Returning to CPAP with an old machine

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea few years ago (I don't remember exactly how long) after a sleep study. At that time I was prescribed a CPAP machine, which I tried to use, but without much success. I tried the nose mask and the nose pillows, but I could not get used to either of them and eventually just stopped using it altogether. I knew it wasn't healthy, but to be honest I just didn't care at the time.

I think my sleep apnea has gotten worse recently due to some additional weight I've gained. Two days ago I decided to pull out this old machine and give it another try. When I registered for this board, I wanted to list my machine in my profile, but it wasn't even on the available list of choices. I have a Healthdyne Tranquility Plus model. It comes with a humidifier, but I don't believe it's heated.

The last two nights I've used the head gear with the nose mask, not the pillows. I also decided to try it without the humidifier. As you might imagine, it hasn't been easy, but it doesn't seem to be as hard as the last time I tried it. I do believe it's helping. I've felt more alert today than I have in a while.

Even though this machine is old, it's still nearly unused. It was new when I bought it and I only used it a couple of weeks before giving up on it. My question is, should I consider getting a new machine, or will this thing do for now?

Also, the cleaning instructions in the manual kind of scared me. It says that the humidifier and hoses must be cleaned and disinfected every single day. I'll be honest with you, I don't think I have the time every day to do that. I work hard and I play hard. I don't want to soak and disinfect this dang thing every day for the rest of my life. Does it really need to be cleaned that often?

I have not used the humidifier the last two nights and, so far, I don't seem to be experiencing dry mouth or dry nose. How important is the humidifier? Is it okay to use the machine without hooking up the humidifier?

I guess that's about it for now. I am glad to have found such an active message board for CPAP users.

Thanks for any guidance you can give me.

Mike

I can't see why you would need a new machine if the old one works properly. There are nice new features that you probably don't have such as Cflex which might make it easier for you to stick to using the machine though and you might want a more modern machine.

There are many threads on this forum concerning the need for cleaning equipment and how often. I personally think that the manuals are CYA to cover any potential lawsuit that might be generated should someone try to blame the manufacturer for some infection.

Humidifiers are a very nice feature. Some people however do fine without. Personal preference. I think most here from what I read do enjoy having them.

One of the most recent threads on cleaning is not only interesting due to many opinions, but quite humerous. May 7th there is a cleaning discussion. I don't know how to post a link so just go back a page to may 7 and you will see a relevant title.

I personally don't clean very often, but instead make sure my equipment isn't sitting around wet. I use two hoses and alternate daily so they dry completely before using again.

If I don't have a cold, I can't see the need to totally clean my mask daily either. I agree that disinfecting all that stuff daily is not an option for me.

The tranquility models are built like Panzer tanks (unbelievably robust inside) so I agree with the prior poster, it it is doing its job use it & keep it.

If you want to see what I mean re their construction, look at these images ...

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/hea ... index.html

The above link is similar to your model.

To see the insides of the AUTO & Bilevel try ...

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/hea ... index.html
http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/hea ... index.html

I believe that our RG started her therapy on a Healthdyne Quest & spoke highly of it (if not a tad noisy).

The Healthdyne Bilevel is a delight to use & has the most sensitive IPAP/EPAP flow reversal detection of any machine I have tried (incl my top-of-the-line PB330 & especially over my Bipap S/T & Bipap Pro 2).

So stick with it.

But, a heated humidifier is without doubt very helpful to most of us. (there are several going cheaply on Yahoo Auctions right now - search under Resmed).

Good luck

DSM

if the machine still works, use it, a machine blowing a constant pressure is a machine blowing a constant pressure.

But if you are trying to get used to using it regularly, then ease your battle and read the manual and learn to use the ramp feature (it should have this feature). This feature will help you fall asleep much faster by starting you out with a much lower pressure. I suggest a 30-45min ramp time and starting at 6cm or higher. The machine should then go from the 6cm pressure up to your titrated pressure once the ramp timer expires (most gradually ramp up).

I could never use those nasal pillows, I can't stand the pressure on the end of my nose and they are always noisy compared to a nasal or full face mask. If your having problems finding a mask try a Resmed UltraMirage full face, a very comfortable and quiet mask, just make sure you size it correctly.

Thanks for the comments. I don't have the actual manufacturer instruction book. I've got some kind of book that was supplied by Homedco(the DME supplier I purchased it from). However, I've checked carefully and this particular model does not come with the ramping feature. There are only two switches on the front, an on/off switch and one that's labeled Leak Test/Normal. I'm not exactly sure what Leak Test is for. I assume it has something to do with testing the mask for leaks?

By the way, this thing really is made like a panzer tank. It's heavy, noisy and a pain in the butt, but it does seem to be getting the job done. I'm going to continue using it without the humidifier until (or if) I begin having problems.

I don't know what Cflex is, so I guess I'm not missing it.

Again, thanks to everyone for your advice.

Mike

If you had problems with compliance before, getting a new machine may be a help. The new machines are actually pretty quiet. I don't hear the machine at all, just the breathing in the mask.

Ramping allows you to gradually increase the pressure to the prescribed pressure. It allows you to fall asleep on a lower pressure. Cflex is an exhalation relief function. Some people don't like it, some swear by it. I am one that swears by it. It lowers the pressure on exhalation so you don't feel like you are fighting the machine when you exhale.

If you do buy a new machine, you might want to consider an autopap, especially since it has been a while since you used the cpap and since you had your sleep study. An autopap will titrate your pressure constantly, so the pressure won't be any higher than needed.

If your current machine works fine, and it helps, I don't know that you need a new machine, its an individual choice. Just wanted to let you know what features the current machines have.

msmith:

i've been in the same position as you are except i have a different machine -- mine is a sullivan v elite from 2001. anyway, after feeling yucky for a while, i dragged out my cpap, dusted it off, changed the filters, washed everything, played with my old mask collection and decided to commit. i don't understand half the fancy machine jargon talk here, but i do understand other cpap stuff.

here's my advice: use your old machine and see what happens. if you have a serious problem with it, then you need a new one. but you can still benefit from cpap with your machine. if your compliance problems are not related to your machine, you may not do cpap even if you had a new machine. to me, the ramp feature is nothing-- i have one but never use it, but my pressure is 8. i feel fine just turning on cpap full force.

now after two or three months of compliance, i'm planning to ask my doc for a new machine. i don't think the pressure is high enough because i'm feeling my pre-cpap symptoms. i want autopap so it doesn't have to be a big deal if my pressure needs change and/or vary with my mask or whatever.

but i guess i didn't see a point in getting a new machine from the getgo if it turned out that i wasn't going to do cpap anyway.

caroline

What always impressed me about the Healthdyne (as with the Fisher & Paykle machines) is that the blower is so solid that if I blow as hard as I can down the hose, they don't seem to skip a beat or even change pitch.

Not so with my other later models but to be fair, they can do other fancy tricks

I am not suggesting everyone blow up their hose just to test the force of their blower, its just that one day I did purely to see what would happen

Cheers

DSM