Firemen with CPAP?

Fire-n-Gin · Post by **Fire-n-Gin** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:20 pm

I'm a career Firefighter and sleep at the firehouse 2 nights a week. I normally don't bring my machine to the firehouse, but then the next day I'm pretty tired. Obviously we have nights that any machine isn't going to help to get good sleep because duty calls, but many nights we sleep for 7 hours straight.

I'm wondering of there are other firefighters out there who pack up their machines and bring them to work or just wing it for those nights? It's a real pain to pack it up with the humidifier and cords and hoses, etc.

I thought about getting a second machine to leave @ work, but then I wasn't sure how my insurance covered that. Or rather, how it didn't cover that.

What to do?

Thanks, Rodd

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:26 pm

I'm not a fireman, but I know you should not be sleeping without your CPAP--untreated apneas are harmful to your health. I'd say get the second machine.

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:38 pm

Over the last 3 years that I've been on the forum, I've seen several career firemen who are "hosers" (in more ways than one).
As I recall, they didn't have any problems or issues about taking them to the firehalls to sleep.
I can't comment on whether they had multiple machines or not, but if you have the extra money and your prescription (which you SHOULD have), you can get a spare machine from CPAP.COM pretty reasonable priced.

Den (volunteer fireman in my younger years)

Fire-n-Gin · Post by **Fire-n-Gin** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:46 pm

Hey Den...How do you like your full face mask? That's something I've been considering.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:52 pm

Fire-n-Gin wrote:I thought about getting a second machine to leave @ work, but then I wasn't sure how my insurance covered that. Or rather, how it didn't cover that.

What to do?

Consider asking your insurance?

I would say if they don't cover it - look around for a used machine on Craigslist or local papers. I'm willing to bet if YOU started bringing a "sleeping machine" to work, it would be a new "fashion trend". You'll find out how many closet 'pappers are in the house!

I don't understand why sooo many people are ashamed to let people know they have OSA & whine about the mask leaving marks on their face.

Do some research on retirees from your firehouse Re: Heart & Hypertension. Why retire if you can't enjoy it.
JMMO

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:59 pm

Fire-n-Gin wrote:Hey Den...How do you like your full face mask? That's something I've been considering.

My Ultra Mirage FF was my first pick for masks when I started and it's worked best for me. Lots of people claim to have claustrophobia wearing full face masks, but I never had a problem wearing air paks during my fire department days, so it just seemed "natural" to use something like the UMFF......especially being the mouth-breather that I was/am.

I get a pretty good seal with mine......except for an occasional restless night.
Far too many people have problems leaking air out their mouths with nasal masks and then have to seal their lips with tape of Polident adhesive denture strips.......which all seems more claustrophobic than a full face mask.

In short......I love mine.

Den

Fire-n-Gin · Post by **Fire-n-Gin** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:02 pm

I have no problems with the marks on my face nor ashamed about the CPAP thing. There are a lot of my peers who have been recently diagnosed with the situation. My issue isn't about what people in my firehouse will say about me using the machine, it's about the pain in the neck it is to pack it up a couple of times a week to bring it to work and home again. Besides, If I have my mask on, the bunkroom will be a lot quieter for the other guys, so they all support me bringing it. I feel bad that we have one guy who sleeps in the dayroom down the hall, one guy who sleeps in a chair in the TV room and the other guy sleeps with ear plugs and a fan on to cover the noise that comes out of me at night with the snoring. The other guy is new enough, he doesn't complain about anything (especially the boss making too much noise ).

I'm just curious what other fireman do?

Fire-n-Gin · Post by **Fire-n-Gin** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:05 pm

Wulfman wrote:"...seal their lips with tape of Polident adhesive denture strips..."

REALLY?! People do that? wow.... I can't imagine. I guess I really need to suck it up. My issues are nothing compared to that.

fire549 · Post by **fire549** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:09 pm

I have no problem packing mine up and taking it with me every third day. There are three of us on shift that use them so it's no big deal. I'm sure there are others working with you that probably need them, about a third of our department uses them.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:10 pm

Fire-n-Gin wrote:I Besides, If I have my mask on, the bunkroom will be a lot quieter for the other guys, so they all support me bringing it.

hmmm put up a boot? take up a collection?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:21 pm

Some of the small fixed pressure machines are very cheap - buying online is world's apart from what you paid for the same thing to a DME.

Take a look at this - sorted by price.

https://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-p ... ected=CPAP

O.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:14 am

Well, being the lazy type myself, I FULLY understand the hassle of hauling your CPAP, mask, etc. back and forth. Heck, I don't travel overnight very often during a year but as soon as a I could afford it I bought a second CPAP (actually an autoPAP) and it sure is NICE to just grab the carrying case, bottle of distilled water and walk out the door - and its even nicer to walk into the house when I get home and just drop into bed w/o having to set up again!!

I doubt insurance would pay for another CPAP so soon, but, nothing ventured, nothing gained, it won't hurt to ask.

If they won't, as soon as I could afford it, I'd be buying another CPAP out of pocket as Ozij suggested or even as Gumby suggested. Heck, check out cpapauctions.com too. I bought a used Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage complete w/carrying case, both manuals, humidifier, etc. for $500, shipping included as my backup/travel xPAP.

And if you don't have a copy of your original script, just ask that sleep doctor for a copy or just have your family doctor write you a new script to purchase online with. RestedGal said that to purchase from cpap.com all you need is CPAP written on your doctor's regular script pad. No need for pressure settings, etc. at all. Buying online you don't need a script for the humidifier, mask, etc., just the plain ole CPAP script.

Fire-n-Gin · Post by **Fire-n-Gin** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:35 pm

How about a Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP)? Are there any success stories for this device?

xyz · Post by **xyz** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:55 pm

This is such a simple issue. Your health will be better and the other people that are around you will sleep better if you take it with you.

To minimize the (minor) inconvenience of packing when we travel, I made up a short checklist on the computer of the things that are needed. This was after a trip where I forgot just one item -- the power cord. And bedtime being what it is, it was too late to buy one anywhere.

I printed out a bunch of these checklists (literally there is a box to check for each item) and put them in the closet where the bag is.

I can pack now in around four minutes with the assurance that I have everything. I've even edited the list as I've realized that there are other related items that are needed.

> I thought about getting a second machine to leave @ work, but then I wasn't sure how my insurance covered that.

How old is your current machine? Most insurance companies use Medicare guidelines, even for their commercial customers, just because it is so common. Medicare is 5 years.

Fire-n-Gin · Post by **Fire-n-Gin** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:11 pm

I just got off the phone with the people from the sleep study place and it has been SIX years already that I've had my machine. The sad part is that it lived in the closet for a while as I hated being married to it. It's still difficult to comprehend that this thing will be attached to my nose for the rest of my life and I'm only 36.

I asked them about a second unit for the firehouse and one person told me that the 5 year plan is no longer and they won't replace it as long as the one I have is still working.

I tried last night to use it without Afrin and without heat and it was working really well till we had to go put out a kitchen fire @ 2:30. I'll be home now for the next 6 nights and will give a good attempt.

Perhaps it might be easier to remove that 60 pound weight belt that I've been lugging around for a decade.

Mask	Humidifier

Mask	Humidifier

Mask	Humidifier

Mask	Humidifier

Firemen with CPAP?

Firemen with CPAP?

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