SirRobin

My insurance gives me a hard time to give me a proper answer what they cover in which time frame. Basically, they only tell me what I know to ask, but wouldn't tell me the important things I don't know. So far I know they would cover the machine to a certain amount only every 5 years. However, I expect there are some components that need to be replaced more often.

Therefore, I would like to ask the users of APAP machines of their initial cost and ongoing cost.

• What are the initial cost? APAP device, mask, tube, filter?
• Which components will experience tear and wear and need to be replaced at a regular basis (i.e. filter, masks)? Do I have to buy them from the sleep clinic where I would buy the machine to keep warranty intact or could I buy them from any reseller (i.e. online shops)?
• How often do they need to be replaced?
• Anything else that I am missing?

Thank you very much for the detailed feedback!

I will adjust my screen accordingly. My laptop is a 4K screen and it seems the software is not scaling well with high resolution screens.

Regarding your interpretation of hypopneas being incomplete OSA; my last night's statistic show a bigger amount of OSA taken from the hypoapneas part.

Are hypopneas preferable over actual OSA or CSA?

Do you think the sleep therapists will be annoyed when I bring printouts of the daily statistics from sleepy head, which is not an official tool? Don't want to hurt their feelings :-)

Could someone give me a rough interpretation how I am doing?

I already had contact with my therapist which receives the data through the modem. My concern of leaking air was played down respectively she thinks the data doesn't show that as concern. However, shouldn't I do better with an APAP that AHI of 5.35? In some nights?

My sleep is still very fragmented; I still wake up as before the treatment approx the first time 2.5 - 3 hours after going to bed and then every other hour. So far, my daytime symptoms are much better, but my sleep is still as bad as before. Not to complain, just a reflection.

Thank you for your detailed feedback!

I am just a bit "traumatized" by the DreamStation which I currently use on trial; quite bulky to transport and pretty much eats up my whole nightstand. The DreamStation's bag doesn't give me any assurance it would protect the machine on any voyage.

@mywifesaysisnore: So does the AirMini work with Sleepy Head?

I was wondering if I could get more feedback from an AirMini user. Following interests me: (italic from their website)

AirMini offers all of the following therapy modes: CPAP, AutoSet™ (with Response option) and AutoSet for Her. Unlike the AirSense™ 10 series, where different devices offer different therapy modes, the AirMini includes all three of these therapy modes.

• Basically they acknowledge they could put all therapy modes into one machine instead of selling CPAP and APAP devices separately?

Will I be able to use this as a full time machine? While the AirMini matches the performance of the larger AirSense 10, it was designed to be used as a travel CPAP. ResMed has achieved a significant reduction in size, while maintaining the same quality of therapy, through innovations that include ActiveAir™, HumidX™/HumidX Plus, and the AirMini app. If you have additional questions, please contact your home medical equipment or healthcare provider.

• This does not answer the question if you can use it as full machine or not. What would be the risks? Higher wear and tear?

• How is that waterless humidifier working for you, mywifesaysisnore?

I have now Sleepy Head installed and I have 3 days of data available. I am still learning how to interpret it. I wanted to upload a screenshot, but somehow I don't see a function in this forum to upload images. In the reply field, I only have the option for bold, italic, link and quotes.

Hi Sierra,

It is always nice to hear from you!

The therapist gave me the Dreamstation for trial because she said it has the better diagnostic tools for therapists. She said if I continue after the trial period I could choose the Resmed 10.

Regarding the pressure: I am reading the start pressure at the beginning when I am awake. The big ramp button lowers the pressure from 5 to 4. I don't know what the therapist set as minimum or maximum. I will take a picture later. At this point, I cannot speak for the pressure during the night. The next time I wake up I will have a look.

Thanks again!

At the sleep clinic, I got a Philips Dreamstation with a Resmed Airfit N20 small nasal mask. I tried a nasal pillow in office, but it felt like as if my nostrils would be blown up and the resistance while breathing out felt like someone would try to suffocate me....

So I am only on 5cm with down to 4cm at ramp.

The first night was weird. I hope by sharing some impressions you can tell me if you experienced similar things.

• On the good note, I had more absolute REM sleep time (+20min) according my Fitbit Charge 2 than ever in the last 4 weeks (even on zopiclone in that period); even when I slept longer in the last 4 weeks. I do not feel withdrawal symptoms from zopiclone. Last week, I tried 2 nights without zopiclone and it was brutal. I thought it might be withdrawal symptoms but now I think it might have been my regular symptoms of the apnea.

• For the first time in a long time, I had nightmares. I got out of the nightmare when my wife closed my jaw since I was leaking air through my mouth (I woke up). I read somewhere that using for the first time CPAP could induce wild dreams; however I did not read that as nightmares.

• At some point I woke up with a hot flush all over my body. I never had that before when sleeping. I had set the humidifier to 3 and the hose heat to 2. Could the warm air of the humidifier be the reason for that?

• At some point I woke up feeling like a stuffed turkey; I assume air made it to my stomach. Is this normal or a common side effect of CPAP? Or is this something that needs to be addressed.

• Later in the night I woke up due to the pressure of the mask. I guess it will take more time to get used to it or I have to change the mask.

EDIT: My dreamstation comes with cellular/wireless reporting to the therapist. Is there a way I can access the data with sleephead without her knowing that I also do my own research? Can I just remove the SD card and read it or will it report to the therapist that I am accessing it? I am asking because I know some specialist get cranky when you try to be your own specialist.

The lung specialist recommended me as first line of treatment CPAP but also mentioned Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD) as option. I only know that I would have to get them from a dentist specialized in sleep apnea according his information.

Simply searching on Google Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD) doesn't give me helpful information besides several ads and some medical journals regarding the effect of them. Are there certain brands to look for or to avoid? Do MADs need continuous follow-ups or could I get them done abroad (i.e. Mexico)? The reason why I am asking; one of the sleep clinics told me that many extended health benefit insurances in Canada only pay either a CPAP or MAD.

So I got a brief email from the lung doctor that the lab sleep study shows "only" obstructive sleep apnea and I need a CPAP. I will see him next week.

Since my insurance pays to a certain amount a machine once in 5 years; for which ResMed model should I go for? If I have the choice, should I go for a APAP instead of a plain CPAP from Resmed? Does an APAP provide more data than a CPAP? Is an APAP machine basically a more modern BiPAP machine? Or can I run an APAP as CPAP or BiPAP?

Before I get the machine, I will have to do a split study or how would I find the right settings? I know these are questions for the lung doctor, but I want to be prepared when I meet him because it always takes forever to get an appointment.