Waiting for CPAP/APAP machine is torture!

[evilmoose1987]

Hello All,

I am new to the forum and new to the CPAP/APAP game!

I spent last Sunday night in the sleep lab, the first half of the night they confirmed my OSA then they put me on the CPAP and I had a good 4 hours sleep, the next day I was like a new person! I have not felt that good since I was about 16/17 years old and now I am thinking that Ive been living with OSA for a long time.

My journey start early 2014 where I was having headaches continuously, and I have been on this Journey for 2 years now! I think all along that I had undiagnosed OSA! Only time will tell when I get the CPAP machine.

But the waiting is killing me, its like cold turkey almost.

Thanks

Nick

[Diamondminek]

how long do you need to wait for a machine? I had to wait like 6 weeks to get my test results, and got a machine then - that in its self was torture. if its a case of waiting for an appointment, see if there is a cancellation list you can go on.

[ScottGA]

I also waited weeks. Finally, I called the equipment provider I was required to use at the time and asked them why I had not heard from them. They were in no hurry and seemed in no way concerned about my health. Only when I said that if I died in the meantime due to problems with sleep apnea did they appeared to have a sense of urgency. I was not trying to threaten them or slam them against the wall, but after having finally having been diagnosed, I was desperate for relief. My advice is try to kindly strike up a rapport with whoever you talk to there and see if they can 'fit you in'. Offer to go there on short notice or whatever else you need to do to get in early. Once you figure out this game with the DME providers, I recommend you turn in whatever equipment you get from them and buy your own equipment from CPAP.com. You can expect to get the cheapest machine they have and like me, they may fit you with the wrong size mask, because it's what they have handy, and will do the minimum to assist you. IMO, it's a racket geared around them thinking you don't know better or won't take charge of your own health.
Once you do get the equipment, STICK WITH IT. I struggled with the 'too big' mask, but the first night, slept like a dream. I didn't know what I had been missing. The mask and hose will challenge you, spouses will complain about the noise, mostly from the mask, but stick with it and one day you will wake up and not even realize you have the mask on, other than feeling well rested.

[pettyfan45]

I am in a similar boat I was fighting with local hospital for close to a year and a half and my former doctor there was trying tell me that my apnea was mild and I just needed to lose weight. I finally said screw it and went to another hospital about an hour way and was refereed to a sleep doctor and I just had my CPAP titration and (as long they got enough data) I should be getting my prescription for my machine in about mid September. I am normally a side sleeper but when they put the CPAP on me I slept soundly on my back for first time though I only got about 4 hours of sleep.

[Goofproof]

You should be used to the torture, after years of needing cpap. Just make sure to use it correctly when you get one, and monitor the data with software when you get it. Jim

[ChicagoGranny]

the waiting is killing me

Become a pest, get on cancellation lists, call back twice a day.

In the meantime, avoid backsleeping - sleep on your sides or stomach.

On your back, gravity is directly pulling the tongue and soft palate into the airway. You may get some relief by sleeping on your sides or stomach.

[evilmoose1987]

I am waiting for the doctor to send the DME the Rx. Apparently when I rang on Monday they had not received the study from the lab even though the lab told me they all ready sent it and I'm pretty certain it's all electronic. I'm going to ring them tomorrow.

I think once you get a taste of how good sleep feels it makes your subsequent nights awful.

[Goofproof]

After you get set up, and dialed in, a little time not stopping breathing at night, and you won't want to be without it. Jim

[Imatryin]

I totally feel for you. You have to be your own advocate and that means being a pain in the butt. I went through the same thing and learned the hard way.

After over a month of waiting, I found out that my insurance didn't cover durable medical equipment and their "discount" provider wanted nearly $2000 for cpap and mask. To type it off, my doctor's office was closed for vacation and I couldn't get a copy of my prescription and sleep study. I found a local DME and was able to purchase the exact same equipment my insurance company's "discount" DME provider was selling me for half the price and I didn't even need my sleep study or the prescription. It took a total of 6 weeks from my sleep study to actually getting my equipment. But that's because I was not my own advocate and waited for almost 5 weeks for my doctor's office to communicate with my insurance company and for my insurance company to contact them to tell them I wasn't covered.

You've made the right step joining this forum. Everyone here is very helpful and supportive.

Best of luck!!!!

[ChicagoGranny]

I was not my own advocate and waited

Good point. Glad you finally figured it out. DIY.

[Sir NoddinOff]

It's sad that sometimes we mere apnea patients have to convert to being pests to get the attention we deserve. That's the way things work in the modern world... 'squeaky wheel and all'. Good luck, and keep us posted on how things work out.

Modern medical axiom:
The CPAP meek shall not inherit the world - instead they will merely drift to the bottom of the queue while starving for nightime oxygen as they patiently wait for mega-insurance companies to save them.

[klm49]

I am waiting for the doctor to send the DME the Rx. Apparently when I rang on Monday they had not received the study from the lab even though the lab told me they all ready sent it and I'm pretty certain it's all electronic. I'm going to ring them tomorrow.

I think once you get a taste of how good sleep feels it makes your subsequent nights awful.

Sorry its not going as quickly as you would like. Once my DME got th RX I had my machine in 2 days even though I was told it would be up to a week I lucked out and got a data capable apap. I didnt find this forum till after I got my machine.
I would refuse a machine if it werent data capable.
All I got when I picked up my machine was mask, hose and machine. I got no filters or replacement cushions. After 2 mos. I went in to sleep dr. For compliance visit and he was upset I hadnt gotten anything. It took me 2 weeks of arguing but they finally coughed up a cushion. If I had it to do over I would ask about initial supplies. My Dme's supply list didnt include cushions, they just wanted to give me an entire new mask every 3 mos. My sleep Dr. Gave me a list of what and when he recommended changing.
Good luck! You are in the right place fir help and support!

[ChicagoGranny]

I would refuse a machine if it werent data capable.

+1

[Uncle_Bob]

the waiting is killing me

Become a pest, get on cancellation lists, call back twice a day.

Or suggest you might be inclined to rate the company and write an appropriate review on line. Works like charm.

~UB

[klv329]

If you know what machine you are looking for, you could ask to see if any forum members have a machine for sale. Craigslist can be interesting and cheap, but be careful there and vet everything.

It's always good to have a back up machine, so if you can afford it it's good to start looking into back up machine options.

And then there's the pesky mask issue...