24+ yo cpap machine broken
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2024 2:15 pm
Hey y’all. I’m a handicapped woman who last saw her ENT regarding the CPAP over 24 years ago. I can’t even recall the name of the doc who first prescribed it. My ancient machine, a Sullivan V Lightweight, still works, barely; however, it does not have the hydration feature and I often wake up in excruciating pain as it feels like my sinuses are on fire (and I know pain… I’m in
In 2020, my mother passed away and at the same time, problems with my sinuses got worse. Because of the lockdown, I couldnt get an apt. for a new cpap and to be honest, I was dealing with too much to add that to my plate. My Dad offered a short term fix though which was to send me home with my Mom's newer and far better machine, a Philips Respironics System 1.
Four years later, and I had totally forgotten that I needed to make an apt. for a new one. I am now mostly homebound (my spine is a trainwreck & I have no cartilage in my knees, shoulders, and elbows.) There is no way I can do an in office sleep study because I have to have my particular set-up or the pain is excruciating & prevents any sleep. Gotta have knees at one level and head tilted to be able to breath. I have horrible sinuses and horrible allergies making breathing difficult.
A month ago, the Philips's Respironics stopped auto turning on and I am spending up to fifteen minutes every night trying to get it to work while having a panic attack because I can't breath. I contacted my primary care physician who sent a prescription to Lincare who has been absolutely worthless in helping us negotiate the bureaucracy of getting a new machine.
So. I have a gazillion questions. Is it possible to bypass the bureaucracy and just order one on the internet? Because I have so many issues, should I go to a full face mask (is that a bi-pap?)? What brand & make should I go with? I am absolutely at a loss here.
In 2020, my mother passed away and at the same time, problems with my sinuses got worse. Because of the lockdown, I couldnt get an apt. for a new cpap and to be honest, I was dealing with too much to add that to my plate. My Dad offered a short term fix though which was to send me home with my Mom's newer and far better machine, a Philips Respironics System 1.
Four years later, and I had totally forgotten that I needed to make an apt. for a new one. I am now mostly homebound (my spine is a trainwreck & I have no cartilage in my knees, shoulders, and elbows.) There is no way I can do an in office sleep study because I have to have my particular set-up or the pain is excruciating & prevents any sleep. Gotta have knees at one level and head tilted to be able to breath. I have horrible sinuses and horrible allergies making breathing difficult.
A month ago, the Philips's Respironics stopped auto turning on and I am spending up to fifteen minutes every night trying to get it to work while having a panic attack because I can't breath. I contacted my primary care physician who sent a prescription to Lincare who has been absolutely worthless in helping us negotiate the bureaucracy of getting a new machine.
So. I have a gazillion questions. Is it possible to bypass the bureaucracy and just order one on the internet? Because I have so many issues, should I go to a full face mask (is that a bi-pap?)? What brand & make should I go with? I am absolutely at a loss here.