Aussie Newbie

[Winter]

Hi Everyone. I have just been diagnosed with OSA and have started using a CPAP machine for the first time last night. I was shocked when I got my results as I knew something was wrong with my sleep but didn't realise it was so severe. My AHI during non-REM sleep is 108 and during REM sleep is 138. I believe around 20 is normal for most people with OSA? Is that correct? I have been banned from driving until this is under control. I also have to do an echocardiogram to check my heart because the oxygen levels in my blood were getting so low overnight.

Anyway, I am just starting to learn more about the condition, machines, etc. and I was wondering if there's any Australians on the forum? There's obviously differences with insurance, medical providers, etc. here so it would be good to hear from someone local. But happy to say hello to all the rest of you too.

[Sheriff Buford]

Your AHI should be 5 or less.

There are many Aussie's on this forum. Real nice folks.

Sheriff

[DeepBreathing]

G'day Winter, welcome to the forum.

I thought my apnoea was bad with an AHI of 62, but yours is amazing!

I'm a cpap newbie myself but have already learned a lot from the forums. Hopefully you'll do likewise. If there are any particular questions, just let us know.

Regards
Paul in Perth

[Joshaldo]

Hey winter

I am an aussie too . From Queensland. My numbers were quite high and I was also diagnosed with severe OSA. The best thing I did was purchase a s9 autoset from second wind pipe. It was so much cheaper doing it that way

[mgaggie]

Victorian here

[sol]

There's obviously differences with insurance, medical providers, etc. here so it would be good to hear from someone local. But happy to say hello to all the rest of you too.

Hi Winter and welcome
Yes quite different but the startling thing is the price difference. Just got some stuff delivered from 1800 CPAP which been ordered on Wednesday night at less than half Australian prices including shipping costs and currency difference ... that what one would call good efficient service

[wabster]

Anyway, I am just starting to learn more about the condition, machines, etc. and I was wondering if there's any Australians on the forum? There's obviously differences with insurance, medical providers, etc. here so it would be good to hear from someone local. But happy to say hello to all the rest of you too.

Hi Winter, I am a newbie to the board too though not to CPAP gear and sleep apnea. I was diagnosed at the Southport Qld Sleep Clinic in 2003 and have been using my trusty Remstar Pro with C-Flex since. Apart from my pressure level, 17cm H2O, I've never known any of my sleep data. However I've just ordered a Resmed S9 Autoset and it should arrive soon, and it can record all manner of data. That what I've joined the board for, information about sleep analysis software. I'm currently located in Sydney.

Cheerz Wabster.

[snoozysue]

Hi, also from Sydney, happy to provide any local advice if needed

[TonyE]

I am also new had my initial test and my CPAP titration got my CPAP script yesterday so in the process of aquiring a CPAP machine. Thinking of renting a machine for a while the applying for a loaner from 'Queensland Health Sleep Disorders Program' until I can save up to buy a machine... have been checking prices and buying outside of Aus seems a LOT cheaper.

[chunkyfrog]

Medical tourism. If the savings pay for your travel expenses, you've got a good excuse for a trip!

[Winter]

Nice to meet you all. Not sure if everyone did the sleep study in a centre or did anyone get to do the sleep study at home? I'm based in Toowoomba, QLD and was given both options. I chose to do the sleep study at home because the doctor said it would usually give a more accurate representation of what a normal night's sleep was like for me. So I was referred to a CPAP specialist at a pharmacy who gave me a portable testing system and taught me how to hook up the electrodes and straps and everything at home. Then she is the one who explained the results to me when they came back. So now the process is that I've been given an automatic machine to trial for a month and they will download the data periodically to make sure I'm on track. I can try different masks and stuff during that time because at the end of the month I need to purchase a machine and rest of the stuff. The 1 month trial costs $150 and that amount comes off the price of the stuff you purchase at the end.

So far I have struggled a bit with leaks into my eyes. Have been trying different ways of doing up the headgear and different positions I'm sleeping in but no luck yet. Normally I would sleep on my stomach and sleeping in other positions is leaving my back and neck stiff and sore too. Last night I woke up a couple of times with leaks out of every side of the mask (full face fx for her mask in xs) and it felt like the air pressure was so strong it couldn't help but blow out the side walls. I'd pick it up and get it to reseal on my face and within a couple of seconds it had blown out every side again. No idea how to stop that except to really tighten the straps until it digs into my face. Gave myself a massive headache having the straps too tight the other day though. I'm wondering if I should try to get hold of a nasal pillow type mask to try as I can't see that leaking into my eyes. I saw some masks online the other day that was a nasal pillow with a mouth section as well and that appealed to me. Has anyone tried that type?

Anyway, I'm pretty sure I will buy an automatic machine at the end of this trial rather than a set pressure one but I'm not sure what type. Not sure what features I would find useful so it's difficult to make the decision blind. My private health insurance doesn't cover anything either so it's going to be a massive financial outlay in a few weeks time. Any features you find particularly useful? I feel obliged to buy through the pharmacy this time but will keep in mind to buy online from overseas in future to save money.

[sol]

I feel obliged to buy through the pharmacy this time but will keep in mind to buy online from overseas in future to save money.

Ask them about this offer from ResMed
http://www.ressleep.com.au/with-up-to-6 ... tmas-2013/

CPAP Australia http://www.cpapaustralia.com.au/shoppin ... y-900.html

[Julie]

Winter - all (to my knowledge) auto machines also can be run as straight Cpaps, but the reverse is not true, so there's be no point in your getting a plain Cpap if you can get an auto. Dealers "DMEs" in the US submit the same codes (with the same cost) to insurance co's so while too many try to b-s clients into thinking auto machines cost insurance co's more, it's not really true. You might want to investigate that where you are, but in any case, it's so much cheaper to go directly to e.g. Cpap.com and then submit to your insce. co. (if you use any there for such things and if yours will agree to it) than to do either a rent-to-own program or some other route. PS - had a great time in the Yarra ranges + MB in May!

[mgaggie]

Julie I live on the border of the Yarra Ranges, hope you had a lovely time there

[-tim]

The S9 auotset (not the escape which won't record useful data and should be avoided) in Australia is at least $1000 more than from the US. The US machines tend to be made in Singapore and the Aussie ones are made in Sydney. There seems to be some evidence that the Aussie made ones have less odd noises than the others but for most people, that isn't worth the $1000 premium. Most of the rest of the accessories made in Sydney. I have no idea why ResMed jacks the price up so high but they do even though they would sell far more machines here if they could get them down to the under $1000 range so private medical insurance would cover most of the cost. You can take you prescription from Australia with a copy of your sleep report to most doctors in Los Angeles and get a US prescription that allows you to buy the products there. Figure $1,200 for the air fare and $100 for the doc in the box visit when considering the costs of equipment. Hawaii can be even cheaper. This stuff should cost only a small amount more than in the USA but it routinely costs five times as much.

As far as masks, I use a resmed FX mask nasal mask with a F&P headband because that just works for me. The "for her" items tend to be pink but sometimes the headgear is shaped differently and gender-less product might work better for you.

A note to Aussies:
CPAP machines used to be covered in the 20% rebate on medical expenses above $2000 (or what ever it was). If you claimed it last finical year, you can claim it this finical year but Labor phased it out in the future (but see your tax advisor for proper advice). Call your local Liberal/National MP and ask then when they are going to reverse that. Feel free to point out that not reversing this rule goes against stated party values considering how much people have to be spending on health care to claim it.

If anyone will be in Lorne Vic on the weekend of 30 Nov for a political event, please send me a private message.