Sleep Apnoea and CPAP

If you only get 6 .months out of the machine you're winning. Theres post 1 ot 2 back about masks from the uk
I also pay neatly €100 but get reimbursed on the dps scheme. If that wasnt the case I'd certainly be buying a machine.

Absolute no brainer for you not to buy your own machine.

I have my current one 6 - 7 years. Never had a problem with it, then again, why should there be. It's basically a just a very expensive vacuum cleaner. that works in reverse.

Don't mind all that auld sh1te that the companies supplying the equipment talk about, if anything breaks down, free mask etc. All they are concerned about is maximising their profit. It's what companies so. It is their sole reason for existence.

If the machine breaks down in the first couple of years, it's covered under the Sale of Goods Act and wasn't of merchantable quality to start with. Therefore they are obliged to repair or replace it, and as it's a life threatening condition that you are suffering from, and it's their machine that's broken down, you can insist on a replacement machine, while they are repairing it.

Look at the business model and the figures for the industry

Each company has a franchise on an particular machine. They sell you a new machine for between E800 - to 1200. You can be sure that there is a 100% markup for the supplier. So it costs him say 500 for the machine. Headgear and mask, costs you another 150, so he gets it for 100 max.

Total cost to him for the machine and gear is a maximum of E600 which is a one off cost.

He rents that to you at E100 per month and after 6 months everything is paid for in full. He gets E600 for the rest of th year. Fair enough, he needs to make some money.

Roll along year 2. He gets E1,200 off you and the cost of a new mask is 100. Now that's what you call a business model. E1,000 off each of his customers, in pure profit, for doing absolutely nothing!!!

Most people won't even come looking for a new mask until the one they are using starts to leak. Unissued mask and headgear = more profit.

It's even better for them, if they supply it to someone with a medical card. State guaranteed payer and profit. I spoke with several medical card holders who have Sleep Apnea and who find the machine and the mask uncomfortable at night, so they don't use it. The HSE still pays the company E1,200 PA for a machine that's not being used.

If the HSE was a proper business, they would tender on an annual basis for the supply of the machines and go with the one that came in cheapest. But they are not a business and are happy being ripped off.

No wonder the health service is in the state its in.

GadgetGeek wrote: »

Not sure how legit it is but it works for me. You need the following:
Get a UK VPN (easiest is to add an extension to chrome Hola use the following https://www.google.ie/search?client=safari&hl=en-ie&ei=pEc2XdPuNuWU1fAPq8SbqAc&q=hola+chrome+extension&oq=hola+chrome+&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-serp.1.0.0l8.60181.60181..61112...0.0..0.333.333.3-1......0....1.........0i71.w1Y_z-1AWcE
)
Setup parcel motel with UK address in Newtownards and forward to your home address. Go to the following with VPN activated. Shop to your hearts content. Using Parcel Motel address. Doesn’t matter that your Credit Card address is outside UK. Always select for the no VAT option as it is a medical requirement. Best value and no problem with returning for any parts.
https://mysleep.resmed.com/GB/en/

That is a great workaround , thanks

Murt10 wrote: »

The machine is not free, that's just an illusion. It's hugely expensive. It's free to the end user, who is not paying for it, but what the end user fails to realise, is that somebody else is paying for it, in this case, the totally incompetent and cash strapped HSE.

If people think that something is free , because it's not costing them anything directly themselves, they attach a NIL value to it. Suppose all medical card holders and DPS recipients had to pay a nominal figure, say E10 per month (ie E2.00 pw) towards the rental of the machine. They wouldn't be long about getting rid of it, if they weren't using it. And they certainly wouldn't want to be paying towards it in years 2,3 and 4. There would be a clamour to change the current system.

Which brings me on to the directly related cash crisis in the HSE, and the lack of provision of Home Helps for the elderly and people needing a bit of support in the home. If the money being wasted on the illogical rental of these CPAP machines, many of which are not being used (but that is irrelevant for the moment), were directed to supplying more Home home Help hours, then all those folk, currently being denied the service, would benefit immediately from the additional cash freed up.

