Anyone here start CPAP without a sleep study first?

[BetterLateThanNever]

I bought a resmed airsense 10 off of indiamart. You can access the clinical menu, set it to apap, pressure 4-20, and it will auto regulate. If you put the sd card in, and download Oscar on your computer, you can upload your sleep data after a week or 2, and it will help you tweak your settings

 

[gtihonov]

I never went to a doctor because I already knew I had apnea problems. So I just ordered a Resvent iBreeze CPAP from a marketplace. My first experience wasn't very successful, but then I figured out how to access doctor mode and was able to adjust the pressure to suit me. After that, things got much better.

Of course, the adjustment period was pretty long, because it's hard for the body to get used to exhaling against pressure. But eventually, once I learned to sleep with it, my life improved dramatically. The daytime sleepiness went away, and my head started working much better at work.

By the way, turning off APAP mode helped me a lot. It was much easier to get used to regular CPAP.

 

[Nunyabiznas]

I went through my insurance to get one, and I paid more out of pocket than buying a used or refurbished cpap

gotta love the extortion companies.. i mean insurance companies.

 

[A50#]

I have insurance through my union that's unbelievably good in this day and age so I did my sleep studies through them and they covered my CPAP machines (on my 2nd one) I'm glad I did the sleep study because I had no idea how bad my sleep apnea is. I stopped breathing 85 times in an hour for 10 seconds or more. Couple times before I went, I think I literally woke up on my last breath. My brother in law thought he had sleep apnea because he snores the paint of the walls but went for a sleep study and they concluded that he didn't have sleep apnea. Just because u snore, doesn't mean u have it. After doing the study and being diagnosed, then setting up my CPAP for the first time, I only have to see my sleep doctor once per year unless there's a problem. If I didn't have insurance I might have taken an alternate path but then again I might have never treated it and who knows where I'd be right now.

 

[Son_of_Seamus]

I have insurance through my union that's unbelievably good in this day and age so I did my sleep studies through them and they covered my CPAP machines (on my 2nd one) I'm glad I did the sleep study because I had no idea how bad my sleep apnea is. I stopped breathing 85 times in an hour for 10 seconds or more. Couple times before I went, I think I literally woke up on my last breath. My brother in law thought he had sleep apnea because he snores the paint of the walls but went for a sleep study and they concluded that he didn't have sleep apnea. Just because u snore, doesn't mean u have it. After doing the study and being diagnosed, then setting up my CPAP for the first time, I only have to see my sleep doctor once per year unless there's a problem. If I didn't have insurance I might have taken an alternate path but then again I might have never treated it and who knows where I'd be right now.

I would guess you were terminal. You must have a strong constitution to survive and be able to function during the day after that level of oxygen deprivation. Do you happen to remember your AHI score?
Anyway, good advice. More information is always better.

 

[Mr_Texasrunnerup]

So my snoring & sleep issues has gotten completely out of hand. My GF recorded me and showed me the recording and I couldn't believe what I heard and now I've basically been kicked out of the bedroom
She also says I stop breathing and then gasp for air, which sounds a lot like sleep apnea. Would explain why I've been feeling like absolute trash for the past couple of years, no energy and never feeling rested no matter how long I sleep.

I did go to my doctor and she suggested a sleep study, but the earliest appointment is in like 8 months… which honestly feels insane.

So now I'm thinking of just buying a CPAP/APAP myself. From what I've seen, the Philips DreamStation and ResMed AirSense 10 / ResMed AirSense 11 seem to be the main options available here in the EU without a prescription. I'm leaning toward something auto adjusting so I don't have to mess around too much with settings or calibration.

Does this sound like a dumb idea, or would you just wait the 8 months?
Also any tips on machines or masks? Kinda overwhelmed by all the options (and the price tbh), but at this point I feel like garbage every day.

Don't wait 8 months, find another doctor! I did not read all the posts, but am jumping in to state the important obvious: There are many, many at home studies available for under $150. A good doctor should have one you can do immediately for that amount. I did one at home and was waking up 35 times an hour! (AHI).

I am now on a CPAP and only wake up 1.5 times an hour.

In terms of being one yourself, yes, if you are tech savvy you can set it up yourself. Buying one on the private market is half the price of going through your doctor. But do the sleep study first!

