemma where I need your advice on. When trying the mask, it leaked as I turned from back to sides all night long (used to be a stomach sleeper so I am re-training myself), so:
1. Will using the auto Bi-level machine (vs. non-auto) be nearly useless and even taxing to the machine's motor trying to adjust to the loss of pressure during the night? (assume the leaks can vary from small to significant over night).
2. I developed air bubbles in my mouth when I tried the old cpap. My mouth was shut so I was letting these bubbles out consciously (not fun). Some say that I need to train my tong inside the mouth to prevent the nasal-to-mouth inner leakage, is that right? Will the use of the more advanced Bi-level machine (vs. old cpap) with a great EPR support help me with not having air bubbles or I still need to train my tong (have no idea how and dread it)?
3. Is there a way to read the data from SD card on my own?
I would greatly appreciate your advice on any question.
Cheers!
p.s. I don't know what my Bi-level machine initial pressure settings will be yet, but I will start in 5-15 range to see how it goes both on a "feel" basis and hopefully quantitative basis if I can read SD card and/or the machine's basis use data display.
p.p.s. please don't advise me to go to a sleep clinic as I have no money for it and the last one did nothing but gave me a preset cpap which did nothing. The experts are right - most of them are nearly clueless how to treat UARS right.