By allowing the present system of unjustly enriching the CPAP suppliers to continue, for doing little or nothing, they are shooting themselves in the foot, but of course the end users cannot see it, and it's not in many peoples interest to point it out

I am using it. I pay and have been paying taxes in this country for in excess of 40 years.
The cash crisis in the hse isn't my concern. I dont like the way it's been run into the ground by an incompetent schoolboy,but he and his ilk will soon pay for that and other avoidable mistakes they've made. If the dos scheme were not reimbursing me I would certainly but a machine, but for now I'm not considering it.

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

If the dos scheme were not reimbursing me I would certainly but a machine, but for now I'm not considering it.

Do you have €124 of other expenses or how is the DPS covering this for you? When I lost my medical card, I was told DPS wouldn't cover it so bought outright that's nearly 9 years ago now though.

trashcan wrote: »

I've thrown in the towel on the machine. Just couldn't cope with it. Two seperate goes of about three months each time. Just couldn't take any more.

That's a real shame. Did you have a particular issue with it? When I started first, I couldn't cope with the nasal mask, it was only when I went to a full-face mask that it clicked for me.

I never bother with the humififer, whats the benifits??

corwill wrote: »

That's a real shame. Did you have a particular issue with it? When I started first, I couldn't cope with the nasal mask, it was only when I went to a full-face mask that it clicked for me.

What does a full face mask look like??? I have a nasal mask and I get a lot of leakage as I move about on the pillow until I settle down.

Glebee wrote: »

Full mask covers mouth and nose.

Exactly, like this one - https://www.resmed.com/us/en/healthcare-professional/products/masks/airfit-20-series/airfit-f20.html

I found with the nasal mask that I'd open my mouth during the night and air would come rushing out, which woke me up. I can get a bit congested during the night also, so breathing exclusively through the nose made the nasal mask hard going.

If your problem with CPAP is a feeling of claustrophobia, though, I'd say the full face mask might be worse. But it works well for me.

corwill wrote: »

That's a real shame. Did you have a particular issue with it? When I started first, I couldn't cope with the nasal mask, it was only when I went to a full-face mask that it clicked for me.

Same here the nasal just didn't work for me, the full face took a little getting used to but once on it I've never looked back.

Drumpot wrote: »

Is it a dentist who does the full face ? I heard about this but don't know where to start. I spoke with my dentist the other day and they said that they can help get some sort of mould (I grind teeth) that also helps sleep apnea suffers and opens the airways at night. I cant remember the name so don't know if its the same as what you are mentioning above.

I had the sleep Apnea machine a few years ago and when I asked if I will ever get used to it (after 6 weeks), I got a twat of a consultant who just took it back from me. I think I just wanted re-assurance that its possible to get used to the machine but he actually said "you should be in here thanking me for how this machine has changed your life" or something to that effect.

Ive been unable to get back to the sleep apnea crowd since then so I really don't know where I stand or who to ask questions to.

Christ, that's a shocking way to be treated. I'd talk to your GP about a referral to a different consultant/sleep centre, preferably to a non-bollix. It took me a few months to properly settle with the machine, that consultant's approach sounds pretty unhelpful.

The Irish Sleep Apnea Trust was disbanded a while back, and replaced by the Sleep Disorder Support Foundation - https://www.sdsf.ie/ ISAT used to be pretty active a few years back, and then just went quiet. I went to a couple of the ISAT AGMs, but I've not had any interaction with the SDSF. They had a conference last September, but I couldn't make it along.

A mandibular advancement splint can work for those with moderate (>25 events per hour, I think?) sleep apnea, so it depends on what your sleep study measured you at. They can be uncomfortable, though, as they're basically forcing your jaw into a slightly different position. It's different from the full face mask I was on about, which is just a different type of mask to use with a CPAP.

Drumpot wrote: »

The figure 34 (events per hour) sticks with so I think That’s my level. It’s mad cause life has flown and I just keep forgetting to push it with my GP!

Thanks for that.

34 is pretty high, excuse me evangelising, but you really should give it another bash. If you could get settled with a mask and pressure settings that suit you and you can put up with, it would do a lot for you.

