Sleep Apnoea (Apnea) / OSA / Diagnosis and Support

blueoceanfreedom

Hopefully yes. I will have to wait until the end of the year to see if I can claim tax, as we're self employed.

Because I didn't have a medical card my only options were to rent or buy. Well when I looked at the rent I would be charged, I had to buy mine.

Because of the greed of Irish companies, I will now be giving all my business to Bulgaria. Between replacing masks,tubes,nasal pillows etc the money wouldn't be long adding up.

blueoceanfreedom

Hi redsheeps, I've just taken delivery of my airsense 10, card only, and hand on heart can say I don't hear a thing from the machine, only a little hiss from the excess air coming out the front of the pillow. I noticed the pressure was fairly high so today I lowered the max, tonight will tell if I've solved that problem.

I got my cpap from cpapstore.eu, and it was delivered within 2 days, but I did pay for delivery as it was a fraction of the cost of buying one here, and I had the Phillips dreamwear which has been recalled over a year ago, so didn't want to be taking chances with my health.

I would definitely not be afraid of buying overseas, especially from cpapstore.eu. All in it cost me less than 650euros, as I also got some hypoallergenic filters. Put that against what rent you pay in a year.

On YouTube there is a channel called CPAP Reviews and they go into great detail of how to adjust your machine.

I would look into getting more info for yourself, as your doctor will probably see you every 1-2 years. Best of luck.

redsheeps

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119940879#Comment_119940879

Cheers for that - super to know the one you got is quiet. I was tormented by noises and blown motors, so I'm really weary of taking the plunge to buy one when the rental one I finally sorted is silent...

Where does it say it was made on the back of your machine?

Field east

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119887898#Comment_119887898

You did not explain why it did not work. Maybe the pressure was too high. Some masks are very uncomfortable. Was your mask leaking while trying to get to sleep. ? Did it have a humidifier ?. It takes a while to get used to the COAP machine . There is a bit of trial and error involved in trying to get used to them

Field east

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119891197#Comment_119891197

Is it not the same power cable that’s used to power radios, charge those chargeable flashlights , etc. that happened me once and got such a cable

Field east

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119941063#Comment_119941063

I was on a CPAP machine for circa 11 years - at pressure of 11. I experienced all the items highlighted here - being constantly tired , etc.

ONE DAY, an expert who had studied the condition said that if I lost some weight then there is a real possibility that I might not need a machine . I went from 95 to 83 Kg and am happy to report that I no longer suffer from SA. It worked for me anyway. Apparently the build up of fat around the respiratory tract but especially around the trough does not help

ChristineMackey

For years, CPAP machines have been used to treat sleep apnea. However, in the past ten years, experts on obesity disease have suggested utilizing CPAP to treat obesity. My sister had a CPAP for about 15 years. One day, a specialist who had examined the illness claimed that there was a chance she might not require a machine if she lost some weight. She dropped from 100 kg to 70. It worked for my sister.

markmoto

Perhaps worth to read this thread

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120198265#Comment_120198265

looksee

Has anyone tried sleeping with head elevated - with a bed not just pillows?

I was diagnosed about 10 years ago but as a result of lack of feedback and support I stopped using it after a year or so. About 7 years later I had another sleep test and had a reading of 47, in the meantime my arrhythmia and other cardiac problems had got much worse (I am being treated but there isn't much joined up thinking between cardiac and SA)

I am very compliant with the CPAP machine, wear every night, almost always all night. My readings are still in the 10 to 17 range with the odd one higher or lower. I have tried numerous masks, atm am using a memory foam one that isn't washable and is replaced every month (it starts leaking at pretty much 4 to 5 weeks). This is the best option but even now I am getting a permanent bruise on the bridge of my nose because I have to tighten it - if it is any way loose it just leaks. Talked to Resmed but they just say 'oh we'll send you a video of how to put it on'.

I am on variable pressure. At one stage I was on pressure of over 20, then on a bipap machine on 24 which I could not deal with at all, though I suspect it was incorrectly set up. Went back on to cpap and got down to pressure 17 but could not keep the mask on my face (my face is a bit asymmetrical). I got a literally overnight huge improvement when I decided to sleep on my side, no-one had suggested this but it was the biggest game change. Put on variable which is better but not dealing with the apnoeas.

