My first good night since starting therapy

Armando · Post by **Armando** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:09 am

Hi guys.
I slept fine for the first time since I started my CPAP therapy about a month ago. For the first time since I can remember, I felt refreshed in the morning.
The problem is, I don't know what (if anything) I did differently, so I wouldn't know how to have the same experience tonight.

Perrybucsdad · Post by **Perrybucsdad** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:28 am

ya know... I found that when I golf, if I stand over the ball and "think" about how to swing and all the other stuff i need to do, I mess up my swing and hit a horrible shot. But when I just walk up to the ball, and swing without giving it much thought, I hit a beautiful shot.

Sometimes just not thinking about it and doing it pay off because we are relaxed and not all tensed up. Congrats on the first good night and hopefully you have many more.

Do you know what your stats were?

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:21 am

Perrybucsdad wrote: Do you know what your stats were?

No he has a brick without stats. Another one who got had by his DME for their shareholder's pleasure.

Perrybucsdad · Post by **Perrybucsdad** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:44 am

Oh, just lovely. Why do they even make those devices that don't tell you anything?

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:50 am

Perrybucsdad wrote:Oh, just lovely. Why do they even make those devices that don't tell you anything?

So DME's can make a sh&%$t load of money of our backs. Insurance pays the same amount to the DME whether or not its data capable...........sold a brick...hhhmmmmmmm paid less for it from manufacturer....made a bigger profit from insurance and the patient.

Armando · Post by **Armando** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 11:48 am

LOL Its true my machine doesn't measure stats, but its my own fault as I couldn't afford a more complex one. We don't have health insurance as understood in the US and I had to pay for everything, studies and all, from out of pocket. For now I'm stuck with it, until I switch jobs or win the lotery
In any case, the only measurement I got is the subjective "I slept fine", and after weeks of sleeping worse (again, subjectivelly) with the therapy than without it, I was about to throw the towell.
At least the machine bought itself another week or so by my bedside.

Perrybucsdad · Post by **Perrybucsdad** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 11:50 am

So you can't even get an AHI number from your machine!!??

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:25 pm

LOL Its true my machine doesn't measure stats, but its my own fault as I couldn't afford a more complex one. We don't have health insurance as understood in the US and I had to pay for everything, studies and all, from out of pocket.

Oh G-d, if you were paying out of pocket I sure hope you didn't get it from a DME and pay DME prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You could get a fully data capable machine for 1/3 of what a DME charges. Even less if you bought a used one on Secondwind.com or Craigslist.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 6:44 pm

I get the impression not in US or if in US no health insurance.

Armando wrote:We don't have health insurance as understood in the US

Well then we make the do with what we have. It took me about 3 weeks to see any glimmer of an improvement and I had the software and knew what to do and it still took a little while.

So don't give up. There is so much to get used to with all this stuff attached to us.. the it takes time for it to work once we get all the kinks sorted out. Don't give up even if you backslide sometimes. It will get better, easier and last longer.

It hasn't been that many years ago when the only machines available showed no data and people could figure out things based on how they felt. Harder, takes longer and more work but it can be done.

Armando · Post by **Armando** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:34 pm

First of all, Pugsy, thank you for that. It was exactly what I needed to hear (read?) right now.

I have a question: I go to the US once a year for vacations. Lets say by then I save for a better machine and can get it send to wherever I'm staying: Would I be able to purchase one without a prescription form a US doctor? I still will have to pay full price, but at least I'll skip the middleman.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:50 pm

Can you get a hold of a written prescription from your doctor for a cpap machine?
You don't buy from doctors here. You buy from a supplier but for new machines or an online supplier of even used machines you will need a RX. Our host for this forum is a cpap supplier.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machines.php

My machine is a full data machine and an APAP ( will also do cpap so 2 machines in one) and it can be purchased for $635 US and that includes the humidifier. It uses a SD card (like a camera) and software is easily available.

There are other sources for private purchase like Craigslist but that is a crap shoot and I wouldn't advise someone doing it unless they knew exactly what to look for and check out in person.

If you don't have a valid prescription...then we shop other markets like craigslist or you get someone who does have a prescription to help you.

There is another place that has some gently used or open box machines but they also require a prescription but prices a little less since used.
http://www.secondwindcpap.com/

Usually these online suppliers will accept a valid foreign prescription and ship outside US too.
I know cpap.com does. Except for Resmed products..Resmed only allows shipment within the supplier's country.
There machines cost a lot more also because ResMed price fixes.

Armando · Post by **Armando** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 8:30 pm

I can definitely get a valid prescription from a vallid non-us doctor, so its great to hear that some sites will honor it.
My last question for you guys (for now ) is:
If I get an equipment from an online source: who does its maintenance/service or who fixes it if it breaks?

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 8:37 pm

Armando wrote:I can definitely get a valid prescription from a vallid non-us doctor, so its great to hear that some sites will honor it.
My last question for you guys (for now ) is:
If I get an equipment from an online source: who does its maintenance/service or who fixes it if it breaks?

It gets sent back to the manufacturer. Usually the manufacturer has a deal with suppliers that they will take any machine and send it in for repairs. The supplier may bitch but they have a contract to honour.
But you have your S8 brick as a back up. so while the thing is in transit you still have therapy.

My first good night since starting therapy

My first good night since starting therapy

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Re: My first good night since starting therapy

Re: My first good night since starting therapy

Re: My first good night since starting therapy

Re: My first good night since starting therapy

Re: My first good night since starting therapy

Re: My first good night since starting therapy

Re: My first good night since starting therapy

Re: My first good night since starting therapy

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Re: My first good night since starting therapy

Re: My first good night since starting therapy