BrightSpringbudSandpiper5105

I use sleepyhead because the ResMed program is expensive here in Australia. Has always worked well with the Resmed Machines

My first Resmed Machine came with the Resmed software but the second one didn't and the older version of software didn't work with the new machine so I switched to Sleepyhead.

I think the various software reports and results are written for doctors more than patients, but its great for a person like me that likes to read numbers and understand what is going on. I have never seen the website that talks about what all the data means. I can empathise with some of the feedback that it is a bit overwhelming how much info you get. I am still not sure what all the statistics actually mean despite reading all the definitions. My specialist hardly used the data when I gave it to him to look at. He likes to keep things simple. It is great to have that data to show the Doctors though.

Nevertheless the graph pictures on any of the software and Sleepyhead tell you a thousand words, you can see when you are going better than worse.

I don't mind having to pull out the SD card and slot it into my computer. The new Resmed was sending the data wirelessly to Resmed via a phone link which unfortunately doesn't work here in Australia.

I am a fan of Sleepyhead, never had any problems with the software or the site.

As Dan mentions, if you are not using a full face mask give it a go. I only get a really dry mouth which is only sometimes when I use nasal and my nose blocks up. If I use the full face, dry mouth can still occur but is mild compared to the nasal version.

All my attempts to use chin straps etc just didn't work but the full face mask did the trick.

I have found you have to try different masks too to get one that does what you want. It can be costly but it is worth it to try alternative masks if you can figure out the one that works best.

I can only concur with the above comments about seeing your sleep doctor.

In regards to DanM's comments, the EPR function (as it is called on a resMed machine) is worth a go. I found it created a differential which avoids that feeling that there is no aiflow. Being able to use your APAP/CPAP/BiPAP is just as much about being comfortable.

Your doctor will be able to sort out whether you need more pressure or less but you will get the best out of the treatment if you are comfortable.

If you are allowed to try one, then you might give APAP a go. It is likely to give you that feeling of differential and be higher when you need it and lower when you don't

I have had 3 different Resmed machines all with humidifiers and whilst it is possible to switch the humidifier off it still used a little bit of water when you did so. The LCD advises if the humidifier is connect. I would turn up the humidifier setting to at least 4 (out of 5) to see if that gets it to kick in.

If you have it turned on then it is sounding faulty.

As an alternative there is a setting to warm up the humidifier before you start sleeping for the night, try that and as DanM said see if the base of the reservoir heats up (which is necessary to get the humidifier going).

I currently us a ResMed Airsense 10 purchased 2 months ago and I have an old ResMed S8 Autoset which I use for travel (took it to USA on my recent trip where I bought the new machine near the end of that trip). I use nasal masks. I leave off the humidifier when travelling domestic in OZ to make it small and easy to pack. For 1 or 2 nights away I can cope without a humidifier although I always use one at home. I use the basic tube too, no need to heat the tube without a humidifier. I have a S9 which will probably become my travel machine from now.

By the way airlines in the US do not count your Apnea machine as carry on luggage and you can carry it on in addition to another carry on bag. So you could just take your Airsense 10 with you. As far as I am aware they don't do that in Australia but it never occurred to me to ask.

Rather than buy a travel unit, if you are trying to save space and pack it in the one case unfortunately although the Airsense 10 is a smaller case/pack than either the S8 or S9 as you know it is a combined unit with humidifier and bigger as a travel machine. Also I don't like to risk my current machine and am a lot happier with a cheaper one lest it get lost with luggage etc.

If money is no object I'd buy a new Resmed 9 (like the one I have) which lets you separate the humidifier and become really small for travel. If you are travelling for a week or longer I'd take the full set anyway.

Personally I'd pick up an S9 or S8 second hand on eBay (rather than new) and leave the humidifier at home using it as a travel machine. Because you use Resmed 10 you can be confident the S9 and S8 will work for you too.

If this question is simply about will they sell you a mask then your original prescription that got you the machine will work, no need to update. If it is about claiming it on your US health insurer I haven't a clue.

