RESMED for sleep apnea? Any comments?

mikeeeey

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There are many, many brands. ResMed is just one of many; take a quick look here for some good value models, or a site like this will easily overwhelm you with options.

However, I think your fear of the models being discontinued is unfounded.

I am using a Resmed S9, and it's almost 3 years old now. No issues thus far, and I only have to change a new filter regularly (aside from the usual like masks and tubes)

The latest and greatest is the S10 series, which I believe was released in Q3 last year. Both the S8 (2 generations ago) and S7 (3 generations ago) are still popular units that you can get parts for, and I'm sure if you have issues your provider should be able to help you to service it if you had one. They are rather popular units, and you can still pick up a new S8 AutoSet II new today (~USD380), which is pretty good value too - price is not the only good reason to pick up an older model, the S8 is one of the more compact units, and often recommended for those who need to travel often.

The clinic that you did your sleep study at, has a list of CPAP retailers in Singapore. There are quite a number of them, each carrying different brands. Ask your doctor for the list, call them up and ask about their prices, and get a general feel of their support. However, I would also recommend asking on forums like cpaptalk.com to decide what would be a good first unit. (I also recommend buying one online instead; they're significantly cheaper than buying locally...)

While you shouldn't expect a CPAP machine to continue working for the rest of your life, you don't always need the latest and greatest (although it does seem it could be nice to have), and I would think you can expect quite a few years of service from your machine.
APOLOGIES! MISTOOK WITH ANOTHER COMPANY!

actually its for my dad. he was using resmed but somehow the agent got changed along the way and now he got an agent that is working with another company. not convenient to say out their company but the service really sucks.

from the reviews here, maybe i will ask him to try resmed back. how about those websites like CPAP.COM.SG - Singapore CPAP Machines and Masks for OSA Therapy
 

dreant

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APOLOGIES! MISTOOK WITH ANOTHER COMPANY!

actually its for my dad. he was using resmed but somehow the agent got changed along the way and now he got an agent that is working with another company. not convenient to say out their company but the service really sucks.

from the reviews here, maybe i will ask him to try resmed back. how about those websites like CPAP.COM.SG - Singapore CPAP Machines and Masks for OSA Therapy

If your dad already has a CPAP machine, then just continue using it. If you can tell us the brand and make that he has, someone can probably tell you where to find replacement filters, and whatever else he needs to keep on using it. There isn't much of a need to rely on his 'agent'.

If he doesn't have a machine yet, then have his doctor recommend one. They usually prefer one that is capable of data recording, that they support, so they check on his compliance.

I like my ResMed, as it is supported by the open source project SleepyHead. You can find a list of machines that it supports here. It will allow you to see your own data, and figure out how well your unit is helping you.
 

weiiix

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Hi, anyone went for the test before? How much is the cost for the test?

I think i am suffering from sleeping disorder, my partner says i snore loudly throughout the nite.
And also feels very tired during the day, like didnt have enough of sleep.

I just join R**m** not long, so was thinking why not go for a checkup. If really got sleep apnea, at least dont have to pay for the test and the CPAP. It also helps improve my daily life.
 

dreant

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Hi, anyone went for the test before? How much is the cost for the test?

I think i am suffering from sleeping disorder, my partner says i snore loudly throughout the nite.
And also feels very tired during the day, like didnt have enough of sleep.

I just join R**m** not long, so was thinking why not go for a checkup. If really got sleep apnea, at least dont have to pay for the test and the CPAP. It also helps improve my daily life.

When I did my sleep study at SGH 2012, it was $450 by medisave. I'm not sure if I had to pay anything in cash, or if I did, it wasn't a very large amount. You can get a referral though the doctor from an outpatient clinic.

More importantly to ask your partner are there episodes where you stop breathing totally (like you're holding your breath). If so, you have sleep apnea, and will certainly benefit from a CPAP. I don't snore at all with my CPAP machine.

If you're overweight, the first advice is always to lose weight first. This does help very considerably.

CPAP machines are prescription medical devices. You *must* have a doctor's prescription to buy one. I'm not sure if you would be allowed to buy one without a prescription, even if you worked for them - I would think you shouldn't be due to compliance reasons. It's not unlike a sleeping pill manufacturer selling pills unprescribed to their staff.

I would think you could get it at a better price - I'm not sure if you could convince a doctor to write you a prescription for one without a study done.
 
