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Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
#1
Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
Hi All,
I'm a newbie to this forum and also to sleep apnea. I was diagnosed in March after suffering for a few years. Last September I got pneumonia and after a month I thought that I had recovered but felt awful, brain fog, weak legs and general feeling of walking in syrup. All of my nice interests became chores. I have shakes mostly in my right hand, and my GP doc considered early onset parkinsion's, so I ended up at a neurologist, who did scans, loads of blood tests etc. and this guy found three bumps (spurs) in my neck vertebrae and diagnosed spinal cervical stenosis. I then saw a neurosurgeon who was supposed to operate and get rid of the bumps, but this highly experienced surgeon checked me out and said that there was now way he was going to operate on me and that the spurs were not causing my issues. He sent me to another neurologist who is a colleague of his. After getting many other specialist inputs, doing more scans and blood tests with no real indicators of my problems he did a sleep study and guess what?? Yup......sleep apnea! I stopped breathing around 26 times per hour. They let me try their cpap/apap machine with a full face mask. I lasted 15 minutes and hauled the thing off. I did not think that I was claustrophobic but I sure didn't like the idea of this mask and that pressure. The machine however was incredibly quiet. It was a Sefam S.Box which they actually lent me to take home for a week-end, but that week-end we had major power failures (I live in South Africa.......or Darkest Africa now with so many power failures!). I therefore did not get used to the masks. They lent me a nasal mask and a full face mask.

My medical aid insurance dragged their heels more than usual, and it took 2.5 months for them to get me a machine. The recommeded supplier only had Sefam machines and at that stage I had no idea about cpap machines or this wonderful apnea board. The S.Box was quite a few grand more than the insurance would pay, so I was offered the next model down, which was the Sefam Dreamstar Auto. I was told that that it had most of the features that I wanted and was also nice and quiet. When it was finally delivered I noted to the salesperson that it had an annoying whine to the fan when I breathed in with the mask as the rpm picked up. He said that all the machines are about the same so I reckoned that I would just get used to it. I didn't! Eventually I stuck the machine inside a cupboard next to my bed, and tried real hard to get used to this while most unnatural process. I relaxed and got to sleep ok after a few nights of trying but continually woke up after about an hour and a half. They would not give me access to the pressure settings which were set by the salesperson to the comfort level of 4.0 and the max to 8.0. Of course, I soon found out how to set these things and tried various pressure and a few other non-critical settings, but that damn whining noise bugs me. My wife cannot sleep next to me with this going on either.

The nasal mask is a Sleepnet Airgel type that is reasonably comfortable but my breathing out sounds like Darth Vader, and of course the air coming out is a hassle. I immediately stuck some filtrex sponge rubber over the holes and that cured the problem, but it looks like I will try to get a Fisher & Paykel Brevida nasal pillow mask because that already has a diffuser for the airflow and noise. 

The next issue that I had after reading this forum is that it is useful to have software like Sleepy Head, or now, OSCAR so that I can look at all of the data. I am a retired (68) electronics technician and all-round highly inquisitive type and like to understand what is going on in anything. I'm also busy working on the concepts of Vitamin D3 and other amazing right sleep stuff from Dr Stasha Gominak who I have also been in contact with, so I would like to monitor my sleeping data. The supplier of the Sefam machines will not give me the Analyzer software and the DreamStar will not work with OSCAR, so now I'm snookered.

I have contacted the supplier and told them how unhappy I am with my present machine, and I am hoping to get some kind of solution. I may not get my money back and be obliged to upgrade to the S.Box, so this is why I would like to know if any of the forum users have any experience with the S.Box. It does look like an amazing machine with loads of features including a Bluetooth interface and two types of software. Quite honestly If I had the choice right now, I would buy the Resmed. The Philips machines also look great, but cost a fortune here. The Resmed Airsense S10 Autoset is the same price as my Sefam DreamStar Auto machine. Thanks and I would appreciate any help and advice I can get.

Keith R
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#2
RE: Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
The Sefam Sleep Box is not sold in the U.S. and I have no personal experience with it. This is the first mention of it I have heard on the forum, and of course it is not supported by useful software that lets you see the efficacy of therapy.  It looks like a primitive CPAP, and its specifications suggest at best, it is relatively noisy and has very little to offer compared to the more modern form-factors and algorithms of something like the Resmed Autoset.

I have no idea what you're up against with this machine, but would suggest the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset would be a much better, more comfortable solution.  I would also try a more minimal mask interface like the Resmed Airfit P10 nasal pillows.  Instead of covering your face, the nasal pillows simply pressurize your airway by fitting over the end of your nose.  Much easier to wear and seal.   We have other South African members, and I will try to direct Heyns to this thread since he will understand your health system and equipment availability better.   This Sefam is a really expensive  box. 

[Image: gpjwzrcs5kblnqdufvbw.jpg]
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#3
RE: Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
Thanks for the quick reply, and your kind offer to put me in touch with other South Africans on the forum. The S.Box is not that old and does have some of the latest algorithms in it. It's own analysis software looks pretty useful........if our local guys will give it out. It is way too expensive in comparison to the Resmed which has the same or better features.. I look forward to being on this forum and hopefully being able to contribute something useful later.

Keith R
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#4
RE: Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
The principles of the S Box are about the same, so if there is software that lets you view the results, it would be interesting to learn more of how this machine responds to events, or prevents them. You can still attach screenshots of a phone or computer screen to show the results, and we will do our best to make suggestions.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#5
RE: Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
Well....we shall see what the supplier decides to do about my unhappiness with the DreamStar Auto in the next day or so. I'll keep you posted.

Keith R
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#6
RE: Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
O.K. I managed to come to an amicable settlement with the supplier and returned the DreamStar Auto machine. I bought a Resmed AirSense 10 Autoset Elite machine as you suggested and I will be trying it out tonight. I feel a lot happier now because it is nice and quiet and know from all of the positive reports that I have the right thing now. I'll report back later once I get used to using it. I have also downloaded the OSCAR software so we shall see........!

Keith R
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#7
RE: Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
The Elite is a fixed pressure CPAP, but has full data capability, EPR and other nice features. While it does not automatically titrations pressure, it is an effective machine when used with data. Good luck and keep us posted.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#8
RE: Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
Did you get and Airsense 10 Elite or Airsesnse 10 autoset. It's not clear from your post. The Elite and Autoset are different machines.
Download OSCAR

Organize Charts
Attaching Charts

Mask Primer
Soft Cervical Collar

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.

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#9
RE: Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
My apologies, I only caught up now (was away for work).

@KeithR, I hope that you enjoy the new machine. As already mentioned, please clarify the model name? Is it the "Airsense 10 Autoset" or the "Airsense 10 Elite"?

Please feel free to ask if there is something that we can assist with. You are also welcome to contact me via private message if you want to share your contact details if you want to discuss something via the phone.
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#10
RE: Anyone used a Sefam S.Box machine?
Thanks guys, my machine is the Airsense 10 Autoset. Trying to get used to it now, and I am playing with the OSCAR software which looks very good. I've had two nights with it now and the first night I managed 4 hours with the Sleepnet nasal mask and the were zero apnea events. Last night I managed 5 hours with one event of 5 seconds. I was diagnosed with an AHI of 16 in April, so I don't know why I'm having so few events?? The clinician said that I have moderate OSA.

Heyns, I'll send you a PM and then we can chat some more. Thanks for that!

Keith R
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