I just use a letter from my Australian GP from 2008 when I purchased a machine in US in 2012 and for masks from US all the way until 2015 and it gets accepted in the US whenever I buy Apnea stuff. Never get a query about the letter.

I don't think prescription is the same as like when you buy drugs or a specific instruction to the provider. It can be written "to whom it may concern" more like a letter of reference. Grab one next time you see your GP.

I bought a machine recently in US and they accepted just an updated letter from my General Practitioner saying I still have sleep apnea and not a "prescription".

Absolutely no need for a further test or a specific prescription to get another mask is my view.

My apnea still appears improved in the last 2 to 3 years which coincides with renovating, repainting, air conditioner and carpet replacement. Going to get an air purifier to clean out allergens and see if that improves things even more. We decided it is worth a try.

Now that I am analyzing my results it is clear my apnea has improved from being severe to being mild and whilst in America almost disappeared. I find that astounding.

Wife is a big fan of ResMed Autoset 10. She says it is much quieter.

If your doctor let you use auto then I think you can do either. I get the feeling here in Australia Doctors seem to let you use Auto or constant in most instances at your own preference it is definitely not dictated. Constant is more likely to be necessary and is recommended the higher your pressure. Personally I just can't sleep with CPAP. I don't think Doctors "prescribe" Autopap at all here in OZ they simply recommend what CPAP pressure would be the right one and give you the option of buying an AUTOPAP. An Autopap adjusts to whatever is required especially the RESMED's machines which are pretty sophisticated.

In other words everyone gets told what CPAP pressure is right and can use a CPAP but people that want to can use an AUTOPAP and if for some reason it didn't work for them they switch the AUTOPAP to a CPAP (which is an expensive way to do things here in Aust.)

In my family 3 of us have apnea. One brother of mine uses CPAP and swears by it, 2 of us use Auto.

What is for sure is that you should not just use the same setting as your mother. If you can pull out your data either from your study as recommended or from your Autosense data (using Sleepy head and a SD card) look at your 95% level and try the CPAP at that. If it works then I'd go with CPAP on your machine. Personally the Auto is quieter and is my personal preference. But as long as you have it set at least high enough CPAP does the job.

CPAP's are much cheaper than AutoPaps here in Australia (about 2/3rds of the cost) the same AUTOPAP machine that costs $883 in US dollars in the USA costs $1500 in US dollars here in Australia. In OZ A Resmed CPAP costs $1000 US dollars compared to $1500 US for the Auto and that saving of $500 USD influences many (note Australian insurers only give you $US300 back towards the machine so you are at least $US700 out of pocket and up to $1200USD out of pocket. I suspect that is more the reason why the CPAPs are more popular here.

Since you have a machine that works either way I'd give CPAP a try once you find out what the right level is.

I use a Quattro Mirage when my nose is blocked and a mirage active LT when I am not. Anxiety over the mask itself is a tough one to solve. Getting used to it whilst being awake is a great suggestion. I agree that the higher the pressure the less useful a nasal mask will be and I suspect a pillow mask would be useless at those pressure. Nasal masks can cause you to open your mouth and air flows through. I just can't use pillow masks my nose gets blocked and I knock them off or end up breathing through my mouth.

Maybe lying on your back would make the full face mask easier to take. I am still mostly a side sleeper but I have trained myself to lie on my back if and when I need to. I used to be almost front on (a bit twisted) but I first changed my sleeping angles because I started to get back issues (not because of apnea). Putting a pillow between your legs stops you from turning over and keeps you more or less straight on your side. I find that putting a pillow under my knees keeps me on my back.

We get almost no insurance support here in Australia for Apnea machines and masks and they cost twice as much as in the US.

Try your best blizzard, and good luck. Hope you can train yourself to accept the full face mask sounds like you need it to make headway.

Thanks guys, I will do a search to see if there are any studies on this stuff. Is still very surprising and any period of time where I effectively had no sleep apnea seems extraordinary.

I suspect I still have it for life, but we are testing out whether doona contributes to the problem. The jury is out.