Sleep Apnea & CPAP

Chdamn said:
Ok. So I currently dishwasher the reservoir and wash the tube and pillow by hand. It's cheap but a pain in the ass.
Are the cpap sanitizer I see worth the money?

They're pricey at $300 but if they actually work and save me the hour of washing and scrubbing the hose every week it would be worth it.
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I talked to a guy today that has just bought the SoClean system. He loves it. I remembered your post and I asked him a lot of questions about it. He said that he was always lazy about cleaning his stuff and he got the SoClean and he says it's easy to use. He said he used to have a runny nose all the time and had what he thought was allergies. Since using the cleaner he said he had no runny nose and no symptoms of allergies. The downside he said was it cost $300.
I have talked to 2 more people that were not thrilled with it. There you have it, people have differing opinions.
 
Geezer said:
With access to Google and You Tube he has no excuse. Yes, a respiratory therapist is supposed to set the pressures in the machine but with the internet there are no secrets any longer.
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And with that, I may kick him to the curb. He's also insisting on an in-lab sleep study, while saying he knows my insurance only authorizes the in-home study. I'm beginning to not like him...
 
Chdamn said:
I am a nose only breather but for the first month I had to wear a chin strap as well. The pressure from the air blowing through my nose would push out of my mouth, forcing my mouth open.

It was a really odd sensation. Lots of air blowing in but I couldn't breathe because it was all rushing out my pie hole.
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Mine was like that. I called the people and told them it needed adjusting. They told me it didn't. I looked up instructions online and turned it down myself 2 notches and it's been great ever since
 
Oneofsix said:
And with that, I may kick him to the curb. He's also insisting on an in-lab sleep study, while saying he knows my insurance only authorizes the in-home study. I'm beginning to not like him...
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I wouldn't be surprised if he has some ties to the sleep lab. With the HST (Home Sleep Test) becoming more popular the sleep labs don't like them. And, you can guess why. Medicare patients that have tried and failed at CPAP are not allowed to have a HST, they have to go to a lab.
And, not everyone is successful at using a CPAP. But, I'm a firm believer that if you want to do something, you'll do it. We had an excellent therapist that was very good on the initial set up of the CPAP and was a good coach to keep the patient on track. She could look at a person and she just knew what mask to use for them. Her compliance success rate was always at 93-98%.
Insurance companies will pay for a CPAP but they want to know that you'll use it. During the first 90 days you'll have to use the machine greater that 4 hours per night to be compliant. Once you have been compliant for 30 out of the 90 days, you're good.
 
Chdamn said:
Ok. So I currently dishwasher the reservoir and wash the tube and pillow by hand. It's cheap but a pain in the ass.
Are the cpap sanitizer I see worth the money?

They're pricey at $300 but if they actually work and save me the hour of washing and scrubbing the hose every week it would be worth it.
Click to expand...

I bought a cleaning brush for my hose that looks like a nylon gun brush on a long wire.I put a little soap in it and push it up to the shower head to flush it out. My hose is the heated one so to dry it after washing, I take it out in the yard and swing it around to fling as much water out as possible. Then I hook it to the machine, turn the heat up as far as it will go and blow into the end to get it started so it blows it dry. You have to put your finger over the end and simulate breathing or it will shut off. It works great. To clean my pillows I run hot water in my bathroom sink with a little liquid dishsoap. I clean it everyday when I get home from work and let it soak while I take a shower. I also have one of the upgraded humidifier reservoirs that comes apart for cleaning. I also d that with dishsoap in the sink. Hope this helps.
 
Schattenreiter said:
I have sleep apnea too and I have tired the nose mask and the full mask and can't seem to get used to either one. I have tried numerous times to wear it and just can't do it. I lay there wide awake and can't fall asleep until I yank the mask off anad then I will fall asleep.. What is a nasal pillow. Maybe that is the answer for me.
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I did that too and ended up with the nasal pillows. I also had my doctor turn off the pressure ramp up so I get full press from the start because it was not pushing well enough for me in the 1st few minutes. Also I use Vick Vapor rub on my nostrils just before I put on the mask so I get clear open breathing and that helps alot.
 
Geezer said:
airfitnasalpillowmaskbyresmed_zpslfnpuoo4.jpg


This is a ResMed P-10 nasal pillows mask. The mask has a cushion that fits into the nose openings.
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Let us know where you are so we maybe can do business with you. I have been buying my parts online. Maybe we can support our members here instead.
 
