CPAP machines (1 Viewer)

[Copeman]

The first few months I had mine it had a wireless thing attached to it.  It let the doctors know how I was doing, and the airflow was adjusted accordingly.  I no longer have the wireless thing, so how do I know if it needs adjusted anymore?  Can I adjust it myself?

Been a couple years now at least for me.  I sleep better with it, no doubt.  But I'm still pretty tired.

When i don't wear it due to stuffed up nasals, I wake myself up with my own snoring.  It's that bad.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

I've dotted because I think I'm going to end up with one of these things.  I have a consultation at the sleep lab in February (!) but was just diagnosed with heart palpitations today likely from sleep apnea. Good times.   

 

[Blick]

I just finished up my sleep tests and will have my CPAP on Friday. Apparently the nose pillow worked well for me. How long did it take you guys to get used to wearing it?  The whole leaf blower coming from my mouth every time I opened it was a little unsettling. 

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

The first few months I had mine it had a wireless thing attached to it.  It let the doctors know how I was doing, and the airflow was adjusted accordingly.  I no longer have the wireless thing, so how do I know if it needs adjusted anymore?  Can I adjust it myself?

There are specific boards that deal with this, but if you know the make and model, you can likely access what the machine is recording (you may need the proper cable as well).  And you can adjust the settings using the installer settings which someone on an apnea board could walk you through.  Generally, if you're not waking up and your partner isn't noticing, you're not having many AHIs, so you likely don't need it adjusted. 

New models, like the ResMed Air Sense 10 or the Phillips DreamStation, report to an app or webpage.

 

[Copeman]

There are specific boards that deal with this, but if you know the make and model, you can likely access what the machine is recording (you may need the proper cable as well).  And you can adjust the settings using the installer settings which someone on an apnea board could walk you through.  Generally, if you're not waking up and your partner isn't noticing, you're not having any AHIs, so you likely don't need it adjusted. 

New models, like the ResMed Air Sense 10 or the Phillips DreamStation, report to an app or webpage.

My AHI or whatever is almost always 1 or below each night.  That's good right?

I have this one:

http://1800cpap.com/resmed-s9-autoset-cpap-machine-with-h5i-heated-humidifier.aspx?gclid=CPaq_fPsl9ECFY6CswodHnQHeg

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

My AHI or whatever is almost always 1 or below each night.  That's good right?

I have this one:

http://1800cpap.com/resmed-s9-autoset-cpap-machine-with-h5i-heated-humidifier.aspx?gclid=CPaq_fPsl9ECFY6CswodHnQHeg

Anything under 5 per hour is considered well controlled.  So you probably don't need an adjustment.  Your machine has an SD card, so if you ever wanted to see more information, you'd just need an SD reader for your PC and diagnostic software. 

 

[Thorn]

I upgraded to the airsense 10 this year after using my prior resmed for over a decade. Can't believe how much better it is.

What do you like better about it?

 

[Thorn]

Instead of just pushing air through at a constant pressure, it adapts to what I happen to need at the moment within a programmable range. Went from 4-5 incidents a night to 0-2 overnight. On top of that, since it isn't pushing as much pressure through when I don't need it it's just easier to deal with while I'm still awake. It's also really quiet. I only upgraded this year because I was over my out of pocket maximum so I didn't have to pay a dime for it, and I'm *very* glad I did. 

Were you at 4-5 per hour or per night?

 

[Scoresman]

My doctor gave me a cpap machine on Thursday as I tested at 66 incidents per hour. The nose mask was a no go because it pinched my nostrils shut so I was given the full mask to try for a week before a prescription for my own is written. 

I don't know how people use these things. I can't keep it on for longer than a minute before feeling like I'm being smothered and getting short of breath. It's not working for me. To top it off, my insurance doesn't cover equipment like this so I'd have to shell out $800 for something I doubt I can ever use. 

If ever there was a motivator to lose weight it's this. My wife says that when she first met me i didn't snore at all and that was 70 pounds ago. I also wasn't waking up gasping for air when I was thinner.  Im going to ask my doctor to forego the cpap for now while I lose weight. I know I can do it. I've done it before. It's better than going to be looking like darth vader every night. 

 

[McGarnicle]

My doctor gave me a cpap machine on Thursday as I tested at 66 incidents per hour. The nose mask was a no go because it pinched my nostrils shut so I was given the full mask to try for a week before a prescription for my own is written. 

I don't know how people use these things. I can't keep it on for longer than a minute before feeling like I'm being smothered and getting short of breath. It's not working for me. To top it off, my insurance doesn't cover equipment like this so I'd have to shell out $800 for something I doubt I can ever use. 

If ever there was a motivator to lose weight it's this. My wife says that when she first met me i didn't snore at all and that was 70 pounds ago. I also wasn't waking up gasping for air when I was thinner.  Im going to ask my doctor to forego the cpap for now while I lose weight. I know I can do it. I've done it before. It's better than going to be looking like darth vader every night. 

