CPAP, BIPAP, APAP Machines

[ActionJackson]

I've had sleep apnea for years. I can't remember the last time I had a really good, night's sleep. So I decided to have a sleep study done in preparation for CPAP therapy. That is, until I found out that it would cost me $2000.00 (out-of-pocket) for a two-night study. So I decided to buy a used BIPAP from an acquaintance (only $50.00). But since it was used and old ... I never really used it, and I wasn't sure how to set it up. So I just bought a brand new APAP (Automatic CPAP) off of Amazon. Around $450.00. It came with a nasal mask.

Anyway ... I've tried it two nights in a row. The first night, I tried it without water in the humidifier. That didn't work out too well. An hour into using it ... I pulled the mask off because my mouth and throat were super dry. Last night ... I tried it with water. Better ... but I still woke up with a dry mouth and I stopped using it. Apparently ... I like to breathe through my mouth at night, so a nasal mask isn't going to work for me. Also ... I had two whiteheads on my nose this morning, so I'm wondering if I may be allergic to the plastics in the mask??? I can't remember the last time I had a pimple or whitehead.

So I'm going to search for a hypoallergenic mask (if there is such a thing). Also, I have a beard, so I don't know if I can find a mask that will give me a good enough seal.

I guess the point of this thread is to find out if there are any CPAP users out there who can share some of your ideas, experiences, opinions, etc.

 

[1srelluc]

Ever wonder what life would be like without all the aids (Rx and others) folks depend on now?

Yeah, we might not live quite as long but I'm wondering if that would be a bad thing.....Half the stuff we put into our bodies is a direct result of poor life choices.

 

[ActionJackson]

Ever wonder what life would be like without all the aids (Rx and others) folks depend on now?

Yeah, we might not live quite as long but I'm wondering if that would be a bad thing.....Half the stuff we put into our bodies is a direct result of poor life choices.

I agree about what we put in our bodies. I don't take any drugs, nor do I drink. I don't eat sugar or foods high in carbs. But a CPAP is an external device that helps keep the airway open during sleep. My airway shuts down during sleep, which causes me to snore very loudly. So I'm waking myself up over and over and over again, which means that I never get a really good and full sleep.

 

[Harry Dresden]

I agree about what we put in our bodies. I don't take any drugs, nor do I drink. I don't eat sugar or foods high in carbs. But a CPAP is an external device that helps keep the airway open during sleep. My airway shuts down during sleep, which causes me to snore very loudly. So I'm waking myself up over and over and over again, which means that I never get a really good and full sleep.

you need a sleep study so they can see how bad you have it and what pressure to set the machine at.....if your ins doesnt cover that or most of it,you have piss poor ins....

 

[1srelluc]

I went to my doctor for my check-up last week and told him I was having trouble sleeping and he said he must have five (over-60 and retired) folks a day ask him the same question.

He told me to take a Unisom (or equivalent) a half hour before I went to bed so I had the wife get me the Kirkland equivalent when she went to Costco.

Seems to have worked for me, at least so far. I'd usually wake-up several times during the night but maybe once now and I'm a lot more rested. I still get up at 0600 as usual.

 

[ActionJackson]

you need a sleep study so they can see how bad you have it and what pressure to set the machine at.....if your ins doesnt cover that or most of it,you have piss poor ins....

I haven't reached my deductible yet so the insurance doesn't even help in a small way. I used to have awesome insurance until we "Socialized" it. I've never had decent insurance since.

 

[Harry Dresden]

I went to my doctor for my check-up last week and told him I was having trouble sleeping and he said he must have five (over-60 and retired) folks a day ask him the same question.

He told me to take a Unisom (or equivalent) a half hour before I went to bed so I had the wife get me the Kirkland equivalent when she went to Costco.

Seems to have worked for me, at least so far. I'd usually wake-up several times during the night but maybe once now and I'm a lot more rested. I still get up at 0600 as usual.

they dont know if you have apenea without a sleep test....jackson needs a sleep test....

 

[ActionJackson]

they dont know if you have apenea without a sleep test....jackson needs a sleep test....

I was in the home healthcare industry for years and delivered hundreds of CPAPs & BIPAPs to customers. Having learned the symptoms ... there's no doubt that I have apnea. Now I just have to figure out what full mask to get from Amazon. I also found this nice accessory that I'll get as well:

Looks pretty comfortable.

 

[1srelluc]

they dont know if you have apenea without a sleep test....jackson needs a sleep test....

Well since money is a issue it might be worth a shot.

