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Hi, I'm quite an old member of this site but other problems have kept me busy... I have some questions!
I got my Resmed S6 CPAP machine back in 2005 from Oxford Churchill Hospital free on the NHS (thanks guys). It has been a very effective, easy device that I have been very happy to use over the past 4 years with no problems at all. Apart from the lack of a decent travel case (for Air travel), I take this portable machine to Europe several times a year.
As I have a high compliance rate the machine is well used. The machine is at least four years old with me using it a minimim of 8 hours every night. I don't have any idea how old this machine actually is, I don't think it was new when I got it. Can I find out? When would I be eligible for a new machine ? I heard that NICE recommend 7 years where others recommend less.
One early problem was a very dry mouth and I would like to try a humidifier. Is such an item available for my machine and would this be available on the NHS? I'm a diabetic with troubled control so my immune system is a little compromised and I am getting the odd upper respiratory infection. I am waking to a very dry mouth and throat and I'm told this is a breeding ground for infection. I wonder if a humidifier would help with this?
A second problem has been my feeling that the CPAP treatment has been less effective recently. I do get lots of mask leaks but could it also be a pressure issue? I get a new mask whenever I call the hospital with a mask problem (they are very good with masks and filters). Would I benefit from APAP rather than CPAP?
Sorry lots of questions. Because I don't travel easily day to day, I haven't been back to the sleep clinic for three years (I understand they don't do sleep lab testing anymore). The machine has never been adjusted and I wonder if it is working as well as it should. Maybe I really should go back to the sleep clinic.
Can anyone help with any of this??
thanks
martin.
I got my Resmed S6 CPAP machine back in 2005 from Oxford Churchill Hospital free on the NHS (thanks guys). It has been a very effective, easy device that I have been very happy to use over the past 4 years with no problems at all. Apart from the lack of a decent travel case (for Air travel), I take this portable machine to Europe several times a year.
As I have a high compliance rate the machine is well used. The machine is at least four years old with me using it a minimim of 8 hours every night. I don't have any idea how old this machine actually is, I don't think it was new when I got it. Can I find out? When would I be eligible for a new machine ? I heard that NICE recommend 7 years where others recommend less.
One early problem was a very dry mouth and I would like to try a humidifier. Is such an item available for my machine and would this be available on the NHS? I'm a diabetic with troubled control so my immune system is a little compromised and I am getting the odd upper respiratory infection. I am waking to a very dry mouth and throat and I'm told this is a breeding ground for infection. I wonder if a humidifier would help with this?
A second problem has been my feeling that the CPAP treatment has been less effective recently. I do get lots of mask leaks but could it also be a pressure issue? I get a new mask whenever I call the hospital with a mask problem (they are very good with masks and filters). Would I benefit from APAP rather than CPAP?
Sorry lots of questions. Because I don't travel easily day to day, I haven't been back to the sleep clinic for three years (I understand they don't do sleep lab testing anymore). The machine has never been adjusted and I wonder if it is working as well as it should. Maybe I really should go back to the sleep clinic.
Can anyone help with any of this??
thanks
martin.
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