(Part 2) Top products from r/SleepApnea

I have the ResMed S9 and I'm pretty happy with it, but there's definitely room for improvement. First, there is absolutely no reason to have the tube go out the back (other than to make it look pretty). If there's some mechanical reason for air to exit the back, then at least include an elbow with a swivel. In fact, the elbow/swivel ought to be standard equipment on every machine. If you want to make it pretty, then put a clock on it--not some dinky thing that's only readable when you're standing right over it, but a real replacement for the standard bedside clock (with an alarm too). Next, we all need better connectivity, so Bluetooth or wi-fi is a must. Integration with phone apps and sleep tracking would also be helpful. Also, wi-fi could eliminate the need for expensive modems and cumbersome SD cards. Next, the humidifier should have more options. Many folks in cooler climates like the warm, moist air; I prefer cool, moist air. Why not make a humidifier with a larger surface area in contact with the water, but that's not heated? [Here's a random example.]. Lastly, no matter how good our current mask is, we'd all like a better one. Better fit, more comfortable, easier to tolerate. (A monumental task.) Good luck.

Some type of heavy foam to cushion the strap? At least on the back of the head. Maybe there is some type of heavy shoe inserts that is foamy or of a gel type that would work and can be trimmed. Not sure how to keep it in place to align up with the strap. Might also find some lighter material that can cushion the nose area. Something spongy like maybe made out of the material they make those makeup sponges out of for foundation for women. It is similar to the spongy material they sell as padding for the nose rest on a pair of eyeglasses.

I'm really good at modifying things and designing solutions to things I just wish I were closer to you and I would help you in person. I'm in the San Diego area.

My other suggestion is to entirely change the way you are treating apnea and switch up the mask situation. usually you require a visit to your sleep apnea doctor and they will have a representative that can offer you various options and often when I go in they have the latest inventions in sleep apnea masks to show me.

I don't know if this would be an option due to anatomy and severity of sleep apnea, but I have changed my mask multiple times before I was able to truly get the treatment that I need. I use a mask that has headgear and sits snugly and gently under the nose, but I am thinking of switching to one that is an upgrade of the same mask that also goes over the mouth. Before I do this, I am probably going to try some headgear that someone shared a link to recently that is from Amazon that helps keep the jaw closed, because that is one of my biggest issues. I always put a small piece of clear medical tape over my lips vertically, about three eighths of an inch wide piece of tape from top to bottom lip to just keep my lips together but it doesn't necessarily hold the jaw shut. For me it did greatly reduce the mouth-breathing, though. I don't know the name of the mask right now it's the Dream something or other. I only use the nasal pillow that rests beneath your nose right now, there are no parts that actually go into the nose. It's done okay for me, but my sleep apnea might not be quiet as bad as yours as I have no weight issues to complicate things. The rep from the company showed me an example of the one that goes over the mouth also, and it really is comfortable and not at all obnoxious to wear. It attaches to a separate strap that has magnets that hold it to the mouth part of the mask.

I suggest finding a type of mak that doesn't have to seal over your entire face and get something that just goes around the nose underneath and trying a good jaw strap that will help you. The one I saw advertised and mentioned here, I believe it was under $20. If I can find the link I will add it below, let me take a look...

Here .. https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Snoring-Chin-Strap-Effective/dp/B07984PQS1

I think you were on to something initially with the PC fans. They're standardized, low power, and last forever. Instead of using the 3 or 4 pin connectors, you could get a USB powered model, like these, plug them into a USB AC charger, and the charger into a timer or inline switch. If you find the airflow isn't enough, you can add a second fan or try a larger one. It won't dry a tube in 10 seconds, but let it sit for 5 minutes and it should do the job.

Instead of 3D printing small stuff, you could always use Sugru. For a funnel, see if you can find a car oil funnel. They go from a large square (for the fans) to a small circle (for the tube).

