Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Hi,
I need to do a sleep study, and am gathering information before hand, wondering what brand CPAP or APAP I should be asking for.
What type of mask?
And because I want to take it camping, what brands work best with 12 volt cigarette lighter operation.
And for anyone using APAP (Automatic air flow adjustments) do you find this is much better - like come claim?
Did you upgrade from CPAP to APAP and was it worthwhile?
Thanks in advance,
Fred.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Fred all I have ever purchased are used Remstar units and I got the 12 vdc adapter and used it on our cross country last fall and it was much better than running it from the invertere we have.
Just make sure it has a 12 vdc input jack.
Will you be doing the sleep study at home or in a clinic. With the new automatics there was talk of stopping the sleep studies in clinics to reduce health care costs.
My sister never could get any valid results so they just gave her one. I did not have the time or money for the study so I just skipped it in 2004 and found a coule through EBay. Got my last one through CL and it only had a couple hundred hours on it. I get my masks at a local home health supply store.
For some reason most seem to get put in a closet early on and $200+ seems to be the going rate for new like used machines.
There are 5 others in the family that already had CPAP machines so my need was not in question. I expect I would have been dead by now if I had not got my 8 years ago and used one every since that time.
Google CPAP and read some of the forums. There is a lot of details.
Learning to have the mask VERY loose to get it seal better gave me better results and less of a ring around the nose look. 
12 vdc is the way to go in the MH for sure.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Thanks for the information,
A little searching found this website with DC powered automatic machines.
Clicky
It shows 10 machines with 12 volt adapters and automatic airflow adjustments. I like the idea of no sleep study, especially if a short video can document poor sleep and long time between breathing in while sleeping. The prospective owner can video tape all night long, spend a hour reviewing the tape, and stop it near poor sleep conditions for the doctor's review, and that should be documentation enough for a machine or at least to justify the sleep study, that can not be free either.
Masks can be expensive too!
What kind of mask do you use - and about how much do they run? I see some on this website in the $80 - $200 range!
Fred.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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I like and use the Ultra Mirage II mask. I know it is not too expensive.
The family wanted the snoring to stop as did I because it was so loud it would even wake me up. The first owner had it set on 9 where I started my sleep study. With family input I worked it up 1 at a time. 12 turned out to be the magic number in my case for the best and most quite rest.
The last time I monitored my oxygen level over night I had full control and never dropped below 98% when I would upload the data to the computer and view the over night graph. The oxygen monitor hardware and software was $160 off of E-Bay. I felt better abgout the DIY approach knowing I was getting good control.
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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I have a 12 year old Remstar that plugs directly into a cigarette-like outlet. Still works fine, but noisy. I keep it in the trailer. My new machine is a ResMed that does not run directly off 12v. They have an inverter "kit" that they wanted $75 for. I have a small inverter from Walmart that will run it but it drains the battery in less than 2 nights. As for a mask, I doubt that anybody can help you on that one. There are so many different kinds that you just have to try different ones to see which you like best. The place where I get mine has a tryout period so it can be returned if you don't like it. I've returned one mask and two nasal cannulas, one pillow style. I finally found the mask for me last November. It's smaller than any I've had before. I believe it's a ResMed but can't remember the model. Good luck.
RRUGG
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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I already have a inverter - 1500 and 300 watts, and 415 watts of solar panels, I don't think my 4 golf cart batteries will go dead anytime soon, still I would like a energy efficient unit, I plan on doing a lot of boondocking. That is why I am asking about 12 volt units.
I see several models, and will print out a list of ones with 12 volt power plugs. When I do the sleep study (or if they just watch a video and say here's your machine) I want to be prepared and not get a loud machine, or one that has poor ratings.
I also am looking for input on type of mask. It looks like one that covers my nose is most desirable? I could really use more input on what you like with the face masks.
Thanks for all the input so far.
Any brands that I really should stay away from?
Fred.
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Fishinghat
Western Washington, USA
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Joined: 10/03/2002
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I've used a CPAP for 8 years every night and have gone thru two "sleep studies" that were totally useless. Both of my machines have a memory card that records everything needed for a physician or technician to adjust therapy.