No harm, no foul if it doesn't work.

 

[candycorn]

I've had sleep apnea for years. I can't remember the last time I had a really good, night's sleep. So I decided to have a sleep study done in preparation for CPAP therapy. That is, until I found out that it would cost me $2000.00 (out-of-pocket) for a two-night study. So I decided to buy a used BIPAP from an acquaintance (only $50.00). But since it was used and old ... I never really used it, and I wasn't sure how to set it up. So I just bought a brand new APAP (Automatic CPAP) off of Amazon. Around $450.00. It came with a nasal mask.

Anyway ... I've tried it two nights in a row. The first night, I tried it without water in the humidifier. That didn't work out too well. An hour into using it ... I pulled the mask off because my mouth and throat were super dry. Last night ... I tried it with water. Better ... but I still woke up with a dry mouth and I stopped using it. Apparently ... I like to breathe through my mouth at night, so a nasal mask isn't going to work for me. Also ... I had two whiteheads on my nose this morning, so I'm wondering if I may be allergic to the plastics in the mask??? I can't remember the last time I had a pimple or whitehead.

So I'm going to search for a hypoallergenic mask (if there is such a thing). Also, I have a beard, so I don't know if I can find a mask that will give me a good enough seal.

I guess the point of this thread is to find out if there are any CPAP users out there who can share some of your ideas, experiences, opinions, etc.

I've had my CPAP for about 6 years. Here are my thoughts.

Water is not worth the effort in a CPAP in my view. I'm on the go quite a bit. It's not unusual for me to have to spend a week in 3 different cities when I'm doing audits. I don't have time to lug around distilled water, vinegar, or the time to clean the beast. So I run mine dry and just live with the dry mouth. If you don't clean it thoroughly and often, you will end up getting respiratory issues from mold in the machine. I clean mine about once every 2-3 weeks thoroughly. One thing I do when I go to Santa Fe is buy a jar of Vicks and unscrew the lid and place that next to the air inlet on the CPAP. World of difference in terms of waking up with the cotton mouth

As for the cushion on the mask itself. I don't know what to tell you about that. I use Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean mine...never had an issue. Perhaps wipe it down with peroxide?

 

[ActionJackson]

I've had my CPAP for about 6 years. Here are my thoughts.

Water is not worth the effort in a CPAP in my view. I'm on the go quite a bit. It's not unusual for me to have to spend a week in 3 different cities when I'm doing audits. I don't have time to lug around distilled water, vinegar, or the time to clean the beast. So I run mine dry and just live with the dry mouth. If you don't clean it thoroughly and often, you will end up getting respiratory issues from mold in the machine. I clean mine about once every 2-3 weeks thoroughly. One thing I do when I go to Santa Fe is buy a jar of Vicks and unscrew the lid and place that next to the air inlet on the CPAP. World of difference in terms of waking up with the cotton mouth

As for the cushion on the mask itself. I don't know what to tell you about that. I use Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean mine...never had an issue. Perhaps wipe it down with peroxide?

I just purchased a full mask from 1800CPAP. Not the most expensive, but not the cheapest either. I also bought some liners that appear to be cloth or maybe a paper. I'm hoping that'll solve any allergic reactions I may have with the plastic or rubber surfaces.

Quattro FX Full Face CPAP Mask by ResMed

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

I haven't reached my deductible yet so the insurance doesn't even help in a small way. I used to have awesome insurance until we "Socialized" it. I've never had decent insurance since.

You need to come up with the money somehow and have the sleep study done. The settings on that machine would have been based on the condition of the person you bought it from. Everyone is different and you probably don't have the same severity. I have had a CPAP machine for five years now (and I'm only 40!). It took me a good six months to finally get the settings where I needed them to be and even since then I've had to adjust them a few times.

I don't know your financial situation, but if the problem is causing you that much trouble I would think you'd find a way to pay for the study and what needs to be done. It might mean making sacrifices elsewhere. Even if you have to use a credit card and slowly pay it down it's probably worth it if it means you sleep better and aren't tired all the time. There are more health issues involved than just being tired.

 

[ActionJackson]

You need to come up with the money somehow and have the sleep study done. The settings on that machine would have been based on the condition of the person you bought it from. Everyone is different and you probably don't have the same severity. I have had a CPAP machine for five years now (and I'm only 40!). It took me a good six months to finally get the settings where I needed them to be and even since then I've had to adjust them a few times.

