I Never Knew?

Everytime I mention to someone I have sleep apnea they tell me about a friend or relative that has it too. Many of these friends/relatives I've been aquainted with for years and never knew about the apnea.

Has this happened to you?

I mentioned "apnea" during the big family Thanksgiving gathering last month. My aunt said, "Oh, that's what Richard has." Turns out my uncle has been on cpap for almost ten years, and I didn't know it!!

A few questions revealed that he's had two machines and has been using the same mask for the past FIVE years. I'm talking exact same mask - no replacement mask, no replacement cushion - didn't know the name of mask or machine. He's on Medicare, but the local DME apparently figures if they don't hear from someone, everything is fine - no followups and never a mention about how often he could get replacements.

I asked, "Does he use it every night?" No, he uses it maybe once a week - mask is uncomfortable. (I can only imagine!)

Well, I had them stop by my house on their way home and let him try several masks from my stash. He was astonished at how much more comfortable several were. And how quiet the masks and my machine were. He went home with my Activa, my Breeze and my Swift! And a whole new outlook on what cpap treatment could feel like and could do.

Oh, of course I have "back-ups" of my favorites....you didn't really think I'd go a single night myself without them, did you?

I don't know another soul that has sleep apnea. I haven't even told my extended family. For years they gave me such trouble over the fact that I snored (especially on camping trips) like it was my fault & I could control it. My mother was especially bad. I think she thought I snored just to keep her awake! I've never really been in a situation where the subject has been brought up. This is the first time since I started on the CPAP a year ago that I've been able to talk with others who share in the same experience. It's nice to know I'm not the "odd one out" anymore!
I'm wondering how often insurance will pay for a mask? Rested Gal says she has quite a few? When I got my machine & mask I was only allowed one under my insurance then. I don't have any insurance right now & Blue Cross of Arkansas turned me down saying they don't insure anyone with sleep apnea...period! (Unless you are lucky enough to get in under a company plan that doesn't require medical documentation) So I'm stuck buying my own masks if I need one. I'd like to try the full face one after reading about it on here! I never knew there were so many choices.

Lavendel
I think you can still buy the face masks on Ebay.Much cheaper than in the stores.
Many more people are admitting to being hose heads.It is becoming acceptible as a treatable health problem. I know from experiance that in the Trucking industry if you had sleep apnea and admitted it, you couldn't find a job because most people was afraid you'd fall asleep while driving. I know I had to hire a lawyer to educate my company so I could keep my job.Now its no big deal to admit to having sleep apnea.

Hi Lavendel,

I don't have insurance so the masks I've collected have been out of pocket purchases, or given to me (won one), or traded for. Ebay was the cheapest place I found to buy masks I wanted to try, but didn't want to spend much on an experiment that might end up in the discard drawer right away. For example, I wanted to try a Hans Rudolph FF mask, but certainly didn't want to pay much for it since it looked awfully big. Bided my time, and saw a "small" HR FF mask on Ebay - got it for about a third the normal price. Glad I didn't pay more for it - an awful mask on me! Took all of 15 minutes before it hit the drawer.

I have no ties to any company - I'm just a cpap user. When I look at prices of masks on Ebay or am trying to decide what I'd bid, I always factor in the shipping cost. Often I've found I could get the mask as cheaply or for only a few dollars difference buying from cpap.com because of their policy of free shipping on orders over $100. I always take "shipping" into consideration when comparing prices.

I really think that the right mask is much more than half the battle in getting comfortable with this way of sleeping. I'm going to be using cpap for the rest of my life, so I want the most comfortable mask I can find. Although I hate paying as much as we all do for these few dollars worth of silicone, I'd never have found my favorites - the Breeze or the Activa, or the Ultra Mirage FF for a full face mask - if I hadn't been willing to keep "trying another one".

My brother is going in for a sleep study this month. I talked about it at work and a couple of guys said that they are not going in to be tested because they did not want to wear the headgear while trying to sleep. Their wives may push them to it, but they won't go in on their own accord.

Well, I can tell you that I am finding so many people I have known for years actually suffer right along with me. It was quite amazing. Even those friends who had their suspicions but may seem less than eager to determine if they suffer along with all of us because they are afraid of wearing a mask. I am so glad I was tested a year ago. My quality of sleep has improved and the morning headaches that I suffered from are gone. My chilrdren thought it was strange looking at first, my wife sees so much improvement, it is just something to get use to. So I ask those who question this. What are you afraid of? What your family may think or are you afraid that you actually may like a good night sleep?

Take care and Good luck!

Jim