CPAP questions....

[RANDY P]

surgery is like a 30% success rate with apnea. I wanted that initially but got talked out of it..

PS I just scored a Resmed S8,used with 11 hours on it- found it off CL when I forgot my stuff at home on a trip the other day. Dude bought it, hated it.

$100.00. Now I have a backup Brand new mask included.

[A930Rocket]

I've seen the S8 on-line and CL but it's a smaller portable machine isn't it?

I've been looking at CL for a cpap machine and just missed a new ResMes S9 for $500. On-line, I've seen the same model for $799.

[island_dude]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

surgery is like a 30% success rate with apnea. I wanted that initially but got talked out of it..

PS I just scored a Resmed S8,used with 11 hours on it- found it off CL when I forgot my stuff at home on a trip the other day. Dude bought it, hated it.

$100.00. Now I have a backup Brand new mask included.

I went for the surgery. Cured me completely!!! For about 3 months Then all my numbers went south. I moved from being a mild case to a moderate. I am tethered to the CPAP for the rest of my life. Anyone thinking of the surgical option should proceed very carefully. It will only help a very small percentage of the population who have very specific issues. The recovery is really rough too. I don't recommend it.

[targa911S]

Well I just sent in my home sleep test yesterday...we will see where it goes from here..

[recycled sixtie]

For those that use the CPAP machine do you think you feel more rested after using the CPAP machine than before particularly after sleeping 4-5 hours in a night?

[wdfifteen]

Definitely more rested and in a better mood. I used to wake up every morning feeling grumpy and with a sore throat. I "slept" 6 or 8 hours, but I spent almost all of the time in Stage 1 sleep. Every night I would dream I was awake and couldn't get to sleep. I'd look at the clock and it was midnight and I would fall asleep and dream I was awake. In my dreams I thought, "Damn, I've been laying here half an hour and I can't get to sleep. Well, if I'm not going to sleep I might as get up and read." I'd get up and look at the clock and it was 5 AM. Strange.

Stages of Sleep

[recycled sixtie]

Thanks for that WD. I tape recorded the first 2 hours of sleep last night and found that I snored quite a bit. Yes I do get a sore throat on an intermittent basis and likely coz of that. So my next question is would it be hard sleeping with a cpap mask on? I would think that is is uncomfortable initially and you get used to it?

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

Thanks for that WD. I tape recorded the first 2 hours of sleep last night and found that I snored quite a bit. Yes I do get a sore throat on an intermittent basis and likely coz of that. So my next question is would it be hard sleeping with a cpap mask on? I would think that is is uncomfortable initially and you get used to it?

I didn't find it uncomfortable, but I did (still do) have trouble getting it to seal well. I bought a special pillow with cutouts on the sides so I can lie on my side and not knock the mask askew.
I know people who just can't stand it. It can be annoying at times, other times I don't even notice. If I have a rough night of tossing and turning I can wrap the hose around my neck and pull the unit off the stand. For me the benefits outweight the drawbacks.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

For those that use the CPAP machine do you think you feel more rested after using the CPAP machine than before particularly after sleeping 4-5 hours in a night?

Yeah, bigtime. You don't want to doze off during the day.....

Once you do a sleep study you realize just how little sleep you are getting. Your body is waking up due to the fact you're choking at night- that's the snoring- soon you choke.

you may not remember, but you certainly aren't resting. Most of my family is on a CPAP- anyone larger is gonna have one- even my brother who is a Bodybuilder (competes) uses one..

Large neck, large chest you'll need one sooner or later.

Just do it, it's pretty amazing how the body can survive with such little rest. Just imagine how you'll feel once you do.

rjp

[targa911S]

I'm feeling better about this with every post.

[RANDY P]

A couple of random thoughts-

1) If you have to have a full face mask, try to get one that goes under the chin to help keep your mouth shut at night. Minimize cotton mouth and worse, drooling inside the mask (I HATE THAT). Tell them you want those options, try 'em out. Also, to save your pocketbook, get a mask that has a replaceable lip, the lip is a silicone seal can typically be found for $10 each, VS. a new mask insert (lip and cup) for $35.

Fisher and Paykel 432 is what I use, it has a removable lip. I used to use a Resmed F10 mask it's not an under chin which means cotton mouth and drool- which IMHO is an expensive POS- the lip isn't removable so it gets expensive to replace it due to bad seal, and the headstrap wears out and is cheaply made compared to the Fisher piece.

Ask those questions about the mask, remember those consumables will get expensive, and you will want spare parts. It's not the kind of thing you will want to do a night without. You get used to it.

2)- they will likely knock the insurance company out of the ballpark, you'll likely get a "Heated hose" a hose with a defroster element to keep moisture from forming inside the hose at night.

- Unless you are way north and sleep in an icebox, it isn't needed, only for real cold climates. Put it away, and use the cheap non heated one instead- save the nice one for a backup.

Hoses can be found off ebay for $5 ea shipped, and Fisher 432 seals $10 ea. It's a bargain..

[RANDY P]

Oh ya and the Resmed S10 machine actually reports your nightly sleep to Resmed, (and possibly the NSA.)

On myair.resmed.com you can actually see how you slept last night, and it rates you on the various categories- mask seal, how long you slept, incidents which woke you- you don't have to pay extra for that. The CPAP people also use it to know their machine is doing the trick. The site will track back days and weeks, so you can see trends.

