Just Diagnosed - Advice...in Australia

[Miss Emerita]

Deep sleep with the machine -- wonderful!!

[zonker]

Haha thanks it seems I have a lot to still learn

I’ve just woken up from 4 hours with the CPAP thought I was on a different planet didn’t think I could walk. What deep sleep feels like!!

oh, WELL DONE, you.

here's hoping it continues. do come back and keep us up to date, won't you?

[cands]

Hi,

I have just been diagnosed with Severe Obstrucrive Sleep Apnea with an AHI of 117. My specialist says it’s the highest he has ever seen but reading this forum I see that people have had higher. I am getting an urgent cpap for hire tomorrow but will need to invest in my own. Any advice or recommendations on which one?

I have felt like crap all year and started to fall asleep at my desk and watching tv. Thought it was low iron but my Husband and Sister have noticed me gasping for air and said it was distressing to hear me sleep but only in the last year they have noticed. I’ve always snored. How long do you think I could have had this for, for it to be that bad or if it’s only just been noticed by others have I just only got it this last year?

I have put on 20kgs in the last 2 years after having my first child and losing my Dad. Although have always been on the bigger side. I also have really enlarged tonsils which the specialist said I may need to have removed but recommended several weight loss and maybe even surgery which I think is the only way I’m going to reduce my weight significantly within myself.

Anyway that’s my story any advice from anyone I’d be grateful. Thanks Lauren (Australia)

Hi Lauren,
I concur with the advice to go for the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset. (I don't think the Airsense 11 has been released in Australia yet). Government assistance for purchase is only available for concession card holders. If you have private medical extras cover, check if there is any financial assistance available there.

I assume the business you are renting from will offer to sell you a machine. Do a google search for Australian on-line suppliers to get an idea on prices. A quick search brought up results in the $1400 to $1500 range for the Airsense 10 Autoset. I rented for my first 4 weeks too, but ended up buying from an on-line retailer, due to the price being about $400 less. Some retailers also do packages including your choice of mask. You will need to provide a copy of your prescription.

I'm glad your first night using the machine brought you good sleep. For my first two or so weeks I woke up feeling elated, after so many years of poor, interrupted sleep. The day-time tiredness took a few weeks to abate and I found myself sleeping for 10 hours a night as my body proceeded to heal itself with good quality sleep. As far as snoring is concerned, I went from being able to wake the dead to pretty much snoreless, according to my partner.

Take care,
Steve (in Adelaide)

[SueW1950]

Government assistance for purchase is only available for concession card holders.

Is it really? I’ve been on an Age Pension for the last 6 years and have never been told about this. Where can I find more info. I want to change from Respironics (although I am very used to it) to REsmed, but really can’t afford the retail prices…

More info please

[cands]

Government assistance for purchase is only available for concession card holders.

Is it really? I’ve been on an Age Pension for the last 6 years and have never been told about this. Where can I find more info. I want to change from Respironics (although I am very used to it) to REsmed, but really can’t afford the retail prices…

More info please

Sorry, my comment is an oversimplification and I should have done some research before making it!. If you do a google search for "cpap for concession card holders" or "public funding for cpap in Australia" you'll see there are some state based programs which provide CPAP for individuals who qualify. It seems the requirements differ by state.

[SueW1950]

Sorry, my comment is an oversimplification and I should have done some research before making it!. If you do a google search for "cpap for concession card holders" or "public funding for cpap in Australia" you'll see there are some state based programs which provide CPAP for individuals who qualify. It seems the requirements differ by state.

Thanks for that, its more than I had before, and I have been on xPAP since 2006 (or was it 2005). So long ago I forget. I’ll check it out.

[onward60]

Haha thanks it seems I have a lot to still learn

I’ve just woken up from 4 hours with the CPAP thought I was on a different planet didn’t think I could walk. What deep sleep feels like!!

This is wonderful. I'm very happy for you!

[Midwest_non_sleeper]

Haha thanks it seems I have a lot to still learn

I’ve just woken up from 4 hours with the CPAP thought I was on a different planet didn’t think I could walk. What deep sleep feels like!!

Wait until you remember what dreaming is like. I spent in excess of a decade with untreated apnea and I never dreamed anymore because I wasn't properly moving through all the phases of sleep.

Several days after getting my first machine, boom, dreams all of the time from there on out. Don't let it freak you out.

[ChicagoGranny]

Several days after getting my first machine, boom, dreams all of the time from there on out. Don't let it freak you out.

We don't remember dreams unless we are awakened. This could be a sign that CPAP is causing many awakenings. Six to eight awakenings per night is normal. So, remembering a few dreams should not be concerning.

Melatonin supplements cause a lot of dreaming in some people.

[Midwest_non_sleeper]

Several days after getting my first machine, boom, dreams all of the time from there on out. Don't let it freak you out.

We don't remember dreams unless we are awakened. This could be a sign that CPAP is causing many awakenings. Six to eight awakenings per night is normal. So, remembering a few dreams should not be concerning.

Melatonin supplements cause a lot of dreaming in some people.

Right, but for dreams to occur, you actually have to be asleep. Before being treated, I never remembered any dreams whatsoever. Now, at least I remember a handful per week (I use an alarm to get up at 5:30, so I'm pulled out fairly often).

[ChicagoGranny]

I remember a handful per week

That sounds normal and healthy.