Second hand CPAP/BIPAP Machine?

[JaneChapple]

Hi all

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas.

I hope its ok to post this. I recently vot turned down for CPAP trial re overnight sleep study. However, my own gadget telos me I may have mild/moderate sleep apnoea and I think the time has come for me to trial a CPAP/BIPAP myself. If anyone has one they no longer use Id be willing to buy at reasonable price. Please message me if you can help.

Many thanks

Jane

[Ian1967]

Hi Jane, you can’t simply buy a CPAP or BiPAP machine to set it up yourself, these machines are Non Invasive Ventilators, the operative word being Ventilator, they have to be set up by a Respiratory Specialist, I use BiPAP and oxygen at bedtime for CO2 retention, it’s is only available on Prescription.

Why were you turned down for a Sleep Study, was it because of the pandemic, or were you told your sleep apnoea wasn’t severe enough?

If you are suffering stopping breathing in your sleep and gasping for breath and waking up or are drowsy in the morning, I would be asking for a second opinion.

I have been using BiPAP for three years now and changed my life for better, I really do hope you get your Sleep Apnoea sorted.

I hope I been some help.

Ian.

[JaneChapple in reply to Ian1967]

Hi Ian

Thanks. Ive heard of others buying their own machines but doesnt sound very straightforward from what you say!I have been turned down twice by NHS due to their very rigid Guidelines. I do wake up with a start quite often and my heart rate drops to 40 and can also rise. Idont snore much and am slim. My oxygen levels drop to 76% according to my SleepOn ring which produces a very detailed report. Unfortunately NHS will only take notice of the overnight SPO2 watch they use and will only treat moderate to severe patients not mild to moderate. The ring was designed by an engineer who spent quite a while in ICU after a heart attack and wanted something that didnt have lots of wires attached. Its very clever and as far as Im concerned proves I have sleep apnoea. I guess I just have to wait till it gets worse!

Thank you Ian and Im very pleased the Bipap has worked for you. Happy New Year. 😎

[Ian1967]

Hi Jane, if your SATS are dropping that low it sounds like you might have a legitimate claim for a Sleep Study, you could try contacting this company: eu-pap.co.uk/ I use this company for masks not available through the NHS, the study they offer is not free, but if you contact them they could advise you.

I really hope you do get your sleep apnoea sorted, it can be very distressing suffering from your symptoms, I had a very similar experience my SPO2 was dropping to 72, even though I use oxygen at bedtime, I didn’t have sleep apnoea as I said I suffer from CO2 retention, but fortunately I had already been told I needed BiPAP, after suffering from Type II Respiratory Failure and when they realised my bedtime SATS were so low I had at home Sleep Study, I eventually got my BiPAP in January 2018, after being rushed into hospital on New Years Day.

Happy New Year to you Jane, surely 2021 can’t be as bad as 2020 🙂

Ian.

[JaneChapple in reply to Ian1967]

Thank you very much Ian. I have had two home sleep studies but have been told I dont qualify as above. I still feel I have sleep apnoea by varying degrees. Last night it read AHI 13.2, (106 times) and SPO2 76.7%. Some nights I get very few apnoeas 5, 12 but others as above or higher, so quite variable. Even so I still feeel like I should try a CPAP/BIPAP if only to put my mind at rest. Afterall you can die in your sleep from this (worst scenario!) or have a stroke, yet it seems to be taken very lightly by NHS as with thyroid condition (I have Hashimotos) for my sins! Often wonder what I did in a past life?!

I will look into this company thank you, although they may not be operating at the same capacity re pandemic. Thanks for your help, its much appreciated.

I really do hope 2021 is a better year for everybody, as you say it surely cant be as bad as 2020!

With best wishes

Jane😎

[Moon_maiden]

Hi you can hire an overnight testing machine, either from a sleep charity with an excellent detailed report, I did this and it was accepted by the sleep clinic. One of the CPAP manufacturers also hire out out a test kit and I think they have a consultant and you can buy one if needed via a prescription. The machine needs to be adjusted according to your specific requirements. Not sure if I can mention names as such.

You could also request a referral to a different clinic.

[JaneChapple]

Thank you Moon_Maiden

I have gone through all of the usual channels twice but no one believes me evwn though the aSleepOn ring gadget sa6s I may have sleep apnoea (by varying degrees). Ive read that an SPO2 monitor on the wrist is not a satisfactory way of monitoring and its not the s8ze of the n2ck that counts its the inside steucture of the neck/throat that counts. I did have a second opinion from Yeovil which is meant to ge the best, but even though I sent my info to them from the SleepOn ring (which I believe is far superior to there's) it was not even looked act to compare, and the wrist one they sent was a very basic one which you can buy on Amazon. I was expecting one called WatchPAT which is accredited. I have now been turned down twice . I will attach a picture of my own report in a separate link as it wont let me do it here.

Thanks again and Happy NewYear.

Janex😎