Home Remedies During CPAP Downtime

[egzbuen]

Hi all,

As some of you may know, I've already ordered a CPAP machine from CONUS. A PR System One DS560 REMStar Auto with bluetooth and humidifier. I also ordered for a brand new Philips Wisp nasal mask. It's going to take 2 weeks more or less before my orders arrive.

Unfortunately, the trial period for the 2 machines I requested for have ended yesterday. That being the case, after more than 2 weeks on a cpap machine, last night was the first night without any after a long time.

As expected, I feel sluggish, dizzy, confused, and very sleepy among others. In short, I feel terrible now.

Are their home remedies, if at all, that a sleep apnea patient can do while there is downtime of his/her machine? This perhaps apply as well to those who have machines but it/they broke down and would take time before it's repaired or even replaced.

Home remedies would not really cure but at least lessen the symptoms.

Are there any?

Thanks again guys.

[Wulfman...]

I don't know about any "remedies", but trying to sleep in a recliner (semi-vertically) is one of the recommendations for when the power goes out. You could try that.


Den

.

[egzbuen]

I don't know about any "remedies", but trying to sleep in a recliner (semi-vertically) is one of the recommendations for when the power goes out. You could try that.


Den

.

Thanks Den. In the meantime, while waiting for my machine, I'll probably use several pillows to make an angle when sleeping.

[archangle]

Sleeping on your side or stomach may help some people. The recliner suggestion is good, too.

[egzbuen]

Sleeping on your side or stomach may help some people. The recliner suggestion is good, too.

Thanks archangel. I'm expecting it at least 10 to 12 days before the machine gets to me.

Good luck to me.

[yaconsult]

Many of us just couldn't get by without our machines and have multiple backups for just that reason. Having an event on average 80 times per hour means that sleep isn't possible for me without cpap.

Aside from the sleeping in a recliner advice, the only other one that I see commonly mentioned is doing something like sewing a ball or something in the back of your sleep clothing to discourage you from sleeping on your back as this is the worst sleeping position for keeping the airway passage open for most people. I hope you get your machine soon!

[LSAT]

Most DMEs in my area have machines ready to go. When I wanted a new one I called in the AM and the machine and paperwork was ready in the PM when I picked it up. 2 weeks sounds like a long time...even for an order.

[SewTired]

Home remedies: Sleep in a recliner or sleep on your side is about it. I feel your pain. That is why getting a backup is so important. Even though I'm getting poor sleep now, I'm not dying for a nap twice a day. I know I would be back to that very quickly.

[chunkyfrog]

My only acceptable backup is another machine, even a stinking brick!

[egzbuen]

Most DMEs in my area have machines ready to go. When I wanted a new one I called in the AM and the machine and paperwork was ready in the PM when I picked it up. 2 weeks sounds like a long time...even for an order.

Thanks everyone.

Unfortunately I'm from Asia and the unit was purchased in the CONUS thus the 2 week period time for shipping.

Many of us just couldn't get by without our machines and have multiple backups for just that reason. Having an event on average 80 times per hour means that sleep isn't possible for me without cpap.

Aside from the sleeping in a recliner advice, the only other one that I see commonly mentioned is doing something like sewing a ball or something in the back of your sleep clothing to discourage you from sleeping on your back as this is the worst sleeping position for keeping the airway passage open for most people. I hope you get your machine soon!

[Hawthorne]

That's a long time to be without a machine! Are you able to rent one while you wait? Even a brick would be fine for that time.

[egzbuen]

That's a long time to be without a machine! Are you able to rent one while you wait? Even a brick would be fine for that time.

Thanks Hawthorne. It is a long time. I'm a newbie in terms of cpap usage and I just finished with my trial periods from local dealers. Now that I know having a spare is essential, I plan to get a portable or travel type machine that can go with me when I travel. I travel at least once a week so thinking of a travel brick for myself.

Any suggestions?

[Hawthorne]

I don't travel much so I don't have a small spare machine. I have a Devilbis Intellipap as my backup. It is small and compact but there are smaller ones now. I don't worry about the humidifier (don't like the one on the Intellipap but I am fine with not having a humidifier for the backup). I just use passive humidity anyway (water but no heat). I get along fine without humidity with the backup. Others can't do that though. You may be one who can't do without humidity.
I keep the Intellipap in it's carry case with its power cord, a hose, and a mask, already to do without looking for pieces. One good thing about the Intellipap is that it just use a power cord (no power brick) so it's easier for travelling. I have the auto but the Intellipap brick is cheaper. It's just that I used the Intellipap as my main machine for a while and wanted the data. Even the auto, is cheaper that the Resmed and Repironics machines.
Can you purchase a backup now and use it until your main machine is available? I don't know where you live but cpap.com will ship a machine to you quickly IF you have a copy of your prescription. You would need that most places. Whatever you do, get a copy of your prescription!!

[Colonel-Cactus]

Do you have a craigslist type website over there in asia? Here in the states there are is usually someone selling an ole cpap for a few bucks that you could pick up the same day if you were desperate.

[egzbuen]

Do you have a craigslist type website over there in asia? Here in the states there are is usually someone selling an ole cpap for a few bucks that you could pick up the same day if you were desperate.

We actually do. The problem is the same reason why I bought my machine from the CONUS in the first place, which is - ridiculous cpap prices here in Manila. A brand new 560 Remstar would set me back 2200usd more or less and you can just imagine how much the second hand of those would fetch.

The good news is, the brand new cpap will arrive at my cousins place in NJ by tomorrow and he will ship it to me here in Asia asap.

I was thinking of renting a machine for a few days but rentals are likewise ridiculously priced. Renting a machine for a few days would cost more than a brand new apex xt cpap machine from CONUS.

Are there any hygiene issues as well in getting rentals?

Thanks for the thoughts and inputs everyone.