Push for the Resmed F10- it does that and it doesn't cost monthly for the reporting...It's a useful tool to see if it's helping. I'm always over 95%.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I've seen the S8 on-line and CL but it's a smaller portable machine isn't it?

I've been looking at CL for a cpap machine and just missed a new ResMes S9 for $500. On-line, I've seen the same model for $799.

It probably didn't have the humidifier attached. There's a clip on the bottom to detach the two and you can roll without it.....

Don't even THINK about not using a humidifier. Just, NO.

rjp

[RANDY P]

One last thing, you really need to get a pro to figure out the pressure. That's not something to tinker around with. It can choke you if you don't have it right.

Tell the doc you want to DIY the machine to save money- claim you got yours from a family member who hated it (so less pushback on buying new only), I'm sure they would understand. Get the pressure settings, and there you go. You can easily find the info online to program one. I believe that's the only setting you need to have. The rest you are allowed to mess with (ramp time)

rjp

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Oh ya and the Resmed S10 machine actually reports your nightly sleep to Resmed, (and possibly the NSA.)


Push for the Resmed F10- it does that and it doesn't cost monthly for the reporting...It's a useful tool to see if it's helping. I'm always over 95%.]

Typo? F-10 is a mask.
Sleepyhead software will let you read the machine's SD card data on your computer If you don't have the wifi upload feature.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Typo? F-10 is a mask.
Sleepyhead software will let you read the machine's SD card data on your computer If you don't have the wifi upload feature.

Correct, "S10"- that's the one...

Don't use an F10 mask if possible. At higher pressures it just doesn't work.

rjp

[A930Rocket]

Prescription is on the way via mail. I asked for the pressure so I'm hoping its there.

When I did the sleep study at the lab, I used a small mask over my nose. It was ok for the first time but will take getting used to.

It didn't have a humidifier and wasn't to bad the next morning. I plan on getting one though.

Originally Posted by RANDY P

One last thing,
you really need to get a pro to figure out the pressure. That's not something to tinker around with. It can choke you if you don't have it right.

Tell the doc you want to DIY the machine to save money- claim you got yours from a family member who hated it (so less pushback on buying new only), I'm sure they would understand. Get the pressure settings, and there you go. You can easily find the info online to program one. I believe that's the only setting you need to have. The rest you are allowed to mess with (ramp time)

rjp

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Prescription is on the way via mail. I asked for the pressure so I'm hoping its there.

When I did the sleep study at the lab, I used a small mask over my nose. It was ok for the first time but will take getting used to.

It didn't have a humidifier and wasn't to bad the next morning. I plan on getting one though.

Should be there- Sounds like ur pressure is average... My brother uses that setup and he's at 9. I'm a full face at 16PSI.

there's some serious aerodynamics at work to keep the mask quiet. YOu don't hear anything until the mask moves- then it sounds like an open car window at 80MPH...

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Wife says I have sleep apnea. Did the sleep test and they say I need the CPAP machine. Haven't talked to my doc yet.

I've started exercising to lose some weight.

The CPAP folks said I haven't met my deductible yet, so I'm paying out of pocket. It's about $550 and $10 a month to rent the machine. If I buy it out right, it's $1,200. I don't know what make or model the machine is but have a call into them to ask.

I looked on line and the prices range from $350 to $900 for new machines. Any reason why I shouldn't buy online? I talked the sleep study center and they talked to my doctor. They feel it's worth it to rent because you get support etc. The online machines have 2 year warranties, but no support. I feel the sleep study center and CPAP supplier are in cahoots with each other, but that's just my guess.

So, any thoughts as to buy or rent? What make, models and info am I looking for?

Insurance, subject to you meeting your deductable, will typically cover the of the machine, however the insurance co's usually require a rental vs purchase up front with regular 6 mos follow-up appts from your machine provider to document therapy compliance (i.e. regular usage) They will not pay for it up front until you demonstrate compliance and sometimes require a follow-up sleep study to validate that the CPAP therapy is effective in controlling your Apnea. They will cover the rental and ultimately the cost of purchase. Thereafter insurance will cover the cost of supply every six dos ( i.e. new mask , hose, filter, humidifier chamber, etc). Resmed is an industry leader and their products are top notch. The key to compliance.regular usage is finding a mask that fits properly and does not leak. This is the key to effective CPAP therapy and the #1 reason why so many patients give up on CPAP. Effective CPAP therapy is life changing. I've been on it for 13 years.

[sammyg2]

Last week I snagged a remstar plus BIPAP machine with humidifier on craigslist for $99. Looks like this one:
It's if good shape.


I ordered a new mask and it got here Saturday.
The BIPAP is kinda like an automatic computerized device that measures and adjusts until everything is juuuuuust right.
It has different pressures for inhalation and exhalation, duration of each, all kinds of stuff.


The first night was kinda rough, I felt myself fighting the machine as it was trying to make adjustments. I might have got a couple hours with it til I gave up.

The next night was better: it still took a while for fighting, but eventually i was out light a light.
Woke up a couple a times to pee, that's normal.
When I woke up in the morning I could not tell I had the mask on at all, breathing was totally relaxed and normal.

Last night was better, over 8 hours of actual sleep total.
8 hours.
I haven't slept for 8 hours in many moons.
And it was deep sleep, as in not moving. Not rolling over, tossing and turning, just perfectly still sleep.

I woke up up feeling kinda good, as in no headache and chest ache and dizziness i usually feel when waking up.

I still have a ways to go but I have a feeling this is going to be a permanent thing.