If you want to get super fancy, since the tubes are a standardized length, you could mount this fan contraction to a wall with a second set of funnel and fans at the opposite end (but with the fans flipped over). Then you'd have gravity pulling the water down, the fan blowing dry air from the top, and the moisture being sucked out the bottom. Connect the two pieces with some plastic wire conduit/covers and you got yourself a nice, tidy solution.

You could even have a 'deluxe' model with an attached shelf containing a few fans under a grating/mesh for the other bits, like face mask and head strap.

I wouldn't use a hairdryer because of the heat. I'd opt for something that uses cool air, but requires no oversight.

Of course the alternative is to just clean it early in the day and let it dry for a few hours... (but I do love my gadgets).

I feel you friend. I also went camping but did take one of those car jump all in one batteries along with a 12 volt power adapter for my machine. it had worked the previous camping trip for about three to four days just fine. But this time, it died at 1 a.m. the first night and I was awake the rest of the night. I simply cannot sleep without my cpap at this point. The rest of the trip was a misery, next night slept in the passenger seat of my Prius with the CPAP plugged and car on (on but not running). trying to sleep in a seat sucks, but the car turned itself off every hour so it was hardly any better than that first night. I believe the next night I slept in the bed of a truck with a CPAP plugged in in the truck (again, on but not running) through the little back window and it worked much better. Until it rained.

So the NEXT camping trip I got my shit together.

Get a deep marine battery. These are designed to power small things on a boat and are used to the small dribble of electricity over a long period of time. Get a battery box to place it in for safety, and a battery tender to charge it before the trip. You'll want a ring terminal harness to attach to the battery posts, and a female 12 volt adapter to plug your machine into.

The box contains everything safely with just the plugs you want sticking out the slots in the lid, but if there's small children in the camp you may want to ratchet strap it closed to be on the safe side.

I got battery and box at my local walmart. The rest from Amazon.


Female cigarette adapter:
Battery Tender Black 081-0069-8 Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041CDPQO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_173UCbVCXJH0M

Ring terminal harness:

Battery Tender 081-0069-6 Ring Terminal Harness with Black Fused 2-Pin Quick Disconnect Plug https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NCOKZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7-3UCbPET1K8N

Battery tender to charge your battery:

Battery Tender 12 Volt Junior Automatic Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Ak4UCbQYJBZCA

And of course you'll need to get the 12 volt power adapter. Look up the model maker of your CPAP machine and Google away to see where you can find one. I looked for my manual and then I found the one that was recommended in the manual along with recommendations. Mine recommends I do not use the water chamber when using the 12 volt power adapter due to power consumption and no way am I risking the battery running out of power before the trip is over. I got the adapter from a generic CPAP supplies website.

Good luck! I'm going camping this summer I hope my setup still works!

I usually camp out of state with family and have a few nights in a house before heading home. I always bring a new face mask new filter and even a new hose if I have one as after camping the machine reeks of woodsmoke and it drives me absolutely batty.


Edited to fix oh so many typos.

PS: I will edit the links more pretty when I'm on a desktop sorry about the non pretty formatting

To piggy back off others:

1. lose weight is option 1. You didn't mention if you're overweight or healthy so this generic statement is being mentioned. If you're overweight and losing weight can help and/or cure your apnea, well that's just about the biggest motivation in the world to start a weight loss journey.
   
   
2. I tried 5 masks before I found one I can sleep all night with. Yes, FIVE masks. I was fortunate that my insurance was covering all of this, but the fifth mask finally worked. Every other mask I would take off in the middle of the night. The Dreamwear mask is the one that worked the best. But I was still taking the mask off at first. I then switched to the medium nasal part instead of the small. I've been golden ever since.
   
   If you're skinny and have already tried a dozen different masks, then this advice will not help you in any way. From what I've researched, you need to explore the MMA surgury if you've truly tried a dozen masks and are skinny.
   
   Best of luck!

I never found cleaning to be effective. The machine is just compressing room air and pushing it over the water in the humidifier.

I did add an antibacterial inline filter like this one between the mask and hose. One lasts me about a month. The other thing I did was put my humidifier heat to it's lowest setting for dry winter days, and off completely most of the year.

