Hello everyone, thought I'd give my imput all at once, fyi...I've been using CPAP (w/ humidifier) since May 2006, when I finally was so tired my wife made me go to Kaiser Permanente's Sleep Clinic. That's our insurance, they had a 3-day class, then we took home the (Respironics) machine and diagnostic gizmo. I was diagnosed w/ mild apnea, and referred to their supplier, who also sent a machine home with me to verify the prescription(12). After trying on many masks, I got their most popular at the time, Mirage Swift I w/ the slip-over red stretchy chinstrap (a must- for me). I had 2-3 "episodes " in 7 hrs, some people have 60 they said, and showed me a sample printout linegraph. I was told give it 30 days after 1 night. Indeed, you have to stick-it-out for 30 days+ to get used to it. The 2nd night, I was a NEW MAN!. OMG, what a miracle, (and sleeping w/ my wife again?). I love the nasal -pillow mask,those full masks leak every time your cheek changes shape, for me anyway, although want you to know I tried the Mirage II, it's sold as "quieter" but I firmly believe it does NOT VENT as readily, I wonder if any testing has been done on the pressure between the Mirage I & II? I went back to the original, it's not as quiet(fine) but I exhale better, it's not my imagination. My CPAP equipment was not covered even though our Kaiser (self employed) was up to $12K/yr for family of 3! Ok, it was about $1400 as I remember. I now buy all my supplies at Cpapplus.com, the BEST on the net. That supplier tried to send me a package of 2 paper filters for $26.50! Now you know how Medicare is ripped-off! I told them where to stick it! They wanted my re-supply as their Gravytrain! That was $4.50 @ cpapplus! I bought several (globular) bacteria filters, but I am certain it reduced my pressure also,(any tests done on those?) so I only used one. The felt cover they sell for the tubing is FANTASTIC. No more weeping out the tube, and the air temp is the same from machine to face! They have $6.95 tubing (heavy) and a fantastic BRUSH, a must-have if you clean your own and don't have insurance, (where the suppliers ripoff the government, $149 for a $7 tube!) They have a new lightweight one now.(haven't tried) I use baby shampoo(tiny amt) & brush, rinse, add white distilled vinegar, like 3/10, let them soak in a tub in the laundry sink, use rubber bands to tie them to the faucet upright. Rinse, take them outside and spin overhead, then I hit them from both ends with the hairdryer and hang up. It gets to be routine.I know I would'nt be working night crew stocking at a union grocery job at 59 yrs old, without CPAP. No way.
That chinstrap can be tightened by washing/drying on hot, and dries quickly. The headband black one was too bulky across the top of the head underneath the mask straps for me.
My Dad was a HEAVY snorer all his life and his needing a pacemaker in 2006 prompted me also, I firmly believe it weakened his heart. I am 5-7 170, so maybe 10 lbs overweight, I lost 20 lbs since 2006 but I know I still need it because if I fall asleep without putting it on, I wake tired, every time. Thanks for listening.