Hi All:

I've been reading some of the posts over the last few days on this site and I've learned alot from all of you.  It's great that there is a place to talk to people facing the same challenges!  I would like to throw my hat into the ring as it were and hopefully clear up my confusion.

I am 52 yrs old and had a split study at St Peters University Hospital Sleep Center here in NJ on 4/26 and was diagnosed with severe OSA with hypersomnia.    Does anyone have an opinion as to what the hypersomnia means?  I looked it up in the dictionary and the most relevant definition was that I suffer tiredness during the day (... really!???).  My respiratory profile noted that I have a sleep efficiency of 30% with 89 events per hour and my oxygen saturation was 81% for the night.  The report also said that "This improves on CPAP but it was still not ideal.  He did have an increase in REM sleep while on CPAP.  There were no arousals due to respiratory events while he was on positive pressure."  They said that my optimal setting was 12cm H2O but I still had residual snoring.  At 13 I had more awakenings so 12 is what I was prescribed.  Is the residual snoring an issue I need to be concerned about?

I was laid off a couple months ago and until this month had health insurance.  I have a few questions regarding how to proceed with the purchase and setup of a CPAP and mask.

Must I have a RT or medical equipment company to set the pressure on my machine or can I do it myself?

If I buy an APAP (I am considering the M Series with A-Flex), does the pressure need to be setup or does it just automatically sense the pressure needed to open my airway? Anyone out there use an auto-adjusting CPAP?  Is it worth the additional $$ or do you think that I may be satisfied with the C-Flex only.  I read many times that having the C-Flex can really make a positive difference in compliance.  I would be interested in hearing opinions on this subject.  Of course, money is an issue.

They also prescribed a medium Respironics Comfort Fusion mask.  I was never given a choice at the study or allowed to try different masks (I'm sure this is because there was not enough time since it was a split study).  Do I have to use this mask or can I choose another?  I am a big-time mouth breather who sleeps on my stomach so I was thinking of buying the Hybrid mask.  Is this a good choice considering my sleep position and mouth breathing?  Any other suggestions for a stomach sleeper?  

Sorry for the long detailed post and many questions but wanted to get answers/opinions from experienced people before proceeding.  Any and all guidance is most appreciated.

Thanks,
Peter

You do not have to use a local DME (brick and mortar supplier), there are several online suppliers.  Without insurance you probably want to get your machine through an online supplier and your prescription allows you get your choice of autoPAP or CPAP.  The supplier will set a CPAP to the prescribed pressure and if there is no prescribed pressure for an autoPAP it will be set for 4 to 20 cmh2o.  Humidifiers, masks, and other stuff does not require a prescription and you can get whatever you want.  There is a bit of a problem going through online suppliers for masks because you can't try them on.  Some online suppliers allow you to buy a sort of insurance which allows you to return the mask for a full refund if you don't like it.

if you have very little money most places will rent you a CPAP but you have to buy a mask
find a place where a trained mask fitter will have a range of masks to try on you

find out why you mouth breathe and if its just from habit, try to become a nose breather, its better for your health


_________________
respironics comfort gell mask,broken and repaired resmed S6 lightweight CPAP, pressure 10 no humidifier
NO DOCTOR EVER ASKED ME IF I SNORED

If you are in the US, CPAP rental is very expensive, about two months of rental will pay for the machine from an on-line provider.  If you don't have money to buy a CPAP, there is an organization called Awake in America that may be able to help.

Thanks to both of you for offering good advice.  I am going to buy the Remstar APAP machine but I am still looking for more feedback regarding masks.

Thanks,
Peter

I am clueless about full face masks, I use a nasal mask