CPAP Machine - Sleep Apnea

LHairypie on 29/03/2018 - 11:50

HI all,

Really love this community and its my first time posting.

So about 4/5 months back I got told by my doctor to do a sleep study for possible apnea. It was a free study and I was diagnosed with mild to moderate apnea.

My question is, are there any bargains available for CPAP machines in Australia? I know you can get them cheaper overseas, but its such a big investment of money I would prefer to buy local or interstate.

I am not too adverse to getting a machine second hand, is this a good idea or a bad idea? I see some on gumtree that are in my price range. How do I go about sterilizing the machine - does anyone have experience in this?

What about mask fittings and adjusting the machine to work for me - do shops do this over the counter for money or do they only help people who purchase from them directly?

I would really prefer not to pay more than 300-400 bucks, work hasn't been stable for me, but I feel for my health I need to get better quality sleep.

Health & Beauty CPAP Filter CPAP Mask Sleep Apnea Treatment

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 29/03/2018 - 12:13

    There have been some CPAP threads in the past, have a read of those first.

    • Hairypie on 29/03/2018 - 12:43
      +1

      Most of them suggested buying from America and that is something I cant do at the moment. None of the threads go into buying second hand or masks.

      Unless I have missed them anyway

      • retiredfeline on 29/03/2018 - 12:48

        There were comments on buying used. As for mask fitting, the shop might recover costs from the sale of the mask. However they also need to assess how well the mask is working by uploading the machine telemetry and if the machine is not their sale they might charge for time.

  • Some Human on 29/03/2018 - 12:46
    +2

    Not saying you are, but IF the issue is due to you being overweight, try dieting before you consider getting the machine.

    • Hairypie on 29/03/2018 - 14:22
      +1

      yeah nah, I appreciate weight is a big factor of it. But currently I just feel so lethargic, exercising is hard and I end up overeating. I know it sounds like excuses but I am willing to try CPAP to give me more energy and weight loss after.

      • surfbum1 on 29/03/2018 - 15:42
        +1

        Sounds like you have the cause and effect backward here. Overeating is always going to make you feel lethargic.

        Lookup 5:2 diet or intermittent fasting. You can still eat the same amount if you want but just with a longer break 16-20hours (9pm-1pm or 9pm-5pm)
        Your body will burn excess fat in the break. This will also give you more energy.

        Pretty simple to stick to too once you break old eating habits/ patterns.

        This eating pattern has been a life changer for me.

        Pro tip, don't leave snacks around :)
        Good luck

  • Xyzzy on 29/03/2018 - 12:58
    +1

    Have you looked into mouth guards instead of going straight to the CPAP machine?

    The best ones are custom made, but you can start with the much cheaper "boil and bite" ones to see see they work for you:

    http://www.sleepproau.com/sleeppro-contour/

  • Oofy Doofy on 29/03/2018 - 13:21
    +2

    I'll tell you right now, just buy a second hand machine, you don't neep an APAP machine or anything like that, all you need to do is look at your AHI number and keep it under 5, just boosting your set pressure if your AHI levels are above that overnight, easily done. I have a machine here for sale with 800 hours of use on it (Fisher and Paykel ICON+ Premo), most quality machines will work for up to 70,000 hours or more until they die. All you want is a nasal mask, there are many decent ones but I recommend the Fisher and Paykel OPUS.

    PM me if you're interested.

    Mandibular splints and other similar devices won't help you in the long run, because you'll end up needing your teeth straightened because of the traction they apply to your teeth to move your lower jaw forward. Tongue pulling devices (something different) can end up making the problem worse.

    On the following link there are some proven alternative therapies that are available (really just for mild to moderate OSA), but they will cost you $ every day because you have to replace them with a new sticky patch each night/when you want to sleep.

    http://www.snoreaustralia.com.au/obstructive-sleep-apnoea.ph…

    • [Deactivated] on 29/03/2018 - 17:11

      There is a wide range of CPAP masks available. Finding the type that suits you best can be problematical. I'm happy with the Fisher & Paykel ESON model.

  • Scrooge McDuck on 29/03/2018 - 13:26

    Read title as CRAP Machine, I must have sleep apnea!

  • cimrak on 29/03/2018 - 18:57
    +2

    When I had my sleep study ~5yrs ago, the Dr gave me the results and advised the hospital he was based at had trial CPAP units that patients could rent and take home for a week at a time. I dont remember how much they cost to rent, but I tried 3x different CPAP machines (ResMed, F&P and Philips) and 2x different head pieces.

    Maybe ask your Dr if this is something they can offer to give you a chance to try some stuff at low cost before looking around to purchase?

    FWIW I bought myself a "lightly used" RedMed S9 Auto w/humidifier and a new Philips Wisp nasal mask, both from secondwindcpap in the US. Took about 1.5 weeks to arrive and was ~30% of purchasing new within Australia. I was concerned about warranty, but figured worst-case I could order a 2nd unit from the US and still not have spent as much as ordering from an Australian store.

    I wasnt keen on buying from Gumtree, mostly because I wasnt sure how you would properly disinfect a CPAP. While there was no guarantee any of the US companies would actually do this either, I figured there was a higher probability than anyone selling on Gumtree.

    Normal suggestions for maintaining your CPAP is to rinse mask/hose in warm soapy water then rinse. If you have a humidifier its suggested to clean with a warm water and vinegar mix (especially if you didnt use demineralised water). Some people on the various CPAP forums use disinfectant-infused wipes (similar to hand wipes from KFC) which are a few $$ each. I havent tried them tho.

    My ResMed has an external filter over the air intake that I change when the CPAP tells me to. I assume other brands will as well. These are only a few $$ per filter.

    If you do buy from Gumtree, the above cleaning should be the minimum you do. I'd highly suggest the tube & mask is purchased new however.

    Happy to answer questions if you have any.

  • montemaj on 05/12/2019 - 16:36

    I think the site is secondwindcpap.com If you don't mind buying second hand cars, then buying second hand cpap machines should not be a problem. Second hand mask is another matter. I am sure you can wash them but if you are worried, just buy a new mask.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join