Slowly slipping into insanity

So, my respironics bipap machine is broken. I was using the maching everynight with great success for over a year and now i am without it. Its been a week and im already started to notice differences in my over all mood and mental health. I know the machine is still under warranty but the company i purchased from is hassling for money i dont owe them. Plus i have a feeling that the machine has been water damaged, which i believe isnt covered by warranty anyways. The machine has started to make a loud whistling noise and the fan output has been reduced by half. 1800 dollars for a new one is not an option and my insurance dosent kick in for 2 months. so im stuck trying to get it fixed, but no one even wants to look at it, the overall price to repair it being almost as much to replace it. So it looks like im toughing it out, going back to the anti snoring throat rinses and special pillows until i can figure something out.


Its scary to think how dependant i have become on this machine.

Get a copy of your prescription and e-mail it to cpap.com and cpapauction.com. Then you can either bid on M series Bipap Auto and get it for less than $800. or get a pre-M series Bipap Auto from cpap.com for $825.00. The advantage of cpap.com is that you do get a warranty. Many folks here seem to prefer the older model machines. I plan on getting one for my backup machine after the first of the year.

Dale

As an immediate step, I'd suggest you contact every DME within your area and see if they'll rent you one until your insurance kicks in.

I'd do about anything other than go without for a week. The MORNING after it quit I'd have been on the phone trying to come up with another machine...borrow, beg, or steal. And yes I'm that dependent and I know it and I don't care.

Good luck coming up with a machine. I bet you'll be surprised how it falls into place once you decide you are getting a machine come hell or high water.

JeffH

Raj wrote:As an immediate step, I'd suggest you contact every DME within your area and see if they'll rent you one until your insurance kicks in.

Excellent suggestion Raj. I would even propose that you appeal to the DMEs to loan you one free of charge. We blast the stupid DMEs regularly here but you well might find one that will help for a temporary period. You might also ask your sleep lab if they can help.

So it looks like im toughing it out....

In my experience sleep apnea is not a condition that can be "toughed out". It will destroy you bit by bit and occasionally it might take a big chunk (heart attack, stroke).

Remember to sleep on your side or stomach while you are without a machine. Back sleeping is the most dangerous position when you do not have a machine.

Best of luck,

Rooster is right about "back sleeping is the most dangerous position when you do not have a machine" if you will be in bed.

Sleeping as upright as you can (as in a fairly upright recliner chair) is another "make do until I get a machine" option ...especially if you need to be on your back.

Of course you're dependent. I'm dependent. Everyone on earth is dependent on BREATHING, which is exactly what your cpap helps you do. It's not a drug you're getting addicted to that is hurting your body because of the addiction - it's a tool to keep your airway open, which is allowing you to breathe. Do what you need to do to get your hands on one - as others have said, rent one. Believe it or not, an oxygenated blood stream is good for you.

Well said collegegirl

Might I also make a (stupid) suggestion? I don't know how wide your Bipap settings are, or whether you have specific medical condition which absolutely requires a Bipap, but it might be an idea to get a backup CPAP or APAP machine with CFlex/Aflex for times like this. You could pick one up from cpap.com or from cpapauction for cheap, just to tide you over in cases like this, since a backup Bipap would be so expensive. Just a thought....