Getting a prior CPAP-er back in the wagon

[Ht538]

Long story short - my bf used to use CPAP, stopped several years ago, but he definitely should be using it.
I was recently diagnosed and he’s indicated he’s game to try again at my urging. He has his old machine a a ResMed escape 2. I want to make this as easy as possible so he will follow through. He doesn’t remember his pressure but it’s still set up in his machine. I know I can get a mask without a prescription but is there anything that needs to be calibrated on the machine? Special cleaning or any maintenance now that it’s been sitting in a closet for 5 or so years?

I am assuming his old pressure will be low since he’s gained weight since last using, but seems it might be better than nothing. He snores like a bear and stops breathing for like 20-30 secs at a time.

Besides machine maintenance...any advice on how to help him get back on the horse?

[palerider]

Long story short - my bf used to use CPAP, stopped several years ago, but he definitely should be using it.
I was recently diagnosed and he’s indicated he’s game to try again at my urging. He has his old machine a a ResMed escape 2. I want to make this as easy as possible so he will follow through. He doesn’t remember his pressure but it’s still set up in his machine. I know I can get a mask without a prescription but is there anything that needs to be calibrated on the machine? Special cleaning or any maintenance now that it’s been sitting in a closet for 5 or so years?

I am assuming his old pressure will be low since he’s gained weight since last using, but seems it might be better than nothing. He snores like a bear and stops breathing for like 20-30 secs at a time.

Besides machine maintenance...any advice on how to help him get back on the horse?

If you want him to get back 'on the wagon' and be successful, he needs a better machine, that one is junk, not good for anything other than a doorstop, (or maybe a hose dryer).

[chunkyfrog]

Or a travel machine if theft is unavoidable.

[Ht538]

A new machine isn't in the cards for now based on insurance/finances. If I knew he was committed, I’d buy him one, but not sure if he’s really going to follow through on this. For now, this is testing the water and I’ll need to make due with the machine he has.

Even if I find a used one, what do I need to do I. Terms of cleaning/calibrating. I’d really like to get him one where I can see the data. I see the escape stores some limited info, but I don’t have the equipment to retrieve it.

[D.H.]

A new machine is best, but the old one will do what it always did if it's in good working condition.

I would change all the filters, clean it with vinegar, and let the air blow thought it for half an our so before first use.

Check for deposits and strange odors.

[Jas_williams]

An escape does not store any useful data only the time the machine was used no AHI or flow information its a Brick.


I recommend finding a used Resmed Autoset 10 they a re often on Craigslist/Offerup or similar for very low prices.

[palerider]

A new machine isn't in the cards for now based on insurance/finances. If I knew he was committed, I’d buy him one, but not sure if he’s really going to follow through on this. For now, this is testing the water and I’ll need to make due with the machine he has.

He will fail with the machine he has, it's junk, it doesn't provide ANY indication whatsoever whether it's working or not.

If you want him to succeed, get with LSAT here and pick up a good, used machine, and give your BF a fighting chance.

AND, if he does fail at it, you can turn around and sell the machine for approximately what you paid for it, and not be out any money.

Even if I find a used one, what do I need to do I. Terms of cleaning/calibrating. I’d really like to get him one where I can see the data.

You don't need to clean or calibrate the machine. You'll need to read the data to adjust it to his needs, that's simple, with the right machine.

I see the escape stores some limited info, but I don’t have the equipment to retrieve it.

All the escape records is hours of use, which is completely useless for making therapy effective.

[Pugsy]

Alternately you could loan him your machine for a night or two to get an idea where his pressure needs might be.

[chunkyfrog]

Alternately you could loan him your machine for a night or two to get an idea where his pressure needs might be.

And then set his brick for a therapeutic pressure based on results from his use of your machine.
Somewhat better than nothing, at least until you can get a used autoset.

[Ht538]

That all makes sense. I will definitely have him try my machine to see if we can get some kind of baseline. I haven’t given up on a new/new to him machine, just want to make sure he’s going to keep going with it.
I really worry about his health, he has all the classic OSA issues, weight, high BP, crazy loud snoring, and stops breathing for quite a bit at a time. He says he sleeps fine though so hard to convince him to mess with it again.
So if it seems like he will stick with it, I’ll bite the bullet and buy the machine.

Who is LSAT btw? Someone mentioned them in regards to used machines.

[Pugsy]

I screened my sister and her husband with my machine.
Set the minimum and maximum pressure as low as he can comfortably stand it and see what it flags.
You want to prove need first and then worry about tweaking for optimal performance since he is in denial about needing it.
Something like 4 minimum and 7 maximum and EPR maybe 1 or 2 (whatever he is comfortable with).
If it goes up....then the machine is fighting something and if it maxes out....well, it wouldn't go up if there weren't some problems with the airway.

[Julie]

Do forum search for Lsat - very helpful, knowledgable long time member.

[Miss Emerita]

To find LSAT, go to Quick Links at the top of the page and click on Members, then L. I got my current machine from him and everything went exactly right.

[socknitster]

As someone who was previously on CPAP and has recently returned--the machines are SO MUCH BETTER NOW! And the way I feel is like night and day. Before returning to this therapy I was skeptical that it would make a difference. What we as humans don't realize is that the effects of something like OSA sneak up on us slowly--so slowly that feeling terrible becomes a new normal. I didn't realize how bad I was actually feeling until I had a few really good nights of sleep on CPAP again. No more crappy normal for me.

I hope you convince him and find the means to get him good therapy. He deserves it. <3

[Ht538]

Thanks for all the suggestions....I would have never thought to look on Craigslist. I know he will at least try it for a while....he only got one initially at the urging of a prior gf so he knows he at least owes me a college try!

I also used a decibel meter on my phone to record him, with permission of course, and it’s pretty hard to argue with 60db of snoring hearing himself not breathing/gasping. I have worn earplugs since we’ve been together and I now that I have the cpap too he knows It’s time to start himself

If anyone else is struggling with a resistant partner who snores/stops breathing, id HIGHLY suggest downloading a dB meter on your phone. Many even give you an example of what a particular dB level sounds like. Knowing you sound like a large truck or busy street really puts it in perspective. They can also hear themselves gasping or not breathing first hand. I think it really resonates...more than an esoteric AHI number or just being told you have to do something because a dr said so.