Sleepyheaded newbie appreciates you folks!

JohnBob · Post by **JohnBob** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:04 pm

Well, after having my kids make jokes about my snoring and remembering my second ex-wife had complained of my snoring and "weird breathing" and my now significant other (whose father has OSA) tell me that when we watch movies at her house and I fall asleep with loud snoring and periodically stop breathing, I decided I had a problem. I am tired all the time, fall asleep during the day easily, get up often during the night to go to the bathroom, have headaches more frequently than I used to, etc. I had a sleep study done 3 weeks ago. The tech said I was the worst case he had seen in over 6 months. I had about 80 events an hour and when they put me on CPAP during the split study, I not only tolerated it, I LOVED it! That was the best night's sleep I had gotten in years!!!

Pre-armed with all the information I have learned from reading here for the last two weeks, I am seeking to get a REMStar Auto C-Flex with heated humidifier chamber, and will start with the Respironics ComfortLite 2 mask. I am going to try to go through a local DME who is strictly respiratory therapy in his business. I have requested my internist to write the script for an APAP and my insurance will pay 80% for products bought in-netowrk and 75% for products out-of-network so I will be able to compare how much I get hit with out-of-pocket expenses between my local DME and cpap.com. I shoud have equipment by the end of the week.

I do have a question for the group...I have chronic, upper respiratory allergy which keeps me at least partially congested much of the year and when it is bad, I am a mouth-breather. In the sleep study, the CPAP blew right through my congestion and I kept my mouth closed...is this a seriou complication to receiving effective therapy?

Thanks!

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:41 pm

Except for the collection of ex-wives, your story is so nearly exzaaaaaktly the same as mine, AHI of 73, and miscellaneous seasonal allergies. Also got shoved into the sleep study by a spouse who kept one hand on the pulse, and one on the insurance policy on the nightstand. THAT DID IT!

It seems to me that if you can keep your mouth shut with all that pressure, that would be a big PLUS. Consider it a gift. And if the pressure is adequate to keep the airway open, well cool. I strongly approve of your choice of equipment. I predict you will accumulate a collection of masks of various genus and species, which (unlike ex-wives) is nice to have an extra one in the drawer at all times. (and some cookies)

Wishing you success.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): AHI

Jere · Post by **Jere** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:18 pm

I have pretty bad problems with nasal congestion. The nasal pillow masks (Aura, Swift, etc.) work very well at keeping my nose open at night (and my mouth closed). When the problems are bad (like now with Spring pollen) I look forward to strapping on the mask and getting some good air. Good luck!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:07 pm

You've done your research well, JohnBob! Good equipment selection. Add the ubiquitous ponytail scrunchy and you'll be setup for success.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:55 pm

And a pollen filter keeps many allergens out.

O.

JohnBob · Post by **JohnBob** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:52 pm

Thanks Ric and one ex-wife is not a problem at all...the other goes beyond making up for it...they are highly over-rated and I have "collected" them against my wishes.

Restedgal, what, praytell is the the ponytail scrunchy for? I haven't seen anything on that one.

ozij, I think that pollen filters would be a good idea...thanks for the tip!

I have gotten awful experiences with DME's already. My out-of-pocket for what I want is practically as much as if I were to foot the bill totally from cpap.com!!! So, I have filled out the forms with billmyinsurance.com to see how much they can help me. I am not stupid and this can't be that difficult, but my generous insurance company pays X amount for cpap regardless of the machine prescribed. I'll let you know just how much out-of-pocket I will save with buying out of network with cpap.com.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:15 pm

JohnBob,

Please read my post in this thread. I made suggestions concerning being reimbursed by the insurance provider. See if it'll work for you.

viewtopic.php?t=8099

Best wishes,

Den