CPAP/APAP and sleep apnea

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Dylan_G

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Hi all,

I'm in need of a CPAP/APAP and looking for recommendations.

I've suffered from snoring for a while now (which I've known), but every time I room-share with someone, they mention how I also struggle to breathe/stop breathing etc, as well as mention just how loud the snoring is. So I think the time has come to look for a remedy to this.

I did a "take home" sleep study some time ago. At the time, I had an AHI of 7.6 with 28 OSA events in a night. I know its not severe, so at the time I ignored it... but now its a few years later so I don't know if I should be going for another sleep study or if I should just buy a machine because I know I need one.

I see the Resmed machines are the most popular. Are they worth it? Any other good alternative brands?

For those who use one, where did you get your machine from and how much was it?

What about masks? How did you figure out what type of mask suits you? Or were you happy with the first one you tried?
 
Do you have medical aid? Go for the tests and let them pay for it all.
 
All I know from chatting to a buddy is it is very important to get the one that has the humidifier built in.
 
@saor You've been using one for a while now and managed to get MA to cover the testing?
 
My mother has a machine called "ResVent". She did the study a while back and suffer with it. The machine is fine but her biggest issue was the masks, nasal and partial annoyed her and she went for a full facial one recently and is happier.

This one but she bought it a long time ago

shop.resvent.com

Resvent Medical Official Store

Explore the official Resvent shop for a range of CPAP machines and accessories. Find professional-grade personal health solutions to improve your sleep and overall well-being.
shop.resvent.com shop.resvent.com

The mask supplier was a gent in Johannesburg

restassuredcpap.co.za

Cpap Full Face mask with Headgear (Large)

This Full-Face CPAP Mask is thoughtfully designed with your comfort and better sleep-in mind. Built for stability, adaptability, and breathability, this mask ensures a secure fit throughout the night while delivering consistent airflow. Ideal for mouth breathers or those who need maximum...
restassuredcpap.co.za

The folks who do you study should suggest a machine and settings, its a prescription device.
 
I did a take home test through Dr Tintinger. I can PM you contact details.

They first test you using a ring device, then if they detect high AHI or long bouts of non-breathing (eg in my test I stopped breathing for 90 seconds at one point) they suggest and facilitate a trial of CPAP machines (most are also APAP) and masks. Extremely helpful, calling daily to assess how you felt, any issues, and they also get the detailed data from the machine allowing them to assess and tweak settings. They then suggest next steps.

The best machines are Resmed Airsense. The latest model, 11, goes for about 14k new. Humidifier is 600. Prices may have gone up a bit.

My medical aid paid for all. They do however require a 3-6 month test period to see if you respond well to treatment. You can rent machines for this.

If you respond well to treatment (many people don’t… it’s really challenging to sleep with a mask on all night initially) they then approve purchase.

I did rental and purchase through sleepnet.co.za.

It sucks to have it (mine is not severe but is borderline) and I am not overweight. Being over Weight is one of the main causes, but there are others such as weakness of certain muscles. There is also two versions of sleep apnea, one where it’s actually your brain stopping your breathing, not anything physical, so young fit people certainly can have it, and it’s more common than people think.
 
Dylan_G said:
Hi all,

I'm in need of a CPAP/APAP and looking for recommendations.

I've suffered from snoring for a while now (which I've known), but every time I room-share with someone, they mention how I also struggle to breathe/stop breathing etc, as well as mention just how loud the snoring is. So I think the time has come to look for a remedy to this.

I did a "take home" sleep study some time ago. At the time, I had an AHI of 7.6 with 28 OSA events in a night. I know its not severe, so at the time I ignored it... but now its a few years later so I don't know if I should be going for another sleep study or if I should just buy a machine because I know I need one.

I see the Resmed machines are the most popular. Are they worth it? Any other good alternative brands?

For those who use one, where did you get your machine from and how much was it?

What about masks? How did you figure out what type of mask suits you? Or were you happy with the first one you tried?
Click to expand...
There's alot of people who are selling them 2nd hand. Check on the South Africa bariatric surgery facebook pages. But if you have medical aid then go the medical aid route. Did the doctor tell you what the root cause of your sleep apnea was? Mine was due to my weight and once that was sorted the apnea went away.
 
SeRpEnT said:
Pretty sure that you need some kind of executive larnie medical aid to cover that...
Click to expand...
not really hey. My quote was around 12k for the machine + all fittings and it gets paid out of your medical savings account.
 
Went through this recently.

Ended up. With the Yuwell 680 something. Going a few months, no regrets.

Dead quiet, auto start and auto switch off.

I am a new man after this. Would recommend if you suffer from sleep apenea.
 
ice_cubes said:
not really hey. My quote was around 12k for the machine + all fittings and it gets paid out of your medical savings account.
Click to expand...

Ok , well there you go then....
You paid for it yourself basically. A 12K knock to any of the lower and middle end medical aid plans will pretty much empty it leaving you to pay for any procedures etc later in the year.
 
Kosmik said:
My mother has a machine called "ResVent". She did the study a while back and suffer with it. The machine is fine but her biggest issue was the masks, nasal and partial annoyed her and she went for a full facial one recently and is happier.

This one but she bought it a long time ago

shop.resvent.com

Resvent Medical Official Store

Explore the official Resvent shop for a range of CPAP machines and accessories. Find professional-grade personal health solutions to improve your sleep and overall well-being.
shop.resvent.com shop.resvent.com

The mask supplier was a gent in Johannesburg

restassuredcpap.co.za

Cpap Full Face mask with Headgear (Large)

This Full-Face CPAP Mask is thoughtfully designed with your comfort and better sleep-in mind. Built for stability, adaptability, and breathability, this mask ensures a secure fit throughout the night while delivering consistent airflow. Ideal for mouth breathers or those who need maximum...
restassuredcpap.co.za

The folks who do you study should suggest a machine and settings, its a prescription device.
Click to expand...
I use this machine, but with this mask https://ecomed.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Yuwell-YF-02-Full-Face-Mask.pdf
It's been a life changer. This year for the first time (I've had it since Sept 2023), I found mold in the pipe, a lot of it. I think what happened was that our cleaning lady didn't wash it properly. The pipe is meant to be washed weekly with a water+vinegar solution, and hung up to dry completely.

I've been coughing like a smoker for weeks now. My husband has also been sick the last 3 weeks or so, so I'm not convinced that it's from the mold, but I cough a lot worse than him. I stop breathing when coughing, so that's been fun.

Anyway. Make sure to clean your machine regularly. Use distilled water, empty out and refill the tank every day. Do not use with a humidifier in the room. Make sure all parts are dry before using
 
As for how I got it, I'm on disc priority classic. Had to pay from MSA
 
SeRpEnT said:
Ok , well there you go then....
You paid for it yourself basically. A 12K knock to any of the lower and middle end medical aid plans will pretty much empty it leaving you to pay for any procedures etc later in the year.
Click to expand...
I didn't buy it. Figured it won't be worth it if my situation was temporary. But they also gave an option of a monthly rental. R700 a month.

But yes, I agree 12k is abit steep.
 
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