Is it really even worth it?

Hi all, it's been a while since I posted.

So I finally met my deductible and have a sleep study scheduled for tomorrow night. My insurance covers most of it, my out-of-pocket will be around $300. I'm Ok with that. My problem is getting a cpap machine. I'll have to start all over again next month with paying my deductible. I won't be able to cover it anytime soon. Should I even bother with the study?

I can't believe how hard and expensive it is to get a piece of medical equipment that can prevent many ailments that have the potential of causing even bigger problems than sleep apnea. It doesn't make much sense to me.

It's December, is the study really worth it? Not much I can do come next month. I welcome everyone's opinion.

(For the record, I've had several sleep studies and have been diagnosed twice with SA. The first cpap was taken back due to non compliance, the 2nd one was a piece of crap and found its way to my closet after 6 months. All of this was nearly a decade ago. It's worse now and kicking my butt. The whole thing is very depressing. Thanks for reading,)

FWIW, there are members that have both new and used APAP machines for sale here on the forum for very reasonable prices. (I'd recommend an APAP/auto setting machine to help you get "dialed- in" on your own ) Used machines are usually pretty easy to find on craigslist in many areas. Acquiring a machine in that way will avoid insurance hassles and Rx red tape. For that matter, any doctor can prescribe PAP equipment for you, then, you could buy a brand new machine w/warranty at CPAP.com, etc. Right around $550 can get you a new, high grade APAP. Are you on good terms with your GP-Dentist-etc. ? Also, buying separate components to make up a mask eliminates any need for a prescription and can be obtained from many sources. Good luck.

Cathyann wrote:Hi all, it's been a while since I posted.

So I finally met my deductible and have a sleep study scheduled for tomorrow night. My insurance covers most of it, my out-of-pocket will be around $300. I'm Ok with that. My problem is getting a cpap machine. I'll have to start all over again next month with paying my deductible. I won't be able to cover it anytime soon. Should I even bother with the study?

I can't believe how hard and expensive it is to get a piece of medical equipment that can prevent many ailments that have the potential of causing even bigger problems than sleep apnea. It doesn't make much sense to me.

It's December, is the study really worth it? Not much I can do come next month. I welcome everyone's opinion.

(For the record, I've had several sleep studies and have been diagnosed twice with SA. The first cpap was taken back due to non compliance, the 2nd one was a piece of crap and found its way to my closet after 6 months. All of this was nearly a decade ago. It's worse now and kicking my butt. The whole thing is very depressing. Thanks for reading,)

I think you should wait until January so all expenses go towards your deductible; there is not much reason to do a sleep study for 300.00 out of pocket if it only tells you what you already know but can do nothing about it. Better to buy a used autoset machine from one of the sellers here for the 5-6 hundred range and auto titrate - I think this would be money better spent.

So is the main purpose of this study is to qualify you for insurance benefits toward the machine? Things may have changed since your last study, and having current results wouldn't hurt. Do you know if once you do get a machine if you will have a copay during a rental period? Some people, after adding the costs over time, opt to apply some of those monies to the purchase of a quality used machine, as has been suggested. If money is an issue, I'd consider that a viable option, in view of you having had 2 studies in the past. I've bought machines off of Craigslist before without a problem, but others haven't been so fortunate. I'd trust some of the recommended forum members or SecondWind before a stranger. Let us know what you decide to do. There's no right or wrong answer here - just the option that works best for your circumstances. No matter how you get a machine, please be very sure of every last word/letter/number on the machine and research it (or ask here) before you accept it. You won't be able to return a used one if you find out afterward it's not what you thought, and maybe not even a new one. I can't even count how many times people have been advised to be sure BEFORE getting the machine, yet they come on here and tell us what they got and ask if it's a good one. This whole process is trying enough without adding the hassle of having a machine that doesn't serve your purposes. Let us know how we can be of help going forward.

Maybe you should dig that discarded one out of your closet to use in the meantime. Something may be better than nothing if you wait.

Hi Hawthorne. I tried a few weeks ago and couldn't get a decent seal with the mask.

Cancelled tonight's study and I'll use that $300 towards a decent new/gently used cpap. That second wind site was very helpful. And good news- I just called my old ENT dr who prescribed my last machine years ago. He wasn't in but his receptionist understood my predicament and was pretty certain that he'd have no problem writing me a new one.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Time to start researching. I love that y'all have links of your equipment in your signatures.