I always had difficulty breathing through my nose my entire life. TBH, I grew up in the days when everyone smoked cigarettes everywhere--restaurants, offices, homes. So even though I never smoked, I still got the full benefits of second-hand smoke.

Fast-forward to 2001, when I was diagnosed, I still had trouble breathing through my nose. I struggled with masks and found the only ones I could tolerate were the nasal prong masks.

I also had significant weight to lose, and about five years ago started a keto diet. That entailed eliminating sugars and grains from my diet. Both of those are inflammatory foods. Eliminating them helped me to lose 85 lbs. over the next year.

To my surprise, though, my bones stopped aching from head to toe almost immediately after I transitioned to that way of eating--and over the next year I gradually realized my sinuses had stopped being constantly congested.

I still have seasonal allergies, but since one of them is to grasses, and grains are grasses, the connection seems pretty clear to me. But the good news is that OTC allergy meds work effectively during the couple of months a year I need them.

Good luck to you!

I was told specifically to not use vinegar from both Apria and my new DME supplier with my new insurance. I don't remember the reason why. I'm guessing the smell, or that it's too acidic (just a guess) They said to just use a mild soap, or a mild dishsoap like dawn.

I actually use Dr. Bronners peppermint soap. Just a few drops, in some warm water, a little goes a long way. It's a very gentle castile soap, and then your mask and hose end up smelling like a peppermint! They have a few other flavors too. It's pretty good stuff.

Wedge pillow may help. A makeshift one did for me.

Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400078393

This may also help. It's by one of the top researchers in the field. I also finished a PhD, and this could put put under helpful soft skills

First suggestion is to address the snoring... not only bad for you, but good chance it is terrible for his/her sleep. Tried nasal strips or positional therapy (ie, learning to sleep on stomach, etc) yet? Beyond that there's oral appliances or cpap machines or more invasive procedures.

As far as addressing noise, suggest ear plugs and white noise. IMHO best is decent mid-sized fan, vornado is my pick after trying a few (like this one). Also there are a bunch of white noise machines if you don't like the breeze... probs can find an app that does it over speakers if you want to try it out.

Thanks for your comment. Are you referring to the AirMini HumidX or to other HME? In any event I wonder if using an inert gas in a sealable plastic bag would work. At some point, of course, the cost and hassle of trying to stretch the life of the HumidX or HME outweigh the benefit. Might be worthwhile to experiment with this and a sealable container https://www.amazon.com/Private-Preserve-Wine-Preservation-Spray/dp/B0000DCS18.

Like everyone else says, the mask is probably too tight.

You may also want to get the large size frame. The mask normally ships with the medium frame, and it seemed to fit me fine, but I had the same problem you did. In fact the first couple months after I bough the dreamwear I only used it two or three times because it irritated my nose so bad. I finally broke down and got the large frame, and immediately noticed a massive improvement. It wasn't dramatically more comfortable at night, but in the morning my nose felt much better.

Also /u/wrong_assumption recommends the version without the nasal pillows. I used that version up until about a month ago, and I always liked it and it is slightly more comfortable. That said, I switched to the pillow version and won't go back. I had way more problems with leaks without the pillows, and it was noisy enough to wake me up way too often. Since I switched to the pillows, my sleep has noticeably improved. You may not have the same problem, but I would recommend trying the large frame before trying the non-pillow version.

BTW, if you do want to try the version without the pillows, you don't need to replace the whole mask. Just get the non-pillow nosepiece.

Sure thing.

I am running this battery
Optima Batteries 8027-127 D27M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Marine Battery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UFXHQI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3lL4yb7C6Z6P6

Which I installed in this box
MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PTHKMG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_coL4ybRZADD52

I use this charger to keep it ready to go
Stanley BC1509 15 Amp Automatic Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U04MSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xnL4yb0GFAMKG

I like the MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center as it has a carry handle, terminals to hook up my charger, and two 12v cigarette lighter outlets. I use one outlet for my 12v adapter for my CPAP machine and the other to keep my cell phone charge. It also has a simple meter to show the battery charge.

