I'm new, can I trial a cpap? Before I commit tones of cash

[Dirtyhands0321]

Hello, I've been married 11 years and I'm age 34 and not overweight. I never thought I needed a CPAP, I have snored like crazy and my wife wanted me to visit the doctor. Long story short, after a sleep study, they want me top commit to a CPAP. I think I have an issue, but I feel the whole process is a conflict of interest. I mean I go to the doc, he sends me to an internal sleep study for their practice, than forward me to an internal Shop to spend $657 (Insurance debatable) to fit a mask and than rent a CPAP for 10 months in which they check to see if I wear it, if not the Insurance company doesn't buy me one?!

All I'm saying, if it works great, what if I don't like it, what if my wife wants to hear me snore rather than hear that loud machine? Why can't I trial the thing, why does this sound like a scam?

Sorry to come off strong, I just thing I'm being played.

[palerider]

what if my wife wants to hear me snore rather than hear that loud machine?

modern machines are far quieter than your snoring

[BlackSpinner]

Call your insurance company and find out what DME (suppliers) are in your network then you can cut out the doctor if it makes you happy.
Get a copy of your sleep study and find out what it says exactly
Get a copy of your prescription in your hand too.

As for your questions - the machines are much quieter then your snoring
And the one you didn't ask - you could be making your wife much much happier more often with more staying power if you use cap every time you sleep.
You could also be preventing her from using your insurance, after your early death, to find a hot new stud.

[chunkyfrog]

Untreated apnea can cause ED. For those (other guys) who experience this, cpap can help make the wife happier.

[saltydawg2]

Untreated apnea can cause ED. For those (other guys) who experience this, cpap can help make the wife happier.

Does that mean maybe a comeback is in the future, uh, for those who remember what that is?

[BlackSpinner]

Untreated apnea can cause ED. For those (other guys) who experience this, cpap can help make the wife happier.

Does that mean maybe a comeback is in the future, uh, for those who remember what that is?

It has happened to others.

[Wulfman...]

Hello, I've been married 11 years and I'm age 34 and not overweight. I never thought I needed a CPAP, I have snored like crazy and my wife wanted me to visit the doctor. Long story short, after a sleep study, they want me top commit to a CPAP. I think I have an issue, but I feel the whole process is a conflict of interest. I mean I go to the doc, he sends me to an internal sleep study for their practice, than forward me to an internal Shop to spend $657 (Insurance debatable) to fit a mask and than rent a CPAP for 10 months in which they check to see if I wear it, if not the Insurance company doesn't buy me one?!

All I'm saying, if it works great, what if I don't like it, what if my wife wants to hear me snore rather than hear that loud machine? Why can't I trial the thing, why does this sound like a scam?

Sorry to come off strong, I just thing I'm being played.

Sounds to me like you're in some serious denial there.
Now, if the doctor, sleep lab and DME are all part of the same entity, that seems to be a little conflict of interest. But, you can get the prescription for your equipment and go elsewhere.......and check with your insurance provider to see which other vendors may be in-network. But, once you get the prescription (physical document), you can buy your supplies anywhere.......like from online vendors like CPAP.COM.
You want to make sure you get a fully data-capable machine to monitor your own therapy. Too many places try to give out what we call "bricks".......non-data-capable machines. Insurance providers pay by the insurance codes and every CPAP machine regardless of the features it has, has the very same insurance code.......E0601.

Read this excellent link.

https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what- ... me-part-i/


Den

.

[Dirtyhands0321]

Thanks, everyone for your great comments. I think I will use your suggestions, I think I am in denial, I think looking like a downed fighter pilot is fine if I give my wife snoring relief and not potentially developing a situation where I get ED! YIKES! I will contact my insurance and try to go elsewhere. I see some posts of people handling there own Insurance paperwork and going to CPAP.com, what is the benefit of that and what is the cats meow when it comes to a CPAP. Thanks again everyone!

[Julie]

And until you get set up, don't sleep on your back at any cost because it causes many more apneas.

[Wulfman...]

