Pmnorth, I cannot imagine why you could not apply the subsidy to an APAP machine if you were prepared to fund the balance yourself.  Assistive Devices surely doesn't care what machine you get.

If you have Extended Health insurance, it may pay for things like the mask and other supplies.  Our EHC insurance paid a portion of my husband's costs, 80% I think.  And remember, anything you pay out of your own pocket is a medical expense for the income tax.

One reason why your sleep study was a miserable experience is that OHIP pays less the $400 a night per study!

Hi Frances, I might have been able to get the supplier to go along with an upgrade to the APAP if I paid the difference, but I am an independent contractor with diabetes, so no supplementary insurance. The mask, card reader, software and various materials will cost enough out of pocket already. Materials so far have included:
•    ear plug material to improve mask fit
•    a variety of padding materials to relieve mask discomfort
•    nasal rinse to relieve congestion
•    aspirin to relieve headache after bad nights
•    baby shampoo to clean face & masks
•    room humidifier to raise humidity level sufficiently to reduce congestion, and the search for comfort goes on…

I have finally gotten the mask leak down to close to acceptable as well as reducing my congestion sufficiently that I don’t keep waking up in a panic feeling claustrophobic. Now if I can only get rid of the dry mouth and high AHI I think I might actually get a good nights rest.


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Machine: ResMed S8 Elite
Humidifier: HumidAire 3i

Goshes, PMNorth, you've got a great fully data capable CPAP there w/that Resmed S8 Elite!!! Does the Humidiaire 3i not provide enough humidity when turned all the way up? It sure sounds more like air is escaping between your lips during the night and that is the cause of your dryness and high AI.

Try some PoliGrip Denture  Gel. Spread a thin layer on your lips from corner of mouth to corner of mouth. If you need to open your mouth you can easily do so and its only a matter of licking your lips w/your tongue to moisten them and then pressing them together to reseal your lips. It won't hurt your lips at all - remember PoliGrip is intended to be used IN the mouth so its safe.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Hello CrohnieToo, I have a beard so the poligrip solution sounds pretty messy to me. Anyway I have gotten the leaking pretty much under control now. I am trying out the Mirage Liberty mask with nasal pillows and that leaks a lot less but it takes some getting used to. So far I have had to switch back to the Ultra Mirage FF in the middle of the night because of dry mouth with the Liberty. While the Ultra was leaking quite a bit originally, I found that I had it too loose, 'loose is better' just doesn't work for me. The problem with the tighter fit was the consequent discomfort, particularly on my forehead. I now have that cushioned. I am experimenting with various cushion solutions & will post results at the end of the experiment stage. Last night was a cotton blanket made of the absorbent cotton sheets that I got from the pharmacy (lots of cotton for little $). The other options that I intend to try are cheap shoe insoles (not the more expensive ones that are impregnated with stuff for foot odor). I will also try some moleskin but that is more expensive & I hope that one of the other options works as well.

The dry mouth problem is much worse with the Liberty for some reason. Since it has only been a couple of days that I have been trying out that mask I intend to continue with it for a while & hope I get accustomed to that one since I find it otherwise more comfortable. The AHI issue is probably due to the pressure being too low. It is coming down as leaks, etc. are coming under control, so I’m leaving that variable alone for now. The card reader and software are vital to assessing the results of all these trials, I couldn't do this without that data.


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Machine: ResMed S8 Elite
Humidifier: HumidAire 3i

Ah, yes, the data! I agree w/you whole heartedly on that one. I loved my Elite and the easy access to so much data via the LED screen. When I got the software and cable reader I was in my glory. If nothing else curiosity killed the cat - but satisfaction brings it back. Right? It sounds like you are going about this methodically w/careful thinking things thru. You're gonna do great. Time & patience are the key and the frustration.

So what if you have a beard? Trim around your mouth neatly. It looks better that way anyway, especially when eating w/others present. And make note I said THIN layer of PoliGrip. THIN.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Quote:

So what if you have a beard? Trim around your mouth neatly. It looks better that way anyway, especially when eating w/others present

Makes kissing nicer too!

The kissing is definitely a matter of individual taste. One woman I lived with got really upset if I trimed my beard too short. She really liked the feel of it when it was a bit longer. I have had this beard this way for so long I would probably scare myself in the bathroom mirror in the middle of the night, so I have decided to try all other options before trimming or removing. That said, the woman is no longer around so I do keep it trimmed a bit shorter.


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Machine: ResMed S8 Elite
Humidifier: HumidAire 3i

My partner would be disappointed if I were to trim my beard severely.

All I am saying is trim the darn thing neatly along the lip line for crying out loud, I didn't say to shave it off. Sheesh!


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Alright already...snip, snip snip...I'm a trimming.


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Machine: ResMed S8 Elite
Humidifier: HumidAire 3i

My machine was set for 13cm but was only averaging 12 because of the EPR setting.  I contacted the Resp. therapist and inquired as to why it was only averaging 12cm.  She told me because of the EPR setting.  Well I turned it off and dropped from an average 13.2 AHI to 5.4.  Now it averages 13.2cm pressure for the night and I have no difficulty exhaling and no leaks.  All this because I CAN CHANGE MY OWN NUMBERS NOW.  I can watch my own stats because NOBODY ELSE IS GOING TO.

pmnorth.....it's CROOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Accx4...big difference in changing an EPR setting verses an inhalation pressure setting.

Isn't it amazing how we can legally drive a car, own a gun, drink to excess and take our medicine but doctors & medical suppliers won't trust us to adjust our settings. It particularly galls me when I read some of these posts about technicians and sometimes doctors who seem to either know less or care less than their patients.

I am lucky in that my doctor and the technician that supplies my equipment are both respectful and supportive of my ‘take charge’ attitude. It is after all MY body and MY ultimate responsibility. It is certainly ME who will die if I don’t look out for myself.


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Machine: ResMed S8 Elite
Humidifier: HumidAire 3i

And Mrs. Rip, it isn't crooked, I just always tip my head to the side like that when I am contemplating something on my computer.


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Machine: ResMed S8 Elite
Humidifier: HumidAire 3i