Sleep Apnea...

[penguinz]

Doing an at home sleep apnea test later this week.

I am sure there are others here that have done this.

How annoying is the test and how long did it take you to get used to a CPAP if one was prescribed?

I also like to travel and dispersed camp. Any suggestions for battery packs or other accessories once?

[scho63]

Do you need to buy all the components like the masks or are they included?

Some of these sites are hard as hell to understand what you get.

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by Holladay

I just had to replace my Resmed S-10, because it says the motor is about shot, (black) of +5 years with a Resmed s-11 (grey/white) today. My insurance would cover it if I "rented" it for 10 months at $130/month. So $1300 lighter, I would "own" it. They wanted me to get another prescription from my DR to do another sleep study at a hospital. If I failed, then the insurance company would allow me to rent it!! HOOPS to jump through. Even though I have been using one for +5 years???

The difference between the s10 and s11 is nominal. Do you want it smart? Not me, don't care. etc.

If found one the s11 for $600 and used my HSA. Not online. I now, have looked on line and found a Resmed S10 for ~$300-500. I will return the S11 and keep the nasal pillows. I am not sure I can use my HSA online though. Maybe I can submit receipts??

I bought 2 (one in reserve) Resmed Air fit P30i nasal pillows halo type with the nose inserts, which I haven't used before. Before, I used the nasal pillows that just sit under the nose. It does move a bit and annoying. I think the inserts will work much better.

Thus, use your HSA, if you can, and buy online a ResMed S-10, P30i, and a Soclean machine to keep you stuff clean. Total = $500+80+300. ~$900 vs $1300 through insurance.

The only thing that is consumable is the $80 mask every 6 months and some filters in the Soclean.

In the end, you will sleep much better and have more energy. After the initial set up costs, maintenance is not that bad for the benefit you receive

Your motor is probably no where near being shot. I had that notification come up for years. Resmed S-10s will last long past their "due date". I was at like 20K+hours and my CPAP provider said they see the S-10s last into the 40K+ hours. The S-11s aren't nearly as reliable and the humidifier resevoir is quite a bit smaller if you like to sleep a long time. S-10s are built better and are cheaper; they are the way to go.

[Holladay]

Dang. I just ordered a S-10 a few hours ago

Oh well. It cost me $400 instead of $600 for a S-11. It scares me that any night the thing will shoot craps. I used the HSA account with $15K, so $400 will give me piece of mind.

I am glad I went with the tried and trusted S-10, not the S-11 that I will return.

I am going to try the pillows again tonight, which irritate the inside of my nose. I like the concept, but my nose doesn't.

Do you need to buy all the components like the masks or are they included?

Some of these sites are hard as hell to understand what you get.

In my experience, you buy the machine, one time, then get the mask/filters/hoses extra using your HSA. I use Apria as my supplier. I think I will use cpap.com instead. Again using my HSA.

[Holladay]

Is it easy to get tangled up in the hose or accidentally have the unit get dragged off your nightstand?

Never had that problem. It is on my night stand. As referenced prior, I use the halo headset that pivots at the top of your head. So you can to log rolls as you sleep with no hose tangles.

I am not sure about full face masks. It seems that it might be the case though. I breath through my nose now. Before, it was through my mouth, because of the apnea.

It will take a bit of experimentation. In the end, no matter the cost (not a Lamborghini), you will feel much better.

Again, the fight or flight hormones of adrenaline and cortisol during episodes will go away.

It will take awhile to adjust. I took me ~3 days....a "hurricane" up my nose!

Keep at it....

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by scho63

Do you need to buy all the components like the masks or are they included?

Some of these sites are hard as hell to understand what you get.

That is why I go through a local medical device store. They have all the info for my prescription and machine.

Of course, about every 3 months they barrage me with calls wanting me to buy they replacements.

Any place you buy things, should have the compatible parts.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by scho63

Is it easy to get tangled up in the hose or accidentally have the unit get dragged off your nightstand?

No, all the hoses have swivels so when you toss/turn in the night it doesn't effect your sleep. You'll try several swivels before finding what works for you. Also where you put the swivel or add in one in another place too.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by scho63

Is it easy to get tangled up in the hose or accidentally have the unit get dragged off your nightstand?

I haven't had any issues. The hose is on a swivel at both the machine and the mask.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by Holladay

Yep...like a new person



So once every 2 minutes....neophyte.

I believe mine was ~76.5. Just like a pro.

The CPap now shows me at 1.2 now

You are still the leader in the clubhouse.

I went to the pulmonologist this morning.

