bought a cpap (no prescription)

Nate154 · Post by **Nate154** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:23 pm

I don't know what else to do. I'm desperate. I'm so sick of feeling this way. I feel like I have a weight on my shoulders 24/7 and have this constant low grade of stress that's always there. Been over 2 years now of consecutive days without a good night. It all started when I developed asthma. I'm 26, 5'7'', 155 and otherwise healthy. The boat I'm unfortunately in is I don't have insurance, and it's hard to get a sleep study under state finical aid. I might have sleep apnea, or UARS, idk, but I know I have something so I'm taking things into my own hands.

I found someone off Craigslist that sold me a used REMstar cpap 1006064. I traded it for a gift certificate so it was basically free. I was just wondering if i could get some experience and tips from some people. He gave me the cpap and everything that comes with it, a couple hoses, a mask w/ 2 knops that fit in ur nose, a bunch of pamphlets and a dvd. Here is a picture of it:

http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n21/ ... g&newest=1

scrapper · Post by **scrapper** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:32 pm

I'm all for managing one's own therapy and being in charge......but first you need a diagnosis. Please go to a health professional for help, not the internet for diagnosis. What you are describing could be something completely different--not necessarily sleep apnea. In that case, using a cpap could do you more harm than good. Take care of yourself........care enough about yourself to start with a general practice physician if you must.......but find the best medical care you can, given your financial limitations.

jjocelyn · Post by **jjocelyn** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:38 pm

Hi, it's dangerous to self-diagnose your own problem. Get a professional to do it for you. Then you can get a most suitable remedy. Further more, you can't anyhow use other's mask i think. They come with different sizes, so you should get one best fit you.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:42 pm

There are organizations that can help you to get diagnosed without paying, or without paying a lot. If you have asthma, you definitely should not fool around with therapy, no matter how much you might think it's "the answer", or even half of it. I'm in Canada, so don't know, or can't remember offhand the name of the group(s) but hopefully someone else here will be able to point the way. Keep bumping your thread here every 6 hrs or so til you get answers. Can you get a name and/or size from the mask itself (could be printed on the plastic in very slight relief so it may be hard to find), and every word of ID that's on your machine so people here can know what you have and advise. Don't give up!

DreamOn · Post by **DreamOn** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:42 pm

Welcome Nate154,

Sorry, I can't help you with information regarding your machine because I'm not familiar with it.

I agree with scrapper. There's a nonprofit organization called Awake in America that helps individuals without health insurance, with inadequate health insurance, or without the financial means to obtain a free sleep study. You may want to see if you qualify for their assistance. Their website is http://www.awakeinamerica.org/. Click on the left side of that website where it says "Sleep Study Relief Program FAQ" for more information. They also supply xPAP equipment to those who can't afford it.

There are other things that can cause disordered sleep, so it would be wise to get a proper diagnosis. There could be several problems going on at once, in fact. During the sleep study, if you have sleep apnea or another condition that causes disordered breathing, they will determine the proper amount of pressure that keeps your airway open and prevents the events. They can also see if you have limb movements and other problems, how your sleep cycle looks, as well as measure your oxygen desaturation levels during breathing events. Without that crucial information, you'd only be guessing if you'd try to use your machine without full information from the study.

We all understand how lack of good sleep can affect us -- 24 hours a day. I hope you do find some relief.

Best wishes to you,

DreamOn

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:44 pm

I understand where you are coming from as I have grown kids that are unable to get health care due to the cost of having to purchase it since they don't have the option where they work.

Can you tell us the complete name of the cpap you purchased. It is written on the top and should say Remstar and then the model such as Plus, Pro, etc.

If you are going to use it, make sure you wash everything (hoses, mask parts, humidifier tank) with a mild soap and soak in a vinegar / water solution for a few minutes and rinse. Wipe your machine off and change filters in it.

Do not attempt to use the machine until you check to see what the pressure is set at. If you use too high of a pressure you can cause central apneas, something you need to be aware of since they are real possiblity when trying to self-titrate.

Your best bet, would be see if you could borrow an auto machine to help with the titration, but it can be done with a bare bones machine but it will take a longer time to do it.

If your machine doesn't provide any detailed data, you will have to go by how you feel. Start with a low pressure and slowly work your way up. Make only one change at a time and leave it for a week.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:50 pm

I feel for you. It won't hurt to try it out to see if it makes a difference.

You have one of the good old Remstar classic machines.

Often, a straight pressure of 10 is a good place to start.

If you have the manual, you can get into the clinician menu and set the pressure to 10 cm.

check here if you don't have the clinician manual ... http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

You appear to have a nasal pillow type mask interface. You can give it a whirl and see how it goes. You may experience mouth leaks, those will need to be addressed if they do indeed occur.

There are lots of veterans here who can help you get through to see if the treatment makes any difference for you.

Keep in mind that as others have said, you may not have OSA and you may need further professional assistance. You do need to realize that you are taking a minor risk, however, air pressure of 10 cm is not likely to hurt you over a short experimental period.

