Lets Talk About Sleep Apnea/CPAP Machines

[MoneyGuy]

Anyone heard anything about the recall on the SoClean machines for cleaning CPAP masks? I think the recall was almost three years ago and I’ve heard nothing.

[Ferarri]

Been reading this thread and found lots of good information. Just got diagnosed and looking for a machine that is quiet. Any great machines people are using in 2023? I know there is an adjustment period but I am worried since I’m a very light sleeper. Hoping I can get used to one of these and also a bit worried with some of the health effects that come with sleep apnea. I know there could be some trial and error but at least having a starting place or price range would be great. Thanks!

[Jacks]

It takes a few days (or longer) to get used to but before long you'll get used to it and get way better sleep than before. I use a Phillips Dreamstation, it's fairly quiet. Assuming you mainly breathe through your nose at night try the nose pillows first, they are way more comfortable than a full mask.

Also, you are probably a light sleeper because your sleep is getting interrupted every couple of minutes. You might just get a nice deep sleep once you aren't gasping for breath.

[FlameOn]

I'm using a Phillips Dreamstation 2, its pretty quiet and the one I got after I got tested at sleep clinic. Never used, but I've heard good things about the ResMed. Only using the nose mask.

I'm a light sleeper too and was waking up a lot during the night based on my tests and always woke up tired and cranky. After the first week getting used to the machine, I actually felt rested after. If you have health coverage with the employer, check if you have coverage. A lot of health plans (most Sunlife/Manuflife employer plans) cover most, if not all of the machine since it's cheaper than having to cover some of the longer term effects of sleep apnea, heart conditions, etc.

Funny starter mask, just for the kicks to freak out the SO.

Spoiler!

[soreshins]

Agree with the above. I tried to work with the mask that the sleep clinic recommended but hated it. Eventually switched to the nose pillows and it’s way better.

I still really struggle with sleep and it has taken a big toll on my life overall, but I’ve absolutely no idea how I managed for so long without the CPAP machine. Definitely persevere and experiment until you get it working for you.

[Sliver]

My daily driver is a Resmed AirSense 10, which I love. There is an AirSense 11 out now, but it's not different or cool enough to make me want to change.

I did just buy a Resmed Airmini last week (to use for travelling). It's really neat how small it is and the tech works to give you humidity without a humidifier. I got tired of lugging around my AirSense 10 and then having to go buy distilled water after we land and before going to bed. Or lugging a jug of water on local vacations. The AirMini has these little cartridges that capture the humidity in your exhalations and then feeds it back to you as humidified air. Not as good as a humidified CPAP, but better than using a CPAP without a humidifier at all. Pretty reasonable compromise, really.

You'll hear that the machine is loud, but it really isn't. It's basically as quiet as my AirSense 10. The drawback, however, is the port where you exhale through is loud and kind of shrill. I wore it for a test night last week and it worked well, but the sound from the tube is a bit annoying. I think it's because the hose diameter is smaller than a standard CPAP so it must have to push air through at a higher volume/greater fan RPMs (just guessing here). That's creating sort of louder/more turbulent air in that chamber. It's my only knock against it, but we are going on a week-long vacation coming up, so we'll see how it goes. It seems like it's something people get used to quickly and I do wear earplugs so I don't anticipate this being a big problem. Fingers crossed, anyway. If anybody has any tips on quieting that down, I'd be all ears.

I'm a nose pillow guy as well, but also wear a chinstrap because if your mouth opens in the night you'll lose pressure. Chin strap I have is this one. The reviews aren't very good for some unknown reason, but I've tried them all and this one is awesome.

Said it before (probably in this thread), but this is not a bad problem to have. You'll get used to it. Just persevere. I don't think it'll take you days to get used to it; think more in terms of several weeks. I used sleeping pills to help me with it when I got my first CPAP then weened off the sleeping pills, which worked well.

[Galakanokis]

Typically use a fan in the summer or a white noise machine in the winter to drown out the cpap machine. I have the AirSense 10 and it really isn't that loud. I find, depending on the mask you use that the air coming out of the mask filter is louder and more annoying than the actual machine.

I use the the P30i or the P10 nose pillows and I find them to be the quietest for masks.

[Northendzone]

I have the resumed air mini as my daily driver. Sometimes my nose get a little dry, but I can live it’s it.

This unit is great when I travel. It is the size of a thicker paperback book. No water to horse around with…..

[Paulie Walnuts]

The nose pillows are funny they gave it to me and couldn't get used to it or figure out why it wasn't helping. Took it back and said it's broken because I can't feel any air in my right nostril. They gave me more and I was finally fed up and went to my Dr turns out I have a deviated septum as well.