Thanks, everyone for your great comments. I think I will use your suggestions, I think I am in denial, I think looking like a downed fighter pilot is fine if I give my wife snoring relief and not potentially developing a situation where I get ED! YIKES! I will contact my insurance and try to go elsewhere. I see some posts of people handling there own Insurance paperwork and going to CPAP.com, what is the benefit of that and what is the cats meow when it comes to a CPAP. Thanks again everyone!

Read the link I provided in my previous post.
Put this all into perspective........we were all in your situation at one time or another (with variations). Many of us were in denial and most of us have adapted to this new way of sleeping......and most of us love it.
Look at some of the forum members profiles. Our machines are listed there and by clicking on them will take you to the equipment at CPAP.COM. The "cat's meow" of machines are the Autos made by Philips/Respironics, ResMed and DeVilbiss. They have the most users on the forum and software that is easily obtainable.


Den

.

[Sleeprider]

If you search Craigslist for CPAP machines, you will find many that are overpriced, old bricks, and a few pearls. If you know the difference, you can get set up in a state of the art machine for under $300, or $400 for bi-level. I could even link you to some right now. The question is, are you serious? You know you have a problem, but getting the equipment is only part of the solution. You need your family doctor to get behind you on this. Go ask him for a home sleep test.

[Wulfman...]

If you search Craigslist for CPAP machines, you will find many that are overpriced, old bricks, and a few pearls. If you know the difference, you can get set up in a state of the art machine for under $300, or $400 for bi-level. I could even link you to some right now. The question is, are you serious? You know you have a problem, but getting the equipment is only part of the solution. You need your family doctor to get behind you on this. Go ask him for a home sleep test.

It sort of sounds like he's already had the sleep study.......but, I could be wrong. Reread his first post and see what you think.
Or, maybe he'll come back and tell us for sure.


Den

.

[webbie73]

Hello, I've been married 11 years and I'm age 34 and not overweight. I never thought I needed a CPAP, I have snored like crazy and my wife wanted me to visit the doctor. Long story short, after a sleep study, they want me top commit to a CPAP. I think I have an issue, but I feel the whole process is a conflict of interest. I mean I go to the doc, he sends me to an internal sleep study for their practice, than forward me to an internal Shop to spend $657 (Insurance debatable) to fit a mask and than rent a CPAP for 10 months in which they check to see if I wear it, if not the Insurance company doesn't buy me one?!

All I'm saying, if it works great, what if I don't like it, what if my wife wants to hear me snore rather than hear that loud machine? Why can't I trial the thing, why does this sound like a scam?

Sorry to come off strong, I just thing I'm being played.

Well you could develop heart problems, ED! High blood pressure etc. what makes you think you will not adjust? Who says you have to "look like a fighter Pilot"? Look at nasal pillows for your mask.

Just because the doctor, sleep center and supplier are connected does not mean they are screwing you!! I originally went to a doctor associated with the sleep center and certainly do not feel like I was screwed over.

Get out of denial and take care of business.

[palerider]

Who says you have to "look like a fighter Pilot"?

I thought fighter pilots were supposed to be all sexy and full of dashing derring do and stuff... who wouldn't want to look like that?

[Sleeprider]

If you search Craigslist for CPAP machines, you will find many that are overpriced, old bricks, and a few pearls. If you know the difference, you can get set up in a state of the art machine for under $300, or $400 for bi-level. I could even link you to some right now. The question is, are you serious? You know you have a problem, but getting the equipment is only part of the solution. You need your family doctor to get behind you on this. Go ask him for a home sleep test.

It sort of sounds like he's already had the sleep study.......but, I could be wrong. Reread his first post and see what you think.
Or, maybe he'll come back and tell us for sure.


Den

.

Yeah Den, you're right. All he needs is a copy of his prescription and he can find the right parts and fill in the pieces. It's funny, guys like him can be real successful because they take charge. The whole trick is just taking the first step and committing. I totally get the mis-trust, and it's probably something the medical profession and DMEs have earned.

Dirtyhands, all I can tell you is we are your enablers. You just have to do your part. Get the script and tell us what it says.