5:17 total sleep
56-68 low to high episodes per hour
10-41 seconds low to high of length of stoppages

Doctor was really concerned with my plunging O2 levels during the episodes as they put a lot of stress on my heart. My resting heart rate was in the 55 range and skyrocket to 115 during the peak of my stoppages.

I was supposed to pick up a unit today, fully covered by insurance, but my doctors nursing assistants forgot to send the order over last week. They are terrible at all this stuff. Also suck at prescription refills.

I pray to have it by Monday night.

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by scho63

You are still the leader in the clubhouse.

I went to the pulmonologist this morning.

5:17 total sleep
56-68 low to high episodes per hour
10-41 seconds low to high of length of stoppages

Doctor was really concerned with my plunging O2 levels during the episodes as they put a lot of stress on my heart. My resting heart rate was in the 55 range and skyrocket to 115 during the peak of my stoppages.

I was supposed to pick up a unit today, fully covered by insurance, but my doctors nursing assistants forgot to send the order over last week. They are terrible at all this stuff. Also suck at prescription refills.

I pray to have it by Monday night.

Holy shit. To me that seems like you are not breathing for 5 hours.
that is a bad way to die.

Still thinking good thoughts for you.

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by scho63

You are still the leader in the clubhouse.

I went to the pulmonologist this morning.

5:17 total sleep
56-68 low to high episodes per hour
10-41 seconds low to high of length of stoppages

Doctor was really concerned with my plunging O2 levels during the episodes as they put a lot of stress on my heart. My resting heart rate was in the 55 range and skyrocket to 115 during the peak of my stoppages.

I was supposed to pick up a unit today, fully covered by insurance, but my doctors nursing assistants forgot to send the order over last week. They are terrible at all this stuff. Also suck at prescription refills.

I pray to have it by Monday night.

You'll probably lose a shit-ton of weight after you get your machine. The amount of cortisol coursing through your system due to those episodes is pretty mind-boggling.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Holladay

A side note. I am trying the nasal pillow mask. I have been using one that is flat the goes under the nose. The new one has little bunions that go part way into the nose instead of flat up against the nose. They irritate the inside of my nose at the opening. I have only used it 2 times, but it wakes me up.

I use a little lanolin cream around the edge of my nostrils and that keeps the nasal pillows from irritating them. I get the nipple cream from Walmart (pause here for the jokes). A tube lasts about six months. It really makes a difference.

Walmart recently started selling a generic version that's about $3 cheaper but I don't care for it. It's thicker and stickier and has a more chemical smell.

Originally Posted by scho63

Is it easy to get tangled up in the hose or accidentally have the unit get dragged off your nightstand?

I'm a side sleeper and have always found the hose the biggest pain in the butt. If I'm on my side facing the machine, the weight of the hose pulls my mask to the side and makes it leak a little. If I'm facing the other way, the hose drapes across me and I can get a little tangled in it. Plus, it's cold if it hits bare skin.

They do make masks that vent out at the top of your head so you can run the hose up under the headboard where it's out of the way. I don't have that kind so I bought a cheapy hose lift and that solved the problem and gets it out of the way.

[scho63]

What the hell is on the head of that person in bed?

Is that a male or female?

That's some creepy shit right there.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by scho63

What the hell is on the head of that person in bed?

Is that a male or female?

That's some creepy shit right there.

I think it's a wig with curlers. Because, you know, only old people need a CPAP. There were a bunch of pictures like that on different listings. Maybe they were also trying to hide the Chinese models.

But the hose lift thing does work well.

[Kman34]

Carl Weathers died in his sleep.. I bet a lot of people who have, is due to sleep Apnea.. So much stress on your heart and not having good sleep shortens your life span…

[Holladay]

Doctor was really concerned with my plunging O2 levels during the episodes as they put a lot of stress on my heart. My resting heart rate was in the 55 range and skyrocket to 115 during the peak of my stoppages.

What bewilders me is that you really didn't know. You suspected though.

You'll probably lose a shit-ton of weight after you get your machine. The amount of cortisol coursing through your system due to those episodes is pretty mind-boggling.

I was hoping for a weight loss. I didn't materialize Yep, cortisol is not helpful in this instance. "Fight v Flight"

I use a little lanolin cream around the edge of my nostrils and that keeps the nasal pillows from irritating them. I get the nipple cream from Walmart (pause here for the jokes). A tube lasts about six months. It really makes a difference.

Walmart recently started selling a generic version that's about $3 cheaper but I don't care for it. It's thicker and stickier and has a more chemical smell.

Good to know! I went with the large pillows even though the medium fit better. The large don't go up as far. I also loosened the strap so they don't get shoved up my nose as much.

And, as a final thought, using a CPap will take some time to adjust to as you sleep. The body is malleable over time.