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mikeeeey

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If your dad already has a CPAP machine, then just continue using it. If you can tell us the brand and make that he has, someone can probably tell you where to find replacement filters, and whatever else he needs to keep on using it. There isn't much of a need to rely on his 'agent'.

If he doesn't have a machine yet, then have his doctor recommend one. They usually prefer one that is capable of data recording, that they support, so they check on his compliance.

I like my ResMed, as it is supported by the open source project SleepyHead. You can find a list of machines that it supports here. It will allow you to see your own data, and figure out how well your unit is helping you.


Sent the machine for repair. They cant even be bothered to update us on repair costs. Have to keep chasing them. When finally got them, they say they very busy. Will let us know. Then no sound from them again.
 

weiiix

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When I did my sleep study at SGH 2012, it was $450 by medisave. I'm not sure if I had to pay anything in cash, or if I did, it wasn't a very large amount. You can get a referral though the doctor from an outpatient clinic.

More importantly to ask your partner are there episodes where you stop breathing totally (like you're holding your breath). If so, you have sleep apnea, and will certainly benefit from a CPAP. I don't snore at all with my CPAP machine.

If you're overweight, the first advice is always to lose weight first. This does help very considerably.

CPAP machines are prescription medical devices. You *must* have a doctor's prescription to buy one. I'm not sure if you would be allowed to buy one without a prescription, even if you worked for them - I would think you shouldn't be due to compliance reasons. It's not unlike a sleeping pill manufacturer selling pills unprescribed to their staff.

I would think you could get it at a better price - I'm not sure if you could convince a doctor to write you a prescription for one without a study done.

yes i am going to for a checkup, to have a thorough check. Not just becos it is free. They only provide free for employee with sleep apea n certified by doctor.

Didnt know i always snore loudly until my wife cannot tahan, woke up from the noise den tell me better go n hav a check.

didnt know that he checkup can be paid by medisave.

thanks alot
 

dreant

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Sent the machine for repair. They cant even be bothered to update us on repair costs. Have to keep chasing them. When finally got them, they say they very busy. Will let us know. Then no sound from them again.

Because the CPAP is a medical device, I would ask if they can loan me a unit in the meantime, or arrange to rent me one for a reasonable price. This is usually a good way for a company to upsell the current model to owners of a previous unit.

I would also follow up with resmed directly if this is an authorized distributor/repair center. You didn't indicate in your posts just how long it has been, so it's hard to put it into perspective. Has it been 3 days? Weeks? Months?

Also, how was your unit requiring repair? It could be possible that it's time to get a new one if it's several years old already. Which exact model do you have? If you feel the service is terrible,consider buying a different brand unit instead.
 

Eugene_Hunk

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My dad uses it. He has snoring problem. Helped me alot..
The parts can be bought online too. They cost cheaper in the US
 

nWo

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Hi,

Is there a need to go for an official OSA test in a healthcare institution in order to get the relevant paper(s) / documentation to buy a CPAP machine?

What is the cheapest way to do so? Is it cheaper to get referred to by a Polyclinic or private clinic to SGH or NDC Sleep Disorder Unit?

What are the prices are we looking at, and did someone mention that the fees can be offset by Medisave?

Do you think OSA costs can be covered by insurance?

Sorry for the multiple questions asked.
 

dreant

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Hi,

Is there a need to go for an official OSA test in a healthcare institution in order to get the relevant paper(s) / documentation to buy a CPAP machine?

What is the cheapest way to do so? Is it cheaper to get referred to by a Polyclinic or private clinic to SGH or NDC Sleep Disorder Unit?

What are the prices are we looking at, and did someone mention that the fees can be offset by Medisave?

Do you think OSA costs can be covered by insurance?

Sorry for the multiple questions asked.

a) A CPAP machine is a medical device, and you need a prescription from a doctor to buy one. I'm not sure what are the requirements before a doctor can write you one however.

b) Probably starts off with a referral from a polyclinic. It may not be necessary to do the sleep study in the hospital. I'm to understand there are private companies that can do it in your own home instead (and it costs less than doing it in the hospital).

Ask your doctor (the specialist who is requesting for the sleep study) what your options are - they only mentioned this to me once when I was unable to get a slot for a follow up sleep study at the sleep disorders clinic (and had to travel for an extended period of time); but before I could schedule it, a slot opened up as someone cancelled.

c) Costs vary. But if you have OSA, you'll want to get it treated. My initial sleep study was paid (or partially paid?) via medisave.