Sounds like it needs to be adjusted. Did you do a sleep study and did they record your numbers with and without cpap? A respiratory therapist should recommend the right pressure values for the machine. You can also experiment with the different mask types.

 

[Scoresman]

Sounds like it needs to be adjusted. Did you do a sleep study and did they record your numbers with and without cpap? A respiratory therapist should recommend the right pressure values for the machine. You can also experiment with the different mask types.

I did a take home study which showed bad apnea, and then they just sent me home with the CPAP on my follow up appointment.  I did some self adjusting after some googling revealed I could lower the pressure myself.  I lowered it from 4-20 to 4-10 and I was able to sleep half the night with it last night but had to take it off due to my lips being extremely dry at 4 am.  My wife said I did not snore at all and she didn't notice me stop breathing while I had it on so maybe that's a thing.  I still loathe the thought of wearing this thing every night. 

 

[kutta]

I did a take home study which showed bad apnea, and then they just sent me home with the CPAP on my follow up appointment.  I did some self adjusting after some googling revealed I could lower the pressure myself.  I lowered it from 4-20 to 4-10 and I was able to sleep half the night with it last night but had to take it off due to my lips being extremely dry at 4 am.  My wife said I did not snore at all and she didn't notice me stop breathing while I had it on so maybe that's a thing.  I still loathe the thought of wearing this thing every night. 

Hope to see you over in the Otis weight loss challenge thread

 

[kardplayer]

Do what you can to stick with it.  The first few weeks are the hardest.

 

[FUBAR]

:  going in for a sleep study in a few weeks, really should have done this a while ago but didn't want the machine. 

 

[McGarnicle]

I did a take home study which showed bad apnea, and then they just sent me home with the CPAP on my follow up appointment.  I did some self adjusting after some googling revealed I could lower the pressure myself.  I lowered it from 4-20 to 4-10 and I was able to sleep half the night with it last night but had to take it off due to my lips being extremely dry at 4 am.  My wife said I did not snore at all and she didn't notice me stop breathing while I had it on so maybe that's a thing.  I still loathe the thought of wearing this thing every night. 

That's weird. They gave me a machine to take home for my study which had a bunch of different sensors. They used a default pressure of 6/20. For my permanent unit they set it to 4/14 based on my results from the study. And the machine has a cellular modem so it stays in touch with my doctor's office and they can adjust it remotely. That seems like an important step so you're getting the right therapy and it's as comfortable as possible. Also my machine has a heater & humidifier so you don't get all dried out.

 

[kutta]

It's pretty easy to adjust your pressure if you need to. I just googled my machine and got the instructions online. My pressure was just too high and it would wake me up at night and it would be hard to fall back asleep. I changed it to stay at the minimum pressure all night instead of ramping up and it works way better for me now.

 

[rascal]

I cant find a mask that works without leaking out the sides.  I have to make it so tight that it's horribly uncomfortable which results in me taking it off the second I fall asleep.  Ive tried full face, nose, etc and still cant find one.

 

[red stripe]

@Scoresman ask for a mask refit and try using nasal pillows.  I got my machine over the summer, I thought I was a mouth breather so they gave me a full face mask to start.  I hated it and I was actually sleeping worse after giving it two weeks.  I wanted to return the machine and try something other than CPAP but they told me I needed to try a different mask first.  The pillows I use are DreamWear(?) and the mask is really comfortable.  After the second night with them I realized that my mouth breathing was actually a byproduct of the OSA.

 

[kutta]

I cant find a mask that works without leaking out the sides.  I have to make it so tight that it's unbearably comfortable which results in me taking it off the second I fall asleep.  Ive tried full face, nose, etc and still cant find one.

I had the same problem. I settled on the full nose cover mask. I noticed that I can adjust the straps on the top of my head and it tightens up perfectly. The strap starts off kind of on top of my head, but if I slide it towards the back of my head it's way better. So maybe try playing around a bit more with the straps and see if that helps.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Anyone have to take a machine overseas, specifically europe?

Trying to confirm if I need a voltage converter or if I can just use an adapter .

 

[NMYMND]

Anyone have to take a machine overseas, specifically europe?

Trying to confirm if I need a voltage converter or if I can just use an adapter .

Have taken one Europe. Needed both. Can't give exact details, but my machine required me to change out a small fuse and flip a switch on the back.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

I got my CPAP machine out to try again because I kept splitting my dental appliance in my sleep.  It has only been a week but I've been able to make it all night without ripping it off.  Not only that, I kind of enjoy it now.  The MIRACLE is that I've slept all night without having to get up to go to the bathroom which was a once time thing minimum but usually 2-3.  I LOVE YOU CPAP!!!

