CPAP: AirSense 10 AutoSet
Set to CPAP Fixed Mode
Pressure 11 cm
Ramp: Auto
Ramp Start: 9 cm
EPR: 2, Full Time
Mask: ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow
Canada
CPAP: AirSense 10 AutoSet
Set to CPAP Fixed Mode
Pressure 11 cm
Ramp: Auto
Ramp Start: 9 cm
EPR: 2, Full Time
Mask: ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow
Canada
I may have skipped over some of your questions.
"Does an APAP provide more data than a CPAP? Is an APAP machine basically a more modern BiPAP machine? Or can I run an APAP as CPAP or BiPAP?"
Yes, in some machines the fixed pressure CPAP does not store detailed data. I would not accept any machine that is not able to supply detailed data to the SleepyHead application. The ResMed AutoSet certainly does store all the data and is compatible with SleepyHead.
Both the APAP and BiPAP or BiLevel machines are state of the art design. There may be a few refinements on the current AirSense 10 (APAP) that are not on the current AirCurve 10 (BiLevel). But the BiLevel machine will also have some features that the APAP does not have. The main one is that the BiLevel will go up to 25 cm pressure instead of 20 cm. It can also provide up to 10 cm differential between inhale and exhale (pressure support). The APAP is limited to 3 cm differential. The BiLevel also has some adjustments on how it switches from inhale to exhale. Discuss this with your doctor, but I would suggest these are all moot points for you, as you are very unlikely to need very much pressure, and no where near 20 cm with a mild obstructive apnea. And it is usually better to run no differential between inhale and exhale, except during the going to sleep ramp up period.
You can run both the APAP and BiLevel (ResMed machines) in CPAP mode. Pressures are limited to 20 cm in CPAP mode. You can't run an APAP as a BiLevel as it does not have enough pressure. You can make a BiLevel behave pretty much like an APAP, but it is more complex to set it up to do that.
I think what you may be asking about is if you should get a BiLevel given that you may only get one shot at a machine each 5 years with your insurance company? First, I suspect that your doctor may not be willing to write a prescription for one if you only have mild obstructive apnea. And there may be a bit of a compromise in your comfort by using a BiLevel. For example I don't think it has the ramp only feature on the pressure differential between inhale and exhale. The APAP does.
Another thing to consider is what can you negotiate with the Insurance company. My son had a fairly generous insurance plan when he was prescribed an APAP. He talked direct to the insurance company and was able to negotiate getting two machines covered. The sleep clinic were offering the single APAP for $2400, but an on line store was offering the same APAP plus a travel APAP for less than $2000 total. The insurance company paid it. The other possibility is if you buy at a lower price and don't use up your maximum allowance, will they let you buy an updated machine in 3 years instead of 5 years?
Hope that helps some,
George, the prices of machines probably vary by country. However in Canada where the original poster is from the price difference between a CPAP and APAP is very small. The ResMed AirSense Elite (fixed CPAP) sells for $850, while the ResMed AirSense Autoset (APAP) sells for $880 Canadian. It makes no sense to get the CPAP machine. The APAP can be easily set to act like a CPAP if you want to as well.
I would strongly advise an Auto CPAP or APAP. Yes, you likely could get away with a fixed pressure CPAP but it is going to be more difficult to get setup properly, and the difference in price is quite small. When a fixed CPAP is prescribed it is usually after an in lab titration study to determine what pressure it should be set up. With an APAP you really do not need the titration study. The machine is just set with a fairly wide pressure range and then tweaked after you gain some experience with it. SleepyHead software would be very helpful if you are going to do the setup yourself.
The machine I would recommend would be the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her. I would suggest the For Her version even if you are male. It has an extra setup mode that can be used or not used at your choice. Ask your sleep doctor about the need for a BiLevel machine. But, unless you need pressures of more than 20 cm it would not be necessary. My recollection is that your diagnosis was likely in mild apnea zone, and should not need high pressure to treat.
Here is a link to a package from a Toronto company that I bought from. They are pretty good to deal with. They will require a prescription if you decide to order from them. This package includes all you need to get started including a choice of a few different masks. I use the ResMed AirFit P10 and find it quite comfortable. Ideally you would want to try one before buying, but if that is not an option, I would suggest that one.
ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her Package
Hope that helps some,