Hello from Michigan

Hello everyone!!

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 18 months ago by my dentist!! I was in to have my wisdoms removed, and when they put me under for the procedure I guess i was having a horrible time breathing. So when I awoke he informed me of the issue and recommended a sleep study. Of course being the thickheaded male of 26 yrs that I was it took a bit of prodding from my wife to actually get me to that point. Well after about 14 months on my cpap I can honestly say I have never felt better!! My wife and I recently sent that dentist (not our regular, he is an oral surgeon) a card and a nice letter thanking him for basically saving my life. I encourage anyone who is having second thoughts to stick with it, you can get used to it!! I look forward to further conversations with all of you.

Sincerely,
Corey

Corey,

Welcome!
And I'm in awe of your story. Imagine being diagnosed with sleep apnea by a dentist! Wow. And your success sounds so encouraging. I sure hope others read your message. As for me, it's only been over a month, and I still struggle with the treatment, but still it's by far better than before when my world was consumed entirely by exhaustion. How inspiring, your story!

Please continue to join us. There are alot of people out there, myself included, who need encouraging stories like yours.

Again, welcome. And Happy New Year!

Linda

I am very glad to have found this forum, it is nice to know of a place where I can go and discuss these issues!!!

Happy new year to you also!!

Hi Im from mich also (small town near jackson) and have been diagnosed
with sleep apnea. I dont have a machine yet but am researching cost and etc on how to get one. Been having trouble since by insurance is blue cross of s.carolina where the home plant is located. The nearest in-network place that I can go to is in Angola Indiana (or was it Ill). Wondering how to get one over the net when I think a resperatory therapist has to fit and set stuff dont they??? The place that the sleep study people sent my results
is a hospital in Lansing, and they said the cost would be about $2000
a year for just a rental of a machine. Then I see you can buy them for
$500 or so on the net. (and maybe elsewhere) Oh well, gotta get back to
the research. Maybe one of you out there has been in this situation and can help me.

Hi Lumberjack,

I hope someone local can give you advice. My experience is a little different from most, as my insurance apparently is difficult, but at least it does pay for the equipment, gratefully.

My doctor's office actually dealt with my insurance for me, getting the approval and setting up the details. Because of my type of insurance I could only get my equipment mailed to me, and the type the doctor recommended and prescribed. Had to set it up myself. Most people here are directed to a place where they get their equipment there after trying different masks, etc. and are given instructions. But I'm told that if there's a change or problem prescribed by my doctor, a local representative will come to my home and either allow me to try out things or deliver what I need.

This may not be your situation. I just wanted to describe it in case it helps, given your type of insurance. Pester your doctor! It doesn't seem right that your insurance should fight this if in fact they can pay for it all or most of it. Some people on the forum think you can order equipment, and is a process that's cheaper than the costs you might have to shell out with the insurance. Don't know. But keep checking in to view suggestions.

Good luck.

Linda

Hello ,
Iordered my equipment via the internet. Its really no big deal. The Rx has the settings and the unit is set before its shipped. The big question is the mask. If you buy 1 of the masks advised by others on this forum your chances of getting something that works are pretty good and you wont get some cocky BS from the DME. Questions? Just call cpap.com . They are very helpfull.

Waverly

If you are having that much trouble, all you need to do is find out what setting you need on a machine, and you can buy a used one on EBay for as little as 25 bucks. The sleep study will tell you what settings you should have. Ask your doctor for the report.

Chuck