Sleep Apnoea and CPAP

there are smaller ‘travel’ versions of the airsense machines available but they’re not cheap and I don’t know if you can get them from resmed.
if you’re finding the cpap hard to use, try a few different masks until you get one that’s comfort /least worst for you. The resmed nurses help with this in my experience.

FWIW I didn’t think my sleep improved with the machine, I don’t feel any more rested, but my AHI averages 1-3 compared to 20 on the test, plus my wife says she no longer feels the urge to stab or suffocate me in my sleep due to snoring

Best of luck with it

You are more or less where I am or was a few weeks back, I felt it was not worth the stress 2 years ago and gave up on it. However things got so bad I could not function during the day and simply had to go back on it as a last resort, il admit its very tough to get used to and so far my readings are excellent although im not seeing much benefit in real life, i probably do feel better if I can manage to keep it on alright.
My biggest issue is falling asleep, once im asleep il stay that way but i find it hard to switch off my brain at night and even harder now with this mask on me…

Still gonna stick with it for the foreseeable

Just to add, you should try different masks, theres a few different ones and well worth trying, the nurse should send them onto you if you ask

I have always been a poor sleeper, many nights il simply be awake right through to the morning, sometimes i get up and do something productive on the computer if I can.

I do drink caffeine but only in the mornings. I could probably do a bit better with my nighttime routine I guess, might try read a book tonight for a while and put the phone away

The mask etc are no use to them second hand. Probably just the machine including the humidifier, though that would probably be considred second hand too.

I only got the air sense 10 auto 2 weeks ago and I've no experience with any other machine.

The resmed rep has been very good, he's made a few adjustments to it over the air to try and solve any complaints like air a bit dry etc(there's a SIM in it). The heated tube has already broke (tubing not connectors) so there's a new one arriving in the next day or two. So in the first 2 weeks I've got a new nasal pillows and heated tube). Kinda glad of the subscription option so far. It's also linked to my consultant.

4 out of 5 nights now I've had 0 events per hour and my watch backs that up. (Samsung watch 5 Pro, there on sale at the moment, bit of a bargain I think if you've an android)

The air sense has a partner app that gives you a report with leakage, aph, mask off events, usage hours. (None of this information is much use as my watch has an oxygen sensor which gives the only information you need as in how was your oxygen during the night.)

I've limited knowledge on it but from my experience it's smart enough machine and fine tunable to get a good night's sleep, no idea how the tube got holes in it. Support has been excellent. Not sure how their back up is with no subscription.

Yes I couldn't do with the nasal mask, felt as though I was suffocating, though I normally breathe through my nose.

I fully get what you mean about 'taking the mask off so I could sleep' - going to sleep with no mask is like luxury, so calm and comfortable. Its not improving the SA though.

Can you concentrate on what relaxes you and helps you go to sleep - lying thinking about the mask is natural but not conducive to sleep. If you could manage it a couple of times you would 'break the spell'. Do the sleep hygiene stuff - regular bed time, no tv or screens before sleep, no caffeine after midday. They say you should not use alcohol to help you sleep but I have found a very small shot of brandy in some hot water when I really cannot sleep is a good help. Not a full shot, just a small amount, though I don't drink much so it is more effective. Or a couple of paracetamol or similar. It should not be a regular thing, just to get a breakthough.

This is the one I'm using now, they gave me the F40 leaving the hospital after the sleep test but only lasted a week with it.

This AirFit P30i Nasal Pillow

https://www.cpapstore.eu/shop/cpap-masks/cpap-pillows-mask/airfit-p30i-nasal-pillow-cpap-mask/?attribute_pa_pk=standard-starter-pack&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1920BhA3EiwAJT3lSbwmuZhUh1yhryt4ohqND9EOVjXdxchzGkILxvuq9b3pCFMFiscFDRoC_p8QAvD_BwE

It's all new to me but that one doesn't put out on me at all, I got used to it after a few nights, bit tuff on the nose for the first few but then the machine was adjusted and some vasiline to just keep it comfy. I'm a side sleeper and swap between sides during the night and it stays put. It doesn't need to be very tight, I definitley had it too tight the first few days. Sleep score from the airsens is either 100 or close every night now and aph nearly always 0.

Drunk Monkey - I might give it a go when other things have calmed down a bit, no point trying to sort SA with other issues confusing things. I am doing much better at the moment than I have in the last 4/5 years.

That's the one that made me feel as though I was suffocating. It just goes to show that individuals have to find what suits them personally.

Same machine as me, they had to make humidity and pressure adjustments for me for both masks until it was comfortable. Mines using nearly a full container of water a night now, I might get it dialled back a little as it does seem to be causing a tiny build up of water in the pillows mask and part of the tube.

If I was in your boots I'd get some Otrivine Sinusitis Relief Nasal Spray to see if you can breathe easier through your nose, if it doesn't help see an ENT consultant to find the blockage, it could be Nasal polyps causing it if you're never had some removed.

My settings with the pillow mask.

Tube temp 27

Humidity 6

Pressure relief on

Mask set to pillows.

Ideally you should be getting 7/8hrs comfortable sleep once you have the mask fit and settings nailed down.

Don't take what I'm saying as Gospel as it's been a while and my memory isn't the best but I'm pretty sure I needed nothing for air lingus as my machine (resmed 10) was on their approved list.

I may be getting my companies mixed up though.

I think the issue is whether the size and weight will be taken into account when you take them into the cabin. You are allowed one cabin bag, is the machine that bag? Does it add to the 7 or 10kg allowance? The answer should be no in both cases, but that depends on all employees understanding that and being aware of the regs. If you have the form it makes it easier. I seem to recall that there were no issues taking my Resmed 10 on board and I didn't need any paperwork, but I had a letter anyway (I think the form is a recent thing).

Its a bit like Aer Lingus saying your carry on bag has to be exact dimensions and weight, which you abide by, then find people on board struggling to put large bags in the overhead locker and stewards putting them at the back of the plane with no hassle. I can be sure that if I took one of those oversize bags on it would instantly cost me money.

I read that as it's a medical device that's allowed to be carried on board and do not need pre clearance.

But again, I don't use AL often and I have been on a fair few carriers so best to check with them. But the link you provided backs up my memory on the subject.

The bottom of that page tells you what is needed for pre clearance, imo anyway, but I could be wrong.

Again, under what basis would Ryanair prohibit such an item?

https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12890928594705-What-items-are-prohibited-on-board-and-in-Check-in-Bags

are you suggesting that they would prohibit it because of weight etc?

I reckon Ryanair would pull you on this if you arrived with 3 x bags at the Boarding Gate - your 10kg Cabin Bag + your Handbag/Backpack for under the Seat PLUS a CPAP Bag. They only expecting 2 x bags per person.

I was stopped by Staff before but advised that I had a Ryanair letter accepting it on the flight - and they then waved me on without having to produce it.

Another point - I put my CPAP overhead with my Cabin Bag and Stewardess took it down and insisted I put at my feet. I already had a small backpack there already and so it was a fair squeeze to force both under the seat in front of me!!

No if you dont declare it and get a letter, they will charge you for it

Incorrect, they do care and are very specific when you have to apply for the waiver! I have the letter in my passport. And have travelled frequently with CPAP. Think about this, it is an extra bag in any case!

I have MS, and very prone to pneumonia. I wear an Apple Watch which monitors sleep phases and SP02. I notice that my oxygen levels can go down as far as 73%, most often during the first part of my sleep where REM and deep sleep is more frequent. I have an appointment later next month with a respiratory consultant. Might be looking here for tips.