 

[Mr_Texasrunnerup]

I went the doctor route and insurance route.
If I had to do it again, I would just grab a used machine off of craigslist or buy one new outright. You can adjust the pressure yourself. It’s not rocket science. As far the machine goes. I just got the an Airsense 11 last week. It’s the machine that most docs are issuing out now.

If you look for deals you can get the Airsense for $549 brand new! I paid my sleep doc $1100 for my Luna G3. You just have to be able to set it up yourself, but there are lots of forums that will help, and the Airsense is very user friendly.

 

[chingaling]

For those asking about prices. Through my insurance ( I have incredible insurance) I paid $250 outta pocket for the Airsense 11. I think new they top 1k. I see machines on Facebook and CL for 200-400 all the time. I would get it cleaned and get a new mask/ hose . Years ago I couldn’t breathe outta either nostril. I needed a full face mask and never could wear it like I should. A few years ago, I got the nose surgery where they straightened out my septum and then some other shit in there and now I can breathe out of both nostrils. It changed my life. And now use the nasal pillows and I was able to finally get used to it and now I wear it every. For those who can’t breathe out of one or both nostrils I suggest seeing a nose doctor and possibly getting that septum surgery. I wish I would’ve done it years ago. It has been an absolute game changer. Mouth breathing is bad for your heart

 

[A50#]

I would guess you were terminal. You must have a strong constitution to survive and be able to function during the day after that level of oxygen deprivation. Do you happen to remember your AHI score?
Anyway, good advice. More information is always better.

I think my diagnosis is Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The only reason I remember my events per hour is because I just recently had a follow up appointment and seen it on my charts. I go back May 4th so I'll ask what my AHI score is. I let my sleep apnea get in a bad place before I took it serious. I fought my CPAP for months then eventually quit wearing it.Wakung up gasping for my last breath was the final straw. I would wake up fighting for air, then go into a panic attack thinking I wasn't going to get my breath back, then I would be afraid to fall asleep again because I knew it was going to happen again. Don't be an idiot like me. Embrace the CPAP and learn to love it

 

[Mr_Texasrunnerup]

For those asking about prices. Through my insurance ( I have incredible insurance) I paid $250 outta pocket for the Airsense 11. I think new they top 1k. I see machines on Facebook and CL for 200-400 all the time. I would get it cleaned and get a new mask/ hose . Years ago I couldn’t breathe outta either nostril. I needed a full face mask and never could wear it like I should. A few years ago, I got the nose surgery where they straightened out my septum and then some other shit in there and now I can breathe out of both nostrils. It changed my life. And now use the nasal pillows and I was able to finally get used to it and now I wear it every. For those who can’t breathe out of one or both nostrils I suggest seeing a nose doctor and possibly getting that septum surgery. I wish I would’ve done it years ago. It has been an absolute game changer. Mouth breathing is bad for your heart

I am lucky a nasal pillow works for me. There are pretty frequent sales/coupons for the Airsense 11, I have seen them go for as little as $539 brand new. You will need a hose (30 bucks I think) and a mask ($70). But the first thing you need for most people is a sleep test. As I posted above there are lots of good home tests for under $150.

 

[Heady Muscle 2]

The sleep study helps configure the CPAP . I just started on one a month ago. It's a pain ass but I am seeing some results.

 

[Heady Muscle 2]

At 20 seconds it shows how to access the clinical menu where you can adjust settings.

This is the same machine I was prescribed.

 

[Mr_Texasrunnerup]

I think my diagnosis is Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The only reason I remember my events per hour is because I just recently had a follow up appointment and seen it on my charts. I go back May 4th so I'll ask what my AHI score is. I let my sleep apnea get in a bad place before I took it serious. I fought my CPAP for months then eventually quit wearing it.Wakung up gasping for my last breath was the final straw. I would wake up fighting for air, then go into a panic attack thinking I wasn't going to get my breath back, then I would be afraid to fall asleep again because I knew it was going to happen again. Don't be an idiot like me. Embrace the CPAP and learn to love it

Absolutely. My sleep doc was an odd fellow...I think is on the spectrum, but he nailed my sleep problem and made me confident that I could have success with the CPAP. In a way worth the extra money I spent on him.

