Sleep Apnoea and CPAP

FaganJr wrote: »

On machine's, are ye renting or have ye bought out right??

At the moment only going back to suppliers to see what I can get. Talking to Direct Medical in Athlone at the moment, rent for a start with a purchase option i suppose.

Glebee wrote: »

Would you mind me asking what type of machine your using at the moment?

Sure. I'm using a Fisher Paykel. This is the model here. https://www.fphcare.com/homecare/sleep-apnea/cpap-devices/

FaganJr wrote: »

On machine's, are ye renting or have ye bought out right??

I'm renting still. It's basically €100 a month which isn't cheap, but I'm going to stick with it for a while.

Finding what suits you is not a cut and dry process. Included in my rental are new masks and I've tried multiple masks this year to try to get the best one for me. I'm on a new type of mask for the past month or so.

Once I'm happy with my setup, I plan to buy and have discussed this with the company I'm renting from, BOC. They have a system in place for customer's to buy their machines outright for cheaper prices depending on how long you've been renting for. However if you do this, you will then have to pay an annual fee for servicing and pay for parts yourself, including new masks which are around €150 each, and should be replaced every 6 months or so if kept well. That's why I'm happy to keep renting for now until I know exactly what I need.

[Deleted User]

Interesting research: Long-term cardiovascular outcomes in men with obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea with or without treatment with continuous positive airway pressure: an observational study.

Brillig

SavvyGuy 14May16 said he thinks important to buy Data Link for Cpap machine. Can you explain to me please. Can one interpret one's readings - is software available in that case. I am totally new to all this - still have to go to Vincents for talk on Apnia and meet with Supplier. Also is there a market in Renovated machines? I understand that Machine itself will not be prone to infection. Presumably the Masks/ Tubes/ Filters should be purchased new. Any advice please. Thanks

Masala

Real Psycrow wrote: »

Sure. I'm using a Fisher Paykel. This is the model here. https://www.fphcare.com/homecare/sleep-apnea/cpap-devices/

Have they Irish rep??? I am being put on a BOC device which looks cumbersome

Masala wrote: »

Have they Irish rep??? I am being put on a BOC device which looks cumbersome

I don't know. It's BOC I deal with, so I got it through them

Masala

Real Psycrow wrote: »

I don't know. It's BOC I deal with, so I got it through them

Sorry ..... I should clarify!!! I am being referred to the BOC rep as it was a BOC machine I used in the Clinic

So... I could ask the rep to show me this Icon model as well as their own models??? My clinic are worried that they won't have tge software to run the Icon results. Would prefer the astectics of this Icon model than the BOC I used in the clinic.

As a matter of interest...did u buy outright?? Would u pm me the cost so as to be ahead of my Rep visit??

Many thanks

Masala wrote: »

Sorry ..... I should clarify!!! I am being referred to the BOC rep as it was a BOC machine I used in the Clinic

So... I could ask the rep to show me this Icon model as well as their own models??? My clinic are worried that they won't have tge software to run the Icon results. Would prefer the astectics of this Icon model than the BOC I used in the clinic.

As a matter of interest...did u buy outright?? Would u pm me the cost so as to be ahead of my Rep visit??

Many thanks

I never dealt with a rep. Just a nurse. I don't remember her giving me an option of machine either, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't ask.

I'm still renting. Its about €100 per month. Steep I know, but for that the nurse is on the end of the phone when I need her, I'm on my 3rd or 4th different type of mask and have had parts replaced on the machine. All included in that price. There is an option to buy the machine, but I'm going to wait until I'm comfortable with everything first before I do that as you lose the service when you stop renting and each new mask etc will have to be paid for. The CPAP is also covered under the Drugs Payment Scheme, so if you're already signed up to that, you'll be getting it for free.

As an example of something that came up months into the rental. I realised that the mask I was using had started to leave dents in my forehead as I sleep on my front. The nurse sent me out a new type of mask, but it didn't work for me. She then gave me another new type of mask that I'm using now. All this is part of the service.

I rent for €45.74 per month including one replacement mask per year. I use a nasal pillow and it is excellent.
Consultant switched me from full face to nasal last year having previously used full face for years, nurse at the time of diagnosis reckoned I was a mouth breather and unable to breath properly through my nose, but the consultant disagreed and changed me within minutes of meeting him.
Full face was causing problems including having to get a number of fillings and dry mouth, all these problems are gone, as well as no leakage.
Its also much quieter than the full face.
All these companies can be played off against another, I recommend behaving like a SKY customer and pressing the cancellation button every now and then.

Also on an aside LAYA will refund 50% up to a maximum of €300 in a given membership year.

Masala

Am interested in reading about more from users of CPAP.

Would you recommend any forums that you like to read and contribute to ???

First few nights back on the CPAP machine and it seems to have gotten easier from my last attempt.... Keeping the mask on all night and belief it or not the tierdness I felt during the day has dissapeared already...

Glebee wrote: »

First few nights back on the CPAP machine and it seems to have gotten easier from my last attempt.... Keeping the mask on all night and belief it or not the tierdness I felt during the day has dissapeared already...

Great news for you!
I'm slipping, seems I'm taking the mask off after 1-3 hrs of sleep but have no recollection of doing this.
So a little disheartened ATM.

FaganJr wrote: »

Great news for you!
I'm slipping, seems I'm taking the mask off after 1-3 hrs of sleep but have no recollection of doing this.
So a little disheartened ATM.

