Anyone here use a CPAP machine?

Been using them for years now, currently on Resmed airsense 10, with Simplus Full Face Mask by Fisher & Paykel, been through 3 machines and at least 10 different types of masks. Cannot get on with any under the nose, pillow type or the ones that go into the nose they just seem to hurt to much or leak for me. Have found the Simplus has a more cushioned nose piece between the eyes on the top of the mask and the bridge section up the forehead stops the mask moving about. Have to use humidifier and just use bottle water. Clean the machine and hose about once a month, wipe the mask once a week and sleep about 7 hours with it. Without it i would probably be dead by now, lol


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just got told i have sleep apnea and i'm going in a few weeks to get a cpap machine, any advice on what questions i should ask about the machine/mask to get a fit that works for me.
 
Btone said:
just got told i have sleep apnea and i'm going in a few weeks to get a cpap machine, any advice on what questions i should ask about the machine/mask to get a fit that works for me.
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Tbh you won’t really know what’s comfortable until you try to sleep with one on.
If you’re a mouth breather (or suspect you do) then full face will be recommended.

There’s one site ( think it’s actually cpap.co.uk edit actually I cover this in post #14)that sells the masks and you can purchase an optional insurance that allows you to return if you don’t get on with it. It’s about £20 but considering the masks can be £150+ it’s worth it IMO.
I needed full face and opted for a Philips one that doesn’t go over nose bridge, because I kept getting a red sore on the bridge which I may have been able to solve by loosening it more but then that’s more air leak.
I was actually thinking the other day. I should probably buy a spare one or two because these things often get discontinued and I’d hate to have to adapt to a new one, but they’re like £200 :(

Not sure what options you’ll get with NHS as I didn’t go that route. I’d also recommend seeing if there is a humidifier option available for the machine. having air pushed through your nose all night can lead to obvious dryness.
I actually got a sample of a nasal balm called cann ease which is very effective. Only reason I’m using it is because I haven’t bothered to get any distilled water for ages to use in the humidifier. Can use normal but then it’s more cleaning.
 
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I use the Respireo Soft Facial Full Face Mask

Its the only mask that works for me.
Covers the nose and mouth.

I sleep like a baby with it on. I actually feel very odd without it on at night.

If I do sleep without it, I wake up feeling so much worse.

It did take a few months to get used to it. But you must persevere, Its a medical device, designed to keep you alive.
If you decide you cant get on with it, its because you've not tried hard enough. Those that simply refuse because its "uncomfortable" etc are in my mind.. stupid.

Buy your own mask and Humidify chamber. NHS only gives the basics. I even bought my own CPAP machine to keep as a spare or to take on holiday / camping.
 
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I'm about 4-5 weeks into using a cpap, tbh it's awful to begin with but a few weeks in it does start to get easier, I have definitely noticed an improvement in being less tired during the day.

I went through the NHS and they are pretty good, from diagnosis I had the machine in about 2 weeks, first mask didn't fit properly - they got me in the next day and gave me one that did, I also mentioned dry mouth so they gave me a humidifier for it too.

First mask was an Resmed F20 full face which I didn't really get on with, now I'm using a Resmed F40 and it fits ok and doesn't leak much, I have a resmed airsense 11 cpap.

It's pretty cool watching (Apple watch) my AHI dropping from 60-90 down to 1-2.

They don't offer heated tubes though, I'm considering buying one.
 
Diagro said:
Buy your own mask and Humidify chamber. NHS only gives the basics. I even bought my own CPAP machine to keep as a spare or to take on holiday / camping.
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They gave me a choice of all the Resmed masks and are willing to change them if they don't fit, they also gave me a resmed humidifier for the airsense 11, I'm not sure why you consider these 'the basics' as I'm not sure what else I could've got on top of this.. these masks are £150 each and I've had 2 already.
 
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Going off my last post #20 where I hadn't used it for 2 years I ended up doing the test again in late September with the stuff you take home with you.
I haven't heard a thing yet, I could be dying :)
 
StonedPenguin said:
They gave me a choice of all the Resmed masks and are willing to change them if they don't fit, they also gave me a resmed humidifier for the airsense 11, I'm not sure why you consider these 'the basics' as I'm not sure what else I could've got on top of this.. these masks are £150 each and I've had 2 already.
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They refused to give me an alternative mask or a Humidify chamber lol
 
anybody who does suffer with sleep apnea, what effects has it had on you from day to day?

