Sleep Apnoea and CPAP

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...

Am interested in reading about more from users of CPAP.

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

Reputable Rog

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 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.

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: »

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

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

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

[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.

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.

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??

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?

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

Real Psycrow wrote: »

I'm coming up on a year using mine. It was hard to get used to at the start, definitely. But now it's almost a comfort to put it on and I simply can't sleep without it. I've tried a couple of times and I wake every 40 minutes or so and get a terrible sore throat from snoring.

In the past I would have to stop to sleep sometimes on the way home from work. I even have felt like doing that on the way to work after being asleep all night! But since having the machine, those things have all changed.

Just watch to make sure that it does help you tackle all those things in your life though. They might not be necessarily related. Speak to your doctor, if all parts of your life are getting on top of you, maybe you're suffering from depression a bit as well and best to nip that in the bud early rather than letting it slide. Hopefully its not that, hopefully the CPAP will change your life. But I didn't want to not mention it.

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

Boulevardier

I have a letter from the CPAP rental company which I am supposed to present at the airport when I check-in or at security.

It gives me the right to carry it on-board in addition to normal cabin baggage. My device cannot be used in-flight so that is not the issue.

As yet I have never had a problem, but there may well be ignorant staff who might make trouble. For that reason, I would try and clear it in advance with the airline.

Im going to go back and give CPAP another try. It been a few yers since I last attempted it and maybe I did not give it a good enough go last time.

Real Psycrow wrote: »

I'm coming up on a year using mine. It was hard to get used to at the start, definitely. But now it's almost a comfort to put it on and I simply can't sleep without it. I've tried a couple of times and I wake every 40 minutes or so and get a terrible sore throat from snoring.

In the past I would have to stop to sleep sometimes on the way home from work. I even have felt like doing that on the way to work after being asleep all night! But since having the machine, those things have all changed.

Just watch to make sure that it does help you tackle all those things in your life though. They might not be necessarily related. Speak to your doctor, if all parts of your life are getting on top of you, maybe you're suffering from depression a bit as well and best to nip that in the bud early rather than letting it slide. Hopefully its not that, hopefully the CPAP will change your life. But I didn't want to not mention it.

Thanks,

I have anxiety but this seems to be a symptom of the sleep Apnea. But I had that under control but not fixing it.

That's why the Prof was surprised at how well I was doing considering how long I've been like this.

So I think I will be able to improve the anxiety as I get better sleep.

Will speak to the doc down the road when I get this sleeping with the mask, as I'm waking a few times a night yet.

But still feeling better even with broken sleep.

Thanks

Masala wrote: »

Quick question ...what about travelling abroad on Ryanair / other airlines.

Can you carry the machine in Hand luggage??? What weight is the typical machine..and I presume it will have to be part of your cabin baggage weight allowance (less than 10kg for Ryanair)

Different carriers have different rules. It would be no problem carrying it if it is your only piece of hand luggage. As Ryanair now allows a "handbag" with your hand luggage, I'd say you're covered there too.

However your doctor can issue you with a letter saying you have to take it on board. This should only cover you if you plan to sleep on the plane, but I can't see any of them stopping you when you have a doctor's letter.

Take a look on the carrier's website though. I've had 8 flights this year with mine and no issue at all.

Quick question ...what about travelling abroad on Ryanair / other airlines.

Can you carry the machine in Hand luggage??? What weight is the typical machine..and I presume it will have to be part of your cabin baggage weight allowance (less than 10kg for Ryanair)

FaganJr wrote: »

HI All

I was diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnea today, in one way I'm relieved but another way I'm worried. My consultant was completely amazed that I could keep my liftestyle going and relatively normal. He maintains that the CPAP will transform my life.
So thats why I'm worried, I've been finding it increasingly hard to keep everything going, like work, marriage, family, life, friends, pass times etc.
So for you guys was it really a transformation of your life, or did you just get more restful sleep and life continued as normal.
I had my consultation last week, my sleep test last night and my CPAP trial tomorrow night.
So for you guys a few miles down the road, how is life now??
Thanks!

I'm coming up on a year using mine. It was hard to get used to at the start, definitely. But now it's almost a comfort to put it on and I simply can't sleep without it. I've tried a couple of times and I wake every 40 minutes or so and get a terrible sore throat from snoring.

In the past I would have to stop to sleep sometimes on the way home from work. I even have felt like doing that on the way to work after being asleep all night! But since having the machine, those things have all changed.

Just watch to make sure that it does help you tackle all those things in your life though. They might not be necessarily related. Speak to your doctor, if all parts of your life are getting on top of you, maybe you're suffering from depression a bit as well and best to nip that in the bud early rather than letting it slide. Hopefully its not that, hopefully the CPAP will change your life. But I didn't want to not mention it.

Sleephead wrote:

Face mask choice is key. I went for nasal pillows. No leaks at all. I couldn't hack the big clunky masks.[
The Airfit P10 Is superb.

Well it is week 1, didn't think it would be easy.
I'll definitely look into that if I keep having trouble with mask.
Thanks for advice!!

Sleephead

FaganJr wrote: »

Thanks, I'm finding it difficult, waking a few times a night.
Air whooshing all over the place .
Reset , start again.
Not going to give up on it, didn't realize how tired I was until I started this.
Feeling about me rested in the mornings.

Face mask choice is key. I went for nasal pillows. No leaks at all. I couldn't hack the big clunky masks.

The Airfit P10 Is superb.

Sleephead wrote:

I almost gave up on it. Took me a good 3 weeks to get used to it.
Now I love it, its fantastic, I'd forgotten what really good quality sleep felt like.
It will change your life for the better.

Thanks, I'm finding it difficult, waking a few times a night.
Air whooshing all over the place .
Reset , start again.
Not going to give up on it, didn't realize how tired I was until I started this.
Feeling about me rested in the mornings.

Sleephead

FaganJr wrote: »

HI All

I was diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnea today, in one way I'm relieved but another way I'm worried. My consultant was completely amazed that I could keep my liftestyle going and relatively normal. He maintains that the CPAP will transform my life.
So thats why I'm worried, I've been finding it increasingly hard to keep everything going, like work, marriage, family, life, friends, pass times etc.
So for you guys was it really a transformation of your life, or did you just get more restful sleep and life continued as normal.
I had my consultation last week, my sleep test last night and my CPAP trial tomorrow night.
So for you guys a few miles down the road, how is life now??
Thanks!

I almost gave up on it. Took me a good 3 weeks to get used to it.

Now I love it, its fantastic, I'd forgotten what really good quality sleep felt like.

It will change your life for the better.

There was also a very funny scene in a recent Modern Family with featured two CPAP machines and a person without one trying to sleep

Boulevardier

A CPAP machine was featured recently on the sitcom Black-ish. One of the characters was sleeping at his desk with it on. He mentioned something about having more lucid nightmares!

Nemesis

I'm using a CPAP machine for the last year.
I had an AHI of 80 which is quite severe.

Over the last year I lost weight, ran 10k and lowered my golf h'cap by 4 shots

Some nights the mask just doesn't fit well and I get air leaks which wakes me up but overall its positive and no more snoring.