I even recognise the 'life has flown' in your post; life is busy, but you're tired, and it's hard to get to grips with whatever isn't immediately in front of you, whether it's work or family or what have you.

trashcan wrote: »

I've tried the nasal mask, the full face and the nasal pillows. The nasal mask was first and I found that horrific, felt like I couldn't catch my breath. Then tried the full face mask. I could tolerate that a bit better, but just couldn't get to sleep with it. The result was that I was more tired rather than less. Totally counter productive. The doctor advised to leave it for six months, which I did. I saw another doctor who persuaded me to give it another try with the nasal pillows. To be fair they were probably the best of the three options. I persevered with that for another 3/4 months, but eventually it got too much. I was just too aware of the air blowing around my face. Eventually got that I couldn't stick it on at all. I just don't think it's for me. Even when I was using it I can't say I felt any different. Going to bed was becoming a torture.

It certainly sounds like you gave it a fair crack, pity it didn't work out. Have you tried anything else, like mandibular advancement?

tnegun wrote: »

What sort of machine was it? Loosing my medical card was a blessing in disguise as I was using a CPAP machine its basically like strapping a leaf blower to your face as after the ramp time the pressure was 14/15cm it was horrible, once I lost the card and was paying for it I decided to source my own.
I started looking at the APAP machines the machine auto adjusts the pressure to whats required to most nights mine never gets above 8cm. It also provides exhalation relief so you don't have to force the air out it stops pumping allowing you to breath naturally. Its not perfect and some nights I have to reset it but its a world away from the regular CPAP machines.

I must be one or the lucky ones. Even when I did the sleep study I took to the nasal mask like a child to ice cream. I've never encountered a problem with the machine or mask. I did find the H9? machine a little noisy so I kicked up a fuss and they gave me an air sence? . I find it brilliant tbh.

Difference is huge with APAP sometimes I've got to check I switched the machine on! It's smart and only ups the pressure when you're having an apnea with CPAP after the ramp time usually 15 mins it goes to your prescription pressure so blows a gale in your face for the night.

FaganJr wrote: »

Yes,
I use distilled, about €5 a gallon

Where ? Plz

FaganJr wrote: »

Any chemist

Every day is a school day.

FaganJr wrote: »

Yes,
I use distilled, about €5 a gallon

Bought a gallon last week and have been using it since. Have to say I notice a marked difference in the quality of the hydrated air coming into my mask. It's much 'softer'. The water here is very hard anyway. I'm definitely a convert to distilled water. Mrs O started using it in her hair straightener yoke and she finds an improvement also. Thank you for the heads up Fagan.

After much back & forth I’m finally being put on a trial for a CPAP machine. I’ll be going in to test it in the Mater in a couple of weeks. Have basically just been told that I’ll be testing masks to suit etc.

For anyone who has done it, will the hospital give a recommendation as to where to rent it & what one etc or do they have a mechanism for renting there & then? Do they give you a choice of machines or anything or is it just a standard one. Reading through this thread, there seems to be so many versions of everything, that I’m getting confused.

DubInMeath wrote: »

Folks if I am posting in the wrong thread please let me know, but hopefully someone may be able to help.

I am trying to find a pillow that "works" with my machine as I find that I bend my head alot in my sleep with a full face mask due to leaks.

This is contributing to neck and back pain that I already need physio for and is starting to be as bad as my apnea in terms of leaving me feeling tired, so just wondering if anyone uses a specific type of pillow and could give a recommendation.

Interested in this too..... I find that I am sleep on my arms to raise my face off the pillow I'd I sleep to the side. Next day I experience aches in raising my arms high etc.

Boxcar_Willie wrote: »

They will probably start you off on an automatic machine , then switch to fixed pressure after they download data from the automatic machine .

GadgetGeek wrote: »

I went in to hospital for my assessment. A week later I went back to the consultant who advised me of the results. He then referred the sleep technician to me, who promptly called to my house with the machine and equipment. The technician will discuss mask options. But the consultant selected an APAP for myself and there wasn't really a choose in the equipment for me.
I subsequently bought my own gear as the drug payment scheme didn’t benefit me.

Thank you to both of you; good to know. If it is successful, I think I’d be going down the purchasing route too!