Newly Diagnosed

Roberts327 · Post by **Roberts327** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:32 pm

I have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and given a prescription for a CPAP machine. My insurance company doesn't cover any part of the first $1000, so I was considering just going through an online supplier. Is there a signifigant difference between the machines offered online and the ones through a medical supplier? Which machines are noted as the best as far as effectiveness is concerned? Please Help!

jabberwock · Post by **jabberwock** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:46 pm

Welcome to the world of CPAP Roberts327

Have you been doing any reading on the forum prior to your diagnosis? If you click on the yellow lightbulb at the top of the page, there is lots of great information, in particular under "Choosing your CPAP Equipment". That will give you a basic understanding of the different types of machines available.

Did your sleep doctor (or whoever wrote your prescription) give you any idea or suggestions as to what you should buy? I'm surprised they didn't refer you directly to a DME.

With regard to equipment, it would help to know what pressure your prescription is for. Some machines are better at lower levels; some at higher levels. Are you the type of person who wants to monitor and take part in your medical treatment? If so, you should definitely look at machines which will use software (purchased separately) or at least ones that will provide nightly data on the LED screen.

If you would post a little more about what you have been told so far by the medical community, as well as your prescribed pressure, there are lots of very knowledgeable people here who will be happy to help.

Knowledge is power -- happy reading.

Bonnie

Sparchitect · Post by **Sparchitect** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:06 pm

Though I imagine it comes at a fast and furious pace until you begin to digest it, the information throughout this forum has done leaps and bounds to fill in the gaps in communication experienced between myself and the laboratory that started me on all of this. Educating yourself will be both your best offense and an air-tight defense, and is what separates the princes from the paupers, so to speak.

Mask

Additional Comments: Pressure: 8