I thoroughly recommend the Resmed Airfit P10 Nasal pillow, comfortable, quiet and no way as intrusive as a face mask.
No more dry mouth either.

Reputable Rog wrote: »

I thoroughly recommend the Resmed Airfit P10 Nasal pillow, comfortable, quiet and no way as intrusive as a face mask.
No more dry mouth either.

I'm afraid I'm a mouth open sleeper, drool and all!

FaganJr wrote: »

I'm afraid I'm a mouth open sleeper, drool and all!

Same as, drool is a problem alright. Apparently there's some chin straps you can get.

Reputable Rog wrote: »

Same as, drool is a problem alright. Apparently there's some chin straps you can get.

Gonna try a bit longer and then maybe consult with the specialist again if no improvement!

FaganJr wrote: »

Gonna try a bit longer and then maybe consult with the specialist again if no improvement!

Keep at it. I found it very difficult at the start to adjust to CPAP, I'd wake up and find the mask thrown outside the bed and have no recollection of doing it.
Once I got it though I didn't look back.

Reputable Rog wrote:

Keep at it. I found it very difficult at the start to adjust to CPAP, I'd wake up and find the mask thrown outside the bed and have no recollection of doing it. Once I got it though I didn't look back.

Right, think I've figured out what's happening.
The machine is set to auto, so pressure increases as required.
But I've noticed it remains at this pressure and doesn't decrease.
So I end up like a balloon, fill of air, and it wakes me up.
So have to deflate and start again.
So can the machine decrease pressure by itself or is there smarter machines on the market today??

FaganJr wrote: »

Right, think I've figured out what's happening.
The machine is set to auto, so pressure increases as required.
But I've noticed it remains at this pressure and doesn't decrease.
So I end up like a balloon, fill of air, and it wakes me up.
So have to deflate and start again.
So can the machine decrease pressure by itself or is there smarter machines on the market today??

The machine should be doing itself, mine is set to auto with a minimum pressure of 4, averages about 6 but can be as low as 4 if I have been exercising consistently for a while.
A feed of pints and it's about 12.
Get onto your supplier and ask for a replacement if it's not working properly.
Also don't be afraid to hover your finger over the cancellation button, there's always deals to be got, it's a very competitive market.

Reputable Rog wrote: »

The machine should be doing itself, mine is set to auto with a minimum pressure of 4, averages about 6 but can be as low as 4 if I have been exercising consistently for a while.
A feed of pints and it's about 12.
Get onto your supplier and ask for a replacement if it's not working properly.
Also don't be afraid to hover your finger over the cancellation button, there's always deals to be got, it's a very competitive market.

Thats what I thought, will get onto them tomorrow.
As for other suppliers, haven't a clue where to look as I got this machine from the hospital from a Rep after my assessment.
Will Google bring up all suppliers or are there others that may not be as obvious.
Thanks

FaganJr wrote: »

Thats what I thought, will get onto them tomorrow.
As for other suppliers, haven't a clue where to look as I got this machine from the hospital from a Rep after my assessment.
Will Google bring up all suppliers or are there others that may not be as obvious.
Thanks

What hospital did you have your assessment in?
The Cork sleep clinic in Mallow hospital always has reps swarming around.
Some hospitals have tie ups with individual companies but you are free to go with whoever you wanr.

Are we allowed name what companies were hiring for at the moment???

Glebee wrote: »

Are we allowed name what companies were hiring for at the moment???

Why not? They're all on the internet, their prices are up on some as well.

Reputable Rog wrote:

Why not? They're all on the internet, their prices are up on some as well.

Would be interested in what equipment people have and what advantages they have.
Functionality etc

Currently about 5 weeks into my second attempt to use the machine. This time I made up my mind to give it a right go and have used the mask for a minimum of 6 hours most nights for the past 5 week. AHI readings are down to under 3 most nights and I was diagnosed as being towards the bad end of sleep apnea scale. No snoring either. Going to sleep is a joy at the moment. I wake refreshed the next morning and can honestly say some morning I bounce out of bed. No waking during the night to go to toilet (was up at least twice a night prior to using machine). Tiredness during the day is completely gone. No more napping on the couch or having to pull into the hardshoulder in the car to have a kip if on a long drive. I think in the end it was the driving situation that really scared me into doing something. I was an accident waiting to happen. I can now saw I know what a good nights sleep is..

Drumpot

I used a machine for first time last night. I use the nose mask.

I didn't sleep alot but hope that's just me taking time to getting used to wearing a mask in bed. Does it take a few days to settle into wearing mask?

I took off mask after bout 5.5 hours usage go try and at least get some sleep. It was irritating under my nose (felt like small rash) but I did feel refreshed somewhat, even though I hadn't felt like I aid much sleep.
When I hot up I was knackwred but I did notice that I found breathing through my nose without machine tougher. I'm a mouth breather but quickly got used tonbreathing through nose.
Not sure what to think of it but desperately hope I get used to machine and it improves my sleep. Think I stop breathing 27 times per hour and seldom feel rest after any amount of sleep.

Hi Guys,

Things are going better now getting a good 5-6 hours a night now, feel pretty good afterwards.

Only thing is now I feel like my machine isn't giving me the info I require to know things are working.

So what machines are you guys using and can you get info off the machines to monitor how your sleep is going.

I think these machines are top of the tree:
ResMed Airsense10
Philips Dreamstation

Will my current supplier rent one to me ( eventhough they supply different machines ) or do I need a different supplier.

Thanks