Please help need emergency advice.

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
DanielD
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Joined: Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:00 pm

Please help need emergency advice.

Post by DanielD » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:20 pm

Hello, thank you for this forum. I want to ask for some advice on sleep apnea and which cpap to use. I understand that this info is probably on the forum already, but this is an emergency and I cant risk the time, trying to find it. I believe my mother has had sleep Apnea for most of her life. He has developed many health problems recently. Recently her ability to speak correctly has severely diminished. She can barley form a sentence to communicate people. She got fired from her job yesterday, because of this. We dont have the money for a sleep study. She doesn't have insurance either. My best conclusion is that I need to get her on a used cpap, off craigslist, immediately. She sleeps on her back every night, and cant stay on her side, when she's tries. Can anybody give me some quick advice on what kind of cpap I should get and anything else I should know? We dont have much money so I need the best cpap for its function, not for its fancy lcd screens or other unnecessary options. Thank you. She has been getting worse every day. She is 62
Last edited by DanielD on Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

jim22
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Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by jim22 » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:18 pm

This almost goes without saying, but she may have a serious condition, more than just sleep apnea, and you need to get her proffessional medical attention immediately. If the doctors rule out other serious stuff, then come back and we can talk CPAP, but I think she may have much bigger issues. If you really cant pay medical bills there must be a way to get her seen at urgent care or an emergency room. I am wishing you and her the best.
Jim

_________________
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Cardsfan
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Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by Cardsfan » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:24 pm

Take her to the Emergency Room now. They have social services people there to help you with finances.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
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kteague
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Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by kteague » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:33 pm

Hello and welcome. First thing is I would do is go in and edit your post to remove your phone number. Too many scammers. There are forum members with proven track records who often have machines available. Maybe one of them will see this and you can communicate through private messages. There is information on here about the many machines, but it might be easier for you to select a machine you are considering then post on here to ask about it. Since she has not been tested or titrated, she would be best served by an auto adjusting machine that will find her needed pressure, and one that captures and reports treatment data. You can't take any seller's word about that, because techincally if a machine tells you hours of use, some will call that data capable. You also need to know if the therapy is indeed working for her. When inquiring about a machine, get the full name. There's so many models and one word can make a big difference in what features you get. I would recommend not to go too many generations back in a machine. Some olders ones will do the job but require a data card and special reader that are outdated these days. Getting one with an SD card that can be read on your computer will make for less hassle. Do take note of if your mother is ok on breathing through her nose. Makes a difference in which mask to try. In the meantime, here's a few tips for maybe mitigating her issues a bit... Wearing a lightweight backpack stuffed with a towel or pillow to bed might help her stay off her back. If it is determined that she does indeed have sleep apnea, you can watch her data to see if her machine will manage her apneas even when on her back. If so, she can resume sleeping how she's most comfortable. Another tip, sleeping with the upper body slightly inclined to counteract gravity a bit. Pillows are not the best way to accomplish this as they shift and slide and allow the neck to not stay straight. An easy way to accomplish this without extra purchases is to fold a quilt or comforter to where it's about the width of a pillow and covers the entire width of the bed. Place it between the mattress and box spring along the head of the bed. It will give the upper body just a few inches of lift. Another thing, if you happen to have one of those c-shaped travel pillows, wearing it backward can help keep the chin from tucking, which can compromise the airway. None of these are a cure or a replacement for CPAP, but every little bit can help. My condition was much as you describe your mother's when I became unable to work at age 54. Treating my sleep apnea and getting proper sleep allowed a great deal of healing over time. I also had limb movement issues with jumpy legs affecting my sleep, and even with both sleep disorders, I have been able to get restorative sleep. Hopefully your mother can too. Also, check any meds she is on for side effects. What is her relationship with her doctor? Hopefully they have already been ruling out other medical issues. Have her symptoms been progressive or fairly recent onset? With her income gone, maybe a local clinic is an option for her. When I first was uninsured I had to leave my regular doctors and go to an income based treatment center. Actually, even after my Medicare wnet into effect, I chose to stay with the clinic as I had no qualms about my treatment there. Good luck with everything. Your efforts on behalf of your mom are commendable. Good that she has you to navigate this with her. Please do be sure there's not something else going on that needs attention.

