What CPAP Machine to Choose

Bubbleshark on 15/10/2019 - 14:51

Hi,

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea by my GP, did a test confirming that I stopped breathing a whooping 74 times during my sleep.

The place that I ran the test with is asking to put me on a trial machine for a month for about $300 (not done yet). When I asked what happens after the trial, it's basically "well, we suggest what you should buy, you pay and bye". I asked if there was any kind of following of the treatment or maintenance, the answer was in the lines of "it depends on the machine". I don't know if they make it especially hard or it's just me, I found another place doing CPAP machines down the road and their trial is $200, which will be deducted from the price of a purchased machine.

So far, I got the understanding that Auto are more expensive than Fixed and both would require filters and extra masks.

I'll greatly appreciate if someone could give me some tips to where to start or how the treatment is supposed to be.

Cheers,

Health & Beauty CPAP Sleep Apnea Treatment

Comments

  • Numlock on 15/10/2019 - 15:10

    Get a used one and a new mask. Resmed and Philips products are overpriced.

  • Stewardo on 15/10/2019 - 15:18
    +1

    Buy a secondhand Phillips one from USA. The Australian ones are very expensive.
    https://www.secondwindcpap.com/Used_CPAP.html
    Also you can get a discount on your electricity bill if you have a doctors certificate to use these Machines

  • abb on 15/10/2019 - 17:08
    -2

    Almost nobody sticks with CPAP for longer than 6 months, so there are plenty of used models available…

    • Bubbleshark on 15/10/2019 - 18:28
      +1

      My father had undiagnosed sleep apnea most his life, because of it he has hypertension that weakened his heart plus put him into dialysis … I don't get why would people use a cpap if they don't forcibly need it

      • abb on 16/10/2019 - 09:33

        There's some element of debate about how much apnea is normal and how much harm it really does, but I think it's just hard to put up with sleeping with a noisy uncomfortable mask on (the noise is much less these days though). I believe most people have sound medical reasons for needing it, they often simply can't stand it.

        edit: a reference for the downvoters

        When adherence is defined as greater than 4 hours of nightly use, 46 to 83% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea have been reported to be nonadherent to treatment.

        https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2645251/

  • RockyRaccoon on 15/10/2019 - 17:09

    If you have private health insurance, some of the cost is covered under that, which you cant claim if bought overseas.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/10/2019 - 17:36

    Cpap Australia was $60 a month to hire about a year ago.

    • Bubbleshark on 15/10/2019 - 18:31

      So about $720 a year? You'd recuperate the cost in about 2 years, unless it's like the mobile phone industry and "needed" to change for the latest model every 24 months? (I usually keep my phone 3-4 years)

  • [Deactivated] on 15/10/2019 - 17:38

    Ohh that was with a referral from the hospital, don't know if that makes a difference.

  • Brucet on 15/10/2019 - 20:28

    Recently I am on a trial machine for a month pay $75 only. I suggest you shop around before purchase machine, also mask pay separate may cost around $200.Never buy an old machine. Myself after RESMED AIR SENSE 10 ELITE.
    I have a pension card may only need to pay a gap for the new machine under $200.

    • lol1111 on 20/11/2019 - 10:28

      Hey Brucet, long time lurker, first time poster. I want to help buy a machine for a family member on the pension, where can I find more info on how we can get them a new machine and pay a gap? cheers

  • Brucet on 15/10/2019 - 20:32

    I had used it for 2 weeks now. It's a help. ( it a bit uncomfortable when first use. I believe will get used to it.).

  • Captain Kremmen on 15/10/2019 - 21:03

    I use the ResMed AirSense10 AUTOSET. I found this forum pretty helpful with both buying and using my machine.

    http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/

    The forum also has a list of suppliers which posters have recommended.

    Even with the $200 being deducted from the purchase of a machine, I purchased my machine for about $500 less from a Amazon seller.

  • meowsers on 15/10/2019 - 21:08
    +1

    I know this might be downvoted but it's not sarcastic or making too many assumptions.

    May I suggest renting the CPAP machine and then trying to lose weight? A lot of people suffer from OSA only due to the fact that they are overweight. This often resolves with weight loss and happens to fix other things like hypertension and diabetes.

    If you are not overweight, you might consult with an ENT surgeon if your OSA is caused by something reversible.

    • Bubbleshark on 15/10/2019 - 22:15

      Are you body shaming me? lol

      I do realise that the Cpap is a bandaid on more serious issues. As you correctly guessed, I could do without an extra 20kg but I as i am reaching toward that goal, I'd rather limit the effect of that problem. The place I can do a trial with is about $200 per month, which would be about $2400 a year if I were to rent (more expensive than buying) … I doubt I could lose enough weight to solve everything in a year as I'm not aiming for a fast diet but changing the way I eat as a whole.

      Thanks for the constructive criticism

      • Sunshines bright on 16/10/2019 - 14:50

        CPAP is not just a bandaid and some who are not overweight also have sleep apnea. look into 1800cpap.com if you don't have insurance to cover any costs.

  • coin saver on 16/10/2019 - 07:51

    Another thing you need to consider when buying a machine is power usage some of these machines use massive amounts of power.This is very important if you intend to travel using self generated power or batteries.I would recommend the Resmed Airmini as it has a very low power usage of 4ah per 8hr (The Resmed Airsense 10 mentioned above uses 20ah on the same setting) this is partially achieved by not needing power for the humidifier as it has a rebreather instead which also means you do not have to fill up the water every night simply put the mask on and breath.The other main advantage is that it is only the size of my fist.This is a link about battery usage for Resmed machines that will give you a guide to power usage you need to halve the figures as they allow for leaving 50% charge in your battery. Resmed machines are very good on power compared to other brands. https://www.resmed.com/us/dam/documents/articles/198103_batt…

  • Dachi on 16/10/2019 - 09:13

    I used Resmed CPAP for more than 5 years now. Their sleep clinic charged a trial fee ($50 per week from memory) that would be deducted if you decided to purchase. They also included 10 hours after service consultation where they downloaded your data and gave you a report. Not sure if this is the current practice.

  • Sunshines bright on 16/10/2019 - 13:35
    +1

    I pm'd you Bubbleshark. I have been diagnosed and using cpap for over 5 years now. 1800CPAP.com is the best place to purchase a machine and mask. If you have any questions feel free to ask me.

    This is a good starting point https://www.apneaboard.com/

  • Brucet on 16/10/2019 - 19:49

    1800CPAP.com is an American online store ( cost you more with postage and exchange rates. )

    • Sunshines bright on 16/10/2019 - 20:41

      forgot about the exchange rate being horrible atm. I have a US bank card, so I did not have to exchange the funds. But your right right now it is more expensive to buy us then au cpap supplies

  • systema on 23/10/2019 - 14:54

    My father has a BMC Luna Auto CPAP from eBay - seems to be working well for him and it was reasonably priced when compared to other brands. The sleep specialist wasn't a big fan of the device though when I attended the appointment with him (the clinic also sells machines from other brands).

    • Sunshines bright on 23/10/2019 - 16:58
      +1

      most likely he wanted your money which is why he was not a big fan.

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