 

[Mr.Pack]

I got my CPAP machine out to try again because I kept splitting my dental appliance in my sleep.  It has only been a week but I've been able to make it all night without ripping it off.  Not only that, I kind of enjoy it now.  The MIRACLE is that I've slept all night without having to get up to go to the bathroom which was a once time thing minimum but usually 2-3.  I LOVE YOU CPAP!!!

Good to hear GB. Don't want you dying on us!

 

[Nick Vermeil]

My first three weeks with the cpap went great though it took an adjustment.  But the last three days I've woken to find the mask on the floor. Sleeping me is having issue with it. 

 

[St. Louis Bob]

My first three weeks with the cpap went great though it took an adjustment.  But the last three days I've woken to find the mask on the floor. Sleeping me is having issue with it. 

That was always my problem too.  Hopefully it works out GB.

 

[GibbyGarcia]

I keep on seeing ads for http://www.fundairing.com/.  Have they produced a prototype and what do you CPAP users think about this as an option.

I'm not quite to CPAP, but I've been trying lots of things.   The one I did get and really like is my ANORA.  It's a simple design.  balloon inflates when it hears you snore.  

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Anyone using one of those SoClean2 machines to clean their CPAP?  

 

[TripItUp]

my recent events 

1) did a home test and validated what prior tests concluded, I have moderate apnea 

2) after my primary care physician approved, a third party(apriva) is sending my cpap to my house.  I Called them and asked why they aren't doing any customization, mask fitting etc...they said they had somebody doing it already based on my test results.  Based on some of the responses in this thread I'm not overly optimistic that it's going to work.

will report back once I try this thing out. 

 

[boots11234]

I cant find a mask that works without leaking out the sides.  I have to make it so tight that it's horribly uncomfortable which results in me taking it off the second I fall asleep.  Ive tried full face, nose, etc and still cant find one.

Pretend it's your wife sitting on your face. After 2 weeks you'll be use to it. 

 

[shuke]

Hi I'm new here.  I see a cardiologist once a year because of a single event of atrial fibrilation about 10 years ago and he has been getting on me about having a sleep study done, due to some research that links A-fib to apnea.  I did the take-home test and went back for my results today.  

Call me skeptical but has anyone ever done a sleep study and not been told they needed a Cpap?

My report showing 27 incidents an hour with mean duration of 20 seconds, with a max duration of 41 seconds.  I find that hard to believe.  

Funny thing is that I never wake up in the middle of the night, but the night I had the unit on at home I woke up 2 or 3 times.

 

[Galileo]

Hi I'm new here.  I see a cardiologist once a year because of a single event of atrial fibrilation about 10 years ago and he has been getting on me about having a sleep study done, due to some research that links A-fib to apnea.  I did the take-home test and went back for my results today.  

Call me skeptical but has anyone ever done a sleep study and not been told they needed a Cpap?

My report showing 27 incidents an hour with mean duration of 20 seconds, with a max duration of 41 seconds.  I find that hard to believe.  

Funny thing is that I never wake up in the middle of the night, but the night I had the unit on at home I woke up 2 or 3 times.

I never woke up, never felt overly tired, never thought I needed one.  I thought the sleep study was bunk.  I was attached to so much crap it wasn't a shocker that I couldn't sleep.  Once I started to use a CPAP, I never felt any difference in terms of getting a "better night's sleep".  It did eliminate my snoring.   After using a CPAP for a while, I now absolutely can not sleep without it.  I have had a couple of situations where I was forced to go without and my night was absolutely miserable.  I woke up frequently and felt like I didn't sleep at all.  It has become like a drug to which I am now hopelessly addicted.  

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I do feel I get a marginally better sleep, although I feel like I'm a lighter sleeper now.  The thing I like best is I no longer wake up with a dry throat from snoring with my mouth wide open 

 

[kutta]

Hi I'm new here.  I see a cardiologist once a year because of a single event of atrial fibrilation about 10 years ago and he has been getting on me about having a sleep study done, due to some research that links A-fib to apnea.  I did the take-home test and went back for my results today.  

Call me skeptical but has anyone ever done a sleep study and not been told they needed a Cpap?

My report showing 27 incidents an hour with mean duration of 20 seconds, with a max duration of 41 seconds.  I find that hard to believe.  

Funny thing is that I never wake up in the middle of the night, but the night I had the unit on at home I woke up 2 or 3 times.

I only had 11 incidents an hour, and the CPAP helped me sleep a lot better.

BUT, I have found out the following, with feedback from the wife. If I weigh over 205, I snore. If I weigh below 200, I don't snore. I got my CPAP when I was 215, and it really helped. But I have found if I'm around 200 or below, I'm better off without it. It really amazes me that a relatively small amount of weight makes such a big difference in my sleep, but it does.