Partsfreak said:
I did that too and ended up with the nasal pillows. I also had my doctor turn off the pressure ramp up so I get full press from the start because it was not pushing well enough for me in the 1st few minutes. Also I use Vick Vapor rub on my nostrils just before I put on the mask so I get clear open breathing and that helps alot.
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Don't use anything with petroleum as it will deteriorate the cushion or pillows. Also, be careful that you don't inhale any of the VapoRub into your lungs. This has been known to cause pneumonia.
 
Thanks Geezer for helping on the subject. I've used a machine for about 10 years and also use the nasal pillows. I'm currently using a Res-Med 10, I think.

A couple of months ago I saw some pop up ads for a new nasal pillow which was designed with the hose actually coming in at the top of your head and channeling the air through passage ways in the mask head straps. This eliminate the aggravation of having the hose sticking out in front of your nose and all the interference that causes. I decided I wanted to try one and now can't find it anywhere. Do you happen to know about this? Brand? Availability?
 
I've been on the blower for 20 years now, diagnosed at a relatively young age. I had excellent health insurance then, however now I have none.
20 years and 2 machines later, I'm totally dependent on the therapy.
I can't even lie flat on my back awake without it.
Unfortunately, I now snore again even while wearing the mask, and my new sleep number bed is giving me a bad sleep report. I need supplies, but don't currently have a prescription as my doctor relocated his practice across the state.
I'm in the Hickory area if anyone has a referral.
The suggestions here have been helpful but any advice is appreciated.
 
MCROADKING said:
I need supplies, but don't currently have a prescription as my doctor relocated his practice across the state.
I'm in the Hickory area if anyone has a referral.
The suggestions here have been helpful but any advice is appreciated.
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Last time I looked on eBay supplies were fairly cheap there.
 
Definitely possible to get supplies without a script. I believe a complete mask setup and a CPAP machine are the only things that require it.

I've bought a new humidifier, all the mask parts to make a complete mask, humidifier chambers, tubing and filters...with no prescription.

Last order was from cpap.com
 
I've subscribed to Cpap.com and pieced together my last mask there. It's just frustrating that I can't take advantage of any of the great sales on machines.
Ridiculous these things can't be purchased over the counter.
 
The order I placed had a discount. It was something like 5% off $75, 10% off $125, and 15% off $175. I looked for the little postcard and must've tossed it after placing my order.

The receipt shows the discounted prices, but not the code. If you signed up on their site, you'll probably get similar offers. They also have a neat reminder system.
 
justjames said:
Thanks Geezer for helping on the subject. I've used a machine for about 10 years and also use the nasal pillows. I'm currently using a Res-Med 10, I think.

A couple of months ago I saw some pop up ads for a new nasal pillow which was designed with the hose actually coming in at the top of your head and channeling the air through passage ways in the mask head straps. This eliminate the aggravation of having the hose sticking out in front of your nose and all the interference that causes. I decided I wanted to try one and now can't find it anywhere. Do you happen to know about this? Brand? Availability?
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It sounds like you're talking about the Philips Respironice DreamWear but it's not really nasal pillows.

DreamWear2-1_zps8edqxnie.jpg
 
^^^ id tear that up in one night
 
Partsfreak said:
I did that too and ended up with the nasal pillows. I also had my doctor turn off the pressure ramp up so I get full press from the start because it was not pushing well enough for me in the 1st few minutes. Also I use Vick Vapor rub on my nostrils just before I put on the mask so I get clear open breathing and that helps alot.
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My machine has the ramp feature but I can turn it on or off as I choose. When I turn the machine on it goes full on. I have to hit another button to use the ramp feature. I don't much care for it because the ramp up last for 20 minutes before it goes full on and that just serves to let me know that I have been laying awake for 20 minutes and have not yet fallen asleep. I never use it.
 
The ramp up on mine is adjustable and takes less than 5 seconds.

I also moved to nasal pillows after I started having a mild skin reaction to the mask I had. The pillows are much more comfortable and less prone to being dislodged during sleep. Plus they are not nearly as claustrophobic feeling.
 
Geezer said:
It sounds like you're talking about the Philips Respironice DreamWear but it's not really nasal pillows.

