Student, no budget, newly diagnosed, need CPAP, call for generous soul

[needcpap2018]

Hello!

I am a canadial student in University. I come to this board as I think I might find people who understand me here and who can help me. I have no money to afford a CPAP and the government does not cover it (although we have a free health care system, seems like not everything is covered). My student insurance does not cover it either. I have no way of paying 5000$ for CPAP with all equipement.

My symptoms are getting worse. I am not able to sleep early, get proper sleep, can't concentrate (and it's a must when you are a student), more anxious, feel depressed, pee a lot more. My physician tells me I need a CPAP because it is getting worse. He prescribed me stimulants but I feel like a drug addict. I need to be able to get a proper night of sleep again so I can feel human again.

I come to this board for generous sould who would be willing to donate a CPAP that could still be of use or people who understand my struggle and can use their contacts to get me one... please help out I really wrote on this board desperatly as my last ressource.

Thank you for your time.

[ChicagoGranny]

Until you get CPAP equipment, make sure not to sleep on your back. Sleep on your sides or stomach. Figure out a tactic that works for you like piling some pillows up against your back.

Obstructive sleep apnea is usually worse on your back where gravity is pulling your tongue and soft palate directly into the airway. In other positions, the effect is often moderated a bit. But, this is not a cure.

Good luck with getting the equipment you need posthaste.

[BTS]

Here you go: viewtopic/t171195/Free-APAP-for-someone ... rance.html

[Julie]

Have you looked on Kijiji? You want an auto machine so you can titrate yourself using free software (which we can supply and help you get set up with) plus just having the auto option is lots better. You also want a machine that gives lots of data (to eventually go on the SD card used in the auto machine - make sure there's a slot for it) and if you find likely machines ask us first about if they're good deals etc. You need to ask about run or blower hours used so far and the make/model because if they're toooo old they will probably not help you. What part of the country are you in?

[palerider]

Hello!

I am a canadial student in University. I come to this board as I think I might find people who understand me here and who can help me. I have no money to afford a CPAP and the government does not cover it (although we have a free health care system, seems like not everything is covered). My student insurance does not cover it either. I have no way of paying 5000$ for CPAP with all equipement.

That's 10 times (or more) what a good used one costs.

[mesenteria]

Hello!

I am a canadial student in University. I come to this board as I think I might find people who understand me here and who can help me. I have no money to afford a CPAP and the government does not cover it (although we have a free health care system, seems like not everything is covered). My student insurance does not cover it either. I have no way of paying 5000$ for CPAP with all equipement.

That's 10 times (or more) what a good used one costs.

Yup. Look around. Do a search. You'd be surprised what you can get for little more than a song if you take the time. But, supposing that you really can't find/afford a suitable 'system', it might be useful to spend CDN$40 on a good cervical collar that will keep your chin up...literally. Try medical supply stores, or WalMart, Rexall, Shoppers'....they should have something that won't cost you more than about $40.

[Cpapian]

Machines don't cost $5 grand. Less than $1 k brand new if you buy online .....

Kijji prices for 2nd hand machines are way too high. If you do the kijji route, talk to someone here to get a better idea of the true price and negotiate with the vendor.

What province do you live in? Some provinces do pay for xpap machines.

[needcpap2018]

Thank you all for these amazing replies. Will work on it... I am from Quebec, will try to see what I can get. But if you here of someone donating while I search please keep me in the loop.

[ChicagoGranny]

Thank you all for these amazing replies. Will work on it... I am from Quebec, will try to see what I can get. But if you here of someone donating while I search please keep me in the loop.

You didn't say how much you can actually afford. Here is a great deal, no prescription required, will ship to Canada, get the optional heated humidifier. This is an auto machine with data capability - everything in a machine you need to self-titrate your pressure. U.S. $469. https://www.secondwindcpap.com/ResMed-S9-AutoSet.html

You will also need a mask. You might easily get one donated from forum members.

[D.H.]

How was Sleep Apnea diagnosed, and were you prescribed a pressure? Also, some provinces have public and/or private programs to financially assist those who for whom shelling out CDN$500 is a hardship.

Note that getting a CPAP now will keep your medical costs lower over your lifetime (if you don't take into account that living longer could make them higher due to the extra years of life).

[DavidY]

There is a Remstar Auto A Flex on Kijiji in Quebec asking for $450. It appears to be a package of sorts. Ask how many hours on the unit? Smoke free environment? If it's in good condition, might be worth $200...maybe a max of $250 for everything. New APAP units start at around CAD$700 new from Canadian online dealers....with a dealer, you will need a prescription from your doctor.

There is a Resmed Airsense 10 for her APAP in Ottawa on Kijiji asking for $600 for everything...if it's in very good condition, probably worth $450-$500 IMO...offer $400?

[Arlene1963]

There is a Resmed Airsense 10 for her APAP in Ottawa on Kijiji asking for $600 for everything...if it's in very good condition, probably worth $450-$500 IMO...offer $400?

I contacted the seller about this machine earlier in the week to ask how many run hours it has, and if the seller was prepared to drop the price. Seller responded saying it has 36 run hours on it (and sent me a pic to prove this) but didn't respond to my request for a "best price". So on Wednesday the price was firm at $600, but since it has been a few days and it is still for sale, the seller might now negotiable ..... it isn't a bad deal anyway at the current price IMO. I also asked if it came from a smoke free home and yes to that.

[DavidY]

There is a Resmed Airsense 10 for her APAP in Ottawa on Kijiji asking for $600 for everything...if it's in very good condition, probably worth $450-$500 IMO...offer $400?

I contacted the seller about this machine earlier in the week to ask how many run hours it has, and if the seller was prepared to drop the price. Seller responded saying it has 36 run hours on it (and sent me a pic to prove this) but didn't respond to my request for a "best price". So on Wednesday the price was firm at $600, but since it has been a few days and it is still for sale, the seller might now negotiable ..... it isn't a bad deal anyway at the current price IMO. I also asked if it came from a smoke free home and yes to that.

Papsmart has a new Airsense 10 Autoset (or FOR HER model) with your choice of mask (swift fx nasal pillows/F10 FFM or FOR HER swift fx/Quattro air full face) with heated hose for $799. No experience with this online dealer however.

Dave

[ChicagoGranny]

There is a Remstar Auto A Flex

Which card reader does that require, and is the card reader readily available and inexpensive?

Student hasn't been titrated. He will need data to do a good self-titration.

[Arlene1963]

That Papsmart deal is fantastic, thanks for posting it, Dave. Probably the best online price in Canada at the moment for that model along with a mask. The Kijiji ad doesn't include a mask, and the used ones it does offer are overpriced IMO. (as I recall haven't looked at it this morning)