Will get CPAP tomorrow but which one?

[Caudata]

I am going to Papworth tomorrow and am concerned the CPAP issued will not be the best option, it seems the mask is critical, and I see there are many machines you can buy.

What are peoples views if money is no object what is best machine and mask?

[Fredxx]

The NHS round us issues a Fischer and Paykell Sleepstyle 604, which is a good reliable machine, but is a pain for travelling. the humidification tank can't be cleaned properly, and can't even be properly emptied for travelling. having said that, it works well, is very reliable and basically good and quiet. If it was my own money though, I wouldn't buy one.

Because of the problems above, and the fact I travel a lot (I am away fro work 2-3 nights most weeks) I got a machine to use on the road. After a bit of research, and taking into consideration I wasn't bothered about humidification, wanted a machine which would be compact and light, and would work effectively on a 12v supply if necessary, I got the DeVilbiss SleepCube Standard. Excellent little machine, does the job and is quiet.

The two machines do work in different ways, in that the F&P machine holds a steady pump speed which means the pressure is correct on average, whereas the sleepcube varies the pump speed quickly to hold the pressure correct all the time. Both work fine for me, but it did take a few nights to get used to the sleepcube and for my sub-concious to realise the pump speed dropping wasn't a power cut. I am thinking about getting the optional humidification unit for this machine now.

[Tigers Fan]

Needs vary

Hi Caudata

In the early days, the mahine matters little. Your mask is where your efforts will be.

Papworth will probably give you an APAP (automatic) for a week to discover what settings you need. After that, I believe Papworth is one of the few to keep you on APAP rather that swap you to CPAP.

MY advice - get used to whatever they give you, learn the ropes and what is good for you and what is not good. After a while, you can make a decision informed by your experience. PAPing is different for everyone.

I started with a top of the range APAP and now use the bog standard CPAP the NHS gave me.

Masks are a whole personal exploration. THe Mirage Quattro is very popular. The new Respironics APAP is my recommendation for a machine.

TF

[Sleep2Snore]

Hi Caudata

In the early days, the mahine matters little. Your mask is where your efforts will be.

Papworth will probably give you an APAP (automatic) for a week to discover what settings you need. After that, I believe Papworth is one of the few to keep you on APAP rather that swap you to CPAP.

MY advice - get used to whatever they give you, learn the ropes and what is good for you and what is not good. After a while, you can make a decision informed by your experience. PAPing is different for everyone.

I started with a top of the range APAP and now use the bog standard CPAP the NHS gave me.

Masks are a whole personal exploration.

TF

I agree with TF, get used to whatever you get until such times as you can make an informed decision. The biggest problem in likely to be the mask (getting one to work for you) or lack of humidity.

[Caudata]

Many thanks. I have the Remstar M series CPAP not APAP, with the Quattro full mask. Just 2 nights experience and I have to say have got used to it more easily than I thought. I feel better already than I have for many years.

Will look at another machine for travel as I am away alternate weeks overseas but mostly to the same location where I can leave it to save carrying it around on and off plans.

My wife was very pleased to get a quiet night for a change with me in bed and she is now telling family and friends she sleeps with Marine Boy, showing her age and mine. Finding it a bit harder to see the funny side of this still but if feel this much better every day then it is worth in the short term and hopefully the long term.

Neil

[James @ Intus]

Nice bit of kit, not bad at all. Quite small as it is, you won't find much smaller machines, Apex XT aside perhaps but even that gives you minimal luggage-capacity-gain.

[Fredxx]

I switch between two machines regularly; a Fischer and Paykel one and a Sleepcube. While both do essentially the same job, the way they deliver the air is quite different; one holds the pump speed constant meaning the pressure varies as you breathe, the other varies the speed as you breathe and hold the pressure constant. Both work fine, but switching regularly between the two does disrupt the sleep a little.

As has already been said, the Remstar is a perfectly good machine, the price is competitive, is compact and light for travel and your sleep clinic are obviously already set up for it, my recommendation would be to get another the same