CPAP questions....

[A930Rocket]

Wife says I have sleep apnea. Did the sleep test and they say I need the CPAP machine. Haven't talked to my doc yet.

I've started exercising to lose some weight.

The CPAP folks said I haven't met my deductible yet, so I'm paying out of pocket. It's about $550 and $10 a month to rent the machine. If I buy it out right, it's $1,200. I don't know what make or model the machine is but have a call into them to ask.

I looked on line and the prices range from $350 to $900 for new machines. Any reason why I shouldn't buy online? I talked the sleep study center and they talked to my doctor. They feel it's worth it to rent because you get support etc. The online machines have 2 year warranties, but no support. I feel the sleep study center and CPAP supplier are in cahoots with each other, but that's just my guess.

So, any thoughts as to buy or rent? What make, models and info am I looking for?

[GWN7]

Of course they are in cahoots. If you can afford it buy one. Just remember to change the masks.

Best course is loosing the weight. That will solve the problem and others that might pop up.

[LakeCleElum]

Cahoots for sure. I had one stolen once and bought a brand new travel machine to tide me over till my Insurance got me a new one........The travel machine was $200 and works as well as any.

Since you need a prescription, Ebay won't let sellers list any for sale. However, Craigslist is a gold mine of Cheap Cpaps....Here is a great model for $30:
REMstar Plus CPAP Machine

Don't replace mask and hose as often as advised until your insurance pays for it....Overkill for the companies to make money off U.

[id10t]

Hrm... I've not needed support for mine, except for buying new masks, etc.

Knowing what I know now, if I had to pay the $1200 out of pocket, I would pay it. Had to go without for a 2 week period (mask broke, my mask is no longer made, had to get an appointment for a mask fitting, etc) and I was miserable.

[Racerbvd]

Check Craigslist, I found the exact same machine that I use on there, very cheap, not much use on it. I got it to keep at the other house and for road trips.
Found an extra oxygen regulator there too, use for the same thing.

[wdfifteen]

Is there a reason your doctor wants you to use such an expensive machine, or does that $1200 include everything?

Here is the one I have. It has most of the bells and whistles - everything I need - $868.

REMstar Auto CPAP Machine and Humidifier (DS550HS) - CPAP Supplies, CPAP Machines, CPAP Masks, Sleep Apnea – easybreathe.com

Tube, mask, cushions, and headgear should cost about $200.

A problem I first had was understanding the lingo. I ordered "masks" when I really needed the "cushion" and ended up with a lot of expensive stuff I didn't need. The "cushion" is the thing that fits against your face. The "mask" is the thing that holds the cushion. The "headgear" is everything else that goes on your head. I find that the cushion tends to leak after its about a month old, everything else I have is now 8 months old. They say it should be replaced, but I clean it all every weekend and I don't see why I should replace it. I think they just want to sell more stuff.

I was really depressed when I was told I needed this thing. I was thinking, "If I'm that old, just shoot me now." Not a year into it now and I see it's worth the hassle and expense. Plus my wife says she likes sleeping with a fighter pilot.

[RANDY P]

MIne is the Cadillac of CPAP's- $1100.00

Worth every penny. However, maintaining one is like owning another car- masks, straps, hoses, filters, all kinds of crap.

You can hack owning one on the cheap- do the sleep study, get the pressure settings, buy a used one off CL and then program it yourself. YOu only need the pressure settings from the study.

Beware- many of the ones on CL are used ones, with many hours on 'em and people are just upgrading. Every 5 years insurance co authorizes a new one. Make sure you buy one from someone who bought it but hated it. That happens a lot, too. No use and it's virtually 1/2 off.

AirSense 10 CPAP | ResMed

[RANDY P]

PS it makes a pretty big difference, better energy and less likely to get sleep-induced problems. After a month, you can't sleep without it.

[jcommin]

I hope you did a sleep study to determine if you have apnea and/or the severity.

My machine is a Resmed and is over 10 years old. I'm almost sure it was over $1000. The insurance did pick up some of the cost but I couldn't tell you how much.

I'm sure there are better and certainly more compact units you can buy. Regardless if the cost is 400 or $4000, the relief from not snoring is a amazing. The CPAP has been a life changing event for me. I can't sleep without it.

I have replaced masks, seals, straps and hoses I consider wear items. I buy them from cpapsupplyusa.com.


All the best.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Wife says I have sleep apnea. Did the sleep test and they say I need the CPAP machine. Haven't talked to my doc yet.

What kind of sleep test? I told my symptoms to my Doc, he sent me for the overnight sleep test, wires on my head, sensors on my body, etc. As I was leaving the morning after the test I ask the tech how I did and she said they would compile the results and send them to my Doc. I don't think they ever knew whether I slept well or not.

[RANDY P]

THey aren't supposed to reveal the results to the patient. Only the DR can.

1st test was DIY with wires on my head and a big velcro thing on my chest. I was major fail. Got approved for formal test.

2nd test was in the room with some old lady listening to me, with wires and crap and the cpap that was wireless- they crank it up until you stop snoring and the wiring says you're sleeping.

rjp

[targa911S]

my wife says I suck the plaster off the ceiling all night. I have finally signed up for a sleep test. However, in my research I found that there are two kinds of apnea. One that a CPAP machine can cure and the other that oxygen can cure. My wife had been on oxygen 24-7 all of last year but no longer uses the system all the time anymore just on occasion. It's an oxygen concentrator. So just for the hell of it I started sleeping with it on. The tube goes from the machine to two little tubes that blow oxygen into your nose. For the last two weeks I have slept like a baby. All night except to piss and feel great in the morning. I may stay with it for a while instead of the fighter pilot mask...she says I don't wake her up in the night as well. so it must be doing it's job..

[A930Rocket]

I did the home test first. That led to the sleep study test at the lab. I was hooked to all kinds of wires and a CPAP machine. I slept ok, but there were a few times it felt like I couldn't get air. I sleep on my side and my sinuses on the low side of my nose always swell up so that I breath out of one nostril (the high side). Standing up, I'm ok. I asked the lady who was there the next morning how I did and she said it was fine and the doc would talk to me.

The CPAP place called me and asked to set up an appointment to get the machine, etc. Thar's when I asked the price, followed by a call to the sleep study lab to ask about getting the prescription and ordering on line.

I don't know yet if the $1200 is the machine only or the machine and all parts needed.

I need to ask my doc a few questions, but wanted to get some info first from you guys, on-line, etc.

[RANDY P]

Just source the consumables thru places like Ebay- cost less than using insurance and paying your deductible.

Electrical tape works killer for temporary hose repairs.

[RANDY P]

PS it'll take a few solid months of use to really notice the difference- no falling asleep during the day.

Just get ready for things like cotton mouth, now and then. The learning curve is steep, but once you master it's good.

It is a life changer...

[dad911]

I couldn't get used to it. Woke me up every night for 2 weeks, so I gave it up.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Just get ready for things like cotton mouth, now and then. The learning curve is steep, but once you master it's good.

It is a life changer...

Indeed.
I had the cotton mouth every now and then. Doc told me it was because the cushion seal on my face was leaking. Sure enough, I started changing cushions every month and being careful about putting it on and sleeping in a position that minimized knocking it askew in the night. Cotton mouth nights were fewer.

[rcecale]

Going in a different direction here, but, I've recently been hearing advertising on the radio about a "new" surgically implanted device that is claimed to be a resolution to some apnea issues.

It's called "Inspire"...for what it's worth.

Randy

[wdfifteen]

interesting

[targa911S]

because it's surgery you gotta fail all other cures to get Inspire..