Bought used CPAP

[Dwhite]

Hi. I had posted a couple of days ago as a visitor but I thought I'd fill in the info and re-post. My insurance doesn't adequetly cover Cpaps. I know I have Spleep Apnea -- I always knew it but a couple of years ago I was given a sedative for a standard test and I stopped breathing -- the doctor said "yes you DO have sleep apnea." so I found a couple of new ones at a garage sale believe it or not. I obtained a couple of masks from a friend who had extras.

Anyway the only problem is I don't know my ox. level needs, however just using it on the lowest setting has greatly helped my REM sleep.

The first machine (the one I'm currently using) is a Fischer & Paykel HC210

I also have a Polaris ISP9800

Any recommendations? or do you think I should just keep using it on the lowest level?

Thanks -- this looks like a very helpful site.

[pap4life]

Congrats on your nice garage sale find. I don't know anything about the two mentioned CPAPS , but hope at least one of them is an APAP that can tritrate you a bit, so you can at least have some suitable pressure number to start with. Not having a known pressure number to start with is sort of a crap shoot. If your pressure isn't high enough, its not keeping your airway, and your don;t want to high of a pressure if its not required, so therefor a cpap isn;t doing you much good except giving you some filtered air, if you don;t have the proper pressure settings. . Having sleep apnea is one thing and know how to effectively control it is another. Hopefuly your insurance will pay for a sleep study, where you can obtain a professional
evaluation.

[Wulfman]

Not many people can breathe or get adequate air at the lowest pressure settings on these machines. And, those pressures are probably not very effective at treating many cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Typically somewhere between a setting of 8 and 10 would be more a more effective place to start, in my opinion.
Since the machine you mentioned is not "data-capable", you're going to have to go by "how you feel". It CAN be done......it'll just take awhile.


Den

[sleepycarol]

Since your machine is not data capable there are those on the forum who are very knowledgeable about helping you with narrowing your pressure down. There is a lot of wisdom on this forum (although I am putting in a disclaimer that we are NOT medically trained or medical professionals). If you listen to Rest Gal, Wulfman, and a few others you will be able to figure it out.

[B_4]

Goodness gracious, go see a doctor and get a sleep test please. It costs money but it is also your health.

[nanwilson]

B_4
Yes it costs money, some people do not have the choice.
Dwhite, do a search here and you will find lots of advice to help you out. I'm sure Restedgal will chime in, as she did all this without the help of a sleep test too.
Good luck and congrats on scoring a sleep machine at a garage sale.
Cheers
Nan