Using this setup I can get 6 night for summer camp and still have at least 75% charge on the battery.

you can buy the cushion to interchange with the frame.

you’ll also need the full face adjustable straps to securely wear the full face cushion

only those two you’ll need! the rest is the same - whatever size your nasal cushion is now (probably small or medium) is the size full face you’ll buy. The sizing is only measuring how far your nose comes out under your nostrils length wise

yep, i bought both pieces on amazon for about $40 total. nice to have the option if needed, and keep the hose connection at the top of my head

it helps with congestion, but i didn't get a good seal with it. perhaps because of my beard. after my congestion cleared up i switched back to the nasal mask

mask (med size, but get whatever equivalent is to your nasal)

headgear

I just recently bought this one on Amazon, so if you end up wanting to trying, there's an easy to get it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G0NXCWS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When your face was swollen was it tender? If so, I'd hazard a guess that it might be a sinus infection. You really should see a doc about it if you can afford it.

As for what is in the tank, does your machine have an air filter and what shape is it in? That's the only way I can imagine a lot of stuff getting into your tank. Also, did you routinely run your CPAP till the tank dried out? Other than that, the only thing I can think of is that maybe your distilled water isn't distilled.

Finally, you might be interested in these. I don't use them myself, so can't comment on their effectiveness.

I got this chin strap and it works well enough, at least cuts my waking up in half

It'll do until I can afford a sleep study 😂
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07984PQS1/ref=mp_s_a_1_9_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1536155135&sr=8-9&keywords=chin+strap+sleep+apnea&dpPl=1&dpID=51DeSX32p-L&ref=plSrch

I use this one in my Autoset 10 and in my Autoset 9 before that.

Looking it my SD card now, it looks like it adds around 3MB/day to the card.

This side sleeper pillow worked well for me: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001FPGCUG/ref=cm\_sw\_em\_r\_mt\_dp\_U\_7p4GDbWY854QC

If you’re paying cash get it on amazon. It will be far cheaper. Under 20 dollars. It includes the gasket.

https://www.amazon.com/ResMed-Standard-AirSense-AirCurve-Humidifier/dp/B00T57ANDS

For compliance, in the evening if your watching tv, reading a book, put on your mask and run your machine. This will get you used to having it. Plus it will bump your usage numbers up too .

So for cleaning, I've used this, cpap wipes for the mask and I also use cpap brush for the tubing.

You may want to switch to a nasal mask or Full face mask depending on your preference

If you're thinking of replacing it you can get one on Amazon for $18.

https://www.amazon.com/BodiMetrics-Vibe-Sleep-Fitness-Monitor/dp/B01N6FUNNG/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1550785439&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=pulse+oximeter+02+vibe

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6FUNNG/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_JKe9Bb66SRM38

I use these. https://www.amazon.com/Care-Touch-CPAP-Cleaning-Wipes/dp/B0753KMW66/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Cpap+mask+cleaning+wipes&qid=1564013136&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011&rnid=2661617011&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Check your leak. If it's normal, try biotene before bed, and/or xylomelts

https://www.amazon.com/XyliMelts-Dry-Mouth-Mint-Free-80-Count/dp/B001A42R1A

If your head is on the large side, you may want to try ordering the large headgear, which is sold separately.

The medium seemed to fit me fine, so I didn't think I needed it, but my initial experience with it was fairly similar to yours. Once I tried the larger frame, my opinion of the Dreamwear went way up.

Also, just try fiddling with the straps... It is hard to get them "just right." A tiny bit too loose, you get intermittent leaks. A tiny bit too tight, and your nose hurts. But just right, and that mask is (as far as I can tell) the most comfortable mask available.

I made the mistake of tightening mine a bit a couple nights ago, and I am going to be wearing my nasal mask tonight... But in a day or two I will be back to the (loosened) Dreamwear.