BrightSpringbudSandpiper5105

For pure CPAP and BiPap the settings by your ENT are the smart ones. If however they let you use an AutoPap/Autoset which my ENT did, then the machine basically sets itself to whatever is needed during the night. You really only set the range eg between 5 and 16 and it does the rest.

I bought my Airsense 10 in the US earlier this year and used it for a month there. Whilst it was sending the details back to Resmed there was no suggestion that it was being adjusted or set by them. I am surprised to hear that is even possible. I am a bit sceptical that they are remote controlling your machine. Big Brother is definitely watching, that is I did note that I could not turn off the transmitter so Resmed would get the data whilst I was in the US. Here in Australia the machine is not sending out anything to Resmed because the phone system is not CDMA. I would not be fussed if it did but they definitely do not control the settings here in Australia.

My machine provider in the US showed me how to set the ResMed machine (you can always convert an Autoset to a CPAP and the ranges). I doubt the machine is being re-set by Resmed, but if it is I reckon you can set it yourself anyway.

Full faced mask is the simplest answer.

I have had 10 years of blocked nasal passages. Try Rhinocort (Australian brand name) which can really help if your blocked passages are due to "rhinovitus, allergies or other similar things. Using a humidifier helps too.

I also use a decongestant for 3 to 4 days in a row then have to stop for 3 to 4 days you cannot use them permanently. So I was alternating between nasal mask and full faced mask.

When I was recently on holidays in the US I discovered that I did not experience blocked nasal passages and used nasal mask for almost a month straight. I became suspicious that I am allergic to something in my bedroom. I bought a cheap air purifier 2 weeks ago and I have just had 4 days running with no decongestant and good nights sleeps and nasal mask only.

If you can, buy yourself a machine even a cheap one. That's what we have to do here in Australia, health cover doesn't cover much of machines (only 25% or so).

When I lost 20 kg it made not a jot of difference to my apnea but the machine has over time. I am finding the better the machine the better my apnea is becoming. I am about half way between my best and worst weight and my apnea has never been better.

Getting used to the mask is a good idea, most people would fall asleep whilst watching tv so it is a good idea to have it on if there is any chance of that happening.

I go to sleep around 5 minutes of putting on my mask which means I would only put it on to go to sleep. I do not read in bed with the mask on. I have never fallen asleep whilst reading. So if you are like me you'd leave the mask off whilst watching TV and put it on roll over and go to sleep.

Either it is an autopap/autoset not a bipap or a bipap being used in a unique way opposite to what most people do. Each to their own. I use autoset and it definitely does go up and down during the night.

I was using 5 to 16 with a ramp up for years on a Resmed S9 autoset. In those days my 95% average was around 10 and peak was 14.

Using the Airsense 10 autoset I use 4 to 12 with a ramp up. Don't know why I used 12 but now my average is 5.7 for 95% of the night and peaks usually in the 10's. I have seen it peak at 12 very rarely but never for more than 3 to 5 minutes. I go to sleep easier with the 4 than the 5 and my apnea is better with the newer machine.

Having a good run at the moment and a recently acquired air purifier is helping to keep nasal passages clear (suggesting it is controlling allergies)

Scentless baby wipes for me on my daily routine and an occasional full wash up of the mask. I simply hate all the cleaning I used to do before the baby wipes. Also if you use the wipes on your face and forehead where the mask touches it seems to make a cleaner seal and put less oil on the cushion requiring less cleaning.

The right mask is a personal choice and you do need to try a few if you can.

Good to hear conscientious having a big improvement. Hope it keeps going

Hey Orphan I am currently running at around 0.8 at worst, 0.48 average and an occasional 0 too usually once a week at the moment. 10 years I was 8 to 10 and stopped breathing for sustained periods and I am pretty sure I never had a 0 in the first years. I am beginning to think that the latest technology is capable of keeping you really low and potentially at near 0 and almost trains you to be better. Either that or they intervene (if autoset) earlier, stay at the necessary level to avoid repeats.

I have Autoset/autopap and that literally means that some nights the machine doesn't even crank up. When I take off the nasal mask (which I sometimes do for a couple of hours in the morning, when I wake up after 6 to 7 hours of sleep, if I happen to fall back asleep I do snort and wake up suddenly so there is little doubt I still have apnea. The machine is controlling and minimising it.

Another suggestion is not to have it on top of the side dresser and more out of sight (behind or underneath). Only problem I found is the filters seem to pick up more dust lower down on carpet or floor and need to be replaced more often.

For years I had my Resmed's on the floor below the bedside dresser draw. Mainly due to the older machines seemed noisier. The resmed 10 is on the top as it is quieter.

No is the short answer, I have only ever used mine off mains power. Using the inverter puts the Resmed power brick at risk and they are expensive to replace.

Personally I would have thought converting a 12v dc source through an inverter to a 110v a/c back through a power brick into the machine not to be that dangerous but I have heard that inverters do cause trouble with some switches, relays, and in particular dimmer switches.

With Resmed stuff I would stick to their official product for the powering as I can imagine their power brick could be temperamental because my brother has had to replace one.

High everyone, I finally managed to acquire an air purifier machine 10 days ago after a couple of aborted attempts via ebay and have been using it ever since. Cost me just $AUD66 which is cheap and cheerful. Its ugly but effective.

For anyone who suffers from constantly blocked nasal passages I can report that so far so good. I have used my nasal mask solely since getting it.

The machine supposedly has 9 filters including HEPA and ozone etc. Whilst I am a bit of a sceptic about how wonderful the whole air filter/purifier thing is I do believe it is working better than I even hoped it would and helping my apnea. I have run it daily for a few hours at least and when I go to bed I no longer get the nasal passages blocking up as I lie down. (seems to indicate I was getting blocked nasal passages due to allergens) I have gone 3 nights in a row without using a Sinex nasal spray and the last time that happened was when I was on holidays in US in January.

My apnea continues to be extraordinarily improved this year since the trip to America and with the improvement from the air purifier I can say I am one of the lucky ones. Having had apnea at the low end of the severe scale for reasons I cannot explain I am now in the low range. I use my machine every night and whilst my results almost suggests I am "cured" and not suffering sleep apnea I know I do if I do not use the machine (as we tested it) I snort and stop breathing and snore.

My wife is still a big fan of the airsense autoset 10 to be a big improvement on the Resmed autoset 9.