It's been 2 years no call from the specialist and to top it off they had the recall on the machine so I have no machine to use. They didn't even tell me about the recall I called to ask how to get more filters and hoses and she's like oh BTW don't use the machine it's on a recall. WTF. Had the nerve to ask me if I still wanted to buy the stuff.

Crap sleep continues

[Derek Sutton]

I picked up a new machine just on Friday. Resmed Air Sense 11 with the AirFit F20 mask, machine is practically silent. The new mask is more comfortable and seals better even without the “forehead cushion”. Set the app up as well and have scored 100 three nights in a row now, not sure I’ll get much out of the app.

Previously used the Resporonics Dream Station which I had no problems with but it was a pain to clean.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sliver

My daily driver is a Resmed AirSense 10, which I love. There is an AirSense 11 out now, but it's not different or cool enough to make me want to change.

I got 7 good years out of my AirSense 10 but earlier this year I started getting the "motor life exceeded" warning everyday. Since my benefit coverage covers $2k for a new model I decided to get a new one rather than wait for my unit to fail and I have to say the AirSense 11 is considerably quieter and has some nice features as it you no longer have to push a button to start as you just put on the mask and start breathing and it automatically turns on, also every morning it displays your interruptions per hour of your sleep which could be useful to monitor if you are having sleeping issues.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I got 7 good years out of my AirSense 10 but earlier this year I started getting the "motor life exceeded" warning everyday. Since my benefit coverage covers $2k for a new model I decided to get a new one rather than wait for my unit to fail and I have to say the AirSense 11 is considerably quieter and has some nice features as it you no longer have to push a button to start as you just put on the mask and start breathing and it automatically turns on, also every morning it displays your interruptions per hour of your sleep which could be useful to monitor if you are having sleeping issues.

Where do you find this machine? And the mask?

I am looking online and no one has it but cpap depot and the name makes me nervous.

[indes]

I was diagnosed with borderline sleep apnea causing severe symptoms. I tried mouth taping and it's been an absolute game changer for me. I actually sleep! I imagine that's what it feels like when you have a CPAP machine.

I'm sure the tape isn't as good of a solution as a real CPAP but I'm hoping my ongoing mission to lose 20lbs gets rid of the apnea and didn't want to shell out the 2500$ in case it does.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

... the AirSense 11 is considerably quieter and has some nice features as it you no longer have to push a button to start as you just put on the mask and start breathing and it automatically turns on,....

My Airsense 10 (Autoset) has always had this feature? It's in the options menu, at least for me.

Thanks for the comment on noise quality for the AS11 though - next time I get a chance to claim benefits on a new machine, I think I'll go that route.

My Airsense Mini has been noisier than expected. Trying some mufflers to compensate.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

My Airsense 10 (Autoset) has always had this feature? It's in the options menu, at least for me.

Thanks for the comment on noise quality for the AS11 though - next time I get a chance to claim benefits on a new machine, I think I'll go that route.

My Airsense Mini has been noisier than expected. Trying some mufflers to compensate.

The only drawback I have noticed that the Airsense 11 water chamber seems smaller and really easy to overfill as if you fill a mm over the full line then it starts pouring out the other side. The old chamber was better in this regard.

[MoneyGuy]

I’ve never used water and I’ve been a CPAP user for over a decade. If it took tap water I would but buying distilled water (or distilling my own) isn’t appealing.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I’ve never used water and I’ve been a CPAP user for over a decade. If it took tap water I would but buying distilled water (or distilling my own) isn’t appealing.

Oh man, free-balling it with a CPAP is miserable. I can do it for, like, a night, but that dries out my sinuses to a painful degree. I can't imagine.

Nobody distills their own water. You can buy a 4 liter jug for a couple bucks and lasts a month and a half or so (depending on the time of year).

[Erick Estrada]

On the road I go dry and as Silver said it dries out my sinuses and isn't nearly as pleasant. I just pick up a few jugs of distilled water from Superstore every month and it's not a big deal to me.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Oh man, free-balling it with a CPAP is miserable. I can do it for, like, a night, but that dries out my sinuses to a painful degree. I can't imagine.

Nobody distills their own water. You can buy a 4 liter jug for a couple bucks and lasts a month and a half or so (depending on the time of year).

I may give it a try but I’ve never used water even once.

[Ferarri]

Been using a CPAP machine (AirSense 11) for two weeks now and just can't get used to the machine or really sleep with it. Going to give it a break for awhile and slowly try to integrate again down the road but definitely not a good experience to my start of CPAP therapy.