Sleep Apnoea and CPAP

Anybody any tips for traveling out of the country with a CPAP machine on holidays. Will I have any hassle bringing unit on board RyanAir flight? I see on there website there should not be a problem but you never know with Ryanair...
I presume travel insurance is a must incse of loss or damage to the unit?

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

I'm currently paying €102.86 a month to BOC Gases for my CPAP machine.
I have been paying this for the last six months or so. I guess I'm just wondering are there cheaper alternatives out there (I'd heard it's a competitive market), and who should I approach?

Would I need to go back to a doctor if I was to switch company? (trying to reduce expenses here, going back to the sleep guy wouldn't be a good way to try save money )

Ring them and ask for your machine setting, if they ask why tell them you've been shopping around and got a better offer elsewhere for way less, tell them your new offer includes annual mask replacement and so on and so on.

Its a bit like SKY, if you tell them your on the move prices miraculously come down.

Squall Leonhart

I'm currently paying €102.86 a month to BOC Gases for my CPAP machine.
I have been paying this for the last six months or so. I guess I'm just wondering are there cheaper alternatives out there (I'd heard it's a competitive market), and who should I approach?

Would I need to go back to a doctor if I was to switch company? (trying to reduce expenses here, going back to the sleep guy wouldn't be a good way to try save money

)

Im using a Dreamstation and with Air Liquide as the provider. Also paying 103 euro a month but have the tech call out to me once because I flooded the machine:o. He just gave me a new one. This also includes for replacement masks and filters. I will try to get them down in price in a few months when I shop around to see what other companies are charging

dogmatix wrote: »

I’ve been using the ResMed Airsense with humidifier + heated hose + nasal mask. Nearly 2 weeks using it now. Some observations:

Pros –
1. Snoring eliminated. According to an app on my Iphone my snoring was in the “epic” category with a score of 103. Now I have a score of 7 and listening to some of the playbacks I suspect that low score was down to cars passing my bedroom window in the night and other non-snoring sounds.
2. Not tired on awakening - for the first time in years I have not had the urge to hit the snooze button repeatedly on awakening. Still tired during the day but that may be a combination of my mild narcolepsey plus it is early days yet for the CPAP treatment.
3. Machine is fairly quiet.

Cons –
1. Being hooked up to the machine via hose and mask feels very restrictive and I’m always a bit wary of moving about and trapping the hose or knocking the machine over (I’ve already knocked it off the bedside table once).
2. On starting the machine there is an initial sense of not getting enough air – passes after 2 minutes or so.
3. My machine is set to ramp up from 4 to 11. I find I am waking up after 2 or 3 hours and I can feel obvious air leakage all around the mask. I have to move a flat on my back position to stop this.
4. Had a blocked nose for 2 days last week – so could not use the mask.
5. Cost is high – 110 euros a month plus I was told a new mask is needed annually (new mask is €150). That plus my narcolepsey medication would mean I would be paying 200-300 a month. Thank god for the DPS and the fact that my medication is now out of patent so there are now cheap generic versions available. Even so, 144 a month is still high. And to think that back in 2009 the threshold was 95 euros a month.

The future? Apparently in the near future there will be a pacemaker like device that can be fitted in the neck and deliver mild electrical pulses to the muscles - to keep them "alert". I'd be first in the queue if that procedure was ever avaliable.

I would be confident of getting that €110 reduced substantially. Its a small matter of playing different companies off against each other.
I managed to get my bill down and have a free mask every year by playing them off against each other.
Keep an eye online as well as there are often good offers on masks.

dogmatix

I’ve been using the ResMed Airsense with humidifier + heated hose + nasal mask. Nearly 2 weeks using it now. Some observations:

Pros –
1. Snoring eliminated. According to an app on my Iphone my snoring was in the “epic” category with a score of 103. Now I have a score of 7 and listening to some of the playbacks I suspect that low score was down to cars passing my bedroom window in the night and other non-snoring sounds.
2. Not tired on awakening - for the first time in years I have not had the urge to hit the snooze button repeatedly on awakening. Still tired during the day but that may be a combination of my mild narcolepsey plus it is early days yet for the CPAP treatment.
3. Machine is fairly quiet.

Cons –
1. Being hooked up to the machine via hose and mask feels very restrictive and I’m always a bit wary of moving about and trapping the hose or knocking the machine over (I’ve already knocked it off the bedside table once).
2. On starting the machine there is an initial sense of not getting enough air – passes after 2 minutes or so.
3. My machine is set to ramp up from 4 to 11. I find I am waking up after 2 or 3 hours and I can feel obvious air leakage all around the mask. I have to move a flat on my back position to stop this.
4. Had a blocked nose for 2 days last week – so could not use the mask.
5. Cost is high – 110 euros a month plus I was told a new mask is needed annually (new mask is €150). That plus my narcolepsey medication would mean I would be paying 200-300 a month. Thank god for the DPS and the fact that my medication is now out of patent so there are now cheap generic versions available. Even so, 144 a month is still high. And to think that back in 2009 the threshold was 95 euros a month.