Wikipedia: OSA, prognosis
Without treatment, the sleep deprivation and lack of oxygen caused by sleep apnea increases health risks such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, clinical depression, weight gain and obesity.

The most serious consequence of untreated OSA is to the heart. Persons with sleep apnea have a 30% higher risk of heart attack or death than those unaffected. In severe and prolonged cases, increased in pulmonary pressures are transmitted to the right side of the heart. This can result in a severe form of congestive heart failure known as cor pulmonale. Dyastolic function of the heart also becomes affected. One prospective study showed patients with OSA, compared with healthy controls, initially had statistically significant increases in vascular endothelial growth factor (P=.003) and significantly lower levels of nitrite-nitrate (P=.008), which might be pathogenic factors in the cardiovascular complications of OSA. These factors reversed to normal levels after 12 weeks of treatment by CPAP, but further long-term trials are needed to assess the impact of this therapy.

Elevated arterial pressure (i.e., hypertension) can be a consequence of OSA syndrome. When hypertension is caused by OSA, it is distinctive in that, unlike most cases (so-called essential hypertension), the readings do not drop significantly when the individual is sleeping. Stroke is also known to be associated with OSA.


d) It depends on your insurance policy. Check the fine print carefully, or consult with your agent.
 
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kreja

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Anybody tried apex cpap machine before? Is looking for a cpap machine. Considering between apex and philips
 

addict951

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Those wif sleep apnea here in this thread.

erm, are yall, erm, on the, erm, fat/obese side? Oops, sorry :o
You snore during sleep and upon waking up you can feel your throat like sibei dry?
 

Shu

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Those wif sleep apnea here in this thread.

erm, are yall, erm, on the, erm, fat/obese side? Oops, sorry :o
You snore during sleep and upon waking up you can feel your throat like sibei dry?

Was recently diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea during the REM phase of the sleep cycle. Rest of the phases seem OK, but because REM is when the body recharges and "rests" it's an issue for me.

If you wake up with a dry mouth it's because you're breathing through your mouth when you sleep. Could be because of sleep apnea, blocked sinus (either allergies or physical defect like deviated septum).

Most people with sleep apnea tend to be on the bigger side. But obesity is not necessarily a symptom.

Same thing with snoring. Most snore, but you may not snore if you have sleep apnea.

Only way to find out is to do a sleep study. You can do it in the hospital (as previous posts have described), or do it at home. My ENT Dr suggested I do it at home through a private company (ERIKG) because it's cheaper and faster. This is the company that NUH recommends I think.

It cost me $300, and I had to wait for about a week to book an important. A rep will come to your place at 9.30pm or 11pm to wire you up, then come again the next morning to collect the equipment. They'll send a copy of the report to you and your Dr in 2-3 working days.

ERIKG also has a 1 month "free" trial where you can loan a CPAP machine to see if helps you. It's "free" because it's not really. You have to buy your own mask. You can choose from 3 types, 2 are $150 and 1 is $250. I find the prices incredibly marked up, but boh pian if you want to see if a CPAP machine will help you. The sales rep I dealt with is knowledgeable about describing each product, but doesn't really give good advice about what suits you best.

In my case, I ended buying a mask which didn't fit properly because of my nose shape. It's long with a bump at the top. The mask I got gave me a blister/sore on the top of my nose where the bump is. I looked this problem up online and it's apparently common with people with my type of nose. But the sales rep didn't say anything. I had to buy another type of mask which is much better.

If you find a CPAP machine helps, I recommend buying your equipment online as other posters have mentioned. Much cheaper. I used a US website 1800CPAP. They ship overseas without a prescription, and the shipping by FedEx is very fast (3 days) and surprisingly reasonable.

The first few nights of using the machine was challenging. It takes a while to get used to. If you tend to toss and turn, or sleep on your side, it will be even more frustrating. But stick with it - you will get used to the mask and machine, if you get a mask which fits properly. My sense is that what type works for you is trial and error.

The hose is perhaps the biggest thing to get used to because it gets in the way. It's best if it dangles over your head so it is free to move in any direction. There are several "hose management" systems available which you can buy. Some people just use a hanger to suspend the hose, if there's something above to hang the hanger from.