My mrs says i snore, and to be honest in recent times ive really struggling with brain fog and concentration and im wondering if this has something to do with it.

i best get an appointment booked.
 
Chrisc said:
anybody who does suffer with sleep apnea, what effects has it had on you from day to day?

My mrs says i snore, and to be honest in recent times ive really struggling with brain fog and concentration and im wondering if this has something to do with it.

i best get an appointment booked.
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For myself it was tiredness during the day, sometimes really bad tiredness - didn't feel safe driving at times and headaches, many headaches - all of these have more or less gone since using cpap, I think I've had 1 headache in 5 weeks compared to at least 3-4 week beforehand.

Ask your GP for a sleep study and they'll refer you.
 
for me i came out of the blue, i was attending the consultant respiratory physician for a ongoing lung conduction, telling him of some problems ive been having (thinking it was my current conduction getting worst) after a xray and some bloods, a week later ive a appointment for a sleep test (the one you do at home) and after that a second test monitoring my blood oxygen, i wasn't expecting anything from it as my google watch has always said my sleep was good, so was just assuming that he was just ruling stuff out, Turns out I've Severe obstructive sleep apnea, and ive to get a cpap within the next fortnight.

side sleeper, and i assume a mouth breather (ex use to say i talked in my sleep).
reading the internet i see some people talking about special pillows , i just using two dreamweavers got out of Tesco, sjhould i look into new pillows ?
 
Chrisc said:
anybody who does suffer with sleep apnea, what effects has it had on you from day to day?

My mrs says i snore, and to be honest in recent times ive really struggling with brain fog and concentration and im wondering if this has something to do with it.

i best get an appointment booked.
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Back in 2020 I mentioned at my PreAMS that my wife said I make funny noises in bed, I stop breathing and she hits me.
They sent me straight down to the Sleep Clinic and asked all the usual questions like falling asleep in the chair etc but I answered no to all of them.
The results came back and I stop breathing 46 times an hour so put on the CPAP, that was around November 2020.
Feb 2022 I had an operation and haven't worn it since with what I feel is no reduction in the way I am, yes I sometimes have a nap but I'm nearly 68.
 
Noxia said:
I got diagnosed this year. Used to it now, but the full face mask was giving me a solid red line on nose bridge and spots would appear there, couldn't loosen it too much or it would leak. Got a Philips one that sits around the mouth and under nose instead.

There is one site that lets you return them, but you've got to basically purchase this additional insurance to give you the privilege to return, which I guess is understandable considering their medical devices. Might have been CPAP.co.uk, yes it was and it's £20 :(

I've got a Sefam nea with heated humidifier etc, I didn't bother going through the NHS for this because it would take too long.
Edit: I sleep on my side but don't use a special pillow. Still got my ol Simba Hybrid one,
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Did you get a diagnosis through NHS or private?

Or just went straight to buying a mask?

I spoke with my doctor today who asked a few questions, based on my answers he said it is unlikely I have sleep apnea. But he said to get a blood test done and if that is all fine then they will look further into the sleep apnea.

I've not had the gasping for breath recently, but had it a few times last summer. I wake up with a dry throat, and always have morning brain fog and a general feeling of tiredness. I don't really nap but at the end of the work day could easily fall asleep on the sofa. The previous night I had 8 hours of sleep but was still yawning in the morning.
 
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Went private. I didn’t score particularly highly on that sleep scale thing, but I had severe case after the proper tests so here we are.

Edit. Private for the test and then I had the option to get the stuff from them or go through NHS, but I just went with them because I could get it all next day.

9/24 on the scale. Ahi was 36.4 however this would actually have been higher but I couldn’t sleep for about three hours whilst I was wearing the thing.
 
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Noxia said:
Went private. I didn’t score particularly highly on that sleep scale thing, but I had severe case after the proper tests so here we are.

Edit. Private for the test and then I had the option to get the stuff from them or go through NHS, but I just went with them because I could get it all next day.

9/24 on the scale. Ahi was 36.4 however this would actually have been higher but I couldn’t sleep for about three hours whilst I was wearing the thing.
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I guess the quicker route albeit expensive, but you can't put a price on your health.
 
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