How long to get the machine?

Starpilot · Post by **Starpilot** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:43 pm

Hi everyone,

I am very excited to begin my treatment but its going to be at least a few weeks before I can even order. Ever since I got my first sleep study I feel like I've been hit by a ton of bricks, like all the years of exhaustion are catching up with me all at once. I'd like to get started!

I'm sure it varies widely, but how long did it take people to get their equipment?

Thanks!

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:50 pm

Welcome. The delay may be a blessing. You have time to get educated.
Read this awesome summary of good and so-so machines, so you will go in with the knowledge you need.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

zoocrewphoto · Post by **zoocrewphoto** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:51 pm

Starpilot wrote:Hi everyone,

I am very excited to begin my treatment but its going to be at least a few weeks before I can even order. Ever since I got my first sleep study I feel like I've been hit by a ton of bricks, like all the years of exhaustion are catching up with me all at once. I'd like to get started!

I'm sure it varies widely, but how long did it take people to get their equipment?

Thanks!

It really depends on where you live, and how well your doctors and insurance work together. If you are buying on your own, then you can usually get it fast from an online place like our host. I had my sleep study, then waited a week and a half for my doctor's appointment. That was on a Thursday. I got my machine the following Monday. I know some people have gotten their machine the same day as the doctor appointment (or the sleep study). And some had to wait several weeks.

If you include your general location and what system of payment you are using, then somebody with the same system may be able to advise you better. This is an international forum, so it will depend on whether you have government healthcare, personal insurance, etc.

mgaggie · Post by **mgaggie** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:56 pm

Hi Starpilot, welcome to the forum.

I had to wait about 4 months from my first sleep study before I got my machine, BUT I'm from Australia and had to go through the public health care system (I couldn't afford to go private with no insurance). From what I've read here it depends on your location and your insurance company.

I understand what you mean about the exhaustion hitting you at once. I think its because we find out that there is a reason as to why we feel tired, our brains decide to not fight it anymore (hope that makes sense).

A word of caution for when you do get your machine, don't expect to wake up the next morning feeling fantastic and totally refreshed. Some people do and some don't, it might take time. When I was given my machine I was under the impression that I would be bouncing out of bed the next morning with tons of energy feeling like a new person, didn't happen. I do hope you are one of those that feels fantastic after the first night (I'll be very jealous if you are)

echo · Post by **echo** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 6:40 pm

Welcome! I got my machine immediately after my titration, but I had to wait 6 weeks between the sleep study and the tiration. Six, agonizing weeks. I think I read every post on cpaptalk during that time.

Have you already had your titration?

Starpilot · Post by **Starpilot** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 6:45 pm

Is the titration the sleep study where they fit you for the mask? I haven't had that one yet, that will be next Thursday evening (the 5th).

Oh and I'm located in the USA, in California. I have an HMO for insurance.

echo · Post by **echo** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 6:55 pm

Starpilot wrote:Is the titration the sleep study where they fit you for the mask? I haven't had that one yet, that will be next Thursday evening (the 5th).

Yes, the titration is where they figure out your pressure. If possible, ask to try out various masks - and be sure to test the mask with the pressure on (since they won't know your exact pressure, just make sure it isn't too low.).

You should also make sure to get a copy of your study, and not just the one-page summary (the first study as well as the titration). You should also get a prescription so that you can buy equipment online or for if you're travelling and get stuck with broken equipment and need to get a temporary unit.

In the meantime, read as much as you can! I swear there used to be sticky or something in the wiki about how to prepare for a titration, but I can't find anything at the moment. Maybe someone else will have a link.

In the meantime, you can prepare a bit with this: wiki/index.php/CPAP_Newbie

deerhound · Post by **deerhound** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:22 pm

When I finished my first sleep test and titration, the RT told me that I would get my machine in a couple of weeks. That was on Saturday morning. I receive a call on Monday morning telling me to go to the DME and get my machine. Iguess my AHI was so bad they rushed it. I lucked out and got a Respironics M series Auto Bipap to boot. Then I came to this site and found out I was treated really well by my Doc and the DME. Good luck getting used to CPAP and many great hours of sleep in the near future.
Dale

Bill44133 · Post by **Bill44133** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:47 pm

I had my sleep study on April 22nd this year and got my machine on April 30.
They told me I got my machine lightning fast but it seemed like eternity at the time.