My solution isn't that pretty, but it's cheap and works very well. It's simply a bunch of PVC tubing (less than $5 total for the parts), some wire ties and a big clothes peg:

2QSJnk3btGot_jyCYrrl9MlMxqVXrgZj6fuMyzTkGNchCOel198ML0h0Hh6XxSyHSusQ0iaaL-X4yeRtsReLa5xirXk66he6hUS8YpC2X_zyBU7A1GCPh92TCi01wSAHSGsq5tv-gQS1m-EnUc2VEHUT8IaymyBmuzSE2srSAjjQJfeRgLgRAlt5_pE68PuhadUeTo-Glkr6Q7-CuOAkdn9b5-MBASgy9Ph6A8AWhGir0ScIl3y5Vb3VQTZAM5cQg-BXwW2NY_cJ4adcSiyJo6MGf0X8i7l94meLoSzwyxZdITmKgBqUMZHuSnhd5eyRvrrcE_wTg3XrmX8cEiHUZ4EVKhAzVWPkBp679e2vn5VgJ0rJX5BOrwzQiwvxcja3_1sNlnafPgDdUGrJSFbLHgQFgG4DYuzv37uQc50frHnHaRfoFSfiflc2g4FqIBrTfIuzbcjYhR1O3wQu0N1ymFTrhIj-i5xuF2Aj5EPjIWRvxuYow2pfDnFUYGt0SP3Kb8sYa63T42GjTKDBjFKHbRWoa8een8i27KOxr5VWPbQ=w478-h637-no


Just sharing my experience over the past month. Hope someone finds it helpful!
 

peanuts1469

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CPAP machine for travel

Hi,

I have recently been diagnosed with severe apnea from SGH sleep study.
Because I travel a lot, I am looking for good, portable and compact version. Any recommendations?

I saw one brand called Transcend from local retailers. Anyone using this, what is your view? Quite expensive, almost double the normal ones from Philips or Resmed.


Thanks,
Richard
 

Shu

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Hi,

I have recently been diagnosed with severe apnea from SGH sleep study.
Because I travel a lot, I am looking for good, portable and compact version. Any recommendations?

I saw one brand called Transcend from local retailers. Anyone using this, what is your view? Quite expensive, almost double the normal ones from Philips or Resmed.


Thanks,
Richard

Hi Richard,

I don't know anything about Transcend so I can't comment on it.

I personally use the ResMed S9 Autoset machine. It's widely recommended. The machine alone when not attached to the humidifier is relatively small. It's not tiny, but it's a very good machine and I think it's worth any extra trouble incurred in packing it when you travel.

resmed-s9-autoset-profile-hero.jpg


But CPAP machines sold here are significantly more expensive than if you were to order it online. We're talking possibly even double the price. If you're interested, I can walk you through the process of buying your machine from the US. There's some paperwork involved with the HSA, but it's really very, very easy and convenient. The retailer I purchased from charged very reasonable shipping rates for FedEx 3 day shipping. I was really quite surprised!

I also have several different masks for sale if you're interested. They've been used a few times, but cleaned and disinfected. It took me a while to figure out which was the best mask for me so I had to go through a few. The local distributor I went to for my first mask made a hard sell to me and the mask didn't work very well for my nose shape. It actually caused a blister, and they had no idea what to do about that!

It was also twice the price online, and even with shipping still a much better deal! So I've made my mask purchases online thereafter after reading up on my own.

PM me if you want to talk about these things!
 

dreant

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I have recently been diagnosed with severe apnea from SGH sleep study.
Because I travel a lot, I am looking for good, portable and compact version. Any recommendations?

I saw one brand called Transcend from local retailers. Anyone using this, what is your view? Quite expensive, almost double the normal ones from Philips or Resmed.

I used to travel extensively for work too, and use a Resmed S9 Autoset. I also bring along and use the humidifier during the winter months.

I've *always* wanted to get a more travel friendly unit. The main complaint I have of the S9 is the size of the power brick. While the unit itself is not very large, it can't work without the power brick, so you need to take that into account, and unfortunately, it's huge.

After about a year, I started looking for a more travel-friendly CPAP machine. At that time, my main requirements were, it must be an AutoCpap, and preferably with a humidifier (for winter, where the air is usually extremely dry, because a number of my trips included countries with 4 distinct seasons).

The short list were:
a) Transcend AutoEzEx USD530 new, USD350 refurbished; +USD140 for heated humidifier.
b) HDM Z1 Auto USD875 new. No heated humidifier.

