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Permalink Reply by gordon on October 21, 2009 at 10:45pm

Hi Carolyn! I use the Respironics CPAP machine and Resmed Mirage Swift I (they have a II now) nasal pillow mask, and slip-over j-string red stretchy-washable-dries -quickly chin strap, since this mask doesn't cover the mouth. I can sleep on either side, I can put the tubing into either side, depending on which side of the bed I'm sleeping, and I use down pillows, and can sleep on the connection into the mask without any problem, the plastic elbow swivels, I just push the tube down below my cheek, hope you arrive at a similar comfortable condition, but it won't happen overnight, plz keep us posted. G.

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on October 21, 2009 at 11:28pm

Gordon,

Thank you for your input. Right now this is all "greek" to me. I definitely want to educate myself before meeting with the Dr, and the folks that I will eventually get the equipment from. Do they let you try different masks? Any tips on how to deal with my insurance company? I definitely want to get something that I will USE and will be comfortable wearing.

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on October 21, 2009 at 11:32pm

Welcome to SleepGuide, Carolyn!! We're happy to have your join us here.

Re: where to find solid information re: treatment, equipment, etc., you've already come to the right place. There's a wealth of knowledge and experience on this site. And many, many people who are active on SG and very willing to support you and help you learn whatever you feel you need to know.

I've been on SleepGuide for about 4 months, and it's been a true blessing to me. I couldn't have gotten through all the early stages of treatment without my SG cyber-friends. They're all just terrific, and each brings something special to this Forum.

I hope you'll feel free to get involved in any Discussion that interests you, and you're welcome to post your own discussion anytime. Guaranteed responses, and they'll all be helpful in some way!!

Susan McCord :-)

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Permalink Reply by gordon on October 22, 2009 at 4:24pm

After my sleep clinic study and diagnosis at Kaiser, I had a prescription in hand, they had 4 "Durable Medical Equipment-DME" suppliers, I said give me the best one! They let me try on 3-4 masks in a private room, a technician in rubber gloves, opening brand new stuff for me and laying down on a small bed. They knew what was the most popular (nasal pillows-31/2 yrs ago) I tried the full-faced, every one leaked as I laid on my side, the cheek compresses, the seal in the cheek area leaked, maybe the new ones are better, I'm sure. They said are you a "mouth-breather"? I said yes, so chinstrap for sure. Then they gave me one of their CPAP machines and diagnostic thing to wear, to CHECK that the Rx Kaiser gave me was correct (12), and sent me home overnight with this machine. I came back the next morning, and their machine printed out a complete "seismic activity picture" graph of my 7 hrs, where I had 4 "episodes" she said not bad, "mild apnea", she then showed me a graph of a man with 70 episodes during his 7 hrs, and said it's "not uncommon"-- wow. Their machine confirmed my pressure/ Rx. Then $1450 later, I left. Had 2 followups I think, then they checked up on me by phone, email, then tried to gouge me on supplies, but I told them I didn't have DME coverage so would have to find my own supplies.(cpapplus.com) Good luck, and hope you get a thorough analysis and keep us posted!

Carolyn said:

Gordon,
Thank you for your input. Right now this is all "greek" to me. I definitely want to educate myself before meeting with the Dr, and the folks that I will eventually get the equipment from. Do they let you try different masks? Any tips on how to deal with my insurance company? I definitely want to get something that I will USE and will be comfortable wearing.

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