CPAP questions....
 

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?

Of course they are in cahoots. If you can afford it buy one. Just remember to change the masks.

Best course is loosing the weight. That will solve the problem and others that might pop up.

Cahoots for sure. I had one stolen once and bought a brand new travel machine to tide me over till my Insurance got me a new one........The travel machine was $200 and works as well as any.

Since you need a prescription, Ebay won't let sellers list any for sale. However, Craigslist is a gold mine of Cheap Cpaps....Here is a great model for $30:
REMstar Plus CPAP Machine

Don't replace mask and hose as often as advised until your insurance pays for it....Overkill for the companies to make money off U.

Hrm... I've not needed support for mine, except for buying new masks, etc.

Knowing what I know now, if I had to pay the $1200 out of pocket, I would pay it. Had to go without for a 2 week period (mask broke, my mask is no longer made, had to get an appointment for a mask fitting, etc) and I was miserable.

Check Craigslist, I found the exact same machine that I use on there, very cheap, not much use on it. I got it to keep at the other house and for road trips.
Found an extra oxygen regulator there too, use for the same thing.

Is there a reason your doctor wants you to use such an expensive machine, or does that $1200 include everything?

Here is the one I have. It has most of the bells and whistles - everything I need - $868.

REMstar Auto CPAP Machine and Humidifier (DS550HS) - CPAP Supplies, CPAP Machines, CPAP Masks, Sleep Apnea – easybreathe.com

Tube, mask, cushions, and headgear should cost about $200.

A problem I first had was understanding the lingo. I ordered "masks" when I really needed the "cushion" and ended up with a lot of expensive stuff I didn't need. The "cushion" is the thing that fits against your face. The "mask" is the thing that holds the cushion. The "headgear" is everything else that goes on your head. I find that the cushion tends to leak after its about a month old, everything else I have is now 8 months old. They say it should be replaced, but I clean it all every weekend and I don't see why I should replace it. I think they just want to sell more stuff.

I was really depressed when I was told I needed this thing. I was thinking, "If I'm that old, just shoot me now." Not a year into it now and I see it's worth the hassle and expense. Plus my wife says she likes sleeping with a fighter pilot.

MIne is the Cadillac of CPAP's- $1100.00

Worth every penny. However, maintaining one is like owning another car- masks, straps, hoses, filters, all kinds of crap.

You can hack owning one on the cheap- do the sleep study, get the pressure settings, buy a used one off CL and then program it yourself. YOu only need the pressure settings from the study.

Beware- many of the ones on CL are used ones, with many hours on 'em and people are just upgrading. Every 5 years insurance co authorizes a new one. Make sure you buy one from someone who bought it but hated it. That happens a lot, too. No use and it's virtually 1/2 off.

AirSense 10 CPAP | ResMed

PS it makes a pretty big difference, better energy and less likely to get sleep-induced problems. After a month, you can't sleep without it.

I hope you did a sleep study to determine if you have apnea and/or the severity.

My machine is a Resmed and is over 10 years old. I'm almost sure it was over $1000. The insurance did pick up some of the cost but I couldn't tell you how much.

I'm sure there are better and certainly more compact units you can buy. Regardless if the cost is 400 or $4000, the relief from not snoring is a amazing. The CPAP has been a life changing event for me. I can't sleep without it.

I have replaced masks, seals, straps and hoses I consider wear items. I buy them from cpapsupplyusa.com.


All the best.

What kind of sleep test? I told my symptoms to my Doc, he sent me for the overnight sleep test, wires on my head, sensors on my body, etc. As I was leaving the morning after the test I ask the tech how I did and she said they would compile the results and send them to my Doc. I don't think they ever knew whether I slept well or not.

THey aren't supposed to reveal the results to the patient. Only the DR can.

1st test was DIY with wires on my head and a big velcro thing on my chest. I was major fail. Got approved for formal test.

2nd test was in the room with some old lady listening to me, with wires and crap and the cpap that was wireless- they crank it up until you stop snoring and the wiring says you're sleeping.

rjp

my wife says I suck the plaster off the ceiling all night. I have finally signed up for a sleep test. However, in my research I found that there are two kinds of apnea. One that a CPAP machine can cure and the other that oxygen can cure. My wife had been on oxygen 24-7 all of last year but no longer uses the system all the time anymore just on occasion. It's an oxygen concentrator. So just for the hell of it I started sleeping with it on. The tube goes from the machine to two little tubes that blow oxygen into your nose. For the last two weeks I have slept like a baby. All night except to piss and feel great in the morning. I may stay with it for a while instead of the fighter pilot mask...she says I don't wake her up in the night as well. so it must be doing it's job..

I did the home test first. That led to the sleep study test at the lab. I was hooked to all kinds of wires and a CPAP machine. I slept ok, but there were a few times it felt like I couldn't get air. I sleep on my side and my sinuses on the low side of my nose always swell up so that I breath out of one nostril (the high side). Standing up, I'm ok. I asked the lady who was there the next morning how I did and she said it was fine and the doc would talk to me.

The CPAP place called me and asked to set up an appointment to get the machine, etc. Thar's when I asked the price, followed by a call to the sleep study lab to ask about getting the prescription and ordering on line.

I don't know yet if the $1200 is the machine only or the machine and all parts needed.

I need to ask my doc a few questions, but wanted to get some info first from you guys, on-line, etc.

Just source the consumables thru places like Ebay- cost less than using insurance and paying your deductible.

Electrical tape works killer for temporary hose repairs.

PS it'll take a few solid months of use to really notice the difference- no falling asleep during the day.

Just get ready for things like cotton mouth, now and then. The learning curve is steep, but once you master it's good.

It is a life changer...

I couldn't get used to it. Woke me up every night for 2 weeks, so I gave it up.

Indeed.
I had the cotton mouth every now and then. Doc told me it was because the cushion seal on my face was leaking. Sure enough, I started changing cushions every month and being careful about putting it on and sleeping in a position that minimized knocking it askew in the night. Cotton mouth nights were fewer.

Going in a different direction here, but, I've recently been hearing advertising on the radio about a "new" surgically implanted device that is claimed to be a resolution to some apnea issues.

It's called "Inspire"...for what it's worth.

Randy

interesting

because it's surgery you gotta fail all other cures to get Inspire..

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. :)

http://aabcomedical.net/cat/respirat...te-h3i-200.jpg

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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

I'm feeling better about this with every post.

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..

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%. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471050462.png
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1471050475.png

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

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

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

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...

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.

Last week I snagged a remstar plus BIPAP machine with humidifier on craigslist for $99. Looks like this one:
It's if good shape.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1483469548.jpg

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.