Financial Help

CaseyinNC · Post by **CaseyinNC** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:39 am

I am on workers comp due to a truck accident in 05, I have lost my insureance and struggle to get by on the lesser pay. I have had my Dr I go to for my Comp Injury tell me every time I needed to get my sleep apnea taken care of. But I dont have that kind of money for the test and system ect. Is there any where that offers Financial help to help pay for such problems I am so sick of sleeping 2-4 hrs a day. TY for reading this

jules · Post by **jules** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:58 am

This is a charity that provides help - you need to check out their FAQ on RELIEF

http://www.awakeinamerica.org/DonateRelief/

Some sleep centers will provide reduced price or charitable studies as well as machines but you have to do the homework on that too and call around. You should also look for an AWAKE group in your area and see if they have any leads for help. You can call and talk to a social worker who helps with financial problems at your local hospital too.

shortbus · Post by **shortbus** » Sun May 25, 2008 5:06 pm

I don't know if you can but try getting SSI. If you get it you will get free medical insurance. My son is disabled and he gets a medical card/

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:13 pm

Casey
If you cannot come up with the money for both a sleep study and a machine you could ask your regular doctor to prescribe an auto cpap for you. He seems to know you have apnea. You might find a used or new auto with data card for 300 to 800 dollars. You could then self titrate with help from this forum. You probably could find someone to read your card for you and help. It would be better to go to the sleep lab and sleep doctor but if your choice is to go untreated or use self titration then you you will need to decide what is best for you.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:37 pm

Casey what makes the doctor think you have sleep apnea? If it is your worker comp doctor did sleep apnea have anything to do with your accident? Have you had a study in the past? Do you snore? Do you have a bed partner that has witnessed your breathing patterns? Do you wake up in the night? You indicate that you sleep 2 - 4 hours a day. Did you mean 24 hours a day or you are only getting between 2 to 4 hours sleep in a 24 hour period? IF you are only getting between 2 to 4 hours sleep at night that isn't enough and you need to increase the amount of sleep you are getting.

Is your doctor willing to write a script for an apap? Can you afford a good used machine from cpapauction? Besides the machine, you will need the hose and mask -- these can be purchased from cpapauction as well and for a fraction of the cost over retail.

It will take some time if you go the self-titrating method to find the pressure that is right for you. If you can find a machine that is data capable that would be wonderful and I am sure someone would help you out by reading your card. Some on the forum have used straight cpap and have went by how they feel and made their adjustments that way. That will take some time to find the right pressure. For many people a pressure of 10 is a good place to start and then adjust gradually up or down and leave it for a week before adjusting again.

Advertise on craigslist for a good used machine and you may want to explain the circumstances and see if anyone responds. Someone may have one they are not using and be willing to part with it for a small fee. Many of the older machines are still going strong and might work for you.

Good luck.

roster · Post by **roster** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:47 pm

Have you applied for Medicare?

A good place to start checking into Medicare is here: http://tinyurl.com/5v9dn7