I don't know your financial situation, but if the problem is causing you that much trouble I would think you'd find a way to pay for the study and what needs to be done. It might mean making sacrifices elsewhere. Even if you have to use a credit card and slowly pay it down it's probably worth it if it means you sleep better and aren't tired all the time. There are more health issues involved than just being tired.

I bought a new machine called an APAP (automatic CPAP) which is supposed to adjust pressures based on need. It senses the user's breathing and adjusts itself accordingly (or that's the claim).

I have the money for the study, but I feel like it's highway robbery. I was shocked when they charged me nearly $300.00 for a 5-minute consultation. But $2000.00 just to hook up a couple of probes while I sleep? That's obscene, in my opinion.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

I bought a new machine called an APAP (automatic CPAP) which is supposed to adjust pressures based on need. It senses the user's breathing and adjusts itself accordingly (or that's the claim).

I have the money for the study, but I feel like it's highway robbery. I was shocked when they charged me nearly $300.00 for a 5-minute consultation. But $2000.00 just to hook up a couple of probes while I sleep? That's obscene, in my opinion.

Nevertheless, you're not going to get what you need out of it without a sleep specialist analyzing your sleep and working with you to set up the machine correctly. Additionally, I would think you could cause yourself other issues if you don't have the pressure setting correct long term.

Yes, they're expensive. Welcome to American health care. My supplies that I get for that machine quarterly run slightly over $1,000, but I only pay $168 after insurance. It's crazy what the medical industry charges for medical supplies, but it is what it is.

 

[candycorn]

You need to come up with the money somehow and have the sleep study done. The settings on that machine would have been based on the condition of the person you bought it from. Everyone is different and you probably don't have the same severity. I have had a CPAP machine for five years now (and I'm only 40!). It took me a good six months to finally get the settings where I needed them to be and even since then I've had to adjust them a few times.

I don't know your financial situation, but if the problem is causing you that much trouble I would think you'd find a way to pay for the study and what needs to be done. It might mean making sacrifices elsewhere. Even if you have to use a credit card and slowly pay it down it's probably worth it if it means you sleep better and aren't tired all the time. There are more health issues involved than just being tired.

And just by the way...the county hospital in Houston (Harris County Hospital District) actually had a sleep lab. Your county may have one as well.

But yeah...the fatigue factor is one element. The latent stress you put on your heart is much more damaging. You're not breathing!

 

[candycorn]

I bought a new machine called an APAP (automatic CPAP) which is supposed to adjust pressures based on need. It senses the user's breathing and adjusts itself accordingly (or that's the claim).

I have the money for the study, but I feel like it's highway robbery. I was shocked when they charged me nearly $300.00 for a 5-minute consultation. But $2000.00 just to hook up a couple of probes while I sleep? That's obscene, in my opinion.

I'm at 16 psi I think it is (it's the maximum). My sleep study wasn't covered either and it ran me $1,600. Best investment I've ever made.

 

[Harry Dresden]

I was in the home healthcare industry for years and delivered hundreds of CPAPs & BIPAPs to customers. Having learned the symptoms ... there's no doubt that I have apnea. Now I just have to figure out what full mask to get from Amazon. I also found this nice accessory that I'll get as well:

Looks pretty comfortable.

if it isnt air tight it wont be doing its job....you need gel foam around it...

 

[odanny]

I don't know how you folks sleep with that thing on, I feel for ya, I really do. I would suggest a glass of tea about a half hour before bed that helps you sleep, I've actually been surprised at how well it works. I'd suggest Celestial Sleepytime Peach (tastes good) or Traditional Medicinals Nighty Night Extra.

 

[Harry Dresden]

I just purchased a full mask from 1800CPAP. Not the most expensive, but not the cheapest either. I also bought some liners that appear to be cloth or maybe a paper. I'm hoping that'll solve any allergic reactions I may have with the plastic or rubber surfaces.

Quattro FX Full Face CPAP Mask by ResMed

that one looks ok.....

 

[ActionJackson]

I don't know how you folks sleep with that thing on, I feel for ya, I really do. I would suggest a glass of tea about a half hour before bed that helps you sleep, I've actually been surprised at how well it works. I'd suggest Celestial Sleepytime Peach (tastes good) or Traditional Medicinals Nighty Night Extra.

Well ... the issue isn't whether we can sleep or not. I have no problem getting to sleep. I don't have insomnia. It's apnea which is a situation where the airway sort of collapses during sleep which (in my case) causes me to snore heavily (according to my 3, consecutive wives). When that happens ... I either wake myself from the sound of my own snoring or because I am gasping for air.