got it bad

[hamburgerman]

Hi all new to the list . Been reading posts for a week and thought I would chime in .. I stop breathing lots of times every night .. my wife has to jab me so she doesnt get any rest either .. I dont have insurance so dont what to do about it .. I went to the doc.. she sent me to another doc.. so far out 290.00 and the 2nd doc wants to do a sleep study said it will not cost much at all ... so far not 1 person can tell me how much this will cost . I mentioned buying my own machine and now the doc wont talk to me or return any calls..... so frustrated wityh it all I am not rich so I need help for cheap... I have a friend that has been a user for 5 years he said they are all kooks and he said he has not been to a doc for 5 years and bought his own gear and machine ( he is on his 2nd one ) but mine is abstuctive and I snore like a train like he does. I need help and to me it looks like you need lots of money to throw at it. I may die at 55 like my 3 uncles have .... all from the same thing as what I have I wake every morning with hands and legs asleep and soaked in sweat. and a splitting headache I cant stay awake in the afternoon. so why do I need a sleep study to tell me what I know I have ........ let the fun begin

[Sheriff Buford]

The sleep study can detect a lot of issues you may or may not have. It will indicate your personal sleep cycles, O2 levels in your blood stream, and how many apnea events occurred and when they occurred. Over the years, there have been people in your predicament that have purchased a full data machine, set the pressure at a low (safe) number... 7 or 8 L/H2O and chased their numbers until they found their "sweet spot". I wouldn't recommend it, but I recon it can be done. You would need to educate yourself.

Sheriff

[chunkyfrog]

I believe the person who you need to look up is restedgal, Her posts are a goldmine of information.
If you have no insurance, do you qualify for any assistance? Check with local charities.
Many medical professionals are qualified to write a prescription--even a dentist, P.A., or veterinarian (?).
You can check garage sales or CraigsList (locally). Neither requires a prescription.
Garage sales are your best bet for low prices.
Heed the warnings of those who say you need to have a sleep study--it can rule out other factors that may need attention.
Self treatment depends on what your caregiver knows. Would you have a doctor who knows no more than you do? Good luck!

[JohnBFisher]

Additionally, I know that several sleep labs will do a sleep study "pro bono" when the patient warrants it ... or at a greatly reduced rate. Find a doctor that won't charge you an arm and a leg and also try to find a sleep center that will work with you.

Do keep us updated. You'll be amazed at how helpful people can be.

[~jimnsc]

Hamburgerman - You know what you have but the sleep study tells you exactly how bad you have it. I wouldn't just up and buy a machine until I knew which type I needed. What part of the country are you in? I'm in SC and my sleep study was $250 - different everywhere. I'd start by calling "Ask-a-nurse" and inquire who the local sleep doctors are, then contact one and explain to his/her nurse your particular financial situation. You may be surprised how cheap you can get one if you need it. Hate to see you spend a lot of money on exactly what you may not need - it's tough to say oops when you went about it in the wrong way.! Do it right or don't do it. Amen - sermon over.

[Julie]

A tip for now (because you do need help) is that if you have a recliner, sleep in that in the most upright position you can manage - it'll be better than lying down, and whatever you do, don't sleep on your back (in bed) - the worst position to encourage more apneas... use whatever you can to keep from flipping in your sleep... Also, don't drink alcohol before bed (or a lot at any time), or exercise close to bedtime and don't drink coffee, cola or eat chocolate after noontime if you can help it.. the acidity will give you reflux and you don't want that to keep you awake or half awake if you can help it.

[greatunclebill]

buying a machine without a prescription and adjusting your own pressure is one thing that is somewhat acceptable after you've been diagnosed if you know exactly what you're doing. doing any of this without being diagnosed by a doctor is irresponsible and not acceptable in my eyes. suppose you have central sleep apnea which is different and treated with an entirely different machine. suppose your o2 drops with cpap to unacceptable levels and you don't know it and can't get o2. you can actually do yourself much more harm than good. tell the doctor you need a sleep study and don't have the money. see what resources he can direct you to. if you are then properly diagnosed, tell them you can't afford a machine. there are resources that will likely give you a used machine if you need it and can't afford it.

[BostonGal]

Agree with the folks that say Go See A Doctor. Waking up in a pool of sweat can mean much more than sleep apnea. Hopefully you can find the resources you need for an affordable study. Keep us posted.

[jlklinko]

Hi there
1) Welcome to to forum!
2) x2 on what everyone is saying!
3) You need the prescription from the doc to get the best treatment available and the sleep study is the only way!

[sleepycarol]

I agree that you should see a doctor and have a sleep study -- but also know that for the uninsured that can be difficult due to the cost. Sleep studies range in price and so you may want to check out how much one would cost in your community. Many times they can do a split study. This is where the first part of the night is spent determining what you are dealing with and if warranted a titration study is done the last part of the night. This saves on costs.

Do a search for restedgal. She diagnosed herself and was very involved in learning all she could about this condition and is a wealth of information.

You will need a machine that is data capable. (Already spoken for -- sorry) On the forum there were a couple that someone was willing to donate. They are older machines but are great machines with the Vantage being an autopap. With a card reader you can read your information (at one time you could buy on eBay for about $75.00 to $100.00 -- but well worth the cost).

Good luck and hope you find the help you need.

[hamburgerman]

Thanks for all the replys.... I tried to reply many times and I dont know why but it wouldnt show up.... any how thanks..... I did not mention in the 1st post that I did a home type study for o2's and bearathing pulse and bp.. dont know if that counts... Doc sent me to a speacialist said i looked bad and that I needed another home study that i could not afford.. (looking in to other options Thanks to the list) soon I hope that I can move forward and find help .... and I am very limited on waht I can afford . so much help here Thanks

[freight train]

I know grand pap had some machines availible if you paid for the shipping, but I think someone has taken them. I'm not real sure. If you scoll down, and look at the forum there is a post about it. Maybe one is still availible, but it's worth a shot.

[hamburgerman]

I bought a machine ... its a invacare polaris 5000 ... Dont know much about it .. has te humidifier and looks new . playuing with it looks like there is 4 settings and ramp time .. will study it later after work tell me what you think

[sleepycarol]

Bump don't know of anyone that has this machine but want to see if you can get some replies by bumping to top

[deju357]

you need to check with your local sleep lab, as my doctor and I diagnosed me with sleep apnea due to different things happening years ago, and he referred me to our local hospital sleep lab, then told me to call the hospital, or go in and talk to the financial department, which in turn had a limit on how much they could allow you to make to get help, and I ended up qualifying for it since at the time I had no insurance, and some are non profit, so they get grants for it, so check that way, don't give up as the sleep test can tell it all....