Check your machine to see exactly what model you have. If you have a data capable machine, you are in luck, if it is an APAP you are in better luck.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:53 pm

Nate, you are trying to do a good thing for yourself, imho. I did not have a sleep study or formal diagnosis. I was quite sure I had obstructive sleep apnea, so I gave "cpap" a try. That was six years ago, and I've been using "cpap" every night since that first try. Doesn't mean that's right for you, but I do understand not having insurance and the desire to try to do what you can for yourself.

My story:
How I got started on cpap:
Jan 25, 2005 subject: not diagnosed yet, many ? brand new here my story and Poisson's reply with good reasons why a PSG sleep study is important.

My eventual sleep study:
Nov 19, 2005 subject: First Sleep Study...finally! - rested gal sleepydave on that board is StillAnotherGuest here on cpaptalk. Many thanks to him for helping me get a real sleep study. Well worth waiting for!

What is the word written in red on the top surface of your machine? The word will probably be "Plus", "Pro", or "Auto"...which word is it?

The downside about "trying CPAP" without a diagnosis is...imho... the fact that sometimes even people with diagnosed sleep apnea will feel worse while getting accustomed to using cpap than they did before. So, if a person is giving it just a casual try to see if CPAP will be a magic bullet making them feel GRRRRRREAT, it would be awfully easy to say, "Well, this doesn't work, so I'll forget "cpap." But often it was the temporary sleep disruptions from equipment issues (usually the mask) that was making the person feel worse.

It can take awhile to get used to trying to sleep this crazy new way. An uncomfortable, leaky mask is all too often the cause of "cpap dropouts" even among people who have received a "severe sleep apnea" diagnosis.

There's also always the chance that other health issues are the real problem for you.

scrapper's right: "What you are describing could be something completely different--not necessarily sleep apnea."

But again, it's back to no insurance.... you're in a dilemma that you're trying to deal with as best you can. I hope CPAP works wonders for you. Good luck!

P.S. I agree with Roberto's suggestion:

DreamStalker wrote:Often, a straight pressure of 10 is a good place to start.

Nate154 · Post by **Nate154** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:02 pm

REMstar Plus 1006064

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:14 pm

Okay Nate, your machine doesn't provide any useful data so you will have to go by how you feel. Give it plenty of time and don't give up.

Start at what was suggested -- a pressure of 10.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:34 pm

Nate154 wrote:REMstar Plus 1006064

Unfortunately any of the "Plus" model machines will not provide you with anything more than "hours of use" even if it has a Smartcard.

At the risk that there could be another medical reason, odds are OSA could be the cause too. There is enuff information here and elsewhere on the internet for you to be successful. But 1st you are gonna have to learn about the makes and models of masks and machines.

And realize why people sell them on Craigslist. Usually, the machines don't record any useful data.

Keep in mind ANY doctor can write you a prescription.

Good Luck
Gumby - who thinks OSA is as common as cavities and arthritis.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:42 pm

Another possibility is to get a hold of a recording pulse oximeter. You can buy new for about $100 if that is in your budget ... used may be less but more risk in getting one that will work. Just make sure it record over night so you can look at the data. If you are on good terms with your PCP doc, he can Rx a loaner for you but I think you would be better off buying your own in the long run.

The mask will be the toughest part ... it has to be comfortable enough to wear all night and not leak.

Fortunately there are members who can loan you a few different types of masks and some new and used for sale on the forums auction link.

You can get it all worked out if you make the effort.

Wishing you the best to get everything sorted out.

Nate154 · Post by **Nate154** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:51 pm

Thanks all for the quick replies and advice. You guys really seem like you care. One of the worst parts of this whole ordeal is the lack of support (family included). My Mom thinks I'm crazy and no one else around really seems to understand. I'm def. gonna wait on it tonight, clean it tomorrow and watch the dvd, and give it a whirl tomorrow night. Night.

OCNorsk · Post by **OCNorsk** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:44 pm

Good luck. I knew that I had sleep apnea, not because I was tired, but because I would wake myself up gasping. I also would wake with no muscle memory of having been breathing.... I could tell that nothing was going on with my diaphragm. I was diagnosed, but it took 5 years before "they" decided I was bad enough to get a machine.

DreamOn · Post by **DreamOn** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:22 am

Nate154 wrote:Thanks all for the quick replies and advice. You guys really seem like you care. One of the worst parts of this whole ordeal is the lack of support (family included). My Mom thinks I'm crazy and no one else around really seems to understand. I'm def. gonna wait on it tonight, clean it tomorrow and watch the dvd, and give it a whirl tomorrow night. Night.

Nate,

I have learned almost everything I know about sleep apnea on this forum! The people here are very knowledgeable and supportive.

You've received some great suggestions, and I hope you'll let us know how you're doing. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. It does sometimes take a while to get everything worked out. I hope that CPAP helps you.

~ DreamOn

bought a cpap (no prescription)

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