Good Luck and Good Health to you.

JohnO · Post by **JohnO** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:54 pm

Starpilot wrote:I'm sure it varies widely, but how long did it take people to get their equipment?

It seems I was one of the lucky ones. The clinic I used did a split study (half the night without CPAP to gauge your AHI, etc., and half with the mask for titration). In the morning after I took a shower and had breakfast in the hotel lounge area (the clinic has 4 rooms in a hotel right next door to the clinic), I went back to the office area and picked up my machine which had already been configured with my pressure settings.

John

zoocrewphoto · Post by **zoocrewphoto** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:12 pm

Bill44133 wrote:I had my sleep study on April 22nd this year and got my machine on April 30.
They told me I got my machine lightning fast but it seemed like eternity at the time.

Good Luck and Good Health to you.

I did a split night study, and the second part was the best night if sleep I had gotten in years. I only had to wait just under 2 weeks to get my machine, but it also felt like an eternity. I actually dreamt the first night after the sleep study that I was going to have to wait 6 months, and I was angry. Even in my sleep, my brain said get me of of those! I was never so excited to see a doctor in my life. And I was thrilled when the DME called the next day to confirm my insurance and set up the appointment. I was at a cat show, setting up, and my cell phone minutes ran out. I had to add more and call back. That was a friday, and I got the first appointment on monday, took it home, and took a nap. I was that excited to get started.

That, after avoiding the whole idea of a sleep study and cpap machine for at least 10 years. What a mistake! I was sure the sleep study would be useless as I don't sleep well when traveling, and I am a severe night owl. And I was sure I would never sleep with a cpap machine. My mom's machine was loud, and she thought that only nasal masks were available. I am a mouth breather, no way I could use a nasal only mask. But when I learned truly how bad sleep apnea is, I decided to confess and at least give it a try. I was hooked by the end of the sleep study. She put the mask on me, I rolled over, and I slept 5 hours straight.

Bill44133 · Post by **Bill44133** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:32 pm

Starpilot wrote:Is the titration the sleep study where they fit you for the mask? I haven't had that one yet, that will be next Thursday evening (the 5th).

Oh and I'm located in the USA, in California. I have an HMO for insurance.

Titration is when they determined the correct pressure you need. I had 2 of them.

DeepBreathing · Post by **DeepBreathing** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:47 pm

I had one sleep study which showed pretty severe apnea (AHI = 62). They provided me with a machine there and then, with four week's hire and weekly consultations with a sleep therapist. The cost of the hire was deducted from the purchase price of the machine. As it turned out the four weeks stretched to two months before we finally got sorted with a machine, mask and pressures that fully controlled my apneas, but they still only charged me for four weeks. I got half the hire cost back from my insurance as well as a rather miserable contribution towards the cost of the machine (S9 VPAP Adapt).

I think I prefer this process to the idea of having a sleep study followed by a titration study followed by a wait to get a machine. I also wonder how efficient / effective the titration study really is. We all have good nights and bad nights and need to build up a picture of patterns and trends to understand what's going on. The titration study is just a snapshot, under very artificial conditions.

Shangool · Post by **Shangool** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 11:45 pm

Hi,
I need to get a CPAP Machine, without prescription. Is there any way that I can order one?
I read that I should ask "mcdover" user, but I can't PM him. HELP Please.

Bill44133 · Post by **Bill44133** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 11:58 pm

Shangool wrote:Hi,
I need to get a CPAP Machine, without prescription. Is there any way that I can order one?
I read that I should ask "mcdover" user, but I can't PM him. HELP Please.

You can try Craigs List maybe some one local has one for sale. Good Luck!

How long to get the machine?

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