DreamWear2-1_zps8edqxnie.jpg
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Thanks. I checked and am currently using a Res-Med Airfit P10. I toss and turn a lot, so do you think this may be better for a restless sleeper?
 
justjames said:
Thanks. I checked and am currently using a Res-Med Airfit P10. I toss and turn a lot, so do you think this may be better for a restless sleeper?
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We use mostly ResMed products here. I don't have much information on the DreamWear.
 
MCROADKING said:
I've subscribed to Cpap.com and pieced together my last mask there. It's just frustrating that I can't take advantage of any of the great sales on machines.
Ridiculous these things can't be purchased over the counter.
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1800cpap.com is good too. Especially when you go to RETAILMENOT and get coupon codes too.
 
BigWaylon said:
The order I placed had a discount. It was something like 5% off $75, 10% off $125, and 15% off $175. I looked for the little postcard and must've tossed it after placing my order.
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Went through a stack of magazines and found it. Expires 3/26/17 if anybody needs anything soon.

image.jpeg
 
Burt Gummer said:
Couple weeks ago mine was tossed out on a sidewalk like a piece of trash by a crazy woman. I have the machine, don't have the power cord and I'm not sure it'll even work. I've got to get it to the place nearby to be checked out. I haven't used it in 3 weeks now and I can tell a difference
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That's what happens when you mistake the B for the P and drive it home unexpectedly. They get angry.
 
Chdamn said:
That's what happens when you mistake the B for the P and drive it home unexpectedly. They get angry.
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Hahahahaha. Nah. She was into it. Would push back when I was driving it home


Geezer said:
Maybe he wasn't the driver that time.
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Thanks again man.
 
Gonna bump this one instead of starting a new one since there’s some good info already.

Wanted to start/continue a discussion about masks. What are you using? What do you like about it? What do you dislike?

For about the last two years I’ve been using the ResMed AirFit N20. It’s a nasal mask, but not nasal pillows. Very comfy for me. I really like the headgear because it uses magnets for the bottom two attachments, so you don’t stretch it out of shape or have to undo/reattach Velcro every time.

That being said, I went to order a new mask and decided I wanted to try something else. Ordered the ResMed AirFit N30i today. The tubing attaches to the top of the headgear and runs down to a different kind of nasal mask than I’ve been using.

The N20 covers my whole nose, while the N30i doesn’t...but it also doesn’t have the pieces that insert into your nostrils. I’ve tried those before and didn’t like them.

Anybody using the N30i? Anybody found a new mask they really like?

As info...ordered from cpap.com. They sell the full mask for $109, prescription required...or the two pieces separately for $78 & $31, no script needed, which is the route I took.
 
@BigWaylon , Post your thoughts on that new mask. I just started using CPAP little over a month ago and they started me off with the N20. I can't believe the difference it makes! Wish I would have started it years ago. While I have limited comparison, I find myself waking up briefly several times a night after I've moved around and created an air leak. They said because I'm a stomach sleeper I will have issues with leaks no matter what mask I use. @Geezer feel free to jump in and comment if you know a mask that works well for stomach sleepers.
 
BigWaylon said:
Gonna bump this one instead of starting a new one since there’s some good info already.

Wanted to start/continue a discussion about masks. What are you using? What do you like about it? What do you dislike?

For about the last two years I’ve been using the ResMed AirFit N20. It’s a nasal mask, but not nasal pillows. Very comfy for me. I really like the headgear because it uses magnets for the bottom two attachments, so you don’t stretch it out of shape or have to undo/reattach Velcro every time.

That being said, I went to order a new mask and decided I wanted to try something else. Ordered the ResMed AirFit N30i today. The tubing attaches to the top of the headgear and runs down to a different kind of nasal mask than I’ve been using.

The N20 covers my whole nose, while the N30i doesn’t...but it also doesn’t have the pieces that insert into your nostrils. I’ve tried those before and didn’t like them.

Anybody using the N30i? Anybody found a new mask they really like?

As info...ordered from cpap.com. They sell the full mask for $109, prescription required...or the two pieces separately for $78 & $31, no script needed, which is the route I took.
Click to expand...
Do you still have the old unit? It looks like I need to start back on one. I sleep but still never feel rested.

Also @Geezer do you have anything on the cheap?
 
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I use the ResMed P-10 nasal mask. Had it the last couple of years. I could never get used to face or full nose masks.
 
BigWaylon said:
Gonna bump this one instead of starting a new one since there’s some good info already.