 

[specter]

You’re from Europe too I reckon?
I was surprised to learn this but apparently the machines are regulated in the US:
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Yeah European here, i had no idea it required a script, now i know in my country you can go to the doctor and get a sleep test ordered and then via the public healthcare system get one for free if you have apnea, but it takes time etc and i just dont have time for that kinda shit so bought one myself and learnedhow to fine tune it and it works awesome.
I used this fellas youtube channel to learn, he has a great channel that really grew over the last few years because he makes easy to follow videos and goes in depth with subjects from time to time.

 

[gauge22-v2]

I went straight on no sleep study, i have obstructive apnea no doubt, i snore so loud i would wake up myself and i woke up so fast i could hear my self snore it was a fuckin weird experience. So i watched a Australian guy on youtube who is kinda of a cpap expert, got my self a machine who has auto settings, then i learned how to adjust the machine and it works perfect for me, i still snore but at an absolute 0 low level, i can se my events etc on the machine and they are low.

Pretty sure I have watched the same Aussie guy. Great info on masks, machines etc.

 

[gauge22-v2]

Thanks for the input. I've decided I'm just gonna go ahead and get one next week. Worst case, if it doesn't help, I'll still do the sleep study when my appointment comes up in 8 months.
Out of curiosity, which one did you end up getting? And do you happen to have a link to that Australian guy on YouTube you mentioned?


I also did one of those online questionnaires and scored super high… basically checked almost every box

I have the resmed 11. I got it via script (Canada).

Do you get bloodwork done? So just treat the sleep study similarly.

I love my CPAP. It has done wonders for me....however if I did not have diagnosed apnea I would never use a CPAP. They have a pretty high level of PIA with the cleaning, distilled water, filters for the machine etc etc.

Try a pillow wedge?

 

[Maly]

I have the resmed 11. I got it via script (Canada).

Do you get bloodwork done? So just treat the sleep study similarly.

I love my CPAP. It has done wonders for me....however if I did not have diagnosed apnea I would never use a CPAP. They have a pretty high level of PIA with the cleaning, distilled water, filters for the machine etc etc.

Try a pillow wedge?

Yeah, I get my bloodwork done pretty regularly. I can just walk in and do it, no long wait times or anything. If you wonder about my bloodwork results then everything's been fine so far, except my FBG is a bit off (90ish), which might just be from poor sleep.


Also, shoutout to the guys who mentioned buying used. I honestly didn't even considered that. I've found a used AirSense S10 for about $250 and an S11 around $350. There are also a few sites selling new ones closer to $550, but it's cryptic what's actually included. Some of the cheaper listings are just the base unit with no tubing or water chamber.


I'll probably go the used route for now since it's way more affordable, and I can always upgrade later if needed after the sleep study.

 

[gauge22-v2]

Yeah, I get my bloodwork done pretty regularly. I can just walk in and do it, no long wait times or anything. If you wonder about my bloodwork results then everything's been fine so far, except my FBG is a bit off (90ish), which might just be from poor sleep.


Also, shoutout to the guys who mentioned buying used. I honestly didn't even considered that. I've found a used AirSense S10 for about $250 and an S11 around $350. There are also a few sites selling new ones closer to $550, but it's cryptic what's actually included. Some of the cheaper listings are just the base unit with no tubing or water chamber.


I'll probably go the used route for now since it's way more affordable, and I can always upgrade later if needed after the sleep study.

Shit I should get a new one through my work's benefits...it covers 90% of the cost..then I can sell my < 1 yr old one

 

[Mr_Texasrunnerup]

Shit I should get a new one through my work's benefits...it covers 90% of the cost..then I can sell my < 1 yr old one

The machines themselves are good for years. Its the masks and other items that need more frequent replacing. Not bad to have a back up.

 

[Mr_Texasrunnerup]

Yeah European here, i had no idea it required a script, now i know in my country you can go to the doctor and get a sleep test ordered and then via the public healthcare system get one for free if you have apnea, but it takes time etc and i just dont have time for that kinda shit so bought one myself and learnedhow to fine tune it and it works awesome.
I used this fellas youtube channel to learn, he has a great channel that really grew over the last few years because he makes easy to follow videos and goes in depth with subjects from time to time.

This guy has some very good videos, recommended! He also has a good one on part replacement timetables.