Newbie - seeking roadmap for Dx and Tx

[NightOwl42]

I'm too new of a user to post links. Maybe this will work though.

dropbox.com/s/r5atak4s7jjwkbc/spO2.png?dl=0
[url=https://www.dropbox.com/s/r5atak4s7jjwkbc/spO2.png?dl=0][/url]

[jaswilliams]

You can attach your plots here rather than adding links

[NightOwl42]

Hi Folks,

Checking back. It doesn't appear my O2 is a problem. However, I recorded myself, and I do snore.

Considering a consult with a sleep doc (just a consult!) prior to a sleep study will run several hundred $, I think it's worth trying an AutoPAP.

Question on models:
It looks like the Philips Respironics Dreamstation CPAP Pro and the Resmed AirCurve 10 are the best. However, even used they are expensive.

Would it be worth buying a very basic used model and trying that first? If so, what used, older model would folks recommend?

Other than it functioning effectively, I only require it be really quiet. I don't care if it's big or clumsy.

Alternately, do folks know if Second Wind and others will buy back units at a reasonable price?

Thanks,
Ben

[Fats Drywaller]

This article on the wiki here has essential advice about choosing a machine:

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Machine_choices

Among the older & cheaper models, the Resmed S9 Autoset is probably the best.  With that one, you need to add the humidifier component (H5i) explicitly.  The newer Resmed Airsense 10 models include the humidifier as standard equipment.  The most important thing to take away from that article is that you have to specify the model name specifically when you're searching web sites and browsing craigslist and so on; for instance, just "S9" or "Airsense 10" isn't enough.  Otherwise you could end up with a brick (provides no data) or a fixed-pressure machine (no APAP, which you should have to help figure out your correct pressures when you're doing this on your own).

Edited to add:  Also good among the previous generations (either used or new-old-stock and presumably relatively inexpensive) are the Philips Respironics Remstar DS560TS and Remstar DS560HS.  Again, it's important to find out (through web research) and use the exact model numbers; just "Remstar" isn't specific enough, and the Respironics machines older than the 60 series are to be avoided.

[Fats Drywaller]

Would it be worth buying a very basic used model and trying that first?

Buying used is risky unless you're careful to check the machine's total run hours (also called "blower hours") before buying, and reject the thing if the hours are in the many-thousands. Of course it's much less risky (pretty much not at all) if you avoid craigslist & flea markets and buy from Supplier #2, which is super-reputable and sells a lot of "gently used" machines with low hours. To read the hours, usually you have to use the "clinician mode" menus, and you can find out how to do that by requesting the "clinician's manual" for the machine using the "CPAP Setup Manuals" link at the top of the web pages here.

The idea of getting a "very basic model" might seem sensible at first, but I'm sorry to say that actually it's not. You need APAP, not just fixed-pressure, and you need full sleep-data reporting so you can ask for help here by posting your Sleepyhead charts. Right away that puts the machine in the front rank of the lowest tier (CPAP/APAP) models: the Airsense 10 Autoset, S9 Autoset, Dreamstation Auto, DS560, and so on. Those machines also have the highest resale value (assuming low run hours), compared to the very basic models with no data, no APAP, or both.

[NightOwl42]

@Fats Drywaller:

Thanks! Will do more research.

[Fats Drywaller]

More useful stuff is here at:  Wiki: Tips for new CPAP users

Also:  Wiki: Archangle:Links

That second page includes this tidbit:

Miscellaneous Info:
Non-Resettable Hours:

These are the hour counters that can’t be reset to zero.

Resmed S9:  "Run Hours" can’t be reset.  "Used Hours" can be reset.  Both are available by pushing the info button and scrolling with the knob.

Resmed Airsense 10:  Similar to S9.  Menu access may be slightly different.

Philips Respironics System 1: "Machine Hours" can’t be reset.  "Therapy" and "Blower" hours can be reset.  Go into provider menu, select "info."

So if you're looking at a particular used machine to buy locally, it's good to be prepared with the magic key combination to get to the right menu and read the run-hours number to see just how used the thing is.  With the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset (which is the most-recommended machine, really the one to go for if possible), you hold down the knob and the Home button together for a few seconds to get to the Clinical menu, then click (press the knob) on "Settings", turn the knob to scroll all the way down to "About" at the bottom of the menu, click on that, and you'll see "Run Hours" displayed.

[JesseLee]

Ben,

SecondWind is a reputable company to deal with. However, you will require a prescription to make a purchase with them.

There are distributors on Amazon that sell auto CPAP machines and they usually are the latest generation of machines which are full data recording. And they don't require a prescription in most cases.

[Fats Drywaller]

SecondWind is a reputable company to deal with. However, you will require a prescription to make a purchase with them.

Oh yeah, that's right.  Sorry, I was forgetting.  <facepalm>

There are distributors on Amazon that sell auto CPAP machines and they usually are the latest generation of machines which are full data recording. And they don't require a prescription in most cases.

True.  I sometimes overlook that, because the availability of the top brands on Amazon seems to go in cycles: sometimes available, other times not, at least when you do a general search rather than looking at a particular seller's storefront. (Speaking of which, Sistemma has been recommended as reputable with good customer service. Don't know whether it asks for Rx.)  At the moment, the Autoset 10 and Autoset 10 for Her are both available (new) from 3rd-party sellers, but not at killer prices.  No Dreamstation, at least not from a general search.  Some masks, yes: P10, Dreamwear, Brevida, Nuance Pro, probably others. Anyone with deep pockets can do one-stop shopping there and have everything within a few days.

Has the era of bargain prices on new CPAP machines via Amazon ended? I've read some old posts here in which people mentioned buying a new A10 on Amazon for around $500.

[JesseLee]

SecondWind is a reputable company to deal with. However, you will require a prescription to make a purchase with them.

Oh yeah, that's right.  Sorry, I was forgetting.  <facepalm>

There are distributors on Amazon that sell auto CPAP machines and they usually are the latest generation of machines which are full data recording. And they don't require a prescription in most cases.

True.  I sometimes overlook that, because the availability of the top brands on Amazon seems to go in cycles: sometimes available, other times not, at least when you do a general search rather than looking at a particular seller's storefront.  (Speaking of which, Sistemma has been recommended as reputable with good customer service.  Don't know whether it asks for Rx.)  At the moment, the Autoset 10 and Autoset 10 for Her are both available (new) from 3rd-party sellers, but not at killer prices.  No Dreamstation, at least not from a general search.  Some masks, yes: P10, Dreamwear, Brevida, Nuance Pro, probably others.  Anyone with deep pockets can do one-stop shopping there and have everything within a few days.

Has the era of bargain prices on new CPAP machines via Amazon ended?  I've read some old posts here in which people mentioned buying a new A10 on Amazon for around $500.

I can't say that bargain prices have come to an end, I don't know how the distributors set their prices and if the price is based on any market situation. I just don't know sir

I do know that paying out of pocket can get to 1000 bucks in a referral and consult before sleep study even gets possible. 1000 bucks gets a nice machine and supplies to get you setup and a spare hose and filters.

Edit: can probably get close to a year in supplies if got machine for 600