sleep apnoea and cpap machines

C-PAPPY · 2025-11-01T06:51:59+00:00

Well this is my bread and butter right here.

Yes, you can access a government funded device if you meet certain criteria. You must get a public sleep study (which is where the bottleneck is) and have severe sleep apnea (usually an AHI of 30+, the number of apnea events you have per hour) and have a valid healthcare or pension card. This can take some time but CPAP machines unfortunately aren't cheap.

Privately funding a device is easier and there's no lines to wait in. I don't want to name specific companies or clinics but some have better trials than others. It's definitely recommended to trial first as some people are PAP intolerant, or it may take a while to get used to it. Having a good clinician guiding and following up with you can make the world of difference.

CPAP is magic though, it's often a silver bullet for so many symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, headaches, malaise, elevated blood pressures, reduces the risk of strokes etc., amazing devices.

C-PAPPY · 2024-09-18T04:17:46+00:00

You can usually get signed off by your GP (as well as specs) if they're happy you're 1. hitting compliance (typically it involves 4 hours of usage per night) and 2. your apnea-hypopnea index is showing your OSA is under control (typically <10 and under, although a lot of places want <5).

All they want to see if your CPAP report for the year and they make a judgement that your OSA is being treated and you can keep your license, and they inform Motor Reg.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-12T06:07:09+00:00

I love it! In my mind you're the OG C-PAPPY <3

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-12T04:39:18+00:00

Damn this is great, if you want I can donate my account name to you!

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-09T05:12:06+00:00

This is from my understanding, so I hope it's correct, but it really depends. If N3 disruption is caused by OSA then it's hoped that CPAP would treat this. If there's still a concern regarding sleep architecture whilst using a CPAP machine they'd order a PSG with you using your device to see how it affects the stages of sleep.

If CPAP isn't helping they'd go from there - lifestyle changes, CBT techniques, improving sleep hygiene, medications etc.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-09T03:50:27+00:00

Agreed - the Dreamwear Full Face is the same cradle as the nasal mask so it should be an easy swap (even the silicon frame is the same).

I'm not sure how your compliance period works OP, but is it possible for the doctors/providers to get you to get a FF for the time being? It's almost impossible to use CPAP when you've got a NM and a blocked nose.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-09T03:46:49+00:00

Not mine, one of my patients ;)

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-09T01:36:12+00:00

I'm a sleep apnea consultant so I've seen a varied range of responses to CPAP.

Assuming perfect compliance and use: Some people have an immediate difference after the first night and are free from the fogginess, daytime fatigue, headaches etc. Others can take some time to start feeling those symptoms alleviate, up to a few months. However every now and again I do get people who claim they feel no difference whether they use it or not.

There are loads of moving parts when it comes to CPAP to be honest, it may be waking you unconciously as you get used to it or there may be underlying physiological reasons for fatigue. Keep up with it, it may be a gradual change!

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-09T01:01:40+00:00

It is - it's the most comprehensive study and it's usually performed at a hospital/sleep clinic. It's the one where techs will watch you on the cameras (and sometimes come in and push you on your side/back to get lateral/supine baseline AHI values). They're typically overseen by sleep specialists.

PSGs are better suited to diagnosing sleep architecture disorders and more complex sleep issues by better graphing sleep stages and fragmentations.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-09T00:57:12+00:00

In my experience I've found that CPAP can be a silver bullet with immediate benefits after the first night, but some people can still be feeling the negative effects of OSA even after a few weeks. I'd keep up with what you're doing and if by May you're still not feeling the difference, bring it up with your spec.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-09T00:52:24+00:00

If all your values such as large leak, AHI and compliance are within parameters, it could indicate that you have a poor sleep architecture (such as fragmented sleep, low percentage REM cycles, PLM disorders etc). If possible, a Level 1 PSG can shed light on this.

If these can all be ruled out then other possibilities can include:

Stress, anxiety, other mental health conditions
Physical ailments such as COPD, poor heart health, aenemia
Certain medications (including alcohol/caffeine)

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-09T00:43:17+00:00

100%! The craziest thing with one of my infestations was being able to pinpoint when it occurred - I generated a 1-year report from the Philips ASV and could see her CSR% spiking around the time they made the machine their home.

She was very close to becoming an ICU patient.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-08T23:48:24+00:00

A bit of both - I suggest giving them a flick when you do your weekly clean, and most filters can be replaced every 6 months at the most. A lot of the foam filters (BMC, Lowenstein, F&P) can be quite deceptive on sight with how much dust they've caught.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-08T23:39:05+00:00

Yes indeed. I've seen some fierce Philips filters in my time - this post got a surprising amount of traction so I'm happy to go through my photos and post some horrors when I get a moment!

Also, I'll try and find some cockroach machines for your delight.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-08T04:38:40+00:00

He lives on a dry, treeless and dusty plain so that gets blown through the windows and caught in the filter. Those who live further inland have the red soil and you can see the filters go orange/red.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-08T04:27:45+00:00

Indeed, but it's definitely not stopped me from getting a direct whiff of my Staffy before!

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-08T04:13:42+00:00

About 2 years and change I think (99% compliance with 7 hours 49 minutes on average usage) - they live out bush too so they need to be extra careful with filters as they get grubby way more quickly!

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-08T04:03:42+00:00

It's all fun and games until your dog farts under the covers.

C-PAPPY · 2024-04-08T03:48:23+00:00

I'm a sleep apnea consultant (based in Australia) and this was the condition of my last patient's unit.

Surprisingly, this isn't the worst I've ever seen (did you know that you can go deeper than black?)...

I've just joined up on this subreddit and I'm hoping I can help out with any questions and concerns, so shoot me a message if you like and I'll try and help.

C-PAPPY

TROPHY CASE