So, I'd say, if you don't want to use a CPAP, try dropping some pounds, even if you're not super overweight and it might make a big difference.

 

[shifty]

A friend of mine is in the CPAP industry , selling the machines I believe. Anyway she is hot.

 

[shuke]

I never woke up, never felt overly tired, never thought I needed one.  I thought the sleep study was bunk.  I was attached to so much crap it wasn't a shocker that I couldn't sleep.  Once I started to use a CPAP, I never felt any difference in terms of getting a "better night's sleep".  It did eliminate my snoring.   After using a CPAP for a while, I now absolutely can not sleep without it.  I have had a couple of situations where I was forced to go without and my night was absolutely miserable.  I woke up frequently and felt like I didn't sleep at all.  It has become like a drug to which I am now hopelessly addicted.  

So you think it is actually helping, or your somehow psychologically dependent on it now?

 

[GibbyGarcia]

I keep on seeing ads for http://www.fundairing.com/.  Have they produced a prototype and what do you CPAP users think about this as an option.

I'm not quite to CPAP, but I've been trying lots of things.   The one I did get and really like is my ANORA.  It's a simple design.  balloon inflates when it hears you snore.  

Coming back to give an update on this.  I've been using it about 3 months now and it has been a big help on snoring.  I don't even wake when it "goes off" anymore and my wife says my snoring is much better that she can't even tell.  (Unless I drink heavily, then I'm a semi-truck)  However, this is no substitute for a CPAP for apnea.  

 

[kutta]

Coming back to give an update on this.  I've been using it about 3 months now and it has been a big help on snoring.  I don't even wake when it "goes off" anymore and my wife says my snoring is much better that she can't even tell.  (Unless I drink heavily, then I'm a semi-truck)  However, this is no substitute for a CPAP for apnea.  

Interesting. Are these available yet?

 

[GibbyGarcia]

Interesting. Are these available yet?

They are.  I got mine around May.  https://www.smartnora.com/

They aren't insurance covered...

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Call me skeptical but has anyone ever done a sleep study and not been told they needed a Cpap?

I just got off a case defending a DME provider against a large insurance company.  So I can tell you that I have now seen times where CPAPs were not authorized because the sleep study did not show enough apnea events.  Because you really can't get a study without a doctor's orders, I don't think it's surprising that most come back with some presentation of apnea. 

 

[Galileo]

So you think it is actually helping, or your somehow psychologically dependent on it now?

Well, at this point I am not sure it matters for me.  I clearly need it now.  The fact that it curtailed my snoring suggests it  actually did help and that I just didn't realize how much it was needed.

 

[kevzilla]

Shuke, we never would have met if were not for CPAP. It's that simple. PM me for details.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

So what is the best cpap out there right now that is ok for travel and "quiet" these days. Mine is ancient. 

 

[parasaurolophus]

I just got off a case defending a DME provider against a large insurance company.  So I can tell you that I have now seen times where CPAPs were not authorized because the sleep study did not show enough apnea events.  Because you really can't get a study without a doctor's orders, I don't think it's surprising that most come back with some presentation of apnea. 

That isn't really much of a measuring stick. I don't think you can get an xray without doctor's orders and they come back negative all the time. 

NPR article from 2012 that at least paints the picture of serious overprescribing going on then, I dont imagine there are less diagnoses now. 

 

[shuke]

That isn't really much of a measuring stick. I don't think you can get an xray without doctor's orders and they come back negative all the time. 

NPR article from 2012 that at least paints the picture of serious overprescribing going on then, I dont imagine there are less diagnoses now. 

I think the biggest problem is that they were relying on the in-patient study for the diagnosis, rather than the take-home portable unit.

I'm still skeptical.  For one thing, the take-home unit required me to sleep on my back the entire night.  I hardly ever sleep on my back, usually on my side.  Is that biasing results?

 

[sbonomo]

 - I am supposed to do a home sleep study in the next few weeks.  My girlfriend has noted my snoring is unbearable.  I am constantly tired.  We'll see how it goes. 

 

[parasaurolophus]

I think the biggest problem is that they were relying on the in-patient study for the diagnosis, rather than the take-home portable unit.

I'm still skeptical.  For one thing, the take-home unit required me to sleep on my back the entire night.  I hardly ever sleep on my back, usually on my side.  Is that biasing results?

According to that article sleeping on your back makes you more likely to get sleep apnea. 

 

[shuke]

Last night was first night on my CPAP.  #### this thing.

 

[kevzilla]

Last night was first night on my CPAP.  #### this thing.

Give yourself a reasonable period of adjustment, GB. One night is not a sample size.

 

[trident]

Last night was first night on my CPAP.  #### this thing.

Took me at least two weeks to get used to mine.

 

[flapgreen]

Last night was first night on my CPAP.  #### this thing.

Yeah it takes a while.