Wanted to start/continue a discussion about masks. What are you using? What do you like about it? What do you dislike?

For about the last two years I’ve been using the ResMed AirFit N20. It’s a nasal mask, but not nasal pillows. Very comfy for me. I really like the headgear because it uses magnets for the bottom two attachments, so you don’t stretch it out of shape or have to undo/reattach Velcro every time.

That being said, I went to order a new mask and decided I wanted to try something else. Ordered the ResMed AirFit N30i today. The tubing attaches to the top of the headgear and runs down to a different kind of nasal mask than I’ve been using.

The N20 covers my whole nose, while the N30i doesn’t...but it also doesn’t have the pieces that insert into your nostrils. I’ve tried those before and didn’t like them.

Anybody using the N30i? Anybody found a new mask they really like?

As info...ordered from cpap.com. They sell the full mask for $109, prescription required...or the two pieces separately for $78 & $31, no script needed, which is the route I took.
Click to expand...
Average Joe said:
@BigWaylon , Post your thoughts on that new mask. I just started using CPAP little over a month ago and they started me off with the N20. I can't believe the difference it makes! Wish I would have started it years ago. While I have limited comparison, I find myself waking up briefly several times a night after I've moved around and created an air leak. They said because I'm a stomach sleeper I will have issues with leaks no matter what mask I use. @Geezer feel free to jump in and comment if you know a mask that works well for stomach sleepers.
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The ResMed N20 is the most popular nasal mask going right now. Most of the people that have tried the N30i have gone back to the N20 for either comfort or leakage issues.

@Average Joe for stomach sleepers, you have a couple of choices. Train yourself not to be a stomach sleeper or buy a CPAP pillow, something similar to this https://www.amazon.com/CPAP-Pillow-...0568706&s=gateway&sprefix=cpap,aps,173&sr=8-8
I wasn't kidding about training yourself to not be a stomach sleeper, it can be done. The pillow will be a faster and easier route for you, though.
 
I used to use a cpap.
Had the nasal pillow style.
Comfortable.
As more of a stomach sleeper and a tosser, it still took getting used to.
But I did sleep better. No more falling asleep in meetings at work.
And my wife could sleep too.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
dmarbell said:
How do the full face masks work for us mouth breathers?
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The full face mask is the mask for mouth breathers. With a nasal mask or pillows, if your mouth comes open, the pressure will come in through the nose and escape out the mouth. You will not get any of the benefit of the pressure and will dry your mouth really bad. Some people are able to train themselves to keep their mouth closed during sleep and are able to wear a nasal mask or pillows. Your pressure setting has a lot to do with this also.
 
Chdamn said:
Ok. So I currently dishwasher the reservoir and wash the tube and pillow by hand. It's cheap but a pain in the ass.
Are the cpap sanitizer I see worth the money?

They're pricey at $300 but if they actually work and save me the hour of washing and scrubbing the hose every week it would be worth it.
Click to expand...
Geezer said:
I see those as a gimmick. I have no first hand experience with them but I have talked to patients that bought one. If you wash the tubing out with warm soapy water once a week, clean the water chamber (use distilled water) with a vinegar solution weekly, and wipe the pillows or mask down with a baby wipe, you're good to go. And, no insurance will cover the cleaning machine, it's all out of pocket.
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I have changed my opinion on the CPAP cleaners. Sure, you can wash your mask and tubing. But, these machines can clean up inside the CPAP machine where you cannot access. To me, this is a huge advantage. We have the Virtuox VirtuClean cleaners here and I've sold well over a hundred of them, probably closer to two hundred. I always ask people that buy them what they think and I've never had anyone say anything negative about them. Out of all of the ones that we've sold, only one has had a problem. It wouldn't charge right out of the box. It was immediately replaced by us and the manufacturer replaced it for us.
 
Geezer said:
The ResMed N20 is the most popular nasal mask going right now. Most of the people that have tried the N30i have gone back to the N20 for either comfort or leakage issues.
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I figured I’d give it a shot, just to not have a hose running across my face. Definitely pleased with the N20, and wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one next month if the N30i doesn’t work out.
 
J R Green said:
Do you still have the old unit? It looks like I need to start back on one. I sleep but still never feel rested.
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My old mask? Yes...but it’s nothing you’d want. I go well past the recommended cleaning and replacement intervals. I wouldn’t feel good even giving it away.
 
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