The future? Apparently in the near future there will be a pacemaker like device that can be fitted in the neck and deliver mild electrical pulses to the muscles - to keep them "alert". I'd be first in the queue if that procedure was ever avaliable.

Real Psycrow wrote: »

Please don't let that freak you out. The extra few weeks it takes for you to see the specialist won't make a difference. A single apnea won't cause a stroke or heart attack. Its long term untreated sleep apnea that will affect your health detrimentally. Long term, undiagnosed, it might cause you to have a stroke or heart attack a few (short) years sooner than expected. But its not going to kill you at a young age, unless you fall asleep at the wheel while driving because you're so tired.

I have read a lot of scare mongering on other forums. People saying you shouldn't even nap on the couch without your CPAP machine as it could kill you. I suspected it was bull****, but to be sure I mentioned it to the consultant the next time I saw her. She confirmed what I thought. There's no immediate danger in sleeping without the machine.

Wait for your appointment. You'll be fine.

That the part that made me get up of my arse and get a machine.. i knew it was only a matter of time before it happened...

Real Psycrow

HenryHill wrote: »

I recently visited the doctor because i was extremly fatigued from 12 midday onwards while i was in work, on top of that i wake up sometimes gasping for air, sometimes i remember it other times my other half informs me the next morning.

My doc suspects sleep apnea and has written to a nose and throat specialist to get me an appointment. Four weeks later i havent heard anything i hope its soon because im getting freaked out with people talking about strokes and heart attacks.

Please don't let that freak you out. The extra few weeks it takes for you to see the specialist won't make a difference. A single apnea won't cause a stroke or heart attack. Its long term untreated sleep apnea that will affect your health detrimentally. Long term, undiagnosed, it might cause you to have a stroke or heart attack a few (short) years sooner than expected. But its not going to kill you at a young age, unless you fall asleep at the wheel while driving because you're so tired.

I have read a lot of scare mongering on other forums. People saying you shouldn't even nap on the couch without your CPAP machine as it could kill you. I suspected it was bull****, but to be sure I mentioned it to the consultant the next time I saw her. She confirmed what I thought. There's no immediate danger in sleeping without the machine.

Wait for your appointment. You'll be fine.

HenryHill

I recently visited the doctor because i was extremly fatigued from 12 midday onwards while i was in work, on top of that i wake up sometimes gasping for air, sometimes i remember it other times my other half informs me the next morning.

My doc suspects sleep apnea and has written to a nose and throat specialist to get me an appointment. Four weeks later i havent heard anything i hope its soon because im getting freaked out with people talking about strokes and heart attacks.

Brillig wrote:

I have the ResMed Airsense 10 and it can be set to give you data. Also it can be set to operate with either a fixed Pressure or a Variable Pressure. The doctor will advise me on which Pressure regime is most suitable. The rep set it so that I get a reading of the No of Usage Hours and Events per hour - these will be the Apnea/Hypopnea events per hour. I suspect that more information can be viewed if one knows how to set the machine accordingly.

Are you renting or bought outright?? Do you mind saying how much it cost??
Thanks

Brillig

I have mild OSA - AHI 17. Has anyone used a Mandibular device. I know that there are pros and cons. If anyone used one - did you get it in Ireland or abroad ?

I must get on the my rep to see if this possible.
I changed my mask a few weeks ago, same mask just replacement, and it was causing swelling in my right nostril but this has resolved itself.
Changing from full face to nasal pillow was a game changer for me and hopefully the day I can give the cpap up is not too far away.

Brillig

I have the ResMed Airsense 10 and it can be set to give you data. Also it can be set to operate with either a fixed Pressure or a Variable Pressure. The doctor will advise me on which Pressure regime is most suitable. The rep set it so that I get a reading of the No of Usage Hours and Events per hour - these will be the Apnea/Hypopnea events per hour. I suspect that more information can be viewed if one knows how to set the machine accordingly.

I find that I wait a while to put on mask. Then I wake up hours late unmasked!

Best of luck.

FaganJr wrote: »

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

As far as I know only the rep and consultant can download it.

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

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.

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..

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

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.

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

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.

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: »

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:

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: »

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: »

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: »

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: »

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: »

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.