Apex XTIII

[musotech]

Hi,
I've been given an Apex XTIII CPAP machine on the NHS to use but no humidifier. I've noticed that the Probasic Zzz-Pap looks exactly the same and that has an optional humidifier. Are they the same machine and would the humidifier be compatible?

[leswaller]

Welcome to the group, I dont know if the machines use a compatible humidifier or not, but many people do not need or use a humidifier ( I don't), but if you do find that your nose and sinuses are getting particularly dry and uncomfortable then go back to the NHS clinic and they will provide you with one. There are disadvantages to humidifiers as they tend to cause condensation in the tube if the air is cold in the bedroom and then you get the equivalent of raain inside the mask. So give it a go without the humdifier first and see how you get on.

[musotech]

Thanks for the reply. I've got a follow up at the end of the month, I'll have a word then.
After two weeks I'm discovering what I've been missing for the last few years - I can actually stay awake through an entire evening! Unfortunately I also now stay awake through some very dull meetings at work!

[leswaller]

It gets better, as you regain your energy you will also lose weight as you will be more active. That gives you even more energy and so you go round the loop again. I have been using my machine since May and have lost 8 kilos without really changing anything else. If it keeps going then I am hoping to be able to ditch the machine next year as many OSA sufferers find that as you lose weight so you lose your OSA

[Sleep2Snore]

Unfortunately I also now stay awake through some very dull meetings at work!

There is always a downside!

Hi,

Welcome, you may not need a humidifier, if you get to the point where you find it hard to breath during the night due to dryness or you can't stop sneezing in the morning ask for one. Some people get by without one.
As leswaller said, you may not need one, but if you do, you do.

S2S

[musotech]

The benefits of CPAP are starting. One of my colleagues at work complained that since I started this treatment she has to work properly from the time she gets in rather than take time over her Emaills! I'm so much more awake at the beginning of the day! If I lose weight that will be a bonus.

[Sleep2Snore]

Good to hear musotech.

For some it takes a while to catch up and feel better again.
For me it was an improvement from the very first night
Even on the test night at the Sleep Lab I felt better in the morning.
Took me about three days before I lost my tiredness completely, but that is an exception. Most take at least a week and more that I have spoken to, some as much as two weeks. Some took even longer as they felt so run down.
Think back to how you felt only a short time ago.

May you continue to improve

[James @ Intus]

I've never heard of the APEX either. Where did you get it?

[musotech]

Apex XTIII

I've never heard of the APEX either. Where did you get it?

It was issued by my Sleep Clinic at Princess Royal Hospital Bromley London UK. The web site for the Apex XTIII is:

http://www.apexbrand.com/product02.aspx?nid=P_00000137

[James @ Intus]

Thanks for the link, does indeed look a lot like it. Perhaps it comes out of the same factory and they white-label it. Has some nifty additional features though. Based on the looks, the humidifier might well work but as far as I know, there's only 110V humidifiers.

Edit: The Apex humidifier claims to work on 240VAC too:

[Tigers Fan]

Excited

What are we saying here, James?

The Apex XT Series looks like the Zzz-PAP from Probasics but it has the sensible design feature of the humidifier being 110/230 VAC as well as the CPAP?

What do you think of yours, musotech?

Will you access your network, James, and find out more about these machines? Reliability, distributor, cost, etc, etc.

I've e-mailed them asking for info but would like to know what UK experience of them can be discovered.

Now my main rig has developed a problem on its second excursion away from home, I'm even keener to acquire a second/travel rig - at reasonable cost as the Zzz-PAP was before the Pound took a dive.

Tigers Fan

[James @ Intus]

What are we saying here, James?

This is speculation but as with many electrical appliances (though I hadn't seen it with medical appliances yet) XYZ China/Taiwan factory often makes it and someone else can slap a brand on it and in some cases add some functionality. That's how this seems but again, that's only from looking at pictures.

The Apex XT Series looks like the Zzz-PAP from Probasics but it has the sensible design feature of the humidifier being 110/230 VAC as well as the CPAP?

According to the specs on Apex' website, yes.

Will you access your network, James, and find out more about these machines? Reliability, distributor, cost, etc, etc.

Some of my colleagues are heading for Medica, where all these manufacturers are, so no doubt they'll look them up. Apex are there with a stand.

as the Zzz-PAP was before the Pound took a dive.

Good point and also why we had to up some of our US-origin product prices. The Zzz-PAP hadn't been updated so while it's still sub two hundred now, and the only one at that price point, it may well change soon.

[Tigers Fan]

Medica

Thanks for that, James.

I will greatly appreciate your colleagues sharing their opinions of the Apex machines.

Tigers Fan

[musotech]

Apex XTIII

Hi James and all.

As I am new to CPAP, I have nothing to compare the machine that the health service have given me. I do have a consultants appointment on Monday so I will enquire further as to the choice of product.
In the meantime these are my observations after a months use.

The Apex XTIII is compact and sits neatly on my bedside table, connected to the mains by an IEC 3 lead. When in use the machine is quiet, making much less noise than my computer fan, and consequently not disturbing my wife, (who can sleep through Armageddon so not a particularly good measure). The adjustable pressure ramp is smooth and gentle. The supplied hose is not the most flexible and even after month some of the kinks from packing haven't softened. The 'WiZARD-FIT' nasal mask supplied is satisfactory but I find hard to adjust to give a constantly comfortable fit. This may be the strapping stretching or possibly my head changing shape during the night! I find that quite often air from the 'exhalation port' is blown back into the face and makes my eyes sore, apart from that the machine has revolutionised my life.
I would be interested in what other people think of the Apex XT III and how it compares with other available devices.
Mine came with a basic camera type carry case with additional shoulder strap

[Tigers Fan]

What news?

Hi James

Your colleagues should be back from Medica by now, I reckon. Did they bring back any news of Apex and the XTIII?

Tigers Fan