Cathyann wrote:Hi Hawthorne. I tried a few weeks ago and couldn't get a decent seal with the mask.

Cancelled tonight's study and I'll use that $300 towards a decent new/gently used cpap. That second wind site was very helpful. And good news- I just called my old ENT dr who prescribed my last machine years ago. He wasn't in but his receptionist understood my predicament and was pretty certain that he'd have no problem writing me a new one.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Time to start researching. I love that y'all have links of your equipment in your signatures.

Why would this be the fault of the machine? Sounds like a mask problem.

Yes, definitely a mask problem, but in order to get a new one I need a prescription.

The machine is loud loud loud. I'm hoping a new one will be quieter.

These new machines are a huge improvement in terms of "loudness" over machines that were made 10 years ago. Huge improvements in masks have been made as well.

Nothing will work if you don't use it. We can come up with 100's of reasons not to use XPAP, what we need to put in front is it worthwhile to try to secure a better quality of life, or just keep paddling as you are. Jim

It is unlikely your condition will stay the same. That doesn't mean getting better, but worse. It will be easier to just bite the bullet now and get on with your life. Yes it is worth it.

The newer machines are wonderful, but it's more important to get started as soon as you can. It's good to hear that your doctor's office is cooperative so that getting a prescription won't be an issue. It looks like, from your posts, that you were trying back in July?

The two most popular nasal pillow masks at our sponsor's site come with free return insurance. This means that if the mask doesn't work well for you, you can return it within 30 days and get your money back. This is a wonderful benefit given how expensive masks are! They wouldn't be able to afford to do this unless most people liked the masks.

The AirFit P10 seems to be the most popular nasal pillow mask around here (I love it!) with the Swift FX being the next most popular. Here is the page: https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-p ... mask.php#:

I bought a used P10 from one of the regulars here for $20 + $7.50 priority mail. So that may be the least expensive option for you.

If you need a nasal or full face mask, there are similar options. The AirFit F10 seems to be the full face mask that I see mentioned most often and it also has free return insurance.

The DreamWear is the newest mask out and likewise has free return insurance from cpap.com. I have not tried it yet, but some here have and if you use the search function, you can find those posts.

Please get the make and model of your current machine and post it so we can see exactly what you have. It should be like a REF or REM or something like that followed by a small number on the bottom of the blower unit. For example, my old unit is a Respironics REF 550P. Even if yours is an older, noisy non-auto machine, it's better than nothing. I would use ANY machine before I went without a machine. With my AHI of 80, sleep is NOT possible without cpap.

But please don't get discouraged! The problems can be solved with some time and effort. Even the cost problems can be worked around when necessary. When my insurance and DME were taking forever, I bought a good auto machine locally from craigslist for $100 and that worked well for me for the 6 months it took to get all the damn other problems worked out.

Cathyann wrote:

Cancelled tonight's study and I'll use that $300 towards a decent new/gently used cpap. That second wind site was very helpful. And good news- I just called my old ENT dr who prescribed my last machine years ago. He wasn't in but his receptionist understood my predicament and was pretty certain that he'd have no problem writing me a new one.

Smart move! There are also people on this site who from time to time have gently used machines they want to sell. Hopefully, someone will chime in with their names.

A comfortable mask is of utmost importance. You may need to try several before you find the right one for you. I tried four.

Good for you on being an advocate for your own health!

Lucyhere wrote:

Cathyann wrote:

Cancelled tonight's study and I'll use that $300 towards a decent new/gently used cpap. That second wind site was very helpful. And good news- I just called my old ENT dr who prescribed my last machine years ago. He wasn't in but his receptionist understood my predicament and was pretty certain that he'd have no problem writing me a new one.

Smart move! There are also people on this site who from time to time have gently used machines they want to sell. Hopefully, someone will chime in with their names.

A comfortable mask is of utmost importance. You may need to try several before you find the right one for you. I tried four.

Good for you on being an advocate for your own health!

I am on #7, still looking

Yes, it is so, VERY worth it!
I'm still a lazy old frog, but only when I CHOOSE to be.
I actually feel like half of my brain and at least that much of my body had been switched off for years.
Now, I'm hitting on all cylinders!
I feel like I can finally be all I want to be for my family and myself.
There are plenty of used machines out there--some very inexpensive.