I am permanently tired, not sleepy but weary. I am trying to reduce the events and am trying sleeping sitting up, using a recliner chair at the moment but will invest (2.5k) in an electric bed if it seems successful. My reading was 7.3 last night sitting up, after a week of 14.9; 9; 15.4; 11.4; 3.8 (I have no idea how that happened); 16.0. I will try it for a week and see how it goes.

At this stage I am pretty much fed up with the whole business, I get the impression that there are no consultants out there with any real interest in sleep issues, beside the fact that they are pretty lucrative, and not a lot of knowledge either.

R11

Went to see Prof Lane in Hermitage. Booked a home sleep study with Beechfield Healthcare…….results showed high levels of hypoxia. Have to see him again next Wednesday,secretary said he will be recommending a CPAP machine…..any advice from anyone out there using a CPAP for sleep apnea??

looksee

Don't expect instant results. You might possibly get lucky but mostly it can take a good while to get used to the machine, find a mask that suits, etc etc.

Baasterd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122057179#Comment_122057179

Research the machine they give you (or suggest you get), watch some youtube videos there is an aussie guy thats great can't recall the channel, will dig it out, the thing is a few tweaks can make all difference to how you tolerate it, ideally you want a humidifier and a heated air tube.

Try a nasal pillow (or similar) mask first, yes you will have to stop breathing through your mouth but that's a bad habit anyway. Keep in mind the machine is for life so it's worth taking the time to find out how to co exist with it, as looksee say's find a mask that works for you.

I guess I was one of the lucky ones I took to it immediately but I was completely fcked beforehand, my apnoea was so bad I would fall asleep standing up 😂 Like seriously once I drifted off chopping onions…how fcked up is that ha, funny but not funny!

So for me the difference was almost overnight, after a few solid nights on the machine I could stay awake reading a book or watching a movie, or just sitting in the one place for more than 10m 😀

I wouldn't go as far to say it changed my life but I can now see I was operating at maybe 30-60% of my potential in previous jobs because of sleep deprivation basically, I don't drive but for the last few years before the machine I would have been unfit to be behind the wheel.

I bit the bullet and just bought my own machine off the internet because I realised I just couldn't wait 6 mths to get one on the NHS, I watched a few YouTube video's to get it setup etc and that was that, I did go through the NHS route and got a spare for my troubles 😀 but wow it took so long and I was down as an urgent case.

I also bought a O2 monitor that recorded my levels which kinda confirmed what I knew.

Like when you wake up choking in the middle of the night at first maybe you can blame the wife/gf but once your on the 2nd or 10th one of those its probably you not them 🤣

Anyway best of luck, I wish I found this thread earlier ha.

Baasterd

https://home.sleephq.com/ Thats' the site for the guy I followed to work out how to best setup the machine.

R11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122059028#Comment_122059028

Thanks for that. My wife already hits the €80 limit on the Drugs Payment Scheme so I'll just rent the machine as it will effectively cost me nothing. From reading online,it does appear that everyone has to tweak their set up to get it right. I'll see what the consultant says on Wednesday and take it from there. Hopefully I'll see an improvement in the daytime tiredness,fogginess,lethargy,poor motivation,grumpiness etc…..or maybe I'm expecting too much!!

looksee

I just recently had an appointment with the nurse/technician of the agency that supplies my equipment. I had 40 minutes of clear explanations, practical help and adjustments to the machine which cost me nothing and was in stark contrast to the woolly, generally unhelpful 20 minutes that is usually the input by the consultant - and I have had numerous consultants - having travelled half way across the country to get to them and been charged around €200 for the privilege.

R11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122061539#Comment_122061539

Who is supplying your equipment? My consultant is recommending Beechfield

Vicxas

Hi folks, was diagnosed with mild OSA in the Mater Private yesterday after an awful night of sleep study with all the wires and hoses.

What can i expect from the CPAP machine? I've been advised to rent it and see how i feel considering the cost of buying one. I have the option of the machine or a dental gumshield. Which machine is provided by the Mater does anyone know? Will i be better off buying my own if i find it working.

Did the CPAP help you feel more rested in the mornings? I have so many questions.

looksee

Look I am not dismissing you, but really if you read this thread you will gather a good few ideas about your questions.

If a dental gumshield will work would you not try that first? Setting into CPAP is a big undertaking.

whomitconcerns

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122358086#Comment_122358086

How mild is mild? What ahi?

Vicxas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122360006#Comment_122360006

13 Ahi. Cut off for moderate was 15