Which bits of equipment shall I buy?

[Lethargy man]

Hello all,
In a desperate need to understand what is wrong with me and get some proper sleep I found this great forum and have a had a good read of it.

I haven't slept properly in years and the NHS have really messed me around and been very slow to react. I have had the oximetry test and the results moved the NHS specialist to make me an MAS. It hasn't worked.

I have no problem getting to sleep and don't remember anything till 3 or 4am when I wake and can't sleep, I stay awake for a while then doze until dragging myself out of bed to go to work. No matter how long I stay in bed I don't feel any less tired. Sound familiar?

I have all the typical symptoms:

•Snoring
•Excessive Daytime Sleepiness or Fatigue
•Non-refreshed sleep
•Restless sleep
•Gasping or choking during the night
•Cognitive Dysfunction / Brain Fog / Unclear Thinking
•Impaired Alertness
•Clouded memory
•Irritability
•Reduced ability to handle stress
•Sexual Dysfunction / Lowered Libido
•Poor quality of life
•Constant Fatigue
•Partner sleeping in separate room
•Divorce or relationship problems
•Poor job performance (job loss)
•Depression

Copied and pasted with the ones which don't affect me taken out.

I've even caught myself (by waking very suddenly) on rare occasion with a completely blocked throat.
My life is going steadily down the pan and they are treating me for depression, I firmly believe the depression is caused by the sleeping disorder, or at least if I could sleep properly I could fight the depression!

Anyhow, enough of the sob story. Because the NHS are so slow I feel I could treat myself as good (if not better) and certainly much quicker so I saved up some money and would like to buy a machine to help me, but which one and which bits to go with it?

I'm looking at the 'Sleepcube Auto adjust Auto CPAP' or would this be too expensive to be starting with?

What is the success rate of these machines?

I know I will need a mask, strap and hose too as well as other assorted 'sundries' but I guess I will just get the basics first and see what I need to add later.
I'm guessing that most of it is down to personal taste and what you do or don't get on with, but any helpful info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[dravidio]

The oximetry test only shows that your oxygen levels drop - which is usually good enough for a diagnosis of sleep apnea. If you want to buy your own equipment then you need that diagnosis. You would have to buy an auto machine if you were not being treated by a sleep specialist. I have the sleepcube auto - and I believe it to be very good. Getting the right mask is hit and miss and can be an expensive business. First thing I think is to determine whether you are a mouth breather or not. If you are then a nasal mask will not be suitable and you will need a full face mask. Lots of discussions about masks on here.

[Tigers Fan]

You can't go anywhere without a prescription

Hi Lethargy Man

Before you can buy a CPAP or an APAP you must have a prescription. If the NHS are unwilling to give you one - as seems likely from what you say (they seem to prefer to treat you for a symptom rather than the cause)I believe you can get round this by talking to Intus.

Intus offer a service that will give you a sleep study at home, you send them the results, they interpret and, if appropriate, prescribe. Not only, but also, they will give you a lot of information on precisely what is wrong and make suggestions as to which machine would best suit your condition.

They have masks and hoses and whistles and bells, besides. Give them a call and ask for James - he knows the lot.

Good luck

TF

[James @ Intus]

Yes, first things first, you need to confirm your suspicions with a sleep study. If OSA is then confirmed, and contra-indications ruled out, then you are good to go for an Auto machine and mask. (Or fixed pressure CPAP in case of NHS or overnight in-clinic study.) The mask is probably indeed more important than the machine. There are only so many ways you can blow air, but with the variety of faces and mask shapes, the mask is more tricky.

Your list seems to come form our Sleep Study site, so I'd recommend you read the "How to choose the right Sleep Study" guide and go form there. Most can do with the finger puse oximetry study, others may need (or prefer) the multi-channel test. Once the results come through, then you can start the exciting part of mixing and matching the coold gadgets