I have a Respironics RemMstar Auto M Series, A-Flex and would recommend that machine. I use a Ultra Mirage II that I prefer, with a second mask, a Mirage Activa by Res Med a close second. When I have a cold, I wear a ResMed Quattro FX, which covers my mouth as well as my nose so I can breath when my nose is plugged.
I've also tried pillows and some other face masks but they didn't work well for me. I have a back up CPAP machine, my older Respironics Auto with A-Flex, which works as well as the newer machine.
Finally, I have two other back up CPAP machines that I bought on Craig's List that I don't use but keep "just in case". (Talk about not wanting to die in my sleep!!)
For those on Medicare, you can get a new mask every three months. CPAP machines will only be replaced if defective or very old, but I don't know how old it has to be. I could never get a straight answer from the various medical equipment providers.
My four deep cycle 6 volt house batteries will power the CPAP overnight thru the inverter/converter with hardly any drop in voltage. However, I dont' use the humidifer, which would increase the power useage. Both of my Respironics machines are 12 volt with a transformer that allows using on 120 volt household current. The manufacturer makes a 12 volt plug adapter that sells for something like $75, but I've found it not to be needed. The power draw thru the coach's inverter/converter isn't significant.
* This post was
edited 02/05/12 05:04pm by Fishinghat *
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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On the inverter we have if volts drop to 10.5 vdc it will go off line. The furnace blower start up can cause this to happen about 4 am on a cold night. It seems like running directly from 12 vdc there is less battery drain due to inverter energy wasting factors.
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mobeewan
Hampton, Va
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Joined: 01/03/2007
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I have a Resmed S9 with H5i humidifier. It is 120 V AC and the power brick converts to 24 V DC for the machine input. There is a Resmed 12 V DC adapter that has its own power brick just like the 120V brick and plug provided and is listed from Resmed as being a 12 V DC / 24 V DC power adapter It retails for $125 and I found a couple sources on line for about $85. I was able to get one paid for by the insurance. They only a copy of my sleep study from the DMEP and a letter from my sleep specialist indicating it was a medical necessity which he willingly provided. I told him I neeed it for when I camped out and hunted for a week at a time and was not able to hook up to 120 V AC. I have not used it yet but have used a modified sine wave power inverter for 3 nights when tent camping using a new and freshly charged (2 days before) 12V group 27 true deep cycle battery. I was still trying to get the 12 v adapter. I still had about 12.3 V when I got home after an initial voltage reading of 12.7 V taken the first night before use.
Beware. Resmed has a PDF on their web site dealing with using 12 V batteries running their CPAP humidifiers. It states that when using CPAPs with humidifiers that some humidifiers might be damaged if using a modified sine wave inverter and to only use a pure sine wave inverter with others. It furthur states that the only the S9 with H5i humidifier (which is what I have) can be safely run with a modified sine wave inverter. On the same trip I warned a friend that had a different Resmed CPAP than mine. He had a rechargeable battery/inverter/pump combo he was going to use to power it. He used up his battery inflating his and 3 other campers air matresses. I loaned him my spare 12 V battery and spare inverter and he went without his humidifier since it was one that could be damaged.
Resmed battery guide
* This post was
edited 02/05/12 11:59pm by mobeewan *
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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I guess that Resmed will be off the list, thanks for the information, it really makes me sure I don't want that brand, especially because it is not compatible with modified sine wave inverters that I own.
It looks like the other brands that have 12 volt inputs are much better at working from battery power.
And knowing that the inverter powered Resmed can consume 4 - 6 amps while running the humidifier, while the amp draws at various pressure is a good guide on how many amps I might typically see my air pump pulling while sleeping each night. A good estimate is 2 amps at typical pressures X 8 hour + 16 AH per night. I might need to add another 5 amps X 8 hours if I require the humidifier, and will install more solar panels if required to meet that demand.
I do have a e-meter that I can use to get a great estimate of the overnight battery draw from the machine.
Thanks for all the information so far.
Fred.
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