Yes, as others have mentioned - buy it online, and import it from the US. I'm sure these prices are less than half of what you were quoted locally.

However, ultimately, I went with neither, and continued using my S9.

The Transcend, with humidifier, came up to about the same size as my S9 + humidifier. I'm only saving the weight of the power brick, and I'm giving up a lot of features of my S9. Auto-start, detailed data recording (which I can read with SleepyHead software, just to name a few.

The HDM didn't have a heated humidifier, and at the time I was looking into it (which was very early on), there were a number of reports of the unit failing, and requiring it to be returned for warranty service. At that time, it didn't seem very reliable (and I've not kept up to see if this has since changed...) + all the disadvantages of the Transcend too.

Also, I had read how there were some who have trouble adjusting to using 2 different machines - and so, they prefer to just have 1 machine instead. And so, I wanted to replace my main unit, with the 'travel friendly' one; but the features I would have to give up didn't seem to balance against the weight/space savings.

Also, you will *always* hand carry your CPAP machine when you fly. I eventually rationalized that reducing the size of my CPAP carry bag won't make a very significant difference too.

And after careful consideration, I stuck with my S9, and am still using it to date.

If you're not too set on having the smallest possible unit, 2 other units that were recommended when I was searching were the Resmed S8, and the DeVilbiss IntelliPAP. They aren't as tiny, but their power bricks are either built in, or really small, and so you save a bit of space that way.
 
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beemochan

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Is your apnea operable?
Had a friend that went to Mount E that did tests and op but eventually grew back cartilage due to young age, 13 I think. He uses and swears by his cpap.

Discovered mine quite a bit later in my 20s misdiagnosed as asthma early on. Did a study and op at SGH covered by insurance. Before op I would have significant difficulty breathing on days with bad allergies or in winter areas where 1 side basically shut itself.
Post op I can always breath through both and I think i have maybe a 80% breathing out of a normal person where I won't realise if I don't think about it since I still have minor cartilage that could not be burnt away in one nostril.
Breathing became better when I cleaned up my diet and use a neti pot whenever I bathe, the squirt bottle the doctors give is usually quite rubbish.
 

dreant

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Is your apnea operable?
Had a friend that went to Mount E that did tests and op but eventually grew back cartilage due to young age, 13 I think. He uses and swears by his cpap.

Discovered mine quite a bit later in my 20s misdiagnosed as asthma early on. Did a study and op at SGH covered by insurance. Before op I would have significant difficulty breathing on days with bad allergies or in winter areas where 1 side basically shut itself.
Post op I can always breath through both and I think i have maybe a 80% breathing out of a normal person where I won't realise if I don't think about it since I still have minor cartilage that could not be burnt away in one nostril.
Breathing became better when I cleaned up my diet and use a neti pot whenever I bathe, the squirt bottle the doctors give is usually quite rubbish.

Allergies != OSA... OSA != allergies. They can be related, but they aren't the same thing.

I had turbinate reduction done for my allergies in the past, and it sounds a lot like you had this procedure done. Unfortunately, the clearing of nasal obstructions rarely cures OSA - it can help with with CPAP treatments.

Several surgery procedures are available to help with OSA, but in most cases, they aren't recommended. If a CPAP can work for you, doctors will prefer that as it isn't as invasive.

I've had UPPP, but it hasn't helped much, and I do not recommend it. First, this surgery hurts - it redefined the meaning of pain for me. I kid you not when I say this procedure is painful.

I do sleep a little better, but I still snore (loudly), and while my AHI did improve, it still remains unacceptably high. I still need my CPAP for a good night sleep.

Second, which my doctor didn't really mention, was it altered my sense of taste; after the surgery, when I mentioned it to him, did he then tell me that this does affect some people, and it has been known to get better over time for some... however, it never did for me.

It's hard to describe the change, but after my surgery, coke now tastes like water - I am no longer able to taste certain things; but I can't tell what I can and can't taste. (Chocolate is different but mostly fine, and root beer tastes normal to me...).

Another possible surgery my doctor said to consider next, if I still want to fix it with surgery, is Genioglossus advancement - but I'm not too excited about it, even if it can help, because it will change the shape of your face.

Ultimately, the best treatment for OSA is the CPAP. Having had surgery before, I can't recommend it, and I'm sure your doctor would discourage you from it too.
 
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