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cud u suggest me the best cpap mask?
hello,
I am new on this forum. My mom was diagnosed of sleep apnea an yr back. she chose dental fixature instead of cpap because she is uncomfortable with something on her face when sleep. but now her sleep apnea has detoriated with severe worsening of hypertension. i guess now she has to go for cpap. i ask you all if u cud please suggest my mom the best cpap mask n machine in terms of easy to use. plz do m really worried. thanx alot
I am new on this forum. My mom was diagnosed of sleep apnea an yr back. she chose dental fixature instead of cpap because she is uncomfortable with something on her face when sleep. but now her sleep apnea has detoriated with severe worsening of hypertension. i guess now she has to go for cpap. i ask you all if u cud please suggest my mom the best cpap mask n machine in terms of easy to use. plz do m really worried. thanx alot
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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It is not so much about finding the best mask on the market as it is finding one that fits you. Everyones face is different. This is why there are so many different masks. While all masks leak a little the key is to find the one that is comfortable and leaks as little as possible. As a tech I prefer the Resmed line. I believe that universally they fit the most faces as they have the most adjustment capabilities. This does not mean that any of their products will be the right one for you. It is a good place to start. I would also suggest that you find both a nasal mask, and a full face mask. If possible a nasal mask is going to provide the most efficient therapy for you. A nasal mask sends the air through your nose only. A full face covers both your nose and mouth allowing air to ebter through both. I recommend having a back up full face mask for days that you might have a cold or some other problem that makes nasal breathing difficult. Conquer the mask issue and PAP is easy.
Good luck snore
Welcome to sleepguide
Rock
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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Welcome to the forum. I'm sure your mother is going to appreciate your educating yourself about her therapy.
For a CPAP machine I would strongly recommend the Resmed S8 Elite II w/EPR. Or even the Resmed S8 AutoSet II w/EPR.
It would be a wise idea, assuming your mom is on Medicare, if she has a secondary insurance to call her insurance company to ask what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. (Most all local DME CPAP providers accept Medicare). Most local DME providers tend to "specialize" in providing one particular brand of CPAP as they buy "in bulk" to get the best price. If you want to save her the Medicare copay you will want to utilize a local DME provider contracted w/her secondary insurance in they provide DME coverage, it depends on her policy. You will want to "shop" her various local DME provider options. Of primary importance will be how lenient their mask exchange policy is and how comfortable you and she feel w/their staff and respiratory therapist.
Second choice in CPAPs would be the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex or the Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex (or C-Flex). Respironics has just w/in the last month or two come out w/a new PR SystemOne series of xPAPs but I'm not sure of the names of the new models and which ones are fully data capable.
The Resmeds offer the easiest access to and most data available to the patient via the LCD screen so that the two of you are NOT at the mercy of relying on the local DME provider or her sleep doctor to monitor her therapy.
Another brand and model to consider is the new Covidien (Puritan Bennett) Sandman series. But you need to carefully investigate which models are fully data capable. You do NOT want a CPAP capable of only providing "compliance" (usage) data. You should INSIST that she receive ONLY a CPAP capable of providing YOU and HER w/Efficacy data (i.e. Pressure, Leak, AHI, AI) so that you two can monitor her therapy as well as her sleep doctor.
IF they can get away w/it most local DME suppliers will try to pawn off a bare-bone, compliance data capable CPAP on unsuspecting new OSA patients.
Medicare will pay 80% of the cost of her CPAP and equipment. She or her secondary will be responsible for the remaining 20% copay. We are fast approaching a new year and there may well be annual deductables to take into consideration as well. Medicare will ONLY purchase CPAP on a 13 month rent to own agreement. But all the accessories are paid for right up front, i.e. mask, humidifier, etc. So her initial copay costs will be much higher than her monthly copay costs. Different insurance companies provide different coverage so if she is not covered under Medicare or if she has secondary insurance you will want to check w/her insurance just what is and isn't covered and at what rate and about any deductables.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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snore, welcome to the forum.
My Docs prescribed both of my machines. I first used the Respironics M Series and found it easy to use. I now have a ResMed machine and like it, too. The ResMed gives me more information as Judy mentioned above, but not everyone is interested in following their treatment so closely, preferring to leave that to the Doc. Both Durable Medical Equipment providers I used were the ones used by my Doctors and I've been happy with both of them. They should listen to you and be willing to help you,e.g. fitting of the mask, and showing how to use and clean the equipment.
I'm a mouth breather and used a Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask (ResMed product), but developed a pressure sore on the bridge of my nose that would not heal due to the constant nightly pressure from the mask. So watch for pressure points with the mask, treat any problems promptly and switch masks if necessary. I switched to a Mirage Liberty (again ResMed), but wouldn't recommend that as a first mask- it's going to take some getting used to to stop the leaks.
If you like and trust your Mom's Doc I would talk to him/her first and follow their recommendations. However Judy mentions many different ways to handle getting your equipment. It doesn't have to be difficult, just be comfortable with the folks helping you and don't hesitate to discuss problems with them or in the forum.
Keep us posted. Your Mom is lucky to have you.
Good Luck,
Mary Zimlich
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Permalink Reply by Tim on
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The DeVilbiss auto IntelliPAP is also a very nice machine. It is quieter than the M series and it provides full data. The DeVilbiss basic IntelliPAP is also nice, but it only gives compliance data.
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Tim, aren't they the IntelliPAP Intro (which is capable of ONLY compliaance data), the IntelliPAP Info (which is fully data capable) and the IntelliPAP AutoAdjust (which is fully data capable)??? In a Cpap.com Product Challenge the IntelliPAP AutoAdjust beat out the Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex by the users taking part in the Challenge. You can read the comments at cpaptalk.com
Tim said:The DeVilbiss auto IntelliPAP is also a very nice machine. It is quieter than the M series and it provides full data. The DeVilbiss basic IntelliPAP is also nice, but it only gives compliance data.
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Snore,
Can't be done! Your mom's mask will be the key to her CPAP success, and what works for each of us may be totally inappropriate for her. IMHO, the only service a DME provides is to suggest, fit and provide a suitable mask. For this, the DME is receiving a lot of money - you'll see when you reconcile the bills. So, have your mom insist on trying as many masks as necessary until she finds the one which is comfortable during sleep and doesn't leak. This is likely to take two or three nights per mask, but no more. If one doesn't work, insist on an alternative. Bear in mind that there are at least three different types of masks, and many variants within each type. The DME is likely to push the masks on which he makes the most profit, so don't be bullied.
Good luck,
Steve
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Permalink Reply by DeVilbiss Marketing on
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DeVilbiss currently offers the following IntelliPAP devices:
- IntelliPAP Standard (usage data only)
- IntelliPAP Standard Plus with SmartFlex (usage and efficacy data)
- IntelliPAP AutoAdjust with SmartFlex (usage and efficacy data)
- IntelliPAP Bilevel S with Flow Rounding
All of our devices include SmartCode which allows you to view summary usage and efficacy data. You input the SmartCode that appears on the IntelliPAP display into our online report genrator at www.intellipap.com.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Judy said:Tim, aren't they the IntelliPAP Intro (which is capable of ONLY compliaance data), the IntelliPAP Info (which is fully data capable) and the IntelliPAP AutoAdjust (which is fully data capable)??? In a Cpap.com Product Challenge the IntelliPAP AutoAdjust beat out the Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex by the users taking part in the Challenge. You can read the comments at cpaptalk.com
Tim said:The DeVilbiss auto IntelliPAP is also a very nice machine. It is quieter than the M series and it provides full data. The DeVilbiss basic IntelliPAP is also nice, but it only gives compliance data.
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