_________________
Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece
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Additional Comments: Bleep/DreamPort for full nights, Tap Pap for shorter sessions

DanielD
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Joined: Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:00 pm

Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by DanielD » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:37 pm

A hospital is not an option right now. She just went to hospital for full check, and they said she didn't have any signs of something serious.They did X-rays, and cat scan ect. Now we have a $16000 bill. She has had trouble speaking and low blood sugar for a year. We thought it was caused by diabetes. But now I know she has apnea. Please let me know what I should know about cpap etc, so she can actually get some deep sleep. She eats healthy and exercises. So far I see resmed 10 is the most popular cpap. I see them on craigslist. She automatically breathes though her mouth while lying on her back. What masks should I buy? heated hose info? was also thinking of getting an oxygen tank to add to it.

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DreamStalker
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Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by DreamStalker » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:39 pm

DanielD wrote:Hello, thank you for this forum. I want to ask for some advice on sleep apnea and which cpap to use. I understand that this info is probably on the forum already, but this is an emergency and I cant risk the time, trying to find it. I believe my mother has had sleep Apnea for most of her life. He has developed many health problems recently. Recently her ability to speak correctly has severely diminished. She can barley form a sentence to communicate people. She got fired from her job yesterday, because of this. We dont have the money for a sleep study. She doesn't have insurance either. My best conclusion is that I need to get her on a used cpap, off craigslist, immediately. She sleeps on her back every night, and cant stay on her side, when she's tries. Can anybody give me some quick advice on what kind of cpap I should get and anything else I should know? We dont have much money so I need the best cpap for its function, not for its fancy lcd screens or other unnecessary options. Thanks you. I can be reached at xxx-xxx-xxxx, is someone would prefer to call me. She has been getting worse every day, and I am scared. She is 62
EDITED TO REMOVE PERSON INFO:
Last edited by DreamStalker on Fri Nov 24, 2017 4:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
President-pretender, J. Biden, said "the DNC has built the largest voter fraud organization in US history". Too bad they didn’t build the smartest voter fraud organization and got caught.

DanielD
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:00 pm

Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by DanielD » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:55 pm

DreamStalker wrote:
DanielD wrote:Hello, thank you for this forum. I want to ask for some advice on sleep apnea and which cpap to use. I understand that this info is probably on the forum already, but this is an emergency and I cant risk the time, trying to find it. I believe my mother has had sleep Apnea for most of her life. He has developed many health problems recently. Recently her ability to speak correctly has severely diminished. She can barley form a sentence to communicate people. She got fired from her job yesterday, because of this. We dont have the money for a sleep study. She doesn't have insurance either. My best conclusion is that I need to get her on a used cpap, off craigslist, immediately. She sleeps on her back every night, and cant stay on her side, when she's tries. Can anybody give me some quick advice on what kind of cpap I should get and anything else I should know? We dont have much money so I need the best cpap for its function, not for its fancy lcd screens or other unnecessary options. Thanks you. I can be reached at 214-808-9759, is someone would prefer to call me. She has been getting worse every day, and I am scared. She is 62
It's a weird phone number ... 214-808-9759

So is this one ... 214-808-9759

Yes. Im a kit car broker.

And this one ... 214-808-9759

DanielD
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:00 pm

Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by DanielD » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:01 pm

kteague wrote:Hello and welcome. First thing is I would do is go in and edit your post to remove your phone number. Too many scammers. There are forum members with proven track records who often have machines available. Maybe one of them will see this and you can communicate through private messages. There is information on here about the many machines, but it might be easier for you to select a machine you are considering then post on here to ask about it. Since she has not been tested or titrated, she would be best served by an auto adjusting machine that will find her needed pressure, and one that captures and reports treatment data. You can't take any seller's word about that, because techincally if a machine tells you hours of use, some will call that data capable. You also need to know if the therapy is indeed working for her. When inquiring about a machine, get the full name. There's so many models and one word can make a big difference in what features you get. I would recommend not to go too many generations back in a machine. Some olders ones will do the job but require a data card and special reader that are outdated these days. Getting one with an SD card that can be read on your computer will make for less hassle. Do take note of if your mother is ok on breathing through her nose. Makes a difference in which mask to try. In the meantime, here's a few tips for maybe mitigating her issues a bit... Wearing a lightweight backpack stuffed with a towel or pillow to bed might help her stay off her back. If it is determined that she does indeed have sleep apnea, you can watch her data to see if her machine will manage her apneas even when on her back. If so, she can resume sleeping how she's most comfortable. Another tip, sleeping with the upper body slightly inclined to counteract gravity a bit. Pillows are not the best way to accomplish this as they shift and slide and allow the neck to not stay straight. An easy way to accomplish this without extra purchases is to fold a quilt or comforter to where it's about the width of a pillow and covers the entire width of the bed. Place it between the mattress and box spring along the head of the bed. It will give the upper body just a few inches of lift. Another thing, if you happen to have one of those c-shaped travel pillows, wearing it backward can help keep the chin from tucking, which can compromise the airway. None of these are a cure or a replacement for CPAP, but every little bit can help. My condition was much as you describe your mother's when I became unable to work at age 54. Treating my sleep apnea and getting proper sleep allowed a great deal of healing over time. I also had limb movement issues with jumpy legs affecting my sleep, and even with both sleep disorders, I have been able to get restorative sleep. Hopefully your mother can too. Also, check any meds she is on for side effects. What is her relationship with her doctor? Hopefully they have already been ruling out other medical issues. Have her symptoms been progressive or fairly recent onset? With her income gone, maybe a local clinic is an option for her. When I first was uninsured I had to leave my regular doctors and go to an income based treatment center. Actually, even after my Medicare wnet into effect, I chose to stay with the clinic as I had no qualms about my treatment there. Good luck with everything. Your efforts on behalf of your mom are commendable. Good that she has you to navigate this with her. Please do be sure there's not something else going on that needs attention.
Thank you so very much for your lengthy response. She doesn't have a family doctor right now. I will search for that type of cpap.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by chunkyfrog » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:10 pm

I am afraid that to tell you anything except to get medical help
would be no better than the snake oil peddlers we warn people about.
This sounds serious!

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kteague
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Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by kteague » Fri Nov 24, 2017 4:24 pm

DanielD wrote: was also thinking of getting an oxygen tank to add to it.
Whoa!! You don't even know if she needs one. If her issue really is sleep apnea, once it is treated any oxygen drops due to sleep apnea will be resolved.

_________________
Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Bleep/DreamPort for full nights, Tap Pap for shorter sessions

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DreamStalker
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Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by DreamStalker » Fri Nov 24, 2017 4:41 pm

DanielD wrote: Yes. Im a kit car broker.
My sincere apologies for doubting your sincerity.

I edited my post to remove links and number ... but you would need to remove them from your post where you quoted me above.

As for your mother:

The speech issue would automatically suggest stroke but the hospital visit would have diagnosed for that.

The low blood sugar is counter to type II diabetics but again the hospital visit should have done blood tests to check for any endocrine issues including pancreas and thyroid.

The sleeping with mouth open is indeed a characteristic for sleep apnea for some but not always. Congestive heart failure might cause a need for more oxygen but again the hospital should have discovered that if it were the case.

For the $16K you could have done the formal sleep study but I believe there are at-home sleep studies that can be done for less?

If she checked out from the hospital ok, you need to slow down and try and get her in to an internist physician and be sure to describe all symptoms and concerns as detailed as possible then take it form there.

Hope everything works out.
President-pretender, J. Biden, said "the DNC has built the largest voter fraud organization in US history". Too bad they didn’t build the smartest voter fraud organization and got caught.

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Julie
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Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by Julie » Fri Nov 24, 2017 4:49 pm

Daniel, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. The thing is, you don't 'know' what you don't know and that worries me for your mother. I spent a lot of decades working with neurologists and researchers, learning many things I could not possibly have known about otherwise, things the general public rarely hear about unless personally involved, and I absolutely urge you to have your mother seen by someone like that before you charge ahead with Cpap because it seems to make sense to you, today, right now, based on whatever you think you found out.

There are a few conditions which may look like (or even accompany) apnea... your mother may have apnea, but she may also have more subtle problems whether early Alzheimer's, other circulatory problems, neurologic or neurosurgical ones that aren't so common but definitely need seeing by experts, not strangers on the internet. Slow down on Cpap, but get the right kind of help for your mother now, not in weeks etc of dithering around here. And good luck!
Last edited by Julie on Fri Nov 24, 2017 5:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

FrederickRose
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Re: Please help need emergency advice.

Post by FrederickRose » Fri Nov 24, 2017 5:00 pm

DanielD wrote:A hospital is not an option right now. She just went to hospital for full check, and they said she didn't have any signs of something serious.They did X-rays, and cat scan ect. Now we have a $16000 bill. She has had trouble speaking and low blood sugar for a year. We thought it was caused by diabetes. But now I know she has apnea. Please let me know what I should know about cpap etc, so she can actually get some deep sleep. She eats healthy and exercises. So far I see resmed 10 is the most popular cpap. I see them on craigslist. She automatically breathes though her mouth while lying on her back. What masks should I buy? heated hose info? was also thinking of getting an oxygen tank to add to it.
In the United States, an ER cannot turn you away because of debt or finances.
I am not a sleep